I mean, get the tissues out people.
So after spending a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with the fam, I got home a) 10 pounds heavier and b) logged on to my FB to see that EVERYONE and their mom posted this video. So I clicked it, watched it, teared up a bit, and repeated those steps about a hundred times. Check it out below:
The (as of right now) viral commercial is for marriage equality made by GetUp!, which is an amazing Australian organization that helps raise awareness and fight various issues in Australia. I really don't think anyone can deny the power this commercial has. The message is so simple, and although it's one that's not very new, the way it's done and all the elements that are put into it make this something special. I know it has one of my pet peeves with the "Surprise! They're actually gay" element, but this is a great example of that serving a purpose to the overall message. It shows the SHOCKING point that gay couples, really, are just like any other couple. They have their ups, their downs, they care about each other, they're there for one another...so why don't we have the same rights?
Overall, I think this commercial really speaks for itself and GetUp! has done a phenomenal job. Not only is it a beautiful commercial, but it's now the talk of town (it's gotten over a million views in three days). Why there aren't more commercials like this in the US baffles me, but let's hope this one starts the trend...
Side note: I studied in Sydney for five months, and that ferry they're on in the beginning is one I took at least three times a week. Why I didn't meet that hunky man and fall in love on the Manly Ferry (that's not a pun, that' really what it's called) is still a mystery to me...
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Orbitz and Go...GAY!
Huge congrats to our peeps at Orbitz!
Orbitz Worldwide CEO Barney Harford was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign and accepted the 2011 HRC Corporate Equality Award for their DECADE of LGBT advertising! You can watch the video here on Facebook. (Mamma could not find a YouTube video, therefore I can't put it on here. Fail.) If you can't see it, below are some some written highlights from his speech:
I think this speech is fantastic and really sums up why I started this blog. If you remember, it was an Orbitz commercial that first sparked my interest in this subject, so it's great to see them get recognized for their work. Their approach of using humorous ads in order to put the subject out there without being "in-your-face" and with the goal for these ads to not be an issue in the future is, just, brilliant.
If you're unfamiliar with Orbitz LGBT advertising, check out a few TV commercials below. (Found on YouTube. Score!) First is a great summary of their previous ads in TV, print, and radio, and the rest are a few newer TV ads. Also be sure to head on over to their website and Facebook page to learn more.
Orbitz Worldwide CEO Barney Harford was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign and accepted the 2011 HRC Corporate Equality Award for their DECADE of LGBT advertising! You can watch the video here on Facebook. (Mamma could not find a YouTube video, therefore I can't put it on here. Fail.) If you can't see it, below are some some written highlights from his speech:
"For over a decade, Orbitz has recognized the importance of being LGBT inclusive. As CEO, I recognize the importance of our inclusive advertising and our policy of non-discrimination, not only in helping the Orbiz brand resinate with travelers, but also in helping change public opinion on LGBT equality...I hope that doing the right thing and respecting the rights of all employees is just the way things are done and we won't need to call individual companies like Orbitz."He also reads a letter he received from a woman that a) thanks Orbitz for their humorous and inclusive ads and b) talks about the similarities to this and racial issues in advertising in the 50s and 60s. Coincidentally, my wonderful mother also sent me an email pointing out the same thing a few days ago! (She's just so with it. Love ya Mom.) She said as she was watching a TV ad I posted, a commercial before it featured an interracial couple, which today most people don't even think twice about, but back then it would've been a huge deal. The civil rights movement and issues with race have always been compared to the current struggles the LGBT community is facing now, and I think advertising is defiantly a great example to show the similarities of the two.
I think this speech is fantastic and really sums up why I started this blog. If you remember, it was an Orbitz commercial that first sparked my interest in this subject, so it's great to see them get recognized for their work. Their approach of using humorous ads in order to put the subject out there without being "in-your-face" and with the goal for these ads to not be an issue in the future is, just, brilliant.
