Super game, but not so super ads

Once a year, we local ad folks look forward to the Super Game (yeah, we know, can't use the real term... copyright laws and all). Sure we like the football part of things, but we're most excited about the commercial breaks and seeing what the world's top creatives have come up with this time. No pressure. You're just paying, oh, like a couple mil for your 30 seconds of fame.

This year's crop of ads was, well, not so bountiful. Doritos was a standout, as they have been in the past few years. The snack favorite's "Man's Best Friend" spot where a dog bribes a man with Doritos so he won't nark about the missing cat was gut bustingly funny as was "Sling Baby." Regular contender E-Trade's baby cleverly incorporated speed dating into a hospital nursery scene and Budweiser, as always, showcased stunning production with elaborate spots about the end of prohibition and war. Watching the Coca Cola polar bears back on screen was enjoyable too.

The succession of car ads blurred a bit although Volkswagen's "The Dog Strikes Back" ad was entertaining and Chevy's "Stunt" ad for the new Sonic intrigued although perhaps not in the best way.

Unfortunately the disappointments were many. Go Daddy's sex fantasy ads were less shocking that just mundane as the domain register sinks further and further into juvenile territory. Careerbuilder's monkey antics are similarly getting a little old; the company's ad about monkeys playing practical jokes on their fellow business traveler was barely funny. And, the shrunken head emerging from the shoulder of a Cars.com shopper? Disturbing in an Alien Returns sort of way.

Missed a few spots? Check 'em all out and vote for your favorites online.

Twitter pays off results in gumballs

Wondering if Tweeting can really work for your business? Rube Goldberg Machine might finally demonstrate tangible results from Twitter. Sure, the results are in gumballs, but a money model can't be far behind. Anybody got a penny?

Got a great idea, but need some input?

Sometimes you get what you think is a great idea, but you're not positive and you sure could use a little input from the peanut gallery. Enter crowd sourcing websites. For a small fee, you post your idea and ask for feedback. While not quite as focused as a focus group, crowd sourcing sites are a tremendous source of opinion from a wide swath of folks who use the web.

For details about the concept, dial up this piece on American Express' Open Forum blog. http://tinyurl.com/bp7mf97

Nice package: clearing up a misconception

One of the misconceptions about advertising agencies is that soliciting help from one requires deep pockets, big boardroom meetings on Madison Avenue and hearing campaign pitches, with lots of fancy artwork atop easels.

That does, of course, exist, but smaller agencies often offer less expensive options and will customize a campaign (fancy word for “do you need a logo, a website, bus-bench signage, radio spots?”) to fit your budget (another fancy, and sometimes intimidating, word for “what do you want to spend?”).

If the thought of even a very modest campaign still sounds too expensive and complicated, there’s another option: [insert drum roll here] The Package.

Ad packages are simply various types of basic advertising, bundled into a single fixed low cost. They’re generally comprised of the kind of advertising that typical businesses need. One package option might be, for example, a logo, business cards, a one-page website and a one-page brochure. They can become more involved with print advertising, sales kits, promotional items, maybe even a Facebook business page, depending on your needs and … gulp … budget. The point is that an ad package created by an agency will yield cost-effective creative design and professional production versus going with that place in the strip mall down the street, Floyd’s Printing, Design and Knick Knacks—We’re Not Good, But We’re Slow. You also know up front exactly what you’re getting and how much it will cost.

If you’ve never worked with an ad agency but are considering it now and want to wade in slowly, inquire about advertising packages. They’re a great, inexpensive way to get to know an agency for possible future work while fulfilling a need now that we at Ryan William’s believe is crucial to any business: advertising.