More and more, I’ve found myself being a connoisseur of online advertising. This industry has yet to really settle into a groove or system of structure like print, radio, outdoor, and television.
Below are some ad campaigns I came across that I was really impressed by. Let’s start with a very basic rich media display ad unit that was on espn.com yesterday.
Advertisers are all about engagement…..basically any interaction with an advertising campaign. All of the pen on this dude’s face was drawn by me. It took me about 10 minutes. How many advertising units do you play with for 10 minutes? While I have not purchased a Whopper because of it, I vividly know that this ad was from Burger King because of the engagement with the ad unit. How many online ads to you remember on a weekly basis?
The ad was fun as the guy moves while you draw in him, mimicking real life. There was a day and age where people passing out and getting drawn on was almost a third tier hobby for me. Those days are long gone and this was kind of a nostalgic momenet for me.
Now for one of the awesomer things I have seen in online advertising.
This Twitter acount, full of ridiculous Tweets, links back to Vegas.com douchebag microsite that includes awesome content like this:
“Take the Douchebag Quiz to figure out if you can cut it as a Vegas Douchebag:
- Do you know where to get the best spray-on tan?
- Do you like to show off your nipple ring in public?
- Do you know the difference between beer and malt liquor?
- Do you wear your chain inside or outside your shirt?
- Do you own more than 5 different trucker hats?
If you answered “fo sho” to any of the above questions, you may have what it takes to be a true Vegas Douchebag.”
Besides the quiz, you can also get discounts on hotels and other travel expenses by using the promotion code “douchebag” in addition to a douchebag photo contest.
Here is my take on this advertising. 25% of people will absolutely love this ad campaign. 65% will be indifferent to it. 10% will be really offended by it.
In the scheme of things that 10% is pretty unlikely in my opinion to find the vegas douchebag twitter page and microsite. However the 25% of people who will get a kick out of this campaign have a better then normal chance of seeing this campaign, due to its viral nature.
Plus there are great interactive features like quizzes, photo contests, and a promotion code that you’re just dying to test out. Overall this is really effective.
Both are great campaigns aimed at demographic that doesn’t take life as seriously as older generations. We watch the Daily Show and Colbert Report for our news, enjoy in poking fun of society in shows like Family Guy and South Park, live vicariously through Rob and Big/Fantasy Factory and Entourage, and generally are receptive to content that mocks a worthy target.
Both these campaigns pander to us in that regard and are extremely effective because of it. These are the kind of ads I want to see across Bloguin, so if you’re out there be sure to drop me an email….
