Spot On

This post would be the inspiration for Monday Mission 3.09's question #1. I decided to save the post for a bit and put it up after I wrote the MM. So here now are TV commercials I've really enjoyed this year:

Saturn Ion - "Childhood"
This spot always makes me think. It never makes me want to buy this car, and I hardly ever remember it is for a Saturn. In the spot, a four friends enter a town filled with children playing, swinging and running about. I seem to recall a sign reading "Now Leaving Childhood." Then as they leave the neighborhood a sign says "Old Age Ahead." Then the friends seem to drive the car in a different direction. Great concept, great music, perfect execution. The ending leaves me unsatisfied though. Where they go is unclear, and in a way, I expected them to turn back. Of course, we all have to leave childhood behind, but hopefully not the wonder. I've not seen the other three ads in this series, but in concept, they appear to be just as great.

For those wondering (or searching in Google) the song in the spot is "We've Been Had" by The Walkmen. You can get the entire MP3 here, just click the giant MP3 banner. The second commercial, "High School," features "Forever Young" by Alphaville. A great 80's song that sounds not at all like it is 19 years old. You can get it here at Amazon (note that this CD has the extended version with bonus lyrics - whee!)

Saturn - "Cars Picking People"
I thought this was a pretty funny spot, though no one else in the room laughed when it was on. Am I the only one that though the idea of cars driving around to a "people" lot was terribly clever? Maybe it wasn't, but I just laughed out loud when I saw it. I am sure it was meant to be a little deeper and insightful, but I just had a good laugh. Maybe because I always loved Disney's "Herbie" movies so much.

Target - "Swell" series
Nothing tickles my fancy like retro commercials. The spot I've seen reminds me much of the Esquevel era of the 60's. The whole "Space Age Bachelor Pad" era of America. Maybe because this is a time I know I'd have loved to live in. Don't know who does the music in this one.

Cingular - "Talk Talk"
Maybe I just get a sick thrill out of my 80's music being used in such horrible ways, but nothing fits a cellular commercial better than "Talk Talk" by Talk Talk. There is just no way I would have ever believed I'd see the day, yet it is here.

Target - "Targeting Spring"
Just a fun bouncy spot to remind us that even though we are still getting 3+ inches of snow, we still need to think about buying sandals and swimsuits at Target.

Lugz - "Lugz Driving Shoes"
I've been away from MTV too long. I am sure most music videos these days look like this spot, but it was still fun to watch. Trippy and fast moving, almost makes me want a pair.

Evian Water - "Rock You"
Ah more songs from my youth in TV commercials. This is a clever twist though, and one thinks, Mr. Mercury would probably approve.

Hyundai - "Shut Up"
This spot always reminds me of Elaine on Seinfeld, except her phrase was "Get Out!" Kinda the same thing here, except instead of getting shoved down to the floor, the poor car salesman keeps getting punched. When he delivers the line "Please don't hit me" it is filled with such pleadings for mercy that it just cracks me up!

Ariel - "Ideal Husbands"
I admit I would never have seen this one if not for AdAge.com, but now that I have, I just had to share it. You tell me, is this truly "Every Wife's Fantasy?" And yes, this page also has the Miller commercial that is probably every husbands fantasy.

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Posted by on March 3, 2003 @ March 3, 2003 12:15 PM    
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