In a world where men get manicures and women race IndyCar, leave it to the soft drink industry to stir up sexism. Dr. Pepper has created a controversial campaign, “It’s Not for Women” to make a diet soda appeal to men.

And frankly, it’s about time someone stirred the pot!! We’re so uptight, especially when it comes to advertising, about who we’re going to offend that no one says ANYTHING anymore. C’mon people, it’s FUNNY… And I’m a woman!! I’m not mad that they “accuse” me of liking romantic comedies… I DO like them! But so do a lot of men… Just as men drink diet soda, women drink beer and we shouldn’t feel badly about it.

Bottom’s up!

To continue this week’s discussion about controversial ads – here are a few more for your viewing pleasure (or pain)…

This ad was recently pulled by the Milk Board due to it’s controversial nature (that’s right guys, PMS jokes still aren’t funny…)

This ad from Google stages an “email intervention”… AOL fans, it’s officially over.

Got comments?

The age old question… MAC or PC?!?!  Well, don’t look at me – I’m a PC girl in a MAC world but what I will give Apple is an A for advertising.   I  just found this hilarious commercial on Places to Yoga‘s blog.  I couldn’t get over how funny this was (probably more so since I do yoga myself;-) but either way I think it’s worth sharing!

Another feather for Apple’s cap – no wonder everyone wants to be just like them;-)

Are you a MAC or PC?

Ah, the Super Bowl… That exciting time of year when the NFL’s greatest athletes face off for one of television’s biggest events – and, perhaps, the only time commercials are as highly anticipated as the main affair (even more so if you’re not a football fan;-) So how did the commercials stack up against the game this year?

The general consensus seems to be: football good, commercials bad. The ads (at roughly $3 million for a 30-second spot) tried too hard to be outrageous and memorable, and in doing so, missed the mark entirely… Or did they? Personally, I wasn’t blown away by any ad in particular, although a few of them did make me laugh out loud (see Alicia’s Top 3) But what I DID remember, in discussing their overall lack of impressiveness, were the BRANDS themselves!

Have you ever experienced this: you’re having a conversation with a colleague about an ad you just saw and you vividly remember everything about the commercial EXCEPT the brand? The argument is further developed in this post by Social Spread Media and I do agree to some extent. However, considering one of the most important messages in advertising is brand recognition, I must say, they were done rather well. So, perhaps $3 million doesn’t buy what it used to or maybe we just expect too much out of the Super Bowl ads altogether. But either way, the commercial event of the year left much to be desired, whether you’re a fan or not;-)

Alicia’s Top 3

What was your favorite (or least favorite) 2011 Super Bowl ad?

Do you ever wonder why you’re thirsty for a Coke after watching American Idol? Or suddenly have a hankering for an Oreo during a Friends rerun? This is the power of product placement; popular shows which draw thousands of viewers promote goods as part of the plot…  Notice as your favorite characters talk on iPhones, drive Fords or email from HP laptops. Coincidence?! I think not…

Also known as embedded marketing, this tactic became popular in the 1980’s. With the rise of DVRs and demise of commercials, marketers rely now more than ever on product placement as a form of creative advertising. In fact, 90% of people with digital video recorders skip TV ads altogether.  Most commonly placed products are automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, and tobacco. The queen of product placement herself, Ms. Carrie Bradshaw of the HBO series Sex and the City, touted almost every one of these categories and single-handedly increased Jimmy Choo shoe sales for the duration of the series.  Although, the series itself, as well as Apple, are rumored to have not accepted payment for placing certain products.

Its effectiveness is often assumed as the quantification methods used to track brand integrations are variable; however, it stands to reason products placed strategically in popular prime time series are likely exposed directly to their target audience.  So next time you turn on the big game, curl up for movie night or tune in to your favorite sitcom – notice what sports drink the players guzzle, what getaway car the villain drives and what cereal the family has for breakfast.  It may surprise you that they all have a brand name.

What are your thoughts on product placement?

I was recently asked my thoughts on why Kia would use hamsters to advertise their vehicles (we get asked a lot of car-related questions as it is assumed Motor markets only cars, which is actually not the case…) But it did get me thinking. The answer is, I’m sure they had their specific reasons and incidentally, it won Nielsen’s Automotive Ad of the Year; however, my theory is that IS the sales tactic… Or what I like to call: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm…

Something so outrageous, such as hamsters rapping, sticks with you. It had my friend scratching his head, now I’m writing a blog about his question. When companies can get you talking about their product, they’ve got YOU doing their marketing!

