A Mistake That Can't Be Untangled

Molly Wipf

Article #8

      Violence against women in India has been an unavoidable issue since last December when a young women decided to take the bus and suffered a horrific gang rape. The women died from her extensive injuries and since then her death has sparked endless protests throughout India. 

      In recent news, Ford had to actually apologize for advertisements created by JWT India that illustrates an image of women tied up in the trunk of a Ford Figo. The ads themselves never actually ran but were discovered on the internet under "Ad's of the World". In one illustration it appears that Paris Hilton has tied up the Kardashian's and another displays the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi binding together three suggestive women. The advertisement reads "Leave your worries behind with Figo's extra-large boot" and what is so horrific is that some are arguing that this advertisement was not received well because society has become too sensitive. 

      But what we have to remember is that just because it is a cartoon does not make it any less violent and shocking. It's almost reassuring that America is starting to get disturbed by this casual violence that is all over the place! However, it is unfortunate that Ford is going to suffer a great deal and this acts as a reminder that the Internet does not understand the difference between advertisements that have been approved and those that haven't. Although this wasn't approved it is certainly a catalyst for a conversation that is unavoidable at this point in regards to violence against women. 

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/ford-apologizes-tying-women-indian-ads-148147

America's Favorite Cookie!

Molly Wipf
Article #7

    It's a pretty rare experience when you find someone that doesn't enjoy Oreos. They are America's favorite cookie! Oreo has recently launched a #cookiethis/#cremethis Instagram campaign and the final step of the campaign with SuperImportantTest.com. It is an amusing "grab bag of a website"and it articulates the fact that there is no right answer to which you prefer: cookies or creme. Once you submit your answer you are then taken to one or more of 30 amusing videos.
  Some of the videos include 2D horse animation videos to robotic cats! The clips were created by directors, production companies and YouTube personalities from "six different time zones". After you go through your first video you can cycle back to any of the other ones. The campaign was certainly a success even off of the less than serious premise. The campaign lasted six weeks and the two choices let consumers pick their stand while still vocalizing that there is no bad part of an Oreo.

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/oreo-wraps-cookie-vs-creme-campaign-dozens-goofy-videos-148017

Flying Towards a Serious Future...

Molly Wipf
Article #6 

    Southwest Airlines has just released a new advertisement, establishing a "grander brand message" with the help of TBWA/Chiat/Day. Southwest has been gaining so much momentum within the domestic airline industry and I actually just finished reading a book about the growth of the airline itself. It has always been known for its playfulness and lighthearted business tactics, but the new commercial actually portrays Southwest in a less humorous way and a more relatable yet committed fashion. Southwest understands that flying is an emotional experience for most people since you are giving total control of your life to an airline and this commercial truly indicates the companies commitment to the public. They do their job well.
    The commercial is a series of trailing shots of a pilot, basketball player, ballerina as they enter their "arena" of expertise. But what makes this commercial relatable is that they also incorporate a baby, a surfer and a farmer. Yes, there is some commercialism such as the flight attendants million dollar smiles and inviting mannerisms but in retrospect the commercial has built upon an already well established, prosperous company. The advertisement is the first of ten national and local spots and will certainly help underline that Southwest has all intentions of acknowledging the consequential emotions that are associated with flying. You are in good hands with Southwest! 

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-southwest-airlines-148046

Large, Please!

Molly Wipf
Article #6

    Many Mcdonalds consumers will be happy to know that they can still order large drinks! New York's Supreme Court rules on Monday that Sodas can in fact be more than sixteen ounces. Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling declared that the law was both "arbitrary and capricious".
    Although Americans are certainly suffering from obesity, there has not been a direct correlation between that and the consumption of large drinks. However, shortly after the Supreme Court released the decision dismissing the law, the mayors office tweeted that they would appeal the decision and certainly get America back on track.
   Obesity kills 5,000 Americans per year and Mayor Bloomberg is truly trying to uphold this crucial health initiative. Not only in terms of the health concerns but for his public initiatives this poses a true blow to his three term reign. It undermines his authority and the crisis at hand. After hearing the news, small businesses all over the city have been deeply grateful to the Supreme Court. They also have been taking small digs at Bloomberg, saying that they look forward to "collaborating with city leaders on solutions that will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the people of New York City". This law being denied has certainly hurt Bloomberg's image but it has ensured that small businesses of New York City will continue to run normally.

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/bloomberg-s-super-sized-soda-ban-fizzles-147848

Do You Still YouTube?

Molly Wipf
Article #4

         It seems that a company to rival and match YouTube is on the rise! Chad Hurley the sites cofounder has been eluding to a new primarily video based company that implements a new kind of flexibility for users to collaborate together. Will this be the end of YouTube?
        Hurley has reiterated that his intention is not to "kill off" YouTube but rather to create a collaborative website. There will always be a special place for YouTube in our society. YouTube is where celebrities such as Justin Bieber were founded. It has become the pillar for rising artists and has given room for expansion even outside of the entertainment field. Religious leaders have been gaining followers and even credibility through YouTube. The website has made it possible for such traditional corner stones to be uprooted. It connects us on a global level and although this expansion was inevitable, YouTube will always be the catalyst to our evolving, technological future.
      When YouTube was originally sold to Google, Hurley emphasized the "low key" aspect of the process. This simply recapitulates the fact that yes, the fading out of YouTube is important, however companies are sold and lost every day. The same way that we hardly remember AOL, we might not remember YouTube in ten years.

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/youtube-co-founder-prepping-possible-rival-147832