Thursday
May 17, 2012

Our Industry.

Get real, people.

By  |  May 9th, 2012  |  Posted in ,

It seems like more and more advertisers are foregoing the expensive celebrity endorsement and have started using “real” people in their ads. The idea is that these common folk are more relatable and believable than sports stars or a Kardashian. I … Continue reading →

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Funny or dye.

By  |  May 3rd, 2012  |  Posted in ,

Has there ever been a finer trifecta of awesomeness? Funny or Die, ‘80s movie references, and soft, silky hair! Yes! Pantene is brining back some of its discontinued products and in honor of this “Back by Popular Demand” campaign, the company … Continue reading →

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Google giveth. Google taketh away.

By  |  April 26th, 2012  |  Posted in

It must be fun being Google. If I had that much power, I’d make insane announcements like “Every website must be written in haiku,” and gleefully watch every online marketer count the number of syllables in their copy. Fortunately, Google is … Continue reading →

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Mom’s the word.

By  |  April 24th, 2012  |  Posted in ,

I crank out a couple of kids and, boom! Suddenly I’m a member of marketing’s most lucrative demographic: the working mother. I’m referred to as a “Mom,” always. Now with super purchasing powers. I’d be flattered if it didn’t make me … Continue reading →

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Project Re:Brief. Advertising re-imagined.

By  |  March 26th, 2012  |  Posted in ,

Google has launched Project Re:Brief, an initiative that re-imagines iconic advertising for the digital age. They partnered with four global brands, Coca Cola, Volvo, Alka-Seltzer, and Avis, and a group of ad legends to take the decades-old ideas to the web and … Continue reading →

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These ads are really keen.

By  |  March 23rd, 2012  |  Posted in ,

Newsweek’s Mad Men-themed issue features retro-style ads in honor of the season premier this Sunday. From typography to grapics to color, the ads are spot-on in transporting readers back to a time of seamed stockings and three-martini lunches (which, in … Continue reading →

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ADDY Awards 2012. A very good night.

By  |  March 17th, 2012  |  Posted in , , ,

We’re thrilled to share the news that Crowley Webb took home the most gold awards and the most awards overall at the 2012 Advertising Club of Buffalo ADDY Awards last night. The Wake campaign for the Irish Classical Theatre Company continued … Continue reading →

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OOH, that’s not pretty.

By  |  February 27th, 2012  |  Posted in ,

At risk for foreclosure on your mortgage? Turn your house into the neighborhood billboard. The company Brainiacs from Mars will pay up to one year’s mortgage for any homeowners who allow them to advertise on their property. Fancy a nine-foot-tall … Continue reading →

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The hardest working Super Bowl spot (in our humble opinion).

By  |  February 6th, 2012  |  Posted in

Unless you were asleep under a rock several light years from Earth, you are well aware the Super Bowl erupted in America last night. And with it came the usual suspects; football-shaped meatloaves, nachos, office pools, and, of course, highly … Continue reading →

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DIRECTV spots may lead to trouble.

By  |  January 12th, 2012  |  Posted in

When you see commercials that are clever, you get a smile on your face. When you have a smile on your face, people think you’re a happy person. When people think you’re a happy person, they want to be around … Continue reading →

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Hello, my name is Moisés Chiullan, and I’m a cleaner.

By  |  January 11th, 2012  |  Posted in ,

Moisés Chiullan is the guy who took over marketing and sales for game product manufacturer N-Control from the now defunct Ocean Marketing. He’s been assigned the Herculean task of cleaning up N-Controls’ former PR representative, Paul Christoforo’s, customer service debacle, and … Continue reading →

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“Believing” in engagement.

By  |  December 14th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

The Macy’s brand has been synonymous with the holiday season since 1924, the year of the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over the past three years, Macy’s has continued its holiday marketing with its “Believe” advertising campaign, inspired by a … Continue reading →

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Skip the media one-day sales.

By  |  December 12th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Call me a skeptic. Call me strategic, research driven, and client focused. Just last week I received an email from “Good Buys Media” an online, flash-sale company selling – get this – advertising space for me to buy on behalf … Continue reading →

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Social media, and other meaty topics.

By  |  November 28th, 2011  |  Posted in

In late October, Pete Reiling and I attended a conference of creative directors as part of our AAAAs Green Forum. The Green Forum is a collection of AAAA member agencies about the same size as Crowley Webb who get together … Continue reading →

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Right on Target.

By  |  November 23rd, 2011  |  Posted in ,

A gift card is often regarded as a cop-out—a present you give when you can’t think of anything better. But Target’s new Bullseye Flyer gift card is a gift actually worth getting excited about. This creative contraption, designed by artist … Continue reading →

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Responsible advertising.

