Tom Kelleher, President
Amp Communications
Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA
Field Goal:
Monster - Find the One You Dig
This one came very close to being my third
choice for favorite ads. I really liked the premise of the seemingly two
very different people on the surface actually having a lot in common and
winding up being a good fit together. And how Monster.com provides the means for connecting them. Nice concept.
Field Goal:
Staples - Randy the Supply Supervisor
This was a funny, entertaining ad
and the premise of making a potentially difficult, unpleasant office task
surprisingly easy was very well executed. If only we could fix our own
computer problems that easily.
Field Goal:
H&R Block - Willie Nelson Talking Doll
I thought this was a great ad, but only really worked well if you were familiar with, or happened to remember, Willie's past tax issues with the IRS. If not, the tie-in is a little random and the connection gets lost.
Field Goal:
Chevy Trucks - Soap in your Mouth
Intriguing ad that's paid off well at the end. Really plays up on the "wow" factor of the truck's design and the strides the manufacturer has been making in its designs lately. This was another tough choice, but I was only limited to three so I had to put this one with the honorable mentions.
Field Goal:
American Legacy Foundation - Glass Freeze Pops
I've always been a big fan of their hard-hitting, ballsy anti-smoking advertising. I didn't think this one worked quite as well as some of their past efforts, but it was smart and I admire the organization for trusting their agency and having the nerve to run this ongoing "truth" campaign over the past few years. As an industry, we need more clients willing to take more calculated risks like this. The advertising, if well conceived, ultimately is more effective and generates better results.
Next in the Zone:
Sawyer Riley Compton Director of Creativity Bart Cleveland
