Roseanne Barr vs. Betty White

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

Ok, yeah, I know but I'm here now. Why? The Super Bowl, of course. We're just weeks away and I'm counting down to all the touch downs, beers, food, good company and commercials!

At the top of my list of brands to watch for is Snickers. You may remember their spot from last years big game with the classic Betty White starring in their "You're Not You" commercial. What you may not have known is that the spot was created by ad agency, BBDO, New York and, they're returning this year with a similar game plan but a different star. The one and only Roseanne Barr.

Now, as long as they don't have her spoofing the national anthem again, it should be entertaining --- but as funny as America's Golden Girl? I'm not so sure. I mean how do you compete with her muffin tasting, head banging, rock star power? Roseanne's got quite the task in front of her. Either way, I look forward to seeing how it all works out. You can check out the full story as reported by AdAge or check out "Rose" gettin' down and dirty (and what Roseanne needs to beat) below. 

Ciroc Smooth

This has got to be some of the finest acting I've ever seen from Diddy. Co-starring funny guy, Aziz Ansari and produced by THE BLUE FLAME AGENCY (that Sean Combs himself co-founded), this is just one of several videos that add up to a very "smooth" campaign. It is special, however, in the way that it is what BLUE FLAME considers a "3 minute-long short film" and it can only be seen online. You can catch the other commercials (33 seconds or less) during Top Chef on Bravo or here. I'm particularly fond of the smooth shoe game advice given in "Smile/Toes" but it still doesn't get the laughs like this one!

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Commercial

Now, you may have played the game but have you seen the commercial??? For someone like me (not so much of a gamer unless you're talking about Just Dance for the Wii ...), its hard to tell which one's cooler. Ok, not really because leading advertising agency, TBWA/Chiat/Day nailed yet another campaign. You may recall some of their work from the original brightly colored, industry changing series of iPod commercials, or their work for the Grammy's. 

This time, they've taken on the task of delivery a commercial worthy of the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops. They delivered with the tag line "There's a soldier in all of us," and by humorously depicting sensible looking women, doctors, a basketball player (Kobe Bryant), a late night talk show host (Jimmy Kimmel) and one bad @$$ line cook letting off rounds at each other. For 60 seconds, these people are descending from roof tops, pitching grenades and taking out helicopters. Even better, they walk away in slow motion while things blow up behind them ... without turning around. Again, I repeat, bad @$$. 

Now, some would say that with its cult-like following already buzzing, advertising was unnecessary. I'm glad no one listened to them because I would have missed out on a seriously good laugh. Although, not everyone is taking it as lightheartedly as I am. Some (including gamers) say that the spot glorifies war and further proves the point of video games being too violent. I personally found the commercial to be successful in winning over people outside the game's primary target audience.  It's use of humor, celebrity and cinematography all help make Call of Duty appear more relatable to someone like me. Now, it's not quite good enough to make me want to buy a copy for myself BUT it is good enough to make me snoop around to see if a certain someone might need a copy for Christmas. Can you start to see how Call of Duty's already incredible numbers with "sales over 9 million across all platforms" (vgchartz.com), will continue to surge through the holiday season? So, for that reason, I say job well done but, to each his own. What do you say?      

OOPS on GMA!

Hey, I know it happened a while ago but did I ever mention that I was on tv representing team OOPS? No? Ok, I won't mention it then ...



OOPS.

Favorite Distractions - Installment #2: Foamy the Squirrel

I first found Jonathan Ian Mathers' "Foamy" and all his squirrelly wrath back in 2004 while I was attending the Art Institute of New York. I was a college student so it didn't take me long to see that Foamy was truly wise beyond his years and his species. So, when my English professor thought it would be a good idea to have the entire class stand up and creatively present the essays they wrote about procrastination, I decided that the very first Foamy cartoon that I had ever seen would make a nice prelude. That cartoon was ... "5 More Minutes." It was pure GENIUS! The video got everyone engaged, laughing and in turn, helped me to relax. I could have said practically anything at that point because I was obviously cool and funny if I was watching these kinds of videos. Needless to say, I killed it.

