I'm an advertising Art Director. I'm always on a crusade for knowledge, Advertising, Art, and the blood of Unicorns. This is my forum to share my art, interests and of course anything Ad-related! So if either one of these things interest you, keep checking for updates and I will try to not disappoint.
Feel free to take a look at my Advertising Portfolio
Plus, you can also follow me on Twitter:
@NasComplex
I share this Mentos spot to kick start your morning. I remember seeing it on TV a few years ago and it has me chuckling ever since. The idea behind this spot, “Mentos inspires Sheep”, was brought to us by creatives, Gavin Lester and Anthony Goldstein from Ad agency, Bartle Bogle Hegarty London. It wasn’t long-lived in North America, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Jeanine Heller is known as @jeanineheller on Twitter and works in Business Development for Tank - a design firm out of Cambridge, MA and New York, NY. Jeanine thrives on connecting people, is an avid coffee drinker and has a dog named Kodi. She’s always willing to engage and help others in any way she can. Inspiring woman she is.
Michelle Monica Mann is known as @michellemonica on Twitter and is a singer, songwriter, fashionista living in Los Angeles, CA. Michelle’s not only an inspiration to me, being her brother, but to others who’ve always known their dream and took steps to achieve it.
Brian Slattery is known as @brianslatts on Twitter and is a recent MBA grad of the University of St. Thomas out of Minneapolis, MN. I had the privilege to become great friends with Brian over our two years in graduate school. Brian is one of a kind in every sense of the word. Brilliant artist, smart thinker and a genuine human being. Connect with this inspiring dude.
Brigette Brugada is known as @brigettebrugada on Twitter and a copywriter by day freelance writer/entrepreneur by night and weekends. She loves cooking, food, laughing, movies, music, reading, sewing, sexual pleasure, and writing. Brigette has such an honest, compelling personality - a person I’ve not met, yet. Connect with this fascinating woman.
Larry Tolpin is known as @larrytolpin on Twitter and the President and Chief Creative Officer for Ypartnership. (Formerly known as YPB&R) Larry is a highly respected advertising professional with over 20 years industry experience and the go-to resource for the latest and greatest on what’s happening throughout the media industry.
Dan Higgins is known as @adscientist on Twitter and a medical officer with the U.S. Army, involved with the Boston AMA (as a committee member for collegiate services) and doing social media work for Moderista. Dan consistently provides valuable ad content detailing the latest campaigns. He has tremendous drive and an absolute passion for the media industry.
Tim Leake is known as @tim_leake on Twitter and is the Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi NY. Aside from the amazing work he and Saatchi continue to pump out, Tim consistently provides excellent content as it pertains to many different worlds - design, advertising, marketing, creativity. Also just a great guy I’ve not had the pleasure to meet, yet.
Christina Mann is known as @christinam14 on Twitter and is the founder of event planning company Events De La Vie. Christina has a way of bringing so much life to any situation and is one of the funniest people, sometimes whether she knows it or not. Connect with this special woman who has such drive.
John Wallace is known as @wallacefoto on Twitter and is a brilliant commercial photographer. John’s one of the most genuine individuals I’ve had the opportunity to connect with. He’s truly got a unique perspective judging by his amazing work, check it out here. Everyone should make it a priority to connect with this talented dude.
Erica Mayer is known as @ericamayer on Twitter and is a producer at WCCO TV out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Erica is a truly compassionate, creative and talented individual that I’ve had the privilege to connect with. She has an eye for taking brilliant photographs. Hire her now and make sure to connect with this wonderful person if you haven’t already.
Maikel Van De Mortel is known as @maikelvdm on Twitter and is co-founder of Element Six Media. Maikel is a natural leader who has the ability to attract the attention of others and inspire. His approach to the marketing/advertising world combines a distinct, creative mindset while grounded in solid, strategic thinking. Check out more of Maikel and Element Six Media here.
Bjorgvin Saevarsson is known as @bjorgvins on Twitter and is co-founder of Element Six Media. Bjorgvin is the type of person that makes everyone feel at ease. He’s extremely passionate and has a brilliant marketing/advertising mind. Connect with this inspiring dude.
Keith Stoeckeler (pronounced stek*ler) is known on Twitter as @keithstoeckeler and is with Publicis out of New York, NY as an Account Executive. Keith has worked with top clients such as Harley Davidson, STIHL, Subaru and P&G. He’s also an avid writer on all things creative and describes himself as a Frank Sinatra aficionado! Awesome.
Cheryl Burgess is known on Twitter as @ckburgess, the winner of the 2010 Marketing shorty award and Managing Partner, Blue Focus Marketing. Cheryl is an extremely talented marketing professional with an emphasis on Business to Business. She’s always willing to connect and provides content always worth reading. Make sure to connect with this amazingly talented woman.
Susan Hua is known as @satisfeye on Twitter and an advertising student at Seneca College for Creative Advertising and York University, double-majoring in Communications Studies and Sociology. Susan has a passion for writing and never produces a dull tweet. She’s written insightful posts for The Next Great Generation and has a genuine interest in connecting with others. Connect with this rising young star.
Anthony Kalamut is known as @southsideadguy on Twitter and is the program chair of creative advertising at Seneca College out of Toronto, Canada. Anthony offers an honest, intelligent perspective whether be it advertising or personal development. He inspires, motivates and advises all walks of life and provides such valuable content to his followers. A must follow.
Sara C. Gonzalez is known as @gonzalsa on Twitter and is the internship coordinator at Amway. She’s extremely active in group chats like #u30pro and provides an insightful perspective on hiring practices that help many better position themselves for job searching. Give this extremely kind woman a follow.
Thomas Lanen is known as @thomaslanen on Twitter and is the President, Brand & Creative Strategist at Thomas Boston Advertising out of Boston, Massachusetts. Thomas has over 15 years experience in branding and development and truly understands the power of social in the media sense. He’s always up for conversation and shares several tremendously thought-provoking writings.
Brian Lam is known as @brianlammusic on Twitter and is a singer, songwriter out of Los Angeles, CA. Brian is one of those people that you meet and you feel you’ve known each other forever. He’s full of positive energy and has a remarkably brilliant voice. Say hello.
Mark Burgess is known as @mnburgess on Twitter and is an Interactive Marketing and Advertising professor (EMBA & MBA programs) out of New Jersey. Mark has worked with such prestigious clients as L’Oreal, Forbes, and AT&T. The follow is a no brainer.
Tito Melega is known as @titomelega on Twitter and is an award-winning advertising Art Director/Creative Director out of Los Angeles, California. Tito is a TEDxHollywood organizer and has worked at McCann, Fallon, Rubin Postaer and BBDO where he worked with some of the world’s most recognizable brands such as Lexus, Acura, Toyota, Pepsi, United Airlines and Miller Lite. Connect with this inspiring dude.
Epirot Ludvik Nekaj is known as @lplus on Twitter and is the founder of LAdvertising based out of New York, NY. It’s rare to find such a genuine, great-hearted person and Epi is definitely one of a kind. He’s always willing to assist others and has a passion for all things creative. Say hello.
Yep, that’s what advertising does to me.
Blast from our not-so-past
I don’t know about the rest of you, but at some of the most random moments I remember things that are irrelevant to that moment.
During the weekend, I was doing some light reading and I happened to remember a commercial for Nike from early 2000. I’m not sure if anyone else can recall, but in 2001, there was a set of TV spots made by Wieden + Kennedy for Nike; this was called Nike Freestyle Basketball. I remember during the time it aired, it caused a craze within the community where street-ballers would try to put their own showmanship to their game (I was guilty of attempting this too). Not to mention, it also made its way into few hip-hop videos and a Wayans brother’s movie production. I think it’s safe to say it was a fad in sports that caught on. To the spot’s own merit, it featured a few NBA stars mixed in with a few names known to the street baller’s court. However, based on the way the spot was executed, it wasn’t so much WHO was in it, rather than HOW it was being done; the actions of these players in association to the beat was what we had to listen to.
My question is, where did this go? How did it die? …. Perhaps I need to further investigate this.
(Video source: antredashparov)
If you’re interested, check out the Nike Freestyle 2min extended spot
I saw this ad for CTV’s fall lineup and I had to sit there and wonder what the fuck? Anyone else feel as if this music DOESN’T match the compilation at all?
They used Selena Gomez’s song, “Naturally”.
My apologies for the poor quality. I guess the only available clip on the internet is a video shot off a TV… and yet I can order used underwear within 24 hrs.
I was struggling through yet another English essay when my mind seduced my fingers into opening my web browser and starting up Youtube… Yes, that’s the story I’m going with. I ended up on one of my favourite TV spots, the Knorr “Salty” commercial done by DDB Canada. I’m sure you’re all familiar with it. Who can forget the ever-so lovable and neglected Salt Shaker of a mascot, that has attracted more fans than Kevin Federline.
I remember when the spot came out, I went out and ordered my own set of the “Salty” and “Pep” saltshaker sets as a keep-sake. I mean, when I cook, I keep my spices and seasonings in tin cups. But I had to have these novelty items because I wanted a set as my own to collect.
After a few long months, I cant’t help but feel that Salty is fading into the lost memories of advertising. According to “Salty’s Life” (the mascot’s Facebook fanpage), he has over 6000 fans with users posting fan pictures of their own Salty salt shakers in various settings everyday. Not to mention, the novelty salt shakers themselves went out of stock as fast as they were released. Yet, this campaign hasn’t gone further? How so? I mean, their Youtube channel alone generated a lot of views. Following the TV Spot, DDB went on to produce few more clips depicting Salty coping with life, now that people are eating with less salt. As a result, a lot of people commented to express their sympathy for a mascot that is merely computer generated. Not only on Youtube, but going back to the Facebook page, one status update for Salty means hundreds of follow-up responses! Still, nothing to support what might be a good campaign.
Where can they go from here? Look at all of the user generated content out there. People have ordered their own Salt shakers, made their own videos, and even took their own pictures in various settings; all of which try to put Salty in a home where he’s wanted.
But hey, I’m just one guy and I might wake up one day and see another Knorr ad on TV and say, “Hey Salty is back!” Or it might be too late, and the thousands of fans one day will wake up, and realize Weiden + Kennedy’s Isaiah Mustafa is much more entertaining as the “Old Spice man” and personally befriend HIM on Facebook and DE-friend Salty FOREVER!
Don’t get me wrong, I love both spots. But I feel as if Knorr has potential with Salty.
Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen
It’s a Monday evening where MY workweek ends and my academic week begins. I’m currently taking a break from assignments due for my electives … Trying hard to not pick up a pencil. I know if I tackle a drawing now, I’ll be up for hours.
Anyways, I spent the evening paying a few friends a visit today at the second place I call home, Seneca College (Come to think of it, it’s not the campus I call home, it’s the ideal behind the reason why I’m there; I call “Creative Advertising” my home away from home and the people I share it with).
Along the way to campus, I was pondering shit. Over the course of the last few months, I’ve been exposed to new ideas and different ways of thinking. I was thinking of simplicity and how keeping it simple brings about big ideas. I’m always thinking of that. Trying to find ways to various ideas. Not only that, the other voice in my head was talking about good Art Directors and how a powerful visual grasps onto its audience and doesn’t let them go until they have acquired everything it’s telling them.
What did I get out this clash of mental banter? Just more questions and more to love about what I’m aspiring to be. With that said, it’s on my To-Do list to pick up George Lois’ latest book and continue on my crusade in acquiring Adland knowledge.
On another note:
Yeah, that’s not an interactive Old Spice banner, It’s just something I took off of Youtube because it made me Laugh all over myself. I hope I’m not stepping on any toes. If so, screw you MEDIA PLANNERS for planning to put it there!
No I’m joking of course, I mean no disrespect to Weiden + Kennedy and their ever-so famous client, Procter & Gamble. I’m just a fan of the way W+K decided to brand Old Spice by using the humourous talent of Isaiah Mustafa, who has now become an advertising icon. What do I love about it? Simply put, apart from he humour behind it, I no longer see it as something my dad uses. Heck, I even went out and bought their body washes (once or twice) and I admit, it’s not something I like but I gave it a try; It doesn’t make me appreciate the ad any less.
However, the last few weeks I found myself talking to co-workers about these very spots and It fascinates me how much interest it has generated for the very humour behind it. I even tweeted to the Old Spice in hopes I’d get a response video made on their channel hahahha
Old Spice man, you’re my hero.
“Swan-dive into the night of your life!”
via @AdFreak : Then there’s Crispin Porter + Bogusky’s Burger King work. I hadn’t known that the agency told Burger King it wouldn’t do any work aimed at children. Bogusky says he was “livid” when the shop’s SpongeBob commercial, which he says was aimed at adults, was recut and targeted at kids on Nickelodeon. CP+B got the spot pulled, he says.
Read the short article here. Even if it’s true, I think it might be absolutely ridiculous to think a child wouldn’t still watch a commercial that featured SpongeBob even if it weren’t targeted to them.
And for your viewing displeasure:
"I got about fifteen broken noses to prove it. Part of it was also because I was always drawing, and I always had an artist portfolio with me. But I was a tough kid.” - George Lois, on growing up in the Bronx."
