January 07, 2008

Ad-dicted – The best ads of 2007

From typical saas-bahu soaps to typical reality shows - television programming is getting more and more stereo‘typical’…

Little wonder, there are only 2 things I watch with full devotion on TV – the amazing shows on Travel and Living and advertisements.

2007 I believe has been one of the good years for ad agencies owing to some major changes in marketing strategies, mergers and launch of some great brands. The following are some of my favourite ads that were showcased in 2007:

(Follow the link to watch the ad)

Happydent – Hats off to Prasoon Joshi – the man behind the 100 watts smile. What does he eat? I mean, who would have thought of such huge sets, never-seen-before idea and a crazy execution for a mere chewing gum? Little wonder, all the ad functions went gaga over this ad. It surely deserved it.

Bingo – Bingo marked a new trend in advertising – something that we’d never seen before. A clip which started as a tele-shopping ad for glad bangles gets weirdly associated to Bingo’s combination of mad angles! Stupid? Creative? Whatever people say, the fact is that you remember the ad because of its craziness. No confusion, great combination indeed.

Airtel – The brand moves from its “express yourself” tagline and goes deeper with a new thought, ‘Barriers break when people talk’. The original idea was to set the ad at the Wagah Border, and get Indian and Pakistani soldiers to start a football game together. But later, it was changed to make the appeal much more universal. The result – Airtel breaks the clutter and once again becomes one of the most recalled brands.

Vodafone– Hutch becomes Vodafone and the ads just get better. No dialogues, just some background music, great performances and gripping visuals. You’d leave anything aside to watch these ads one more time. I especially love the elevator ad where the poor chap waits the entire day to meet his soulmate and finally meets her. The song ‘take me away’ was especially made for the ad! Loved it.

Lee- This one’s Lee’s first television ad in India and what a success! Denims get a sensuous look and the song ‘I want to touch you’ does the magic. This one was made by a 6 month old ad agency from Bangalore called ‘Happy’ and here too the song was especially made for this ad.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism –Jheel dekho, taad dekho, sher ki dahaad dekho, aankhein neeche neeche dekho, aankhein phaad phaad dekho...
I wish I make something as lovely as this someday. The addictive music, the perfectly rhyming list of sentences, the tamasha treatment – you are sure to enjoy this ad everytime you watch it.

I’m sure there are many more ads but these are the ones that come to my mind instantly. While the world cribs about increased airtime to ads, I would say they are probably the only creative spots we are left with on Indian television today. And I strongly believe there should be a channel completely dedicated to ads so that soaps and reality shows do not spoil the fun of appreciating creativity at its best. What say :)

18 comments:

~ ॐ ~ said...

MP Tourism AD rocks !!!! my personal favorite from the list...probably because it uses Hindi and has so much of India, rather the heart of it being sold...

One of the best that I have seen EVER !!! rest are great too without a doubt.. infact I know someone from the agency who did the HappyDent Ad too...


there are a few more promotions that i kinda liked in 2007...


and GOOD POST... thanks...

bhumika said...

thanks om...glad to know that you liked my selection..

MP tourism is definitely one of the best ads that i have come across. like i said, i wish i make sth like that in future :)

~ ॐ ~ said...

All the best hai ji aapko...

Swapnil said...

Interesting selection.
And I abhorr the Bingo ads, but am forced to grudgingly accept that they've created great recall for the brand in a cluttered mindspace.

Also hats off to the ad team who sold this to ITC's management, and to the management for taking the risk.

bhumika said...

@om

Dhanyawaad

@swapnil

Thanks...About Bingo, well it joins this selection not just for the sheer enjoyment value but also the fact that Bingo ads do not make the slightest effort to take the brand seriously - if anything, the reverse. And that is so refreshing. I mean, someone like a brand manager, the marketing manager dared to suggest that for once the brand could be taken lightly. It surely was a great risk for ITC, but the fact is that the irrelevance of the ads (which was consciously and very creatively crafted) contributed to its brand recall. However, i do feel that the 2nd series of ads do not match the introductory campaigns which i blv were superb!

Piggy Little said...

there is a "come to maharastra" advert which has been released. just caught it on the idiot box yest. one of the most "notable" omissions in ur list is the "sone ki chidiya" advert. i dont know which product it caters to...but its v. a brilliant copy. its a longish advert but it tugs at u emotionally.

i preferred the earlier hutch adverts for their emo. quotient, as much as i love the current vodafone ones for their simplicity and impact. the airtel one tho comes out on top.

i also liked the titan advert...which the french chick n aamir khan. not for sale.

Prashant said...

Hey Bhumika

I liked your blog very much. You really have a fantastic analytical mind. I mean how come a 1000 something gram mind posess so many things?

I like your small stories also. Specially the stroy about the gal in a Cafe spending time with herself.

I have added your site to my favourite list.There is a resemblance between our interests.
I also like Ads,Literature,Music, Movie and Art in any form though am an engineering graduate.

I like to be a friend of yours and share experiences & thoughts regarding the above mentioned factors.

Hoping a positive response. By the way, wish you a very happy new year.

Prashant

bhumika said...

Hi Prashant,

Thank you so much for appreciating my blog. I blv blogging is a great way of socializing with people having similar interests...

thank you once again for adding my blog in the list of your favs...hope to cya around :)

bhumika said...

@neha

the 'sone ki chidhiya' ad is of future group. I kind of didn't 'love' that ad - hence the omission. About the titan ad - I cannot comment since i never happened to watch the complete ad. Maharashtra tourism was good but then the ones mentioned here are my personal favs :)

Kay said...

Hey!!
You sure picked some of the best last year..

Another one that really moved me is the "Lead India" ads, specially the one with the politician and the little kid.

bhumika said...

thanks kay...glad you liked the selection. I think you are referring to the Lead India song - that surely has been done wonderfully and has given me goosepimples as well :P

Chugs said...

my picks apart from the ones u already have

VIP briefs (adjust maadi) - a common embarrassing problem presented in a funny way.

neo sports - alternate takes on the definitions of various cricketing terms.

havells shock proof

and my fave...happydent (tera dil roshan, tera mann roshan)...the best one i have seen in a long time.

bhumika said...

Hi chugs,

welcome to my blog :) Thank you for mentioning the VIP and the havell's shock proof ad - i wonder how i missed them! Abt Neo sports, i haven't come across it as yet...will try and watch it on youtube

Happydent - Numero Uno without any second thought!

thanks for dropping by. Got to say this once again - love your blog :)

Raman said...

I think the Bank of India's campaign "Rishton ki Jama Poonji" & SBI Life Insurance's "Ab Khelne ke din hai" are really good too!! Not to mentione the innumerable ones Hutch keeps coming up with.

delhidreams said...

ads ads and ads
i too watch tv for ads, the little i watch. or some for cricket. bus, jyada nahi :)

Aina said...

oo i lOVE your post!!
i'm crazily into ads myself and i thought your compilation was great!

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