By  |  November 17th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

The recent sex abuse scandal at Penn State has us shaking our collective heads in disgust. We ask how Penn State officials and coaches could have let such horrific events happen for so long. We wonder what possesses a man … Continue reading →

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Selling the land of the free.

By  |  November 11th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Being that it’s Veterans Day and all, here’s something that never really occurred to me – our country is a brand. I don’t know why this came as such a surprise. After all, everything else is a brand these days. Colleges. … Continue reading →

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The “Moneyball” of marketing?

By  |  October 5th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

In Brad Pitt’s latest box-office venture, he plays Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A’s. Beane uses sabermetrics, a type of statistical analysis that places more emphasis on a player’s contributions to his team’s success than sexy numbers … Continue reading →

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Crowley Webb wins three Mature Media Awards.

By  |  September 29th, 2011  |  Posted in , ,

Crowley Webb recently took home one gold and two silver awards at the 20th annual National Mature Media Awards. The awards program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, recognizes the best marketing, communications, educational materials, and campaigns for adults age … Continue reading →

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Stocking up on midnight oil.

By  |  September 2nd, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Not too long ago, our man Jeff had the idea of donating an ad campaign to a well-deserving Buffalo startup company. Brilliant. Then he decided the agency-wide effort should be completed over the course of one non-stop, 25-hour workday (in … Continue reading →

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Hey there, sponsorship deals.

By  |  August 11th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Pop culture quiz. Remember the song “Hey there, Delilah” by the Plain White Ts, circa 2007? Well, did you know that it was inspired by a real-life Delilah? Maybe you did, smarty-pants. But I bet you didn’t know that she’s … Continue reading →

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It’s cheap to have a voice.

By  |  July 27th, 2011  |  Posted in

Our very own media lover extraordinaire, Erin Haskell, shared some of her vast media knowledge with the patrons of Ad Club this past Tuesday evening. Bryan LeFauve of SKM Group and Julie Mecklenburg of WGRZ also presented. This combination of … Continue reading →

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Social media marketing: spending v. ROI.

By  |  July 6th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

This article by Fiona Swerdlow, head of research at shop.org, reports on a survey conducted to ascertain whether the money spent on social marketing strategies is recovered in sales. The answer: kind of. Retailers did not find Facebook or other social media sites particularly effective … Continue reading →

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Commercial firsts.

By  |  July 1st, 2011  |  Posted in ,

We, as Americans and advertisers, have a pretty significant celebration coming up in July. I know, you’re thinking “Duh, the 4th of July…” but as Americans and advertisers we have something maybe even more exciting to celebrate. Seventy years ago, on July … Continue reading →

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Fashion mad.

By  |  June 27th, 2011  |  Posted in

Advertising folk have always been a stylish crowd. And film and television love to showcase this element. Take, for example, Larry Tate’s debonair silver coiffure, Kip/Buffy Wilson’s commanding shoulder-padded dresses, and Emory Leeson’s extremely form-fitting jacket. But the daddy of … Continue reading →

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USPS has it their way.

By  |  June 6th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Here’s my question – do lawyers at major brands get a bonus if they exceed a litigation quota? A sue-mission, if you will? Because that’s my only explanation for this. The United States Postal Service has sued Burger King for negatively portraying mail … Continue reading →

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OOH — brilliant.

By  |  June 3rd, 2011  |  Posted in

Let’s face it, driving on the thruway can get pretty dull and, for the most part, your brain is on autopilot. That’s where unique outdoor advertising can spice things up a bit. Imagine driving down a typical stretch of highway and … Continue reading →

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Please make it stop.

By  |  June 1st, 2011  |  Posted in ,

About a month or so ago I saw this commercial for AT&T. I liked it. I liked it a lot. Saw it again, liked it again. Then I saw it three more times during some of my favorite shows that same … Continue reading →

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Shoemaker seeing red.

By  |  May 25th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

If you’re like me, tottering around on 3.5-inch stiletto heels, and you love fashion, you undoubtedly are aware of – or maybe are even fortunate enough to own – Christian Louboutin shoes.
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In good company

By  |  May 13th, 2011  |  Posted in

Does a brand’s social responsibility – or lack thereof – influence your buying habits? A company called Good that works with organizations to promote their cause marketing is banking on it. A recent New York Times article reports that Good has … Continue reading →

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Check in for deals.

By  |  May 12th, 2011  |  Posted in

Some marketers have begun offering discounts and incentives – if you’re willing to go on the record with your exact coordinates.
Continue reading →

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The poop on animal ads.

