Marketing Monday: 10 Ads That Keep on Giving

Over time, people change, tastes change and products change. And with that, Advertising and Marketing is always changing. Always adapting  to stay alive, stay current and at the top of your news feed. And although there is no shortage of new, fresh marketing ideas; this list is dedicated to the brands that nailed their marketing campaigns early on and have been coasting ever since. Here are the 10 Advertisements That Keep on Giving:

        1. GEICO

15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 15 years, it would be hard to avoid Geico commercials. Insurance and car commercials in general for that matter, and I’m sure you’ll begin to see a trend as we get deeper into this list. Geico has milked the sh!t out of that tag line, but that’s not the only thing happening in these cheesy commercials. If you pay attention, Geico actually alternates commercials between the gecko, the narrator asking rhetorical questions and normal people answering hard hitting questions with their tag line, because “saving money on car insurance is always a good answer”. Is it true though?! Does anyone even know? Are we all just too lazy to call Geico one day and see if they really can save us 15%? I know I am. I’m also obligated to mention the Caveman that we don’t see as often, if at all, anymore. So easy a caveman can do it. You may like Geico, you may not, but their Marketing Department has been able to create catchy tag lines and “advertising icons” as the gecko would say. Just to drive this point home, the Geico Gecko made his first commercial debut in 2000. And unless that gecko gets into trouble with the law, I’m sure we’re going to be seeing him for a long time to come.

2. Sonic 

The great thing about Sonic (besides the food) is the fact that they created a marketing campaign around these two, mainly goofy guys #relatable. And it works so well for them! Now, I haven’t been to Sonic in years maybe, but that’s not to say I won’t ever eat there again, because I most definitely will. The food is just average American fast food, which is fine, but I’ll admit that the main thing bringing me back to Sonic are these two guys and their weird conversations. It’s not like I ever crave a Sonic burger or tots immediately after I see a commercial, but I’ve seen so many of their commercials at this point, that when I think of “Sonic” I only have positive thoughts (that goes for the hedgehog as well).  Sonic’s Two Guys Marketing Campaign has been the fast food chain’s main advertising strategy for over 10 years! Those two guys should probably start eating healthier if they want to make it another 10 years #amiright. Anyways, well done Sonic! Your commercials make me laugh and that’s never a bad thing. Keep it up!

3. Dos Equis

The most interesting man in the world. Need I say more? If I’m like half as cool as this guy when I grow up, I’ll die happy. Dos Equis managed to find the suavest old man I’ve ever seen, sit him at a table with attractive young women and just take us through his escapades. It sounds simple enough, but that’s the genius behind the marketing. This guy has done everything under the sun. He can’t be tamed, he won’t settle for anything less than the best. And Dos Equis is his constant. Apparently he doesn’t always drink beer, but when he does, he drinks Dos Equis. So I’m sold #lol. Don’t even get me started on the younger guy in their newer commercials. It seems like fans are divided when it comes to the new face of Dos Equis, and I think most people lean toward the side of not liking it. Honestly, I could not care less. It’s everything Dos Equis commercials have been for the last 10 years. With that being said, I like to see this kind of reboot, or tweak if you will, to a marketing strategy. There was nothing wrong with the commercials how they were, but by having a younger spokesperson, now the brand can relate and cater more to their younger drinkers. Underage drinking is a crime by the way. But us young adults are out here, and it’s cool to think that one of us could be the most interesting man (or woman) in the world. I also like to think of this new guy as the younger version of the original “most interesting man” so this works on a couple of different levels for me.

4. Chevrolet

Okay. Up until now, I’ve had mostly positive experiences with these recurring ads, but this is where I draw the line. The new Chevy spokesperson acting as a moderator for “Real people. Not actors” (which is a complete lie by the way) has got to be one of the most annoying advertisements on TV today. It’s actually a little insulting that Chevy thinks we’re buying this crap. Chevy, your trucks and cars may be great, but your current ad campaign sucks! Normally, bad commercials don’t phase me too much, but the fact that they’re trying to make this a thing, irks me to no end. Chevy has only been running these commercials for about a year, but it feels like decades because they’ve been shoving them down our throats so hard and I’m sick of it. This makes the list only because I see what they’re trying to do, but I am begging them to choose a different path. This is not the answer, it never was and it never will be.

