Sometimes you have an idea that's good and worth making into an ad... but that doesn't have a place in reality. No one paid me to make these but I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than if they had.
They were also an excellent chance to do some photography, design and layout all on my own.
Client: Pennzoil (imaginary)
My Role: Art Director/Copywriter
People make up a lot of rules about advertising, (cough... Ogilvy... cough...) but there are a few that should probably be taken seriously. For instance: don't put more than 10 words on a billboard. Actually, I like to keep it under 7.
But that got me thinking, isn't there a circumstance where you could get away with more? And isn't there a product just for people in that situation? Yes, there is.
Client: Sugar Council (imaginary)
My Role: Photographer/Designer/Writer
One day, I got to thinking, beef, milk, and cheese all have ad campaigns... So why not sugar?
After all, they all have competitors.
I decided to make up a spec campaign, keeping the imagery and the message plain and simple.
Client: Sugar Council (imaginary)
My Role: Photographer/Designer/Writer
I created this follow-up ad when I realized that all those sugar substitutes come in colorful packets. Sure, they're more fun and exciting, but you have to respect the original for matching the paper to the product.
Client: Cadillac (imaginary)
My Role: Art Director/Copywriter
I saw the new listing of most-stolen SUV's and noticed Cadillac had earned a dubious honor. I self-imposed a challenge: write an ad that makes it sound good.
I'd probably never tell a client to attempt such a suicidal strategy, but for spec... anything goes.
^ To top of notepad... Contact... © Copyright 2008, Birks Creative LLC