It hit me then why there are so many off-the-wall ads and slogans, simply because their bizarre nature has you spreading the word! The Geico caveman, the E-Trade baby, even the Dos Equis’ ‘Most Interesting Man in the World’ has me talking (in between sipping Dos Equis and E-trading online…;-)

Why do you think Kia chose to feature hamsters in their ads?

*** A big thanks to Steven Holt for this question and blog inspiration.

With Election Day upon us, I must admit I’m relieved. Not because I think a new legislature will necessarily remedy all of our nation’s problems but because I’m so unbelievably annoyed with the political ad campaigns I want to run alright… For the hills!

I’m in marketing, I understand advertising; it’s about getting the message out… And I hear ya – LOUD AND CLEAR!! My mailbox has never seen so much action, my phone rings at all hours and I can’t get through an hour of television without at least 5 commercials bashing one politician or degrading the other. Not to mention ALL the media coverage – articles, debates, polls… OH MY!!! What information are we even getting from these slanderous ads?! Just give me a good reason to vote FOR you, not a million reasons why I shouldn’t vote for your opponent. I’m all for freedom of speech but this, my fellow Americans, is ridiculous!

Just think, with all the wasted money they sink into these obnoxious campaigns, they could fix the budget crisis AND save the rain forest! In the iniquitous words of Abraham Lincoln: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”

Happy Election Day!

With the fourth season of “Mad Men” wrapping up recently (and having just jumped on the band wagon myself…) I felt compelled to comment on what can only be described as a television phenomenon. One so dramatic in fact – they’re now designing suits to mirror it! Welcome back to the 1960’s, where drinking and smoking in the office were as dignified as the executives themselves. “Mad Men” is not only defining an era but an industry as well. This AMC drama has captured its audience with intensity, and then leveraged it into the marketplace.

The show seems to be spawning a whole new culture in advertising – even the commercials aired during the show are set in the same time period to keep watchers engaged (another phenomenon in advertising altogether…) But no one seems to be making the mark quite like “Mad Men.” A recent shopping trip revealed the “Mad Men Edition,” a moderately priced suit by Brooks Brothers. The ensemble boasts a sharkskin fabric, 2-button jacket with narrow lapels, hacking pockets and side vents.

With retro hair and make-up making a comeback as well, I can only presume “Mad Men” had something (if not everything) to do with this throwback trend; creating a cult-like following, which marketers have quickly caught on and leveraged to their benefit.

Where else have you seen “Mad Men’s” influence? What other television shows have impacted the marketplace in such a way?

Personally, I hate most commercials. They annoy me to no end (I’m looking at you Jack in the Box, pretty much any bank and At&T), aren’t that clever and some are just downright ridiculous.

But, every once in a while, a company will put out a beaming ray of hope – a commercial that makes me laugh or pay attention! Just recently, Dodge did just that. Their new Challenger commercial is phenomenal in so many ways. Not only is it beautiful in it’s cinematography, but the messaging, the imagery, everything about it was perfect. They captured the feeling of American better than I have ever seen – and did it with class and a bit of humor. I loved it.

What is your favorite ad campaign running right now?

Lexus has always been a luxury brand – and the vehicles are easily equated with style and class, and money. Despite the fact that Lexus’ is not a cheap vehicle, Lexus has never been seen as a contender in the fast, sleek and sexy sports car world. But with the new Lexus LFA, they are attempting to changes their affiliation.

Hitting 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, places it into contention with the Ferrari’s and the Lamborghini’s. Of course, it is also in the same price range. Which is a huge jump. Most Lexus vehicles range from $40,000-$100,000 whereas the new LFA supercar comes in at $375,000 (base msrp). So my question is: How will they compete?

When Volkswagen split from their ‘traditional’ $25-$45,000 cars and created the Phaeton which started at above $75,000, they made a huge error. The cars did not sell well, and despite recent face-lifts and changes, they still are not selling well. Why? Because people who are Volkswagen buyers are not traditionally those who are willing to fork out more than $50,000 for a car.

So with Lexus attempting to make the leap from style and class to high-priced sexy vehicles, I worry if they won’t face the same problems that Volkswagen has.

But, no matter the battle ahead, I am certainly impressed with their commercial. It certainly makes me think about them in a new light…that is one very sexy car.