Super Bowl 46 Ad Review

Here are my reviews of the ads shown on Super Bowl 46. This is a 5-star rating system that I use on my Twitter feed to quickly review the ads after I have viewed them in real time. The '5' stars category is ranked, while the remaining categories are listed in reverse-viewing order (1Q ads are at the bottom of the list.)

5 Stars: Unforgettable/Distinguishes Brand

1. Chrysler “Detroit” Another great ad & Eastwood delivers!
2. Chevy Silverado "Apocalypse" fantastic!
3. Chevy Sonic "Stunts" brilliant! Aims & delivers to target audience
4. Doritos "Missing Cat" Brilliant!

4 Stars: Unexpected/Strengthens Brand

• KIA Optima. Dreams do come true.
• Bud Light " Weego". Glad to see Bud Light remembers it's comedy roots.
• Hyundai "Heart Starting". Clever.
• GE Works bringing Appliance Park back to life with pride!
• Dannon "Head butt" one for the wives.
• Fiat 500 "First time" laugh out loud great
• Hulu "Plus" connects with Millennials, with tongue- in-cheek.
• Camry "Stories" connecting to past owners - nice touch.
• Doritos "Taunt" great idea and great execution (love the thumbs up).
• Sketchers "Mr. Quigly" humorous and stays funny to the end
• Teleflora "Valentines day" got my attention
• Chevy "Graduation gift" every guy's wish
• BestBuy mobile phones, great use of app creators
• Audi “Daylight” knows it's audience

3 Stars: Memorable/Builds Brand

• Samsung. "Believe". IPhone smackdown
• Cadillac. ATS. Proof is in the performance.
• CareerBuilder. The monkeys keep the message on target.
• MetLife. Remembering you favorite cartoon
• NFL Evolution. Love the progression thru history.
• Century 21 gets a nice boost
• Coke "Bears #3" nice tie into the game
• H&M "Beckham" memorable
• GE "Turbine" this ad helped Budweiser, I hope they shared the cost!
• Coke "Bears #1" - consistent, not breakthru
• Hyundai "Rocky" - plays on team theme

2 Stars: Expected/Confirms Brand

• Honda "Bueller" which car model? (The pre-event promo was needed)
• Budweiser "Making history" trying to connect with a new generation.
• Acura NSX funny, but what did the car look like?
• The Voice - Betty White saves another meaningless promo...
• Coke "Bears # 2" , juggling – meh…
• VW "Motivated dog"/"Cantina" not sure if the back to back was as effective - which car was featured?
• Budweiser "Prohibition" love the horses, but are the reliving their heyday?
• M&Ms “Naked” meh
• Hyundai "Cheetah" nice idea, but lost focus on product
• Pepsi "No Pepsi for you" - funny but not impacting

1 Star: Derivative/ Lessens Brand

• GoDaddy "Cloud".
• American Family Insurance. They would be lost without the theme song.
• Chase "Kicker" why do I remember the line, but forget the product?
• Bridgestone "Kasketball" and this is for???
• Pepsi MAX. Seems like @Coke Zero had more exposure
• eTrade. What were the promoting??
• Lexus GS – Big build up, but for what?
• Bridgestone "Troy/Deion" what is the product??
• Bud Light “Platinum” - how do I benefit?

0 Stars: Embarrassment/ Disgraces Brand

• cars.com - creepy
• TaxACT - I’ve got nothing to say…
• GoDaddy ".co" - consistently bad from year to year

Labels: #adbowl, ads, super bowl

  ¶ 8:57 AM 3 Comments

  Super Bowl 45 Ad Review Here are my reviews of the ads shown on Super Bowl 45. This is a 5-star rating system that I use on my Twitter feed to quickly review the ads after I have viewed them in real time. The '5' stars category is ranked, while the remaining categories are listed in reverse-viewing order (1Q ads are at the bottom.)

5 Stars: Unforgettable/Distinguishes Brand

1. CareerBuilder "Caught Between"
2. Chrysler "Made in Detroit"
   
3. Doritos "Pug"
4. Coke "Border"
   
5. Brisk "Eminem"
6. Subaru "Dog Tested" (Shown during Puppy Bowl)
7. Doritos "Ashes"
8. CarMax "Thing of the past"
   

4 Stars: Unexpected/Strengthens Brand

• Bridgestone "Beaver"
• House promo "Catch"
• Bud Light "Dogs"
  
• Stella Artois "La Belle"
  
• HomeAway
  
• BestBuy "What's a Bieber?"
• JimmyJohns "Jail"
  
• Royal Caribbean
• Acura Advance
• Chevy Cruze "Status Update"
  
• VW "Darth"
• GoDaddy ".co girl"
• Bud Light "Product Placement"

3 Stars: Memorable/Builds Brand

• Camero
• VW "Stripe"
• Mercedes "Family"
• Rango Trailer
  
• NFL
  
• Chase "Mobile"
• Pirates 3 Trailer
  
• ETrade "Tailor"
• TheDaily.com
• Android "Thumbs"
• Super8 Trailer
  
• Coke "Trojan Ice Sculpture"
• BMW "Does It Make Sense"
• BMW "Advanced Diesel"
• Budweiser "Tiny Dancer"
• Chevy Volt "History"
• Chevy Silverado "Lassie"
• Audi "Old Luxury"

2 Stars: Expected/Confirms Brand

• Hyundai Hybrid
• Cars.com "Reviews"
• Xfinity iPad
• Hyundai Hypnosis
• Chatter.com
• Verizon iPhone
• Citi Points
• Subway
• US Cellular
  
• Capt America Trailer
  
• CarMax "I feel like..."
• Thor Trailer
  
• XOOM 1984
• Bridgestone "Reply All"
• Transformers 3 Trailer
  
• Kia "Epic Ride"
• Hyundai "Snap Out of It"
• Fast Five Trailer
  
• Chevy Cruze "Senior Center"
  

1 Star: Derivative/ Lessens Brand

• Limitless
• Sketchers
• GoDaddy "Stunt"
  
• Rio Trailer
• Mini "Cram It"
  
• Castrol Edge
  
• Snickers "Richard Lewis"
• Teleflora "Faith Hill"
• Doritos "The Best Part"
• Bud Light "Remodel"
  

0 Stars: Embarrassment/ Disgraces Brand

• Groupon "Tibet"
• PepsiMax "Thoughts"
• Pepsi Max "Cooler"
• Pepsi Max "Bench"

Labels: 2011, ads, super bowl

  ¶ 8:38 AM 0 Comments

  #140Conf Panel Discussion I led a panel discussion at the 2010 Detroit 140 Conference (#140Conf) last week. The panel was on the book FEED, by M.T. Anderson. This book is this year's Community Read at Cranbrook-Kingswood Upper School. The panelists are students from Cranbrook, who volunteered to part of the panel; they will also help lead a similar discussion next March at school.

Labels: 140Conf, Cranbrook, panel discussion

  ¶ 9:00 AM 0 Comments

  Sermon: Three Heavenly Habits The sermon I preached at Barrington United Methodist Church on Sunday, August 8, 2010.

Labels: sermon

  ¶ 10:45 AM 0 Comments

  College Road Trip Day 12: Vanderbilt Visit: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (photos here)
Formal presentation by Admissions Counselor

Info Session

• 6800 undergraduate students
• TN most represent state, mostly SE US, 4% intl students
• Nashville - Music City USA. All music represented on campus. Rites of Spring 2 day event before finals week
• 1-1/2 mi from downtown
• Midtown is local neighborhood
• Commons is first yr housing area (10 dorms & dining) Faculty lives in each house
• 4 colleges: Arts & Sciences - largest, Engineering (25%), Music, Peabody - education
• Required curriculum: 10 areas
• 19 avg class size
• 8:1 student to teacher ratio, Research 1 university w/ undergrad opportunities
• 80 study abroad in 27 countries/6 continents. After soph yr 1-2 sem
• Community service local and away
• SEC athletic conf. All games are free
• 350 student clubs-organizations
• A,B,C intermurals
• CommonApp, Vandy supplement
  
• Grades, schedule within curriculum
• SAT, ACT/writing once - subject tests not required. Will be evaluated
• Essay - what is unique about you
• Recos: 2 teachers, 1 guidance
• Extracurricular: especially related to your life goals. What does ur group do and what u did to help
• 20k apps, 18% admit rate
• 1600 enrolled
• Early Decision is yes or no. No deferment. 35% admit rate for ED
  
• Need-blind acceptance
• Meets 100% of demonstrated need
• No need-based loans for students
• 97% grants 3% workstudy
• Three merit scholarships - 5% receive
  

1. Vanderbilt academic
2. Chancellor activist
3. Ingram community service

• 96% freshman retention
• 91% grad rate (6 yrs)
• 55% internship
• Interviews are optional
• Apps read 1-2 times

Tour

• Alumni lawn - site of graduation
• Vandy is natl arboretum
• Very secure campus
• Large classes are intro: 95-110, then study groups of 10-15 led by grad students; classes in History none above 30,
• 97% taught by profs
• Profs make time for students
• Old campus is Arts&Sciences classes
• 18 min walk across campus; typical 6-10 min
• No cars fr yr. Guaranteed parking Jr/SR yr
• Shuttles to airport during main times
• 8 libraries on campus: Peabody - group, Main - quiet
• Library will acquire what you need
• 60% research published includes undergrad
• Career Svs includes research and internships
• Peabody campus is where Commons is located
• All students can take classes at other schools
• HOD requires 1 semester Internship easy to dbl major
• Commons
• Writing Center - helps u improve ur college writing
• IT center open 8a-3a
• Freshman Rec center
• Freshman Dining (Rand other)
• 21 meals with swipe
• Also other campus locations take VU meal
• 225 vandy bucks/semester for 30 local restaurants
• 7 convenience shops on campus
• New fresh dorms with individ AC control. Desk, dresser, bed, closet
• U bring TV, frig, mwv (premium cable pkg)
• Faculty in dorms to mentor transition to college life
• Roommate is paired by interest. Can request room/floormates upperclass
• Dean of Commons
• 2 laundry rooms in first floor - Cash
• RAs on each floor (upperclass)
• Vandy card - dorm access. Security guard at each dorm
• Swipe onto any floor, but gender floor only after 12pm
• Suites for upperclassmen
• 95% live on campus all 4 yrs
• 25% engineering majors
• 35% females in engineering school
• 40% Greek participation . Non-residential, pledge second half of fresh yr
• Community service focus.

Trip Log
Location: Nashville, TN
Departure Time: 9:30 AM
Destination: Cary, IL
Mileage: 520
Breakfast: Comfort Inn (Nashville, TN)
Lunch: Taco Bell (Nashville, TN)
Dinner: Wendy's (West Lafayette, IN)
Lodging: Our own beds (Cary, IL)

Labels: college

  ¶ 7:00 AM 0 Comments