Now, quite some time has passed since that class and where I am today. Granted, I would check in on Foamy and his human, Germaine from time to time but eventually, fell off until more recently. Things have indeed changed. Still, I kept in touch just enough to see the transitions happening and was all too delighted to find a summary of all I had seen (and missed) over the years. For those of you into dark, cynical, yet funny animations, please proceed to illwillpress.com to check out Jonathan Ian Mathers' creations. Please be warned ... it is not for children. Actually, if you don't know what Foamy's all about, first have a look at what you're in store for:

[chuckle] ... oooh Foamy, love that voice, it's one of my favorite distractions!

Favorite Distractions - Installment #1: Simon's Cat

These days, I find it very hard to get any work done because I do practically all of my work on the computer and I'm always online. So as I "work" I know that hiding behind my photoshop window is my browser set up with at least 5 tabs for gmail, OOPSmail, facebook (of course), youtube and 1bigoops.com (I leave it open and refresh it every so often just to make sure it's still there).

Recently, I was forwarded a link to a fantastic animated series called, "Simon's Cat." Can I tell you that after the first video, I was sucked in for a good 20 minutes just watching this animated feline discovering the world as only a cat can. Everything it does is steeped in reality, highlighting the smallest, silliest moments that truly do happen (to cats and their humans) in a no frills kind of way.

I guess it should come as no surprise seeing how the creator, Simon Tofield, has 4 cats. If that doesn't say cat lover, get this; the animations are all hand drawn from frame to frame. In keeping with standard fps (frames per second) settings, that can land Tofield with anywhere from 12 to 25 drawings for a single second of video. Now that's love and dedication right there. Relatable, cute and clever, "Simon's Cat" is one of my favorite distractions.

This was the first video I ever saw from the series. Check out the "Simon's Cat" YouTube channel here.

Toyota's Swagger Wagon

Three things that most people just don't consider "cool" - (1) minivans, (2) still using the word "swagger" and, (3) gumby fades. Leave it to the people at Saatchi & Saatchi LA to revitalize 2 out of the 3 (those of you still rockin' the gumby fade ... STOP it) long enough to give us all a good laugh and the new 2011 Toyota Sienna a sensational internet marketing campaign. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you (better late than never), the phenomena that is the "Swagger Wagon."



Yes, yes, I know. You're welcome.

You have to admit that beat was pretty official. The lyrics and visuals are too funny and "Pops" is the truth! Catch more of their videos, including "Daddy Like: Swagger Wagon Supreme" on YouTube.

P.S. Double check the floor mats just to be safe. What?

I'm baaaaaaaaack

Let's see how long it lasts this time ...

Usher's Lil Freak [snippet]

It's that new Urrrrrsher! I'll be the first to admit that I didn't think he'd be making a chart topping come back but, so far his music has been up to par. I'd say that is the case with this newest single, "Lil Freak." Even more surprisingly ... Nicki Minaj came with a lil' somethin' too! I'm guessing with a name like that, a song like this just helped a sister do what comes naturally [chuckle]. Check out the video sneak peak.

Wooooow; it's been forever!!!

But I'm back! Just like I said I would be, thank you very much.

A lot has changed since I last posted in August of last year. As a matter of fact, less than a week after I posted that blog, I went and officially registered my business, Out Of Proportion Studios. I've dipped and dabbled in and out of a lot of different projects and even have a YouTube channel that I lovingly call "OOPS Tube."

Yes indeedy!

With the "vloging" I've been doing, I can say that I am getting closer to bringing those home grown commercials I mentioned as well. I mean I've done some for clients but you know I save the extra fancy (time consuming and expensive) tricks for ma'self! For now, check out one of my recent videos that relives the beginning of a very exciting project that is currently still going on. Look for it and also part II of it's series at youtube.com/1bigoops.

See you guys soon!!!

Just a moment please, be right with you!