If you're unfamiliar with Orbitz LGBT advertising, check out a few TV commercials below. (Found on YouTube. Score!) First is a great summary of their previous ads in TV, print, and radio, and the rest are a few newer TV ads. Also be sure to head on over to their website and Facebook page to learn more.
What do you all think? Do you enjoy these advertisements? Do you think the fact that Orbitz has done this for ten years has made an impact on LGBT advertisements?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Kiss And Make Up...
WAAAAAAAH holy freakout people!! Men kissing, politicians, clothing stores, legal action, the world ending!?! (Last part's just for dramatic effect. Saw Melancholia a few days ago and it's still on my mind)
Why this massive hysteria? Let's get right to it peeps...
Wow, right? But the one below is causing the most controversy out of all of them, and after only one day up it's already been taken down. Why? I'll let you take one wild guess:
WHOA Pope!
The whole campaign was designed by 72andSunny to promote Benetton's Unhate Foundation, targeted to "contribute to the creation of a new culture of tolerance, to combat hatred, building on Benetton's underpinning values." Based on the 1979 photo of East Germany leader Erich Honecker and Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev, the company doctored photos of the leaders having a loving moment without permission by any them (which is a huge no-no, but seriously, there is no way in hell any of them would get permission. Just imagine them going to the Pope and saying, "Hi, yeah, would it be okay if we...") The ads were put up around Rome, Paris, New York, Milan, and Tel Aviv.
After these outdoor ads were released and everyone pretty much crapped their pants, Benetton Group SpA deputy chairman Alessandro Benetton told WSJ, "It means not hating. In a moment of darkness, with the financial crisis, what's going on in North Africa countries, in Athens, this is an attitude we can all embrace that can have positive energy." Their blog also has a full description about what this campaign is going for.
I have no idea where to start with the controversy of these ads. Yes, five out of six of these feature two men kissing, but the question I have is, are people upset by the fact two men are kissing or the fact of who is kissing whom? Right now, the one with the Pope kissing imam Ahmed el Tayyeb is getting the most attention, and understandably so. It's the only one that has been taken down, and Benetton has even apologized for the fact that "the image had so hurt the sensibilities of the faithful." So let's say the Pope ad was not a part of the mix and was never released, would the fact that two men were locking lips cause a ruckus? I think so, but I'm not sure it would get the amount of worldwide attention it's getting now. The video they released with this campaign features same-sex couples, but it's only one of many factors to this amazing video. Check it out below:
Some people accuse Benetton of creating these ads just to cause this controversy to brand the company. Ummm...you're damn right that's what they're doing! I do think they're kinda pulling a MMS with these ads and just doing it for shock value, but at least now people are talking about it and have these thoughts and images in their heads to think about. This isn't the first time Benetton has come out with controversial ads, including the one below depicting a priest and a nun kissing:
Okay, this is one I HAVE to open the floor. What do you all think? Do you think it's an issue of same-sex kissing or who is featured in the ad? Do you think Benetton took it too far or people are overreacting?
Also, shout out to my girls Nanda and Darya for their contributions!
UPDATE: Here's a clip from our girls at The View talking about their, well, views on this ad. It's a great depiction of the many different types of reactions this campaign is getting.
Why this massive hysteria? Let's get right to it peeps...
Yesterday, Benetton Group, a popular Italian-based clothing company, released this outdoor campaign, and let me tell you, the world is going bonkers. Take a look at the ads for yourselves:
The whole campaign was designed by 72andSunny to promote Benetton's Unhate Foundation, targeted to "contribute to the creation of a new culture of tolerance, to combat hatred, building on Benetton's underpinning values." Based on the 1979 photo of East Germany leader Erich Honecker and Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev, the company doctored photos of the leaders having a loving moment without permission by any them (which is a huge no-no, but seriously, there is no way in hell any of them would get permission. Just imagine them going to the Pope and saying, "Hi, yeah, would it be okay if we...") The ads were put up around Rome, Paris, New York, Milan, and Tel Aviv.