5. Progressive

Yay, more insurance commercials! And it won’t be the last one on this list either, I promise. So, Flo has been in our lives for about 4 years, and that’s really as good as any company or brand can ask from their marketing team. The great thing about these commercials is that they’re funny! They’re lighthearted, they’re upbeat, what’s not to like? I mean sure, all commercials suck when you’re trying to watch your show or the game, but all things considered, Progressive is not that bad. And although Flo has been with Progressive for the past several years, I don’t feel beat over the head with all the different Ads that they do. Given, I don’t watch TV all that much anymore, but from someone who occasionally does, I think Progressive has the right idea when it comes to spreading out their ads and showing them at a reasonable frequency.

6. Farmers Insurance

I suppose I might as well stick to insurance companies for now. Are you noticing a trend yet? You will, no worries. First of all, I couldn’t tell you the difference between Farmers and State Farm. I honestly thought they were the same thing until I started writing this. Farmers (and State Farm for that matter) should do more to differentiate themselves from other companies with like-sounding names, but that’s beside the point. The one thing I do know is that “We are Farmers! Bum ba dum bum bum bum bum!” jingle that’s just so damn catchy. And they have J.K. Simmons as their spokesperson? How in God’s name did they manage to swing that? In any case, this has been Farmers go to marketing campaign for 7 years! Isn’t that crazy? Time flies when you’re having fun watching commercials, I guess. Well done, Farmers. 

7. Skittles 

Okay, this one might be a stretch, but bear with me. I L-O-V-E love Skittles! Not to eat, but I enjoy how care free and fun their commercials seem to be. As if nothing else in the world matters as much as their candy does. That’s the world I want to live in! So these commercials get me every time, and I never mind pausing to watch them. Taste The Rainbow? I mean, with a tag line like that, Skittles sell themselves. And in this case, the tag line is the main force propelling their marketing campaign forward. “Taste the Rainbow” has been their tag line for 35 years! Any brand that has stuck to their guns for that long and are still in business deserve a spot on this list. Taste the Rainbow!

8. Jack in the Box

More fast food! Jack Box has been the notorious logo for Jack in the Box for 23 years! Ronald McDonald has been around longer than that, but when’s the last time you saw that clown anywhere? Hopefully the answer is “not recently” because that clown what pretty terrifying and McDonald’s was smart to branch out into different looks. Anyways, Jack in the Box has been more than consistent with putting Jack Box in all of their commercials, and for that reason it belongs on this list. Jack in the Box has done well to immortalize Jack Box and make him an advertising icon. So I’m fairly certain he’ll be around for a very very very long time. 

9. Verizon & Sprint

In general, phone commercials are somewhat dull and boring. They try to throw in a joke here or there, but their goal is to inform us about prices or new deals and it all usually falls flat for me. None of the cell phone giants have been able to pull away in a clear lead as far as their advertising is concerned. Now, Verizon had the “Can You Hear Me Now” guy, Paule Marcarelli, for 9 years! And for 9 years we had to listen to him ask if we could hear him. Maybe not the best commercial in the world, but the phrase”Can You Hear Me Now?” and Verizon became synonymous at one point. But this bullet is not just for Verizon, no, it is also for Sprint. Sprint, probably the least memorable cell phone giant, is actually hitting back hard. Using Verizon’s most popular spokesperson against them is quite brilliant. Sprint definitely loses points for originality, but now that they have Paul, I think they will keep him for as long as possible. And because both of these companies have used the same spokesperson at one point or another for the last 15 years, I think it was worth a mention on this list.

10. M&M’s

Last, but not least: M&M’s. M&M’s have basically been around forever. Not literally, but they’ve been around since I’ve been alive, so that puts things into perspective doesn’t it? The video linked shows a compilation of several M&M commercials, but you’ll notice right away that there is ALWAYS at least one of their spokescandies representing. Now, M&M’s have been using the same marketing campaign for 75 years, and for the last 22 years this has been their look. There’s no reason for them to stop using these spokescandies because they are the M&M’s brand. And if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. In other words, M&M’s hit the marketing jackpot! Advertising just comes naturally to them. It must be nice to sell candy to the fattest country in the world! 

11. Honorable Mentions

This is acknowledging that there are many other companies out there that have found success with their recurring advertisements. These all had potential to be in the top 10, but there were a lot of heavy hitters in this category. Many of these strategies are not utilized much, if at all compared to those on the list. Let me know if you think I missed another big recurring marketing strategy.

