Before i go into this week’s commercial of the week, I wanted to call attention to the unbelievable amount of ad spending by brokerage houses during this NCAA tourney. It’s so excessive that their frequency almost warrants its own drinking game.

I guess it makes sense as the audience skews to college grads who are more likely to be doing some financial planning in addition to the recent market voliality. However it seems to be a little overkill with numerous ads by AG Edwards, Etrade, Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Hartford, Pacific Life, Principal Financial Group, ING, AIG, Wachovia, Edward Jones, T Rowe Price, and UBS.

Although I was a little turned off by the abundance of financial ads, I did like below New Balance advertisement.

New Balance is not a sexy brand, but makes high quality durable shoes. They have a high level of customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, but tend to avoid glitzy ad campaigns and celebrity endorsers.

The below ad resonates with runners and is engaging enough to keep you watching despite its length.

Update: I have attached a couple more of these smart ads that extend the concept that running is a tumultuous relationship. Glad to see New Balance executing on a well though out ad campaign that embraces the sentiments of so many runners.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=qaOdhWZZfwk]

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z9IxvAZKCD0&feature=related]

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=vlo4B-4Uhuw]