So it's been a while since I've posted anything. I must say, I highly doubt anyone has noticed or even cares but I WILL be back! Things just suddenly got busy and I can proudly say that it's the "been laying the foundation for my own business/getting new clients" kind of busy rather than the usual ... "I've got to tend to those strawberries on FarmVille in another half hour" busy.

The end of my hiatus will be marked by better researched commercials aaaaaand dare I say possibly a few "home grown" commercials of my own... [I'm giddy with just the thought]! So, be sure to check back regularly like with your favorite online social network, game or blog other than this one lol.

See yall soon,

Miss Cox

Schick Cuts Back on Gratuity

This JUST in: Subliminal my patootey! Turns out the execs just turned it down a bit because clearly we weren't ready for THIS version! SMH while LMAO.

Well THIS Guy Just Killed My Dream!

LMAO, THIS DUDE!! No, lol, this gentleman broke down the commercial way better than I (as he factually critiqued it as apposed to my rather emotional critique) by comparing it to the Wizard of Oz and naming that tune playing in the background. THEEEEEN he just flips the script! After lulling me into a false sense of security, he smacks me in the face with a lil dose of reality baaaabyyyyyy!!!

He accuses Toyota of GREENWASHING to have lil suckers like me all caught up with the "purtay" colors and sweet music rather than THE FACTS! And isn't that exactly what I did? I gushed all over this thing BUT for good reason. The commercial did its job fantastically. Do NOT take away from the folks at Saatchi & Saatchi, LA (I love their work as a whole but, of course, I am partial to their NY office), because they did their jobs!! This gentleman from Media Bites has an issue with Toyota more so than Saatchi & Saatchi. Still ... I would be remiss if I didn't hit you with the following take:

[sigh]

Whatever dude ... commercial still rocks ...

The Harmony of Toyota

I love, Love, LOVE this commercial! "It's harmony between man, nature and machine." I think it's incredibly innovative, colorful, and successful in conveying it's message in a visually impressive and entertaining way. The music is also a great, soothing selection and I could just listen to it over and over but; does anyone else feel like Alice in Wonderland stumbled into the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing???

Hunh? Maybe just a little bit? No? Well, speaking of Alice in Wonderland, that 2010, Tim Burton & Johnny Depp version ... I'll be all over THAT! Who's with me???

Cleaner Bimmers (that's BIMMER, not BEEMER) --- with Diesel?

First off, I'd like to say that I did my research on this one. A BMW automobile is actually a "bimmer" while the motorcycles are called "beemers." Check it out for yourself here if you'd like but I digress, back to my point ...

Brandweek.com is reporting that BMW will debut one of its two new 30 second spots trying to persuade viewers that they can count "on a cleaner-burning, eco-friendly fuel that doesn’t get in the way of performance." The 335d sedan and X5 xDrive35d crossover models both run on diesel.

Imagine that... or even better, plan to tune in on Sunday, August 16, when one of the ads is set to air during the season-three's premiere of AMC’s Mad Men. No? You won't be watching? Well, will you be watching "Bravo’s Top Chef Las Vegas and Top Chef Masters; TNT's The Closer, Leverage and Dark Blue; Travel Channel’s Man v. Food and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations; Discovery Channel’s Man vs. Wild and Mythbusters; and the Sept. 22 season finale of Syfy’s Warehouse 13?" You've got to be SOMEWHERE in there! I still find it interesting to imagine who they have selected as their primary target. Seems like more of a masculine crowd, [sniffing the air] about 30-50 years of age, [holding moistened finger up to the breeze] making approximately $60-80K a year ... at least. [shrug].

Here's one of the print ads that will appear in USA Today and the Wall Street Journal which "addresses the Obama administration’s call for more tougher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks via text that states: 'Mr. President, perhaps we can be of some assistance.'"

Again, check out Brandweek.com for the full article.

Cute! lol. I'll put $5 on it that the building, "wall-thingy" in the back was photoshopped to be on a slant to give the affect that the cars are lined up in size order when in actuality, they're pretty much all one of two heights. ;)