• Ronald McDonald             McDonald’s
• Dehungerize                       Snickers
• Chester Cheetah               Cheetos
• Bunny                                   Energizer
• Terry Cruz                           Old Spice
• Clydesdales                         Budweiser
• Mr. Clean
• Chihuahua                           Taco Bell
• Like a Good Neighbor       State Farm
• Gives You Wings                Red Bull

It was pretty difficult for me to end this list. There are so many commercials to choose from, but how do you make a decision? I was just honest with myself and what I personally see, around and on TV. The key here is that brands benefit from recurring commercials when they’re selling a consistent quality product over time. How many different ways can you tell people you sell insurance, or food, or beer, or cars?! There’s only so much you can do with any product, but these thought out and well devised marketing campaigns are not only able to sell their product, but capitalize on our emotions as well. I’ve just showed you 10 Marketing Campaigns that have been putting out the same ads for years and they’re all doing just fine! We’ll see about how these new Chevrolet ads fair in time, but for the most part, these brands have all nailed their marketing strategies and deserves some credit. Well done. 

10 “Ugly” Sweaters To Get You Through The Holidays!

Most if not all of these sweaters have a “Chrstmasy” feel to them. But as far as I’m concerned, Christmas starts right after Halloween (November in case I wasn’t being clear enough). Most, if not all people reading this might tell me I’m crazy; Thanksgiving is next! Very true, but I know you’ve noticed it too. The Christmas lights are already going up! People are exhibiting their right to holiday cheer! Thanksgiving is great, hands down, who doesn’t love food and family?! It’s never to early to show some spirit though. So why not do it in style! I know I promised you ugly sweaters, but even in the title, “ugly” is in quotations. Imagine those Dr. Evil laser fingers when you think of ugly in this context. Because I don’t think all of these sweaters are ugly. In fact, these are sweaters that I might wear at a family get together or when hanging out with friends (which might be why I don’t have many). These should be your go-to party sweaters this holiday season. Check ’em out!

1. UGLY THANKSGIVING SWEATER

Are you happy? I sifted through so many turkey sweaters, I literally lost my appetite! Anyways this sweater says it all. You’ve got turkeys, food, pilgrims, and pumpkins! I like the inclusion of pumpkins because it’s acts like a transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Clever! In fact, the other sweater that almost won had a picture of a pumpkin and the pi (π) symbol on it. Get it? Funny and clever, I love it! Anyways, I guess the only thing this Thanksgiving sweater is missing is some cornucopias and maybe some Indian feathers? Can’t forget about them can we (seriously though)? I’m no graphic t-shirt designer, but I could make this sweater better. Sure, it’s not perfect, but it will get you through those social situations. Have fun! This sweater (like most on this list) screams “look at me!” so you better be able to handle the attention!

2. UGLY DRAKE SWEATER

Maybe you were expecting different kinds of sweaters? That’s okay, mistakes happen. I’m sure you can find plenty of great ugly sweaters online or the store. I just want to inspire people to be clever with their clothing! If you know who Drake is, then you know his “Hotline Bling” video has exploded online. It’s also turned into a meme sensation. That’s why this sweater works so well. You see there’s Drake dancing, a cell phone, and of course bottles of champagne to give it some class. I assume Drake drinks champagne regularly, if his songs are any indication. My favorite part about this sweater are the snowflakes floating around. Haha it gives it that “winter time” feel that is oh so appropriate during this time of year! However, I should warn you that this might be the only year it is appropriate. So maybe not the best choice if you’re trying to get multiple uses out of it. I know how that sounds and it’s a perfect example of the 1st world.

3. UGLY DINOSAUR SWEATER

If you love dinosaurs like Ross from “Friends” loves dinosaurs then why not get a dinosaur sweater?! It makes perfect sense. It was really hard to choose, this one because there are so many great ones out there. We can’t forget that “Jurassic World” came out this year so that, of course, inspired a lot of creativity! I like this one because it kind of looks like a T-rex couple is celebrating Christmas. That’s a weird mental picture, but when you put it on a sweater it just works! And of course, there are Christmas trees and snowflakes that really pull it together. My favorite part about this sweater is that it’s actually a popular design so there is even baby clothes that have the same picture on it. Can you imagine how adorable that would be? I don’t even want to try, but nevertheless this ugly sweater will definitely keep you on your A game this season! Get a couple for the whole family! 

