Are visual solutions better than copy driven ads?

It's a loaded question, but I believe words and images working together are more powerful than either alone.

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I couldn’t help but take a second look at this Qwest ad.

Anne’s Ad Attic feels your pain

If you're having a bad day, check out this early advertorial for preparation H and realize it could be worse.

From the Nov. 1972 issue of Family Circle
This is the latest gem from Anne’s Ad Attic, home of vintage ads pulled from a stack of old magazines I inherited from my Grandma. (She actually kept them in the guest room, but that doesn’t lend itself to alliteration.)

Do creatives get hazard pay?

nataliedee.com

Is your brand a force for good?

Two of my many vices are coffee and puns, so I love this idea from Maxwell House. They gave away subway passes "on the house."

Nice way to start the morning.
The url on the back is brewsomegood.com, which redirects to the Maxwell House homepage. This is where I think they’re missing a big opportunity.

Why not encourage consumers to do other good deeds or make a charitable donation?
“Brew Some Good” has the power to become a true rally cry for the brand instead of just another tagline.
AdLand pointed out they also paid fares at toll roads.

What is a great campaign worth?

Mastercard has some nice print in their Priceless campaign lately.

What are you doing after Thanksgiving?

Have you noticed how retailers are embracing the term “Black Friday” in place of “After Thanksgiving Sale” this year?

It may be catchy, but Black Friday also sounds pretty sinister.
And the folks at Adbusters think it’s downright evil. So they’re promoting Buy Nothing Day to call attention to the effects that overconsumption has on our society and the planet.

Instead of fighting the crowds, I'll be spending time with family and leftovers.

Yummy design

Had dinner at Breeze on 9th between 45th and 46th. Cool looking place and good Pad Thai, but I loved their menus which are glued to old records and cd & dvd cases.

When is an ad not an ad?

I’m a fan of ads that use fake ads pretending to advertise something else. Here’s another example from the New York Lottery:

A Meatball Sundae from Anne’s Ad Attic

Was Seth Godin inspired by this old Chef Boyardee
Spaghetti & Meat Balls ad?

From the Dec. 1972 issue of Woman's Day
This is the latest gem from Anne’s Ad Attic, home of vintage ads pulled from a stack of old magazines I inherited from my Grandma.
(She actually kept them in the guest room, but that doesn’t lend itself to alliteration.)

Where do you learn how to be a good parent?

Another ad from the Pittsburgh airport. The copy reads,
"The school janitor knows where your kid’s locker is. Do You?
Know about your kid’s school. Know your kid."

It’s sad that the PTA has to advertise to convince parents to be more involved in the lives of their kids. But it's worth a try.

Good ad placement

Saw this at the Pittsburgh airport above a baggage claim conveyor belt.

Best "out of order" sign ever

Went to Pittsburgh last weekend and had a Roethlis-burger at Peppi's before the Browns/Steelers game.
They were out of Dr. Pepper:

"Sorry, no house calls."

Which pop culture car would you drive?

I've wanted a VW beetle ever since my Aunt took us to see the Herbie movies at the drive-in. Playing a dvd in the backseat just wouldn't be the same, but this Sony in-car dvd ad captures some of the magic.

My only quibble is the fast food signage. An imaginary restaurant would have been better than the Wendy’s look-alike. But the rest of the campaign gets everything right. Thanks to Shedwa for pointing it out.

Anne’s Ad Attic

Welcome to a new feature at AskACopywriter, Anne’s Ad Attic, home of vintage ads from a stack of old magazines I inherited from my Grandma. (She actually kept them in the guest room, but that doesn’t lend itself to alliteration.)

Let’s start with a copy heavy Vantage cigarette ad that speaks for itself.

From the Nov. 1972 issue of Family Circle

Will hot women have trouble getting paid to have their picture taken now?

Target is holding the “world's first virtual fashion show” in Grand Central today. Holograms of clothes will work the runway without models, so they're billing it as The Model-less Fashion Show.

Here's designer Isaac Mizrahi giving an enthusiastic interview:

And here he is shooting me a look:

They seemed to be gearing up for a large amount of press coverage.
I believe this is designer Keanan Duffy:

You can receive video by texting “modelless” to 827438 (Target) or just wait for them to post something at YouTube and their facebook group.
The actual show starts at noon today and repeats until midnight. So I'll check it out on my way home and post a few more pics tonight.
UPDATE: Turns out the actual show wasn't much different than what I saw in the morning during the media set up:

Is this the American Dream?

Spotted this contradictory placement of two ads on the F train.

I guess it doesn't matter if you win a lawsuit or the lottery, as long as you don't have to work for your millions.