Why is it Always 10:10?

While reading Stuart Elliott's In Advertising email, I ran across something I had always wondered and wanted to share with everyone: Why do watches in ads always read 10:10? If you have never noticed this, start paying attention and see if you can spot one not sat at 10:10 (this isn't as easy as it sounds!)

Andrew Adam Newman of The New York Times reports in a recent check of the 100 top-selling men’s dress watches on Amazon.com, which included models from 20 brands, all but three watches were set to 10:10.

So why are watches photographed at 10:10? Apparently, it’s like an unwritten photography rule due to the 10 and 2 hand positions framing the brand and logo usually centered on the upper half of the watch. Also, if you look closely, the watch hands are ‘smiling,’ giving off a happy feeling. This is a typical subconscious technique used in print advertising.

Timex’s official time for every watch (even digital models) photographed for marketing purposes is sat to 10:09:36. This results in the second hand appearing centered at the bottom of their watches. The company also ships their watches turned off at this time so all store displays are synchronized.

So what about other ‘times’? The majority of iPhones in commercials read 9:42 a.m. This is rumored to represent the time when Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone at a MacWorld conference in 2007.

Goodbye 2008's "Blue Iris" - Hello 2009's "Mimosa" Yellow!

So, I have just been informed of the new influential color for 2009 - Mimosa Yellow! I have to admit, I'm somewhat disappointed it is not purple, my most recent favorite color, but that's ok! Last year's "blue iris" color was alright, but I'm not so sure how I feel about this mimosa yellow color. I hope it means 2009 will be bright and exciting! Can't wait to find out! Check here for more information!

The Magic Of Macy’s

Macy’s new line of TV commercials are simply cute, clever and fun! As the YouTube tagline reads, “Only one star can bring all these stars together. That's the magic of Macy's.” This commercial plays on that slogan as well as Macy’s star logo by using an assortment of different stars. By featuring Martha Stewart, Jessica Simpson, Donald Trump, Tommy Hilfiger, Sean John, Kenneth Cole, Mark Ecko, Usher, and others who all have product lines at Macy’s, the commercial appeals to a variety of holiday shoppers.

This version in particular shows all the stars decorating Macy’s for Christmas. Each one has a specific task in order to open up on time. Martha is being a perfectionist and telling everyone what to do while they are hard at work using their personal input in showcasing their products. Even Donald Trump was put to work; now that’s pretty impressive! Jessica Simpson definitely brings the comedy to this commercial, as well as the other versions, with her ditzy actions. You just can’t help but laugh when she accidentally unplugs the lights and the store goes dark. Then Martha says “Jessica.. Darling..” and she plugs them back in and the store is complete!

Overall, this commercial is very entertaining and great publicity not only for Macy’s, but for each featured star, as well as their product lines. A combination of bright colors, festive background music, sparkly ornaments, strands of lights, special hot chocolate, the one and only Santa Clause, fresh baked cookies, sprinkle snow, talking elves, tree decorating, and noticeable product logos tie the whole commercial together and make an effective Christmas advertisement.

Charge It! ;)

So I was surfing Facebook, as usual, and a skyscraper ad on the left hand corner of my home page immediately got my attention. It was advertising a Chase Credit Card, but not just any Chase Credit Card, It was a brand spanking new PINK Chase Credit Card. Yes, you read that correctly, there is now a PINK Credit Card. The body text read, "Girls know that image is everything, so why should your credit card be any different? Grab your pink card now for the shopping season." If you think about it, what girly girl would not want a pink credit card? Of course it will only make shopping more fun!

As soon as I saw this ad, I was jealous that I already had a Chase Credit Card, but mine was a dull black one. So, what did I do? I picked up my pink cell phone and called the number I found on the connecting link to Chase’s website for personal Chase credit card members. After listening to an automated voice machine, I pushed a couple buttons and was immediately connected to an operator. In a total of three minutes and fifty-one seconds, I requested for a new Pink Chase Credit card to replace my current one.

Overall, I believe this was a great way to make girls spend tons of money and go in debt! Personally, I believe this ad with its direct targeting is definitely effective! My new Pink Chase Credit Card has been mailed out and I just can’t to receive it! The first thing I am going to do is cut up my dull black one and take my pretty pink one and go shopping in style!

The 4 am Rush Hour

Ever have that rush to the heart kind of sensation when you have no clue what so ever about what is going on? This commercial gave me that very feeling. Take a minute and see what you think!

Surprised by the ending message? I sure was, all that upset just to go shopping! But not just any shopping, JC Penny’s huge Day after Thanksgiving Sale! I truly believe this commercial was well planned, well written, and effectively gets across their message.

When first watching this, I had no clue what it was even for. From the mom going to the window to look outside, to bursting into the girls room, waking them up, making them put on clothes, to running down the stairs and grabbing food from the cabinet, to jumping into the car, locking the doors and driving away, it is all fast paced and questionable to what is going on. The dark lighting and music have an eerie tone that reminds one of a scene from a scary movie.

Locking the doors of the car sets of a sense that there is something to be afraid of. All the people outside with flashlights toward the end seem to be like they are going after them as they pull out of their driveway. The viewers are left clueless until the little girl finally asks her mom what is going on and she finally fills them in that they are going to the JC Penney after Thanksgiving Day Sale! The looks on the girls’ faces are priceless! This is the climax of the commercial when you are just dying to know what is going on and then chuckle after discovering the real reason. The mom pulls out and heads toward the sale with the other people in the community. This gives one the feeling that everyone else is going, so you should too.

Seeing this on TV actually made me want to get up at super early on the day after Thanksgiving and be at JCPennys by 4 am! Not just anything can get me out of the bed. THAT my friends, is one effective commercial!

How Can I Tell You That I Love You?

With the holiday season now underway, television is flooded with advertisements for anything and everything. The DeBeers Christmas “Morning Surprise” commercial advertising their Journey Necklace is one I have enjoyed watching the past two years.

In my opinion, Cat Power’s “How Can I Tell You,” song is what makes the commercial so great! Its calmness matches the flow and actions of the husband who is quietly giving his wife the necklace. Without this song, the commercial wouldn’t have the same meaning. The well written lyrics are what convey the message to show the meaning behind DeBeers Journey Necklace.

As the end of the commercial says: “This Christmas, say everything, without saying a word.” (The lyrics are: How can I tell you - That I love you - I love you - I long to tell you - That I'm always thinking of you - I'm always thinking of you - But I can't think of the right words to say)

With the night time setting, the lighting is somewhat dark, and the colors are dull. This allows the necklace to better grab the viewers attention when finally displayed in the woman’s hand.

This commercial is shown throughout the year, just with everyday settings replacing the snow and Christmas tree screens. The closing text is also changed to fit the appropriate occasion.

For some reason, I have always been under the impression this was a commercial for Kay Jewelers until I searched for the commercial on YouTube. One problem I found within this commercial is the company’s name is not displayed. One line of text at the end could easily solve this simple confusion.

Overall, this commercial is just so sweet and romantic. I’m sure many men have seen this on tv and realized how perfect of a gift it would be for any special occasion. After all, what lady would not want her man to surprise her like this?

Give The Gift Of A Dad!

Finding the perfect present for someone isn’t always the easiest task, especially when that person already has everything they could ever need or want. An ad in People Magazine’s June 25^th 2007 issue has the perfect gift for those who may not be as fortunate as those who are difficult to buy for. Before you get your hopes up, let me break it to you gently: This is NOT a Christmas ad, instead, it is advertising for the perfect Father’s Day Gift!

And just what is the perfect Father’s Day Gift you may be wondering? It is not the typical neck tie or Hallmark card, but involves a trip to Wendys! That’s right! Of course everyone loves food, but that’s not really it either. This ad’s tagline reads “Give the Gift of Dad” and contains a vintage drawing of a little boy whose arms are thrown up in the air with excitement standing beside a tall wrapped present resembling the shape of a man. The body text at the bottom explains that during Father’s Day weekend, fifty cents of every frosty purchased will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. So, take dad out for a frosty on Father's Day and you'll be giving two gifts!

After seeing the excitement of the cute little boy and reading the body copy, this ad really played with my emotions. I then pictured myself in the little boy’s position and just imagined how exciting it would be at his young age to receive the lifelong gift of a dad. How wonderful would that be?! A gift that would keep on giving, and keep on loving!

This ad’s placement in People Magazine is a great spot to attract its target audience. The colors and vintage look of the ad improvises the time aspect of their phrase, “Finding Forever Families for Children in Foster Care.” Overall, I believe this is a very effective ad causing Wendy’s effort to support adoption appealing to others.