By  |  May 9th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Are advertisers barking up the right tree when it comes to branding with critters?
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Google’s +1 share feature.

By  |  April 18th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Google recently released their newest addition to Google search experience, the +1 share feature. It is essentially the “like” button for Google search results or, as the Google’s blog puts it, the digital shorthand for “this is pretty cool.
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PSAs have come a long way, baby.

By  |  April 15th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

It’s Wednesday night. You’re watching reruns of The Office. Life is good. Then it happens – the public service announcement. Sure, they’re usually promoting a good organization or cause. But Michael Scott’s ineptitude isn’t as hilarious when you feel guilty … Continue reading →

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Advertising causes a ruckus. Again.

By  |  February 28th, 2011  |  Posted in

It’s a tale as old as time. Company comes out with an “edgy” advertisement. Someone gets offended and complains. Company discontinues ad and apologizes. Company gains 100 times more attention from the ordeal than they would have received from the … Continue reading →

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Good for you, Mr. Miracle Whip Marketing Man.

By  |  February 25th, 2011  |  Posted in

It’s not often that you see a TV commercial – or any advertising for that matter – that openly admits not everyone likes the product featured. Typically, we’re encouraged to believe everybody wants to drive car X, no one doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Did anyone else see this?

By  |  February 15th, 2011  |  Posted in

The Grammys were bizarre. Gaga showed up in an egg. Gwyneth Paltrow sang with a man-bird. And some girl no one’s ever heard of beat sweet little Bieber for Best New Artist. But for me, those pale in comparison to the commercial … Continue reading →

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This is too easy.

By  |  February 14th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

The story of an arson case in Iowa City has been spreading around the internet like, well, wild fire. It started when police released a sketch of a potential witness to the crime. And it just so happens to slightly … Continue reading →

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I think I’ll rent 8 Mile tonight.

By  |  February 9th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Let’s face it, it’s Wednesday now and everyone’s over talking about Super Bowl commercials. So I’ll spare you my in-depth opinions on the creative merit of this year’s lineup. Instead let’s talk celebrity endorsements for a moment. There’s something I … Continue reading →

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I feel like an ad nerd during a Super Bowl timeout.

By  |  February 8th, 2011  |  Posted in ,

Just last night, forty or so Buffalo advertising professionals ventured out into the February nastiness to keep the Super Bowl magic alive and discuss, what else, the ads. The Buffalo Ad Club held its second annual Uber Bowl with superstar … Continue reading →

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The sneaker’s on the other foot.

By  |  October 27th, 2010  |  Posted in

I finally watched the new LeBron James commercial I’ve been hearing so much about lately. And I must say, I find it unusually interesting. Let me back up a bit. Back before all the free agency nonsense, I thought the … Continue reading →

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Media Party! With Jessica and Erin.

By ,  |  March 12th, 2010  |  Posted in , ,

With our Praxis Risk Campaign, we tell people to be less risky.  This Diesel campaign does the exact opposite, encouraging people to “Be Stupid.”  Good call, Diesel.

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I like what I do.

By  |  February 25th, 2010  |  Posted in , ,

Just last night, the Ad Club of Buffalo treated its members to a captivating little film about our very own business. No, it wasn’t 1990’s Crazy People. It was the aptly named Art & Copy. The award-winning film features such … Continue reading →

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What’s your sentence?

By  |  February 16th, 2010  |  Posted in

In a world full of chaos, it’s refreshing to think that things can be this simple.  Check out this cool video advertisement.

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Advertising junkies unite.

By  |  February 12th, 2010  |  Posted in ,

For those of us in advertising, the Super Bowl is a special day that comes once a year and is jammed-packed with expensive commercials that more than likely have been in the planning stages since last year’s Super Bowl. In honor … Continue reading →

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Play nice, Verizon and AT&T.

By  |  February 4th, 2010  |  Posted in ,

In one corner, you have people with maps over their heads. In the other, Luke Wilson. Yes, I’m trying to make sense of it as well. It’s the latest in the wireless wars waged between Verizon and AT&T. Each is spending their fair … Continue reading →

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Yay! I do have a heart!

By  |  January 29th, 2010  |  Posted in ,

The Olympics are coming. And right after the Super Bowl I’ll give a crap. Now if you know me, you know sappy really isn’t my thing. I like raunchy. I like funny. I like random. Kittens roaming in a sunflower patch … Continue reading →

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Folgers. Not fresh.

