WHY?

Cutsie Bootsie Christmas Dog @ Yahoo! Video

Santa Cat In Boots @ Yahoo! Video

a santa strategy

Around the world, ad agencies consider a number of different cultural differences as they develop communication plans to profess the unique values of goods 'n services.  Although I wouldn't consider their tip-toing around different cultural differences a sly manipulation of differing belief systems, I would point out that the utmost consideration needs to be paid to the cultural differences that differentiate peoples around the world.

That being said, Christmas is an amazingly global holiday.  It's always cool to see just how widely this tradition casts -- every year it seems to be something different.  

This year, advertising extended into peripheral.  Well, the agencies.  Below is a look at some of the videos that were created for clients (and stalker fans, like myself) by ad agencies around the world.

Enjoy!

M&C Saatchi

AKQA

W+K London
http://www.christmascardmakingmachine.com/

thank god you're a man!

While catching up with my blogging friends, and keeping my eyes open for inspiration for my upcoming campaign to battle binge drinking (oy . . .) I found these pieces awesome.  Very insightful.  Have a look-see.  (You  may have to enlarge them to see the glorious details.)

Advertising Agency: McCann Erickson, Tel Aviv, Israel
Creative Director: Ido Ben Dor
Copywriters: Asaf Zelikovich, Elad Gabison
Art Director: Geva Gershon

appropriate to sing yet?

What is it about making it through a seemingly long performance that makes us inclined to sing (or wait for someone else to sing)?  Is it the joy involved?  Is it relief finally being realized?  Or is it something more?  Obviously, we're invigorated by the jolting lyrics of The Final Countdown where we relish the act of anticipatory (and almost cult-like) chanting when we see that the end is in sight . . . and there is definitely a release of inhibition when can finally sit down to pour ourselves a glass of wine . . . but what is it about singing that paints the finality of something?

I digress.  I'm nearly done (da-da-daaa-daaaaaah!  da-da-da-da-daaaaah!) with my last final of this semester, and let me say it here first:  it's about goddamn time.  Although I liberally advocate the concept of thinking, I must point out that I think I've abused my brain in this circumstance.  Unwilling to take in any more information, my brain has begun to kick things out of the mental apartment.  It's horrible.

Something to look at though.  Here is a snapshot of a blog for one of my classes this fall, and I thought it was absolutely indicative of what you might find happening with blog-class matchings.  For a class of about 35 people, the instructions were as follows:  "Write 5 original entries and post 10 comments on your colleagues entries by the end of the semester for full blog participation points."  Today being only 12 days into December, I found these numbers not in the least bit perplexing.  Setting aside the fact that most people in the class are not familiar with using blogs in their lives, I think this serves as a reminder of just how timidly we approach deadlines.  Especially on seemingly insignificant topics, such as media law (ooops, I blew my veil RIGHT off, there).  "When are they due?   December  11th at 2pm?  Okay.  Got it."  

Fortunately for everyone in the class, they [presumably] got everything in on time.  And luckily for all of us, we're done for a little bit.  However, unfortunately for me, my fascination with quirky things like this kept me coming back for more -- I would check every hour or so just to see the number of posts exponentially rise.  Good for my curiosity.  Bad for my writing and cramming.  

So, as I finish up my last final later this afternoon and pour myself a nice glass (bottle?) of wine to celebrate The End, I shouldn't be surprised if I find myself turning the volume up on my speakers.  I may not be a fat lady, but I sure as hell can drunkly sing any song I want.  Gimme the mic.

Cheers!

finals week in the student center

Take a look at some of the iTunes library names you'll find if you happen to find yourself studying in the general proximity of Syracuse University students:

fight hate with musical theatre

A recent and absolutely fabulous political commentary on our friends over in California.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

personal insight

It bothers me when authorities in life make spelling mistakes.  Or blatant grammatical fuck-ups.   

But only for a moment or so.

I suppose it's a similarly neurotic objection to grammatically incorrect text messages for the sake of saving time.  

I suppose I'll just have to get used to witnessing "Thx" and "Your welcome!"  

Just sayin' . . .

And I think I found a culprit:

A key recommendation:  exercise homophones with caution.

quite some time

Uh, how the hell did so much time go by?

This part of the semester always boggles my mind -- it never ceases to astound me how quickly the days zip by, and how much more work I have to do by the time I go to bed.  I suppose it's just one of those instances where you have to pay homage to the clocks of the world for keeping track of precious time, and continue on with your work.

As a brief recap of the past few weeks:

Halloween very definitely ended.  

Obamarama took place, followed by the exclamations of "YAY!" and "Oh, shit."

And of course, Thanksgiving took vengeance on all of our stomachs.  Since there are only a few days left in the semester, I decided to stay in Syracuse for Turkey Day . . . and cook.  A privilege I've never before enjoyed on Thanksgiving.  Here are a few pictures of my festivities:

It was disgustingly and painfully delicious.  All of it.  

But I did very little work.  Actually, that's a blatant lie.  I did no work.  None.

Therefore, the next 2 weeks are going to be sleepless, highly caffeinated and strung out no doubt.  I'm flying home to Chicago for the first break since early May (discounting the last week, of course).  My time there is pretty much solely dedicated to working on my book, independent study, and agency research.  Most of which can be done from my bed.

I'm playing with the idea of hiring a nurse to deliver daily sponge baths so I truly never have to leave my bed, but I'm leaning towards not actually doing it -- there is a certain enjoyment derived from showering, no?  I think I can carve out 20 minutes/day in my agenda of nothingness to cleanse my slumbering body.

Best of luck on any other ends of semesters out there, and enjoy exercising your consumer right to spend money like drunken sailors on embracing the tackiness of the holidays!

Cheers!