Alon’s Blog

What? Streetverting?

Yes, another new buzz word, made up by two words: Street + Advertising… Yes, you guessed correctly: a new (guerrilla) marketing tactic to advertise on the street.

One of the marketing companies that helps me with the marketing strategy (offline & online) are Interactive Maven & Cool Media Collective. The CEO of both companies, Benjamin van Gelder, told me about eco-friendly (street) graffiti. He even took me from my office on the Van Baerlestraat 46 in Amsterdam around the corner to the PC Hooftstraat to see Streetvertising graffiti on the pavement:

Apparently the company PA@Home choose this low-budget, but high-impact guerrilla strategy to get their name out with the target group (high-net worth individuals that shop at the most luxurious street in The Netherlands. The advantage of eco-friendly graffiti streetvertising is that is doesn’t need to cost too much and catches ones eye. The down-side of it is, that it will fade away within couple of weeks and I can imagine many high-end brands will not want people to see a vague logo where people actually step on…

For possibilities to start such a campaign you can contact Cool Media Collective via: +31 20 5759109.

On April 6th, 2008 I already wrote a post about cool ads and cool bags, here is part II:

No more foie gras

Hot panties

X-ray bags

Lightweight beer crate

Headhunting bag

Crotch bag

Nail Crotch bag II

Haute Couture bag

Cor walking the Amsterdam streets

You might be thinking who Cor might be… Well, 10 minutes ago I met Cor Ligthert in front of my office! I stepped out of my office and it was the first time in my life I saw a person walking the Amsterdam streets with a paper boards on his body, while reading a book!

I was positively surprised that I stopped to ask Cor what kind of work his was looking for. His answer was anything… So, I asked him what his passion in life is… It took him a while, but after asking a bit deeper he said: politics and social economics… It did not surprise me since he was reading the book: Darwin for Left Wing Politicians

So, all the politicians (especially PVDA) and social economists out there, dowload Cor’s CV here: http://bit.ly/a1L9BZ or send him an e-mail immediately via: corligthert@gmail.com.

I salute Cor for being so brave and innovative to market himself like this! Spread the word

How can you not hire Cor?!

Good luck Cor!

I was shopping in the city center of Amsterdam and this shop window made me stop immediately (real shopper stopper?!):

Diesel Shop Window 2010

What do you think, is this provocative or is this simply just (good) marketing by Diesel Jeans Co?

As I have written before, I love cool ads, hereby I want to share some with you:

1. WHO SAYS BUSES AREN’T COOL?

Quit Smoking

Dogs Love Buses

Say Cheese!

No Smint, No Kiss!

Jaws travels by bus

EyeBus

Buses love DJ

AAAAUUUUWWWW!

2. CoolBags
Shop-a-Rope

Hang-a-Bag

I’ve got a headache!

Don’t mess with me!

Kiddie Bag

3. HotCups
Lips at work

Starbucks Teeth

I love cool adverts, especially commercials made on film. I will never forget when BMW launched the BMW Movies website in 2001 and had independent (famous) movie directors create short movies where a BMW car is the main character. Unfortunately, the website is off line, but you can find may of them on YouTube, one of my favorites is “Star” directed by Guy Ritchie, and starring a BMW M5, Madonna (Yes, Guy Ritchie’s wife) and Clive Owen:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1dYv_gKTA8]

But also make sure to check out: “The Devil“, featuring James Brown and Clive Owen, made in 2002 and “The Hostage” directed by John Woo (also made Hollywood blockbuster “Face/Off”).

A book that made an impression on me is “The Tipping Point” by Malcom Gladwell and I believe that the directors of the folling amazing commercials also read this book:

New Ford Focus - “Beautifully Arranged”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4y272NI7J8]

New Honda Accord - “The Cog”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGngcQb_0qg]

Guiness Beer - “Tipping Point”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMzoWqnTb5I]

What is your favorite commercial displayed here? Mine “The Cog”, but I find the Ford advertisement very elegant and fun. Last, but not least, the Guiness advertisement is also very breath taking! If you have any favorites, please do share