By  |  December 2nd, 2009  |  Posted in ,

Even if you’re like me and don’t remember the original Folgers “Peter Comes Home” Christmas commercial from 1982, a quick look at YouTube will show you it is far superior to this season’s remake. I would love to have been in the … Continue reading →

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The constant struggle 2.

By  |  November 2nd, 2009  |  Posted in

What do a group of funky dressmakers, a girl with questionable hair attempting to out dance some dudes in what seems to be a parking garage, a young, up-and-coming crap rock band, and a couple fighting in a bistro have … Continue reading →

The constant struggle.

By  |  October 26th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

Here’s a clever notion for all you Frankenstein’s monster’s plastic head manufacturers with product on your hands that you just can’t seem to move. Package each with a pair of hands and market the set as lawn decorations – you know, as if … Continue reading →

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Prepare to have your mind blown, put back together, and blown again.

By  |  October 15th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

Here it is, kids. The holy grail of local, low budget, high insanity television spots. I present to you, George’s Appliance of lovely Niagara Falls, USA. I highly recommend “The Truck,” “BREAKING NEWS: Close Encounter,” and “Stellar Delivery.” (The frazzled lady’s delivery of … Continue reading →

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Jeans are cool.

By  |  October 12th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

So I was haunted by this spot when it appeared on my television a few weeks back. The raw imagery coupled with the jarring soundtrack makes it nothing less than a gripping piece of art. Then, right at the end, I found out … Continue reading →

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Oh, Kwikset.

By  |  September 2nd, 2009  |  Posted in ,

So I was watching SportsCenter while eating breakfast and checking email (so, clearly, I was totally engaged) and this commercial catches my eye and ear. It features simple animation to illustrate a simple point. I dug it. Or so I thought. Here, let’s … Continue reading →

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Best Thing I Found On A Monday.

By  |  July 27th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

    Mad Men yourself.    

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Meet the obnoxious talking automobiles. (Again.)

By  |  June 2nd, 2009  |  Posted in ,

Some might say I have an irrational, unhealthy dislike for the talking Volkswagen ads. A hatred, if you will. I mean, to be fair, this is the third time I’ve blogged about it. But seriously, I can’t help myself. And, … Continue reading →

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Strange shirtless men invade the 190.

By  |  May 29th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

I’ve been intent on writing a blog about this Sherkston billboard for some time now. About how it’s utterly perplexing. I mean, seriously, look at that thing. Can someone possibly explain this monstrosity to me? Is it a challenge of some sort? As if, … Continue reading →

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Could it B a coincidence?

By  |  May 8th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

I recently came across a few products in the home and garden aisle of my big box hardware store that made me look twice. Are these products, all lacking at least one letter in their names, just trying to be clever? … Continue reading →

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Of course a full-blown series was the next logical step for the behemoth that is Billy Mays.

By  |  May 5th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

So I discovered this new show on, yes, Discovery Channel that stars the Crowley Webb blog’s favorite ad nut Mr. Billy Mays. It’s called Pitchmen and features our pal along with the lesser-known-by-me Anthony Sullivan. (Apparently, Mr. Sullivan has hawked such products … Continue reading →

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The best thing Liz would have found on a Monday.

By  |  May 4th, 2009  |  Posted in ,

Finish the sentence, “Without advertising, _________.” My potential submissions: My Sociology 101 class would have had nothing to complain about. Billy Mays would have followed his childhood dream of being a world-class zoologist. Mad Men would just be a show about womanizing alcoholics. … Continue reading →

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Let’s all stop, take a deep breath, and really think about this social networking stuff.

By  |  April 1st, 2009  |  Posted in ,

Doesn’t it seem as though the agency crowd is frantically running in one direction toward social media, quite the same the way it did during the dot-com boom? Remember everyone believing the internet was going to change everything about the … Continue reading →

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Best Thing I Found On A Monday.

By  |  March 23rd, 2009  |  Posted in ,

If you watched any of the NCAA Tournament over the weekend, then you probably saw one, if not all, of these spots for Nike. If not, check them out. They’re super. 1 2 3 4

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I am not a Mac or a PC.

By  |  January 27th, 2009  |  Posted in

After the abortive “Bill and Jerry” series, Microsoft has unveiled the next phase in their rebranding campaign. The “I’m a PC” spots, created by agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky, directly answer Apple’s long-standing, highly successful “I’m a PC and I’m … Continue reading →

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A letter to the worst billboard on the planet.

By  |  March 6th, 2008  |  Posted in

I’m sorry, but I just had to tell you. I couldn’t drive past you one more day on my way to work and not say anything. You are, in a word, awful. Just awful. So awful, in fact, I have … Continue reading →

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