Very good examples here and as much as I hate “commercials”, I love “ads”…if that makes sense. I love how clever and simple communicating an idea can be (when done right) especially without words or talking heads…like in your photo examples.

I graduated from a design school (not as an advertising major though) and loved what ad students came up with.

The thing is, ok, this may sound pretentious, but perhaps those of us who “see through the ad message” may think most adverts are costly and ineffective but ultimately aren’t PR people targeting those who don’t really think too deeply about the ads anyway? Remember all the hype about subliminal messages in ads in the 80′s?

Anyway, I’m rambling. But, I agree with your post 100% and THAT is the challenge…making great ads that are clever, get results and don’t cost a fortune

You are so right — the purpose of any marketing is ultimately to sell something. The minute we forget that — we are making art, not ads.

Drew

Yup — cleverness can make up for a lack of frequency or exposure. In the ideal world, you’d have both.

A very clever, memorable ad combined with enough frequency to get and keep your audience’s attention and hopefully, dollars.

Drew

I agree — the Mr. Clean example isn’t one you could let get dingy. I suppose they’d just re-paint that one white stripe. Which would only add to the visual illusion.

Some very smart thinking….a good reminder that we don’t have to settle for the same old, same old.

Drew

That is so correct…

In my experience, I spent thousands of dollar worth of advertising money for a conversion rate that only requires less than 20 bucks – doing just like what you wrote here – clever things that people appreciate, rather than corporate-like ads campaign on mainstream media, such as newspapers.

I conclude, newspaper ads s**ks – sorry for saying this

Cheers and thanks for the post! (nice pictures, by the way)