4. UGLY HARRY POTTER SWEATER

Some of you might argue that there is no such thing as an ugly Harry Potter sweater and I’m right there with you. Remember “ugly” in this context mean cool, clever and lets not forget stylish! This sweater stood out to me because, well Illuminati for one and when I realized what it was, Harry Potter all the way. If only there were enough time in the day to watch all those movies again. Actually there is! 19 hours from start to finish with no breaks. I don’t know how I know that, but trust me. Anyways Harry Potter is great obviously. We got his glasses and lightning bolt! Even his Gryffindor scarf! How cool is that? Of course, we also have the Deathly Hallows symbol, snowflakes and reindeer to really bring this sweater together. All in all, this sweater will allow you to have a wicked Christmas!

5. UGLY STAR WARS SWEATER

Okay, I kind of regret not putting this one first. Star Wars is better than words, so I’ll just leave it at that. I will say that Star Wars is huge right now. We’re getting the Force Awakens (Star Wars VII) next month! Who isn’t excited about that? I wouldn’t know them. Anyways, this sweater just shouts”Star Wars” and “Christmas” and what a pretty sight! There were A LOT of sweaters, so please cut me some slack! I’m not saying you have to wear this one, just know there is no lack of selection if you want to show off your Jedi prowess while showing some cheer at the same time! We have Darth Vader on his Sith Sleigh, being pulled by Imperial Reindeer, and heading toward the Death Star! It doesn’t get much better than that. Not to mention he is wearing a Santa hat and it’s somehow snowing in space. I love everything about it and I think your friends will too.

 

6.  UGLY MARVEL SWEATER

Yes, I realize that this isn’t a sweater, but the design makes it totally worth it! If you don’t like superheros, I wouldn’t recommend this one. But I do like superheros so I thought I’d throw it in! We have Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, and Thor all clearly represented and celebrating Christmas. Could you imagine that party? Sounds like a good time. I do like the idea of this design on a sweater. My only issue with it is that the red and green border along the top and bottom look like red and GREEN lanterns (cough cough). Yeah, the Green Lantern isn’t Marvel. Don’t get me wrong, I love DC too, but if they wanted to intentionally include DC in this superhero shirt, they should have gone with Batman! Just my thoughts. There are a lot more “super” ugly sweaters out there! You should own one!

7. UGLY SMASH BROS SWEATER

Was there ever a better feeling that kicking your friends butt on Super Smash Brothers? Precisely the reason why I love this sweater so much! All of the best characters! Pikachu, Mario, Mega Man, Link, Sonic, Samus , Kirby, Donkey Kong and Pac-Man. That’s right, Megaman and Pac-Man are smash bro now, just in case you weren’t keeping up. If only Yoshi and Fox were on there… Then it would be perfect. Anyways, it looks like they’re all ready for the holiday season. What about you? This sweater is great because it’s very nostalgic. Instant conversation starter. Everybody has a history with at least 1 of those characters. My favorite part is Donkey Kong wearing the Santa hat. That monkey dresses better than most people! Smash your way through the season with this sweater!

8. UGLY MINECRAFT SWEATER

You don’t play Minecraft? Well definitely don’t start! You don’t have enough time for that game. Minecraft is probably one of the most addicting games out there. I would say it’s on the same level as World of Warcraft. The game will consume you! Kind of like this sweater! If you’re not familiar with Minecraft, you might miss the pick axes and swords lining the top and bottom. Because it kind of looks like a jumble of weird shaped snowflakes from far away. Either way, this sweater will keep you warm and stylish and most importantly: safe from creepers! If you don’t know about creepers, you’re lucky! They’re the bane of any miner’s existence. You can find the creepers under the pick axes and their eyes and mouth above the swords. Right? Like I said, it all blends in well with the snowflakes. But you’ll most definitely stand out with this skin!

9. UGLY ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN SWEATER

I feel like I should apologize for this one. You really can’t get much uglier than this. This time I mean ugly for real though. I really hope those lights strung across the Abominable Snowman work. That would really pull this work of art together. I say work of art because it takes a special kind of talent to come up with something this intentionally bad. I know, I’m being critical. I just wanted a good snowman sweater and none of them even come close to this one. I’m sorry, but this is going to be the closest we get to a Rudolph sweater. I’m sorry! Just know that there are plenty of sweaters out there that are perfect for any occasion you can think of! These sweaters are more like suggestions than actual recommendations. Trust yourself and you will choose the perfect sweater for you! I believe in you!

