Billboard and Outdoor Advertising

Kill Bill is one of my favorite movies ever because its stylistic violence is amazingly crisp and fresh. The fight sequences are impeccably brilliant and entertaining. The fight scene in Bud’s trailer perfectly splits the line perfectly between shock, blood, and humor, and it’s my favorite fight sequence from either movie (with the Vivica A. Fox fight coming in second). I can’t wait for Tarantino’s next film Inglorious Basterds.

I am proud of their advertising efforts here. The blood splatter is perfectly done, exemplifying the stylish violence you find in the movie. And Uma Thurman looks amazing with that yellow jumpsuit that everyone remembers from the first movie when she took down 88 people at once, and later Lucy Liu. I just hope the people who parked their cars there won’t be angry (just kidding).

The Fox News Channel has been accused of biases toward the Republican party and conservative ideals in the past. Of course, Fox News denies any biases, and their slogan is “Fair & Balanced.” Well, not according to this billboard. I’m sure Fox News had little to do with a billboard that berates the company, so I’m wondering who set this up? Whoever it may be is bold for provoking a media giant like this.

I don’t watch the cable news networks, so I’m going on what I’ve heard rather than what I’ve seen. But, my gut feeling is that many individuals feel that Fox News is biased. Is this true?

Hummer may be on the chopping block at General Motors, but as of today, it’s still here. The H3 was the company’s attempt at attracting younger urban-minded individuals. The H3 was smaller than the H2, but just as off-road capable with styling to match. Unfortunately, the recession and the green movement have smacked Hummer upside the head, resulting in massive declines in sales. But, we can still admire what Hummer did in this graffiti ad, creating an attractive ad that relates to an urban audience. For such an off-road capable vehicle company, Hummer did a lot of urban campaigning. It’s possible that the rap stars listened, but everyone else was looking for less flashy, less expensive, and fuel efficient cars.

Everybody has seen ads for careerbuilder.com before -that Super Bowl commercial with the spider..does that ring a bell? Anyway, their ads are semi-controversial like this urban guerilla ad. Yes, it’s creative and jazzy and all those great adjectives, but my problem is…how many people are looking down out of their windows as the bus passes by? Workers lucky enough to have windows in their offices probably don’t stare down often. And people on the ground can’t view the ad. Oh well, still a great effort at grabbing attention.

I don’t know where this is, or what city it’s in, but I want to be there. This is an awesome guerilla promotion that cost next to nothing. It’s a bit racy, but condom ads usually are.

Maker’s Mark is a fine bourbon whisky worthy of drinking straight…..straight into an 18-wheeler. I don’t know what kind of message this is sending to Americans…that they need to drink that much liquor? It’s creative, but I’m not sure the exact point they’re trying to convey. Obviously, they are saying that Maker’s Mark is so good that you need an 18-wheeler full to satisfy, but then that inadvertently glorifies alcoholism.

And then there’s the copy, which may be too small read but says “We make our bourbon carefully. Please enjoy it that way.” So that statement kind of rejects my “alcoholism promotion” claim, but what does it say about the billboard itself? They make their liquor so carefully that they spill it all over the side of a tractor trailer?

There are a lot of good ideas here, but the ad fails in cohesiveness between the copy, the message, and the visuals. I’d give it a C-.

While The Sopranos is sadly off the air, this guerilla outdoor advertisement was too good to pass up. I don’t think Tony would be dumb enough to leave an arm hanging out the back of his car because he’s just not that sloppy. But then again, Tony Soprano doesn’t drive a taxi in New York City.

Google Maps wrapped the New York City Shuttle Train (”S”) with a special advertisement designed to encourage patrons to visit their website (as if Google needs more visitors). Of course, New York City, with all it’s neighborhoods, subways, and roads, is the perfect place to advertise a map website.

As promotion for Peter Jackson’s new movie District 9, warning signs have appeared all over cities in America. They claim that bus stops and restrooms are for humans only - monster need to go elsewhere. Makes me kind of excited for what the Lord of the Rings director has in store for us.

Halloween is a long way away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it! Universal Studios Orlando chilled people to the bone with this “Bloody Mary” billboard, promoting Halloween-themed events happening at the park. Parents and children were a bit disturbed by the image (I am too) and complained to the park. Universal Studios eventually took the ad down, giving into the parents so that they’ll come spend money at the park. I don’t blame them.