http://adsoftheworld.com/media/outdoor/toronto_academy_of_karate_board

I found this to be an interesting outdoor ad because these type of fold-up signs are usually very boring and plain. Most are usually just whiteboards with words, but I like how this ad is able to employ the show the effect technique. It is also an easily recognizable connection between the broken board and karate lessons so I found it very effective.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/outdoor/calgary_zoo_trashman

This ad for the Calgary Zoo is funny and eye-catching. I don't know how effective the ad actually was, but I would bet the return was pretty good especially considering that this would be very easy to do and spread city-wide. I'm not sure why the zoo would have a dinosaur exhibit unless they recreate Jurassic Park or something, but this ad would definitely pique my interest.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/outdoor/ymca_basketball_billboard

I like this ad for the YMCA for its simplicity. The billboard as a backboard on a basketball hoop pretty clearly, I think, conveys the idea that by helping the "Y" you can help provide basketball hoops and other things for kids to use to help keep them out of trouble. Simple but effective.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/louis_pion_watch_head_3

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/louis_pion_watch_head_2

These two ads are for Louis Pion watches and I do not find them particularly good. Since there are no words, I can't know for sure but I am having trouble deciding if the message is more "you are what you wear" or else "we have a watch to fit anyone's style." Either way, I find the message pretty weak and not likely to make me stop and consider the ad. It's either quite shallow or else the same old sales pitch "we can fit your style." I don't particularly like the graphics either.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/tatra_beer_trees

This is an ad for Tatra beer which forcibly reminds me of Molson's selling idea. Molson is all about the taste of Canada, what ever that means and I'm not sure I want to know what geese, maple syrup, and flannel taste like anyways, except Tatra is all about the taste of Poland. I never understood what scenes like this had to do with beer anyways, is it supposed to convey some kind of natural ruggedness or purity? I'm not sure. The visual is clever, making the pint out the scenery, but personally this isn't going to get me to buy the beer.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/mcdonalds_desire?size=_original

This was probably the best "visual only" print ad I could find. It plays off the saying everyone knows "the shortest distance between Point A and Point B is a straight line." There is literally a Point A and B yet the path goes well out of the way to stop at a McDonalds on the way. This effectively portrays the desire created by Mickey D's that people are willing to go out of their way to get it.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/inalfa_car_sunroofs_drunkard?size=_original

This advertisement for Inalfa Car Sunroofs employs the shock tactics technique. There are a series of similar ads that all display something repulsive or unpleasant that you could potentially see looking out you car window (this was the tamest of the ads I saw). The tag line "Give Your Family A Better View" is meant to imply that if you get an Inalfa sunroof you won't notice these other unappealing views while riding in your car because your family will be too busy looking out the top of your car at the sky, stars, etc. I think these ads would definitely catch your attention, but that's about it. I don't think that even if I had a sunroof, I'd be looking out of it all the time (it's uncomfortable). The ad raised my awareness and piqued some interest, but not in the product. I would have no desire to buy a sunroof because of this, especially since it doesn't benefit the driver, and some people might be really offended by the ads and turned off because of that.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/asonor_baywatch

This ad for Anti-snore Asonor seems to employ a little bit of both metaphor/analogy as well as absurdity. There is another ad that reverses the role, a husband bringing Fabio to his wife, but I thought these ads were really good. The ads play of a little bit of absurdity because the wife, or husband, is bringing a very attractive individual to bed for their spouse. You then see the tag that reads "Give Back His (or Her) Dreams" and the metaphor is immediately clear. The spouse in bed is having trouble sleeping and by using Asonor, you can reduce your snoring and help your spouse sleep thus returning them to their dreams and fantasies. I found the ads very funny and would definitely try the product if this was a problem I had.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/anaesthesia_lingerie_lightning?size=_original

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/anaesthesia_lingerie_exclamation_mark?size=_original

These two ads employ techniques that most closely fall into symbols as well as without words to a certain extent. A quick glance at the page tells very little about what is trying to be advertised which could be problematic, but I think the ads become quite clear as long as they draw the viewer in enough to see what the brand/store is in the bottom right. The brand is Anaesthesia, which it says is a lingerie store. Immediately, the symbols become clear and say much more than words. They are also different from most lingerie ads which tend to display some type of product. These ads however connect more with the exclamation or thought that you assume would be associated when someone sees you wearing this lingerie. The double exclamation point especially leads the viewer to think "wow" or something along those lines which then makes you wonder just how provocative this product is. It creates interest.

(The Asonor ad is definitely my favorite)

Starting Post

This is my first blog, hopefully it doesn't suck.