10 TAKE YOUR PICK

Okay, all of these sweaters are genius. This is a scene from “The Night Before”. The movie is hilarious. I haven’t even seen it yet, but of course it is! First, we see Seth Rogen wearing that ugly Jewish sweater. It’s so funny because they’re called ugly CHRISTMAS sweaters and seeing the Star of David on one is such a perfectly executed contradiction! However, if you’re not Jewish I wouldn’t recommend this one. Anthony Mackie looks like he’s ready to celebrate in a fun way! And I say that without looking at the expression on his face, but at his super stylish “Black Santa” ugly sweater. Once again, if you’re not black.. Do I even need to continue? And finally Joseph Gordon-Levitt sporting the ugly moose sweater. Let’s just call one of those moose Rudolph and call it even! Unlike the other sweaters, this one is least likely to offend someone. So I’d choose this one 10/10.

Well I hope you found some inspiration in this post! Don’t let this holiday season pass you by without expressing yourself through ugly sweaters! Does anyone why we started this silly tradition in the first place? It doesn’t matter! All I know is, love it or hate it, ugly sweaters are here to stay! 

10 Songs to Add to All of Your Playlists!

If you’re like me you l-o-v-e love music with a capital “L”. And now that Spotify has been hand picking songs for our Discover Weekly playlists, it’s a great time to be a music lover! Discover Weekly is perfect for people like us, who love new music, but can’t find time in the day to browse through endless pages of artists and genres. Finding new music used to be one of my favorite hobbies, along with sports and video games, but once your playlists reach over 1,000 songs, it becomes more about “collecting” songs, rather than actually listening to them. So I decided to make a new playlist. A shorter playlist. A playlist that would always be appropriate, and would give me (and whoever might be listening) something to bob my head and tap my feet to. So without further ado, here is my list of essential songs that will turn your playlist into a wonderland of feel good rhythm!

1 Stolen Dance by Milky Chance

This song is probably on most, if not all of my playlists. I know, I know. Stolen Dance isn’t exactly a new song, but it has an undeniably catchy melody. Something that is highlighted by the talented Clemens Rehbein and his very unique voice. This is a song that will always be welcomed by the ears and that was my goal when creating this playlist. Sure, it’s not new and some might argue that this song is overplayed (impossible!), but that is why we have 9 other songs to choose from on our list. I think one of the reasons this song sits so well with everyone is because it’s the perfect balance between smooth and upbeat, something both young and old can dance to. This is the perfect song to add to your playlist if you’re looking that “sweet escape” from the clutter that is your playlist. Give in to the mellow vibes and let the melody take you away! Playlist worthy? I think yes!

 2 Annie by Neon Indian

Okay, so you wanted something new right? “Annie” debuted earlier this year, teasing Neon Indian’s newest album Vegas Intl. Night School. The album came out last month and “oh boy” it’s a whirlwind of fun! You could just make that album your playlist and call it a day (because they did a great job), but I’ve hand selected this song specifically because in my opinion, it’s the best song on the album. It also does the other songs on the album justice as far as sticking with the same unique sound and genre. Neon Indian is considered electronic music (shocking) and more popular with the younger crowd, but this song has balance. And balance is key when creating your playlist. Some people really really like electronic music, others don’t. If you put an electronic intensive song on your playlist, you risk losing the attention of those who aren’t interested. That’s why a song like “Annie” is perfect. Because not only is the melody entrancing, it appeals to those who like electronic music and those who like lyrics, without going overboard on either end. Yes, this makes it on the playlist.

3 The High Road by Broken Bells

 

Let me start by saying, I love Broken Bells. Definitely in my top 5 favorite artists, but I’ll try not to be bias when writing this (not!). You need Broken Bells on your playlists yesterday, okay? Great. This song is by far the group’s most popular song, and that’s why it’s on this list. I personally like their song “After the Disco”, but remember that this playlist isn’t just for me.  This playlist is for the people I’m listening with. I want people to hear a song they’re familiar with and then conversation can ensue from there. If I play another less popular song by Broken Bells, even if it is amazing, that is just my opinion and I don’t want to force my opinion on other people (even if it is right). Anyways (tangent over), this song is great! Did you listen to it? You’ve probably heard it before, if not, your friends definitely have. Over 26 million listeners on Spotify can’t be wrong, right?! Just add it to your playlist!