After these outdoor ads were released and everyone pretty much crapped their pants, Benetton Group SpA deputy chairman Alessandro Benetton told WSJ, "It means not hating. In a moment of darkness, with the financial crisis, what's going on in North Africa countries, in Athens, this is an attitude we can all embrace that can have positive energy." Their blog also has a full description about what this campaign is going for.
I have no idea where to start with the controversy of these ads. Yes, five out of six of these feature two men kissing, but the question I have is, are people upset by the fact two men are kissing or the fact of who is kissing whom? Right now, the one with the Pope kissing imam Ahmed el Tayyeb is getting the most attention, and understandably so. It's the only one that has been taken down, and Benetton has even apologized for the fact that "the image had so hurt the sensibilities of the faithful." So let's say the Pope ad was not a part of the mix and was never released, would the fact that two men were locking lips cause a ruckus? I think so, but I'm not sure it would get the amount of worldwide attention it's getting now. The video they released with this campaign features same-sex couples, but it's only one of many factors to this amazing video. Check it out below:
Also, shout out to my girls Nanda and Darya for their contributions!
UPDATE: Here's a clip from our girls at The View talking about their, well, views on this ad. It's a great depiction of the many different types of reactions this campaign is getting.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Interpretation Of Putting A Ring On It
Hey everyone! Mamma's back!
Apologize for the long absence. Just a busy bee in this busy world...but let's get back to gay ads, shall we?
So as I was reading the NYT article about the Absolute ad (insert shameless plug for other post here), they had a link to billboard ad in Kansas, and alas, a new post is born:
So here's a billboard for local Kansas jewelry store Tivol, that has two men looking at a ring with the headline "Tivol & Tomorrows."
Well, not so much.
When asked about the "gay" ad at hand, the director of marketing for Tivol said, "We did not go into it wanting to be political...Nothing is overt, and all the 'Tivol &T' ads are open to interpretation."
Is it just me or is there not much to interpret? Two men, trying rings on, one has his hand around the other who is admiring his hip band, and a headline "Tivol & Tomorrow?" When I see this ad, I think it's a pretty obvious observation that it's just a tab-bit...okay, extremely obvious these two men are together. Even the people who DON'T like the ad "interpret" it as gay...hence why they don't like it.
Now, Tivol really could have made this ad without the gay intent, but unless everyone that works there is blind, I don't really believe it. I understand that it's still a bit taboo for companies, large or small, to be creating ads targeted towards the LGBT community, especially about gay marriage since it's such a hot political topic right now. However, I think if you're going to come out with an ad like this, you should back up and stand by what you put out. And in this article, Commercial Closet founder Mike Wilke brings up a good point about how some companies put out advertisements that are "gay vague", meaning the ad has gay references targeting the gay community, but can be overlooked by everyone else. Understandable for some companies, but sad that it's still this way.
I don't know, what do you all think about this? Do you think it's okay for companies to produce these "gay vague" ads without acknowledging the theme or should they put it out and own up to it?
This also reminded me of a Budweiser ad that came out a while ago where people thought the two guys were just friends...and others thought it went a little further than that...I'll let you be the judge.
Apologize for the long absence. Just a busy bee in this busy world...but let's get back to gay ads, shall we?
So as I was reading the NYT article about the Absolute ad (insert shameless plug for other post here), they had a link to billboard ad in Kansas, and alas, a new post is born:
So here's a billboard for local Kansas jewelry store Tivol, that has two men looking at a ring with the headline "Tivol & Tomorrows."Okay, yay! Great. Awesome. Nice way to target LGBT couples that are getting married and are looking for wedding bands...right?
Well, not so much.
When asked about the "gay" ad at hand, the director of marketing for Tivol said, "We did not go into it wanting to be political...Nothing is overt, and all the 'Tivol &T' ads are open to interpretation."
Is it just me or is there not much to interpret? Two men, trying rings on, one has his hand around the other who is admiring his hip band, and a headline "Tivol & Tomorrow?" When I see this ad, I think it's a pretty obvious observation that it's just a tab-bit...okay, extremely obvious these two men are together. Even the people who DON'T like the ad "interpret" it as gay...hence why they don't like it.
