Normally advertising passes me by, I’m exposed to so much of it that it elicits a “so what” kind of response from me.

Every so often though – I do react.

In the span of 30mins last night, I had the following reactions (by the way, none of these ads did I see of conventional tv – sorry media buyers!!)

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More “You do know what you are selling right?”

KFC…really?

At least it’s shot really, really well!

But it comes off a bit like the recent Burger King shower crap we talked about last week – another case of a fast food brand going waaaaay outside the comfort zone in a lame attempt to get some coolness!!

FAIL!

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The “Just A Friend” syndrome…

Biz Markie recorded “Just A Friend” in 1989…20 years later it’s commercial viability is still being used by brands and their creative agencies.

Last night I saw this…

The Shack using Biz Markie and his “Just A Friend” persona…

It made me think…hadn’t another brand used the same type of thing?

I wasn’t wrong!

Heinken using Biz Markie’s “Just A Friend”

I mean at least with the Heineken version, it was shot well and come across as fun.

The Shack version is leaning heavily on Biz’s recent appearance on 2005′s Celebrity Fit Club (and those of us who know who he is..).

2 big brands both using similar components in their commercials. It makes them both look bad.

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And there is the best strategy of all;

Using a celebrity who the audience can identify with and warms to. The brand takes a back seat to us enjoying seeing them on screen. Just stick the logo in the corner and hope we pay attention, and give you credit for using them;

Case in point; Abbot Ales (I had to look twice to check!!) and Brian Blessed (an instantly recognisable person to our English readers especially!)

For more Brian Blessed magic try here, here,  and pretty please here !

R