4 Blue Jeans (RAC Remix) by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey is a pretty incredible artist. If you haven’t heard of her you should look up songs like “Born to Die”, “Radio”, “Young and Beautiful”, “Summertime Sadness” and the list goes on and on. The original version of “Blue Jeans” is great by itself, but this remix adds a key element to the song and in turn, our playlist! You can compare and contrast the two songs later, but if you’re reading this I’ll give you the gist of it. Lana Del Rey has an amazing voice, if you watch/listen to the video you can hear that for yourself. Traditionally, Lana’s voice is the highlight in her songs (as it should be!). There are beats and background music, but who cares?! Lana’s voice steals the show every time! This remix elevates the music (and adds some instruments) to keep up with Lana’s outstanding voice. The end result? Musical gold that deserves to be on your playlist!

5 Awkward by San Cisco

Okay… I might be breaking my rule about only “popular” songs being on this list, but what does “popular” even mean anyways (lol). This song is popular to me, so that counts, right? Well San Cisco isn’t exactly playing on the radio “Back to Back” (as Drake would say) like Justin Beiber and well Drake, but I don’t listen to the radio anyways! All I know is, when you put good rhythm and melody behind good vocals, you get good music. Exhibit A: Good Rhythm + Good Melody x Good Vocals = Good Music. See? This song keeps this playlist upbeat and fun. That’s the goal with this playlist. Songs you can listen to when you’re waking up, getting ready, working or while you’re just hanging out! The playlist doesn’t discriminate, neither should you! So you might have never heard of San Cisco before, but at least you can discover them before your friends do! Add it to the playlist!

6 The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Still with me? Fantastic! So I think this song breaks my rule once again about the songs on this list being “new” and “popular”. It’s new to me! Anyways, that was a dumb rule and I will not be bound by it any longer! The great thing about music is that it stays with us. Sometimes we like listening to older songs, whether it be for nostalgia or other reasons: good songs don’t go away. I found this song (like most of the others on this list) on my Discover Weekly Playlist on Spotify and I immediately added it to my “lounge around” playlist. Now, this is an older song, but that’s not what I heard. I heard a musician singing his heart out and I respect the hell out of that. Is that why I like this song so much? I don’t know, but there is something about it and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Go on, just add it to your playlist!

7 Prayer in C (Robin Schultz Remix) by Lilly Wood & The Prick

How about that build up?! This is another remix, and like previous one on this list, a talented vocalist (Lilly Wood) shines through and delivers a memorable performance. Nevertheless, there is a very specific melody playing in the background and that’s a huge part of this song’s appeal. The first time I heard this song, I could not get it out of my head and now that’s your problem! Choosing the right songs for your playlist should be effortless if you know the direction and the mood you’re going for. The great thing about this song (and the others on this list) is that it works well for a very wide range of situations. And remember the goal of this playlist is to always be playable and appropriate no matter who is listening! Not the easiest thing to do in today’s world, but that’s what the majority of people enjoy. And if you’re going to be the DJ for your friends during car rides or get togethers, you better cater to what they want! Add it to the playlist!

8 Colours (Captain Cuts Remix) by Grouplove

Grouplove is another hugely popular group and for good reason! With great beats and family friendly lyrics it’s hard to deny that Grouplove is a musical force to be reckoned with. This remix of their popular “Colours” was the background music at many of my friend’s hangouts during college so I felt a little obligated to include it. Say what you will, but this upbeat remix is perfect for this playlist. Remember, we’re creating a playlist that you can confidently stand behind when your new girlfriend/boyfriend asks what kind of music you’re listening to. Maybe that’s not the exact reason for this playlist, but to each their own. Something else to consider is when your group of friends select you as the DJ, what song will you play? Of course you want a song to mimic the mood. But what you really want is to put on a playlist full of songs that can’t possibly disappoint. This is one of those songs, so add it to your playlist! 

9 Daylight by Matt and Kim

You literally can not listen to this song in a bad mood. It’s impossible. Because even if you are in a bad mood, after the first 2 seconds of this song, you can’t help but smile. I can say that yes, this is a popular song (37 million plays on Spotify!) and you should be listening to it too! Alone, at home, with friends, with pets, with your neighbors?! I don’t know who you hang out with, but I do know that wherever you are, this song will always be great and ready for you to enjoy. That’s the point isn’t it? The reason I’m making this playlist is to be able to bring people together, friends and strangers alike. We all like music, right? So at least we have that in common. The trick is finding appropriate music for the situation. You’re almost done with the list, so you’re practