Good Ads: Marriage in Norway

I have a new fondness for commercials from the Nordic region. Part of this is my growing business clientele in Denmark. (Oh yeah, baby! Sokoloff Harness Communications LLC is international now! Show some respect.)

Part of it is my love for anything that makes me laugh out loud. This ad did the trick. Enjoy -- it's a creative idea beautifully executed. And you know how I feel about the star ...

Some people are lucky in life. For the rest of us, saving can be smart.

Ogilvy Asia: TC Bank-Dream Rangers

There are times when a commercial is more than a commercial -- it's a mini-film. This is one of those times. Beautifully creative. Enjoy!

Thanks to Patty for the link!

Creativity Tips: A Handy Idea

This could be a case of what my mom would call, Little things amuse little minds. And yet ...

We went to Bob Evans for dinner recently and got a laugh out of the new menu promoting their burgers. It's a little thing, but by simply adding physical interaction to a typically static object, the restaurant chain "grabbed" our attention.

Kate, who's "holding" the burger here, and I ordered what we always order at Bob Evans. Tom, on the other hand, did order a big burger. And I have to say, his meal measured up to the menu!

The creativity tips? Look for ways to add another dimension to your work. And make sure your results deliver on your promise!

P.S. Doghouse video

For those of you who receive the blog via email ... here's the doghouse link from this morning's post. Funny video. Good ad. Happy Wednesday!

Good Ads: In the Doghouse

This is worth every second ... and, guys, it will help you stay out of the doghouse. Enjoy!

Site Seeing: The Happiness Machine

Leslie just sent this link, and it's too good not to share immediately. Marketing brilliance.

I want a Happiness Machine!

Good Ads: Sexy Forever

People magazine has a special issue out called Sexy Forever. It's cover-to-cover skinny stars, who lost all their pregnancy weight in five minutes. Since the editors understand their audience, the magazine even highlights stars who still look sexy even though they are -- gasp! -- in their 40s.

In the midst of all these scary skinny people, the ad above. And all I can say to New York, New York and its creative team is: Thank you. From all us sexy, laugh-out-loud, nickel-playing gamblers.*

*You know who you are, Eva.

(OK, the headline for the post is going to bring some new visitors. If you stopped by for juicy stuff, sorry. Wrong blog. Bye bye.)

Creativity Tips: Think Burma-Shave

The Burma-Shave campaign was brilliant. It's over, but there's still plenty of roadside poetry available if you keep your eyes open. One of my published poems was inspired by a swinging sign:

Found Poem: Rural Route 20, Oklahoma
© Jan Sokoloff Harness

An unintentional poet summed it up
on a swinging sign

outside an auto parts store
near Tulsa.

Jesus is Lord
Everything is for sale

Amen, brother.
Amen and hallelujah.