Now, Tivol really could have made this ad without the gay intent, but unless everyone that works there is blind, I don't really believe it. I understand that it's still a bit taboo for companies, large or small, to be creating ads targeted towards the LGBT community, especially about gay marriage since it's such a hot political topic right now. However, I think if you're going to come out with an ad like this, you should back up and stand by what you put out. And in this article, Commercial Closet founder Mike Wilke brings up a good point about how some companies put out advertisements that are "gay vague", meaning the ad has gay references targeting the gay community, but can be overlooked by everyone else. Understandable for some companies, but sad that it's still this way.
I don't know, what do you all think about this? Do you think it's okay for companies to produce these "gay vague" ads without acknowledging the theme or should they put it out and own up to it?
This also reminded me of a Budweiser ad that came out a while ago where people thought the two guys were just friends...and others thought it went a little further than that...I'll let you be the judge.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Absolut-ely Fabulous
Okay people, I have another entry about vodka. I know, I'm feeling a little buzzed too, but bare with me, it's worth it.
My friends Amanda and Heather sent me this wonderful article The New York Times published yesterday that talks all about Absolut Vodka and their advertising/marketing towards the gay community. This is a must-read to catch you up on the history of their involvement with the LGBT community. But, the most exciting thing about this article is that Absolut will be releasing a new campaign to celebrate their 30 YEARS of advertising/marketing to the LGBT community! Not only that, but we get a first glimpse of an AMAZING print ad from the campaign:
Did your heart explode? No? Did you just glance at it? Okay I'll give you another chance to really look at it. Let's just post it again so you can save your mouse from moving back up...
Ob.Sessed. That's all I'm saying. I mean, just looking at this gives me chills. I think the art direction and what photographer David LaChapelle did is borderline genius. From the subjects photographed (i.e. Amanda Lepore, unicorns, you know, the usual) to the placement of everything, to the all around fabulousness of this (yes, that really is the only word to describe this) it comes together to create one breathtaking image. It's a perfect example of and ad where you can be walking down the street, quickly see it on the side of some phone booth, and just get the feeling their going for instantly. One big ol' gay celebration of living life and having fun, out and proud! And unlike other Absolute ads that just feature the bottle in different settings, this gives you so much to look at while at the same time making you beg for more. Did I mention I like the art direction in this ad?
I really love the copy as well. The "Absolut OUTrageous" line is very similar to other Absolut ads, however the line "Celebrating 30 years of going out and coming out" just is the icing on the cake. Sums up the brands history with the LGBT community, ties the product in, and celebrates this amazing culture we have.
To me, THIS is what I think LGBT ads should be like. It's very obvious that the company took a lot of time and thought to create something very creative, and in turn it shows that they really do care about their LGBT market. I am so excited to see the rest of this campaign, and will fo sho update you all as soon as it's out.
Absolut has pretty much become a staple in this small gay advertising world. They started in 1981, which at that time was thought of as an enormous risk for a mainstream company. But, peeps knew what they were doing, didn't really give a crap what other people thought, and now their LGBT ads are iconic.
If you're unfamiliar with their previous ads, here are a few examples, thanks to Commercial Closet. Fun thing to note: the last TV ad, part of a series of ads featuring RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, was just honored at GLAAD's 2011 Amplifier Awards:
So now that I've gushed about this, what are YOUR feelings? Do you think Absolut is going in the right direction with their new campaign? Are you curious to see what's to come?
My friends Amanda and Heather sent me this wonderful article The New York Times published yesterday that talks all about Absolut Vodka and their advertising/marketing towards the gay community. This is a must-read to catch you up on the history of their involvement with the LGBT community. But, the most exciting thing about this article is that Absolut will be releasing a new campaign to celebrate their 30 YEARS of advertising/marketing to the LGBT community! Not only that, but we get a first glimpse of an AMAZING print ad from the campaign:
I really love the copy as well. The "Absolut OUTrageous" line is very similar to other Absolut ads, however the line "Celebrating 30 years of going out and coming out" just is the icing on the cake. Sums up the brands history with the LGBT community, ties the product in, and celebrates this amazing culture we have.
