Here's the ad I was thinking about... I couldn't get it to publish in the middle of the text, so here it is in its own post. Not very efficient, but at least I got my point across somehow... haha.

Sincerely,

Natalie

P.S. I realize it looks an awful like the twin towers, but like I said in my other post, I would use a different picture, and everything else once I knew exactly what my clients would want... I simply wanted to convey the idea that no matter where you go (hence the airplane ride) you would be right at home (hence the city in the picture) with your insurance company. Also, I just love the city skyline, so I thought it would be fun to put my personality in it somehow.

Ad & Blog Assignment:

Ever since there has been a big "boom" of insurance companies advertising on TV, it has been very interesting to see how they all make their mark on their target audiences. However, when it comes to Esurance, I don't really know what or who they seem to be aiming for. [Well, I have my own ideas of who they aim for, but I think they go about it in the wrong direction...]

In their cartoon commercials, ones such as this:

I can tell that they're aiming for people who are busy and on-the-go who need insurance wherever they are. However, I don't quite understand why they thought a Kim Possible cartoon look-alike would catch that audience's attention. I feel that this ad campaign is targeted more towards elementary & middle school kids who like cartoon characters--rather than busy business people who are always traveling and need insurance wherever they are. The idea behind the commercial is clever, but executed poorly and aimed at the wrong age group.

I do like how the commercial is very informative--it tells what they do [sell insurance], how they do it [cheap], and how they are different [fast & easy claims & quotes]--but I feel that the copy "Mission: Save Money" is too juvenile. If they want to reach the audience who is so busy and on-the-go, they should have a slick commercial that can seem classy and cheap at the same time [cheap meaning less-expensive, not tacky].

If I were in charge of the campaign, I would aim for the business people who have claims that result from odd business-trip experiences and need to process a claim quickly before they leave the next day. I would choose dark colors that are classy--blacks, whites, and grays--and include a phrase that informs them about being an efficient insurance company that saves money. While Esurance's pride comes from quick quotes and easy processing, I would definitely use a business-man's familiarity to computers in an ad.

Here is an example of what a print ad of mine would be similar to*:

Then, if Esurance likes the idea that I am heading, they could make commercials that are similar in situation to the cartoon commercials. There could be a situation where an owners car is damaged because of the work he does. Maybe a car owner goes out to dinner with clients and when he returns to his car, it is smashed between two parallel parked cars... I don't know. Something that has a hint of humor to it, yet is placed in a professional environment.

These are just my ideas to improve the campaign. I would have to know exactly what Esurance is trying to accomplish and what they can offer in order to make a real campaign for them. Going off of the ideas I had, I don't know that the on-the-go business people are the target audience, but that would seem like the ideal group to target to me.

Sincerely,

Natalie

*this is merely a "prototype". I would use a different font, a different picture, and probably a different copy in the example I would show my clients. Hopefully this alludes to the general direction my campaign would head.

A Great Leap Forward!

This morning I woke up and was horribly confused! Not only was I confused this morning, but last night as I was getting ready for bed. Now, many of you may ask, "What in the world is this girl so confused about?" and I'll tell you:

The TIME CHANGE!

Now, it's always a big ordeal for me to get through daylight savings. Whether it be gaining an hour or losing an hour, I manage to over-think the process and completely confuse myself! Luckily, there is such thing as smart phones that manage to know more than I do. Without technology, I'm pretty sure I would have been about an hour late to everything today!

As weird as this may sound, I am glad we lost an hour this weekend! I mean, when I get out of class or work around six, and I walk out to a dark sky, it's rather depressing--especially when it's cold. But, with daylight savings, my problem is solved! Now I can not only end my afternoon in sunshine, but wake up to it, too! The sun is an amazing phenomena, and it really can make a difference in my mood. Waking up to a room full of sunbeams is such a pleasant way to wake, it's almost like there is nothing that can bring me down. With the weather being warm[er], flowers starting to poke up from the ground, and the sun shining during more convenient hours of the day, I find myself VERY excited for spring (and summer, too!)

Happy early Spring, everyone!

Ad Assignment #3

I may or may not be biased towards Apple and every singe one of their products... but setting that small fact aside, I think they do an amazing job with their ads and commercials. They are a great example of a demonstration message formula simply because they actually use their product in their commercials while making it fun at the same time. Here is one of the first iPad commercials that I fell in love with that is a great example of the demonstration message formula:

This next ad is an example of a "slice of life" message formula. I first loved this commercial because I thought it was creative and a little silly (meaning it caught my eye because I smirked at the thought of using a dog for a mop.) I think this ad works because it's true that it is difficult to keep a kitchen floor clean. Sweeping then mopping is quite a tedious task to repeat over and over. It's like what Mr. Incredible says, "I feel like the maid. I just cleaned up this mess--can we keep it clean for ten minutes?"

And just for fun, here's Mr. Incredible's "interview." Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Natalie

A [necessary?] Media Fast.

As I am absolutely loving my communications classes, there is one particular assignment that I have been dreading since I heard about it. For my Comms 101 class, we are required to go on a three day media fast (you know, not using media/main forms of technology for THREE DAYS) sometime during this upcoming week. Me: I want to get this over with--and I find it much easier staying away from media and technology altogether at the beginning of the week (particularly Sunday) than at the end of the week.

Surprisingly, now that the time to start prepping for being away from media for 72 hours has arrived, I am somewhat looking forward to it. I mean, I keep finding myself on Facebook--TOTALLY wasting my time doing basically nothing! I think it will be very refreshing to get a break from the good ol' FB--and since I can't do it on my own, this assignment will keep me away from it! Also, who knows, I may even start reading the newspaper to stay in on the loop! (Actually, I don't follow much in the world other than home decor, fashion and baseball, so I'm going to guess that magazines will be more popular than newspapers the next few days!)

My prediction is that I am going to miss music the most. My 20 minute drive to work every day will seem a little lonely without my favorite friends The Killers, The Sounds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Two Door Cinema Club, Phoenix, and my new friends from "500 Days of Summer." But, we'll see what happens... I'll keep you posted!

My favorite part already is that I am ahead on my homework! I have done my best to finish my homework for the next three days! I cannot believe it--I am ahead of schedule! I wonder if this will stick...? [HAHA]

Well, just so you all know, starting Sunday morning at 12:01 am, I will not be replying to texts, answering my cell phone, reading my emails, checking Facebook, spending time with Perdita (my computer,) or participating in any other forms of technology.

To the Technology World: Farewell... well, for ONLY 72 hours!

Sincerely,

Natalie

Ad File Assignment #2

A Comparison or not?

For quite some time, there seems to have been quite the battle between AT&T and Verizon for who has the "best" coverage. After watching this ad,

, I would like to say that AT&T has the better coverage. However, if I were to watch that commercial, and then watch this, , I would most likely say that Verizon does. Through comparing these controversial products, I believe that both of these ads work. Because both companies compare their direct competition in the commercial, the ad allows for consumers to look at the "facts" and decide for themselves whether or not they want to believe what it right in front of their eyes.

Stereotyping tends to create humor in commercials. In this recent commercial for Mercedez,, I would feel comfortable that almost all of the viewers understand that the commercial is poking fun at "dumb blondes." Even though there very well may be many blondes that purchase and drive a Mercedez, I do not think that too many of them would have taken this ad at such a high personal level that it would make them shy away from buying a Mercedez. In fact, I think this ad works because it emphasizes the idea that "beauty is nothing without brains," and placing a "dumb blonde" in an obvious situation was a great way to put a smile on viewers faces showing them that driving a Mercedez is not only safe, but fun. By placing a joke or a pun in the commercial, I think it can make the product more appealing and much more fun for consumers.

Luc Robitaille's Celebrity Shootout!

Perhaps the best thing about having a media pass is being able to wander around wherever you want whenever you want. I had the AWESOME opportunity to tag along with Hockey Player Magazine and cover Luc Robitaille's Celebrity Shootout fund raiser event. I was able to meet a bunch of famous people and learn that they are just like us!

I'm pretty sure that my favorite celebrity to meet was Michael Vartan, (he starred in "Alias" and "Never Been Kissed") and I've had a crush on him for the past few years. But not only did I get to meet him, I also met Luc Robitaille, his amazing wife Stacia, Andie MacDowell, Joe Sakic, and many more!

I mean, it's not all fun and games having a media pass--you actually have to do some work. For me, I got to take pictures! It was great going around capturing the atmosphere around event, walking out onto the ice while the National Anthem was sung, and capture the game. Being at the event was able to show me that celebrities are just like normal people--they like to have a fun time and they enjoy the same things as just about everyone else.

Overall, I am extremely grateful for Hockey Player Magazine to have let me tag along with them! It was a great event for a great cause!

Advertising: A Type of Blank Slate

Well, today was my first day of my Intro to Advertising class and I absolutely

love,

Love,

LOVE it!

Who knew that so much creativity packed into one room could be so enjoyable! (Okay, that's actually pretty obvious... but hey, it really is fun!) One thing that I am without a doubt looking forward to is learning how others express themselves and be able to learn from their experiences and productions.

Well, I want to wish us all good luck with a new semester and in the words of Joe Fox to Kathleen Kelly, "I would send you [all] a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew [all of] your name[s] and address[es]."

Sincerely,

Natalie