Campaign: Turkey of the week - Diet Coke 'Duffy' Spot.

I think most of us would agree that there's nothing strange about Duffy singing in an ad... but while riding a bike?

Am I the only one that finds that quite bizarre? 

It's hard enough trying to imagine her ever getting on one of the things, let alone belting a song out as she rides it.

Jeeeeese! It really made the ad quite uncomfortable to watch.

And what can we expect next, Adele on a scooter?

I really hope not.

Campaign: letter to the editor - Red Bull

Once again, Red Bull flys on to our screens - leaving a massive streak of poop in it's wake!

After seeing the latest ads, I'm convinced that the '...gives you wings" strategy, has finally 

nose-dived into the ground.

It's sad really, as this once proud peacock of an idea, stuffed full of humour and wit, has been plucked by the hands of political correctness, leaving the viewer with just a carcass of an idea.

I just hope that somebody takes a loaded Chisel tip and shoots this turkey, before it poops on our screens again (and I'm forced to write more puns based on birds/wings/flying etc!!!).

Ad rant: comparethemeerkat.com

It feels like I've only just stopped ranting about how good the new VW Golf Spot is, when out of nowhere comes the latest comparethemarket.com spot - It's bloody brilliant. Now obviously it stars an Eastern European speaking Meerkat (which must be a comedy essential???), but the whole idea genuinely made me laugh (something that doesn't happen with most current ads) and best of all, it wasn't accompanied by any twee, accoustic folk music - hoorah!

I actually found it enjoyable to watch, and It left me asking the question. "How did the creative team arrive at the concept?" Was someone talking about the brand while doing a Borat impression? Who knows? 

More importantly though, it just goes to show what can be achieved when creatives have the freedom to present such ideas, and clients have the guts to invest in them.

So well done to VCCP for creating, and selling the idea, and a big pat on the back to the client for buying it.

Ad rant: VW Golf 'Fight'

"Sometimes, the only one you have to beat is yourself..."

The latest spot for the new Golf is fantastic.

A great strategy, brilliantly executed and with better fight scenes than most Hollywood blockbusters - it's perfect...

...except for the typo on the door at the beginning of the ad that reads 'chef designer' instead of chief.

Surely there isn't a department at VW that's busy designing Chefs??? Is there???

Could it be that the legendary German attention to detail hasn't been extended fully to the ad?

Maybe.

But when push comes to shove, surely the only person you really have to beat, is whoever 

has final sign-off on your TV ad!

Ad rant: Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire Puddings

Advertising deja vu strikes again, as one of the most well-known Morecombe and Wise sketches is ripped off for this Aunt Bessie's spot. And surely the (ageing) creative team who've finally managed to crowbar it in, must be breaking their arms to pat themselves on the back for this one.

Now Morecombe & Wise were good, but they weren't that good. So let's try and put this one to bed, before someone tries to resurrect Mike Yarwood.

Ad rant: Sean John Fragrance

"Life without passion is unforgivable..."

And so is this ad.

Ad rant: Dabitoff

"I find myself on an exhilarating journey..."

And I find myself watching some of the most wooden acting that Ewan McGregor has ever done... but he still gets paid - the swine!

TV: American Gladiators

I think I've just watched one of the best episodes of Gladiators ever - and it was the American version! 

I suppose it's an obvious statement, but we all know that Americans are born ready for the razzmatazz of TV and showbiz, and therefore the show's format is ideal for them, but what makes the extra difference between the two nations is...wait for it... the women. Yes, I hate to give the Yanks credit for anything, but their ladies generally seem to be much harder/fitter/more driven (in the way only Americans are) than the female contestants over here are, making the competition much more interesting to watch. So when you then compare it to the English version, the ladies section seems to be something that you tolerate until the men compete again.

It's funny, in a way, that people in Britain always talk about our programme formats working over there, but this is an example of how maybe sometimes it's the other way round.

I'm sorry to say it, but I think i'll be watching the American version in future.