To me, THIS is what I think LGBT ads should be like. It's very obvious that the company took a lot of time and thought to create something very creative, and in turn it shows that they really do care about their LGBT market. I am so excited to see the rest of this campaign, and will fo sho update you all as soon as it's out.
Absolut has pretty much become a staple in this small gay advertising world. They started in 1981, which at that time was thought of as an enormous risk for a mainstream company. But, peeps knew what they were doing, didn't really give a crap what other people thought, and now their LGBT ads are iconic.
If you're unfamiliar with their previous ads, here are a few examples, thanks to Commercial Closet. Fun thing to note: the last TV ad, part of a series of ads featuring RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, was just honored at GLAAD's 2011 Amplifier Awards:
So now that I've gushed about this, what are YOUR feelings? Do you think Absolut is going in the right direction with their new campaign? Are you curious to see what's to come?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Vodka Soaked PUN-kins for Halloween!
Ah Halloween...one of the greatest holidays in NYC where all the citizens of the land have an excuse to drink rum with a splash of apple cider while dressed as "scantily clad" versions of their favorite 1980's cartoon characters...AND for some gay-themed ads! Who knew?!
On Saturday, I was making bi-weekly trip to my boyfriend Trader Joe's house to pick up some gourmet-for-broke-people food (Side note: Go on a Saturday during the day. It's dead and the shelves are P-P-P-PACKED! Mama's now got enough frozen pesto pizzas to hibernate until June 2013) Anyway, right as I was about to walk in I found this ad below:
Hey Rokk Vodka! As you can see, this ad is to promote their orange flavored vodka for the Halloween season. Before we talk about this ad, we should note that for the past year Rokk has had a partnership with GLAAD, creating ads that promote both products at the same time. The one below is their main ad that also won a GLAAD Amplifier Award (obvi):
And here's a window display I found at a local liquor store in the West Village :
So now that we have that little tidbit of history, let's talk about the halloween ad. Here's the thing, mama loves a good pun (example: the title of this blog), but this ad just seems a little too puny. "Orange you GLAAD it's Halloween?" Eh? EH? Get it? Like, okay, whoa, slow down partner...
I think if a pun is done well, it can work and be creative. But I also think some advertisements in general take the easy way out with puns, and I don't think this ad is any different. Their previous headline "Filtering Out Inequality" I really enjoyed. Relates to the product as well as the cause...wham, bam, thank you ma'am. Not saying the Halloween ad doesn't, but it just seems a little obvious to me. What I do like about this ad are the rainbow rays behind each flavored bottle, which this is the first time I've seen Rokk do in their ads. Cool way to show the flavors while mixing in the rainbow/"we're here for the gays" theme.
Regardless of this wah-wah headline, I think it's great to partner with GLAAD and cross promote with these ads. Not only is it loud and proud about promoting to gays, but they're getting the word about GLAAD out there that GLAAD might not be able to do otherwise. Before, I questioned if their ads were just going for the gay dollar...BUUUUT with this ad they have a QR code to their Facebook page. If you like it, they'll donate a dollar to the GLAAD! Damn, okay Rokk, way to be!
So what does everyone think? Do you think their headline for the Halloween ad is cute or a little easy? Are you GLAAD they did it? (Sorry, I had to go with the theme) What do you think about the other ads?
And if you haven't seen this SNL skit about Sex And The City and puns, it's very fitting this post...
On Saturday, I was making bi-weekly trip to my boyfriend Trader Joe's house to pick up some gourmet-for-broke-people food (Side note: Go on a Saturday during the day. It's dead and the shelves are P-P-P-PACKED! Mama's now got enough frozen pesto pizzas to hibernate until June 2013) Anyway, right as I was about to walk in I found this ad below:
I think if a pun is done well, it can work and be creative. But I also think some advertisements in general take the easy way out with puns, and I don't think this ad is any different. Their previous headline "Filtering Out Inequality" I really enjoyed. Relates to the product as well as the cause...wham, bam, thank you ma'am. Not saying the Halloween ad doesn't, but it just seems a little obvious to me. What I do like about this ad are the rainbow rays behind each flavored bottle, which this is the first time I've seen Rokk do in their ads. Cool way to show the flavors while mixing in the rainbow/"we're here for the gays" theme.
Regardless of this wah-wah headline, I think it's great to partner with GLAAD and cross promote with these ads. Not only is it loud and proud about promoting to gays, but they're getting the word about GLAAD out there that GLAAD might not be able to do otherwise. Before, I questioned if their ads were just going for the gay dollar...BUUUUT with this ad they have a QR code to their Facebook page. If you like it, they'll donate a dollar to the GLAAD! Damn, okay Rokk, way to be!
So what does everyone think? Do you think their headline for the Halloween ad is cute or a little easy? Are you GLAAD they did it? (Sorry, I had to go with the theme) What do you think about the other ads?
And if you haven't seen this SNL skit about Sex And The City and puns, it's very fitting this post...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
A Family Man...Who's A Gay Politician
It's time for some politics, everyone!
A few weeks ago, Bevan Dufty, who is running for mayor of San Francisco, released his first campaign commercial. Take a look below:
Aw, what a great commercial. Just a friendly looking politician riding the MUNI with his daughter...
Hmmm? What's that you say? He's openly gay? Oh...errrr...okay. An openly gay politician riding the MUNI with...his...dau...*gulp*...oh...oh my...I just don't know about this. I mean, a GAY politician riding the MUNI with his child?! How DARE HE! Thinking gay people can raise a child?! Now that's appalling, just APPALLING!!
April Fools...in October! Like I'd really think that about this cute commercial. But, sadly, these are the thoughts of some people about this. As far as we know, this is the first time an openly gay politician has featured their family in a campaign commercial, and some people just aren't too happy about it. Some people complained that it was "exploitative" to feature his daughter in a political ad...
For real? Is it just me or have politicians been talking about their families and putting them in campaign ads for years? I just feel like if this was a straight politician, this would just be another commercial and people wouldn't think twice about it. I think it's great what Dufty did and if it's ads like this that get people talking, keep them coming.
What do you all think? You think it's a big deal his daughter is featured in a political ad? Do you think if this was anyone else it would be a big deal?
Oh, and what's Dufty's response to all this talk? "We are very proud of the ad an it was a great birthday present for Sidney who turned 5 yesterday."
UPDATE: Bevan Dufty responds to all the press about this ad! Read the whole story here.
A few weeks ago, Bevan Dufty, who is running for mayor of San Francisco, released his first campaign commercial. Take a look below:
Hmmm? What's that you say? He's openly gay? Oh...errrr...okay. An openly gay politician riding the MUNI with...his...dau...*gulp*...oh...oh my...I just don't know about this. I mean, a GAY politician riding the MUNI with his child?! How DARE HE! Thinking gay people can raise a child?! Now that's appalling, just APPALLING!!
April Fools...in October! Like I'd really think that about this cute commercial. But, sadly, these are the thoughts of some people about this. As far as we know, this is the first time an openly gay politician has featured their family in a campaign commercial, and some people just aren't too happy about it. Some people complained that it was "exploitative" to feature his daughter in a political ad...
For real? Is it just me or have politicians been talking about their families and putting them in campaign ads for years? I just feel like if this was a straight politician, this would just be another commercial and people wouldn't think twice about it. I think it's great what Dufty did and if it's ads like this that get people talking, keep them coming.
What do you all think? You think it's a big deal his daughter is featured in a political ad? Do you think if this was anyone else it would be a big deal?
Oh, and what's Dufty's response to all this talk? "We are very proud of the ad an it was a great birthday present for Sidney who turned 5 yesterday."
UPDATE: Bevan Dufty responds to all the press about this ad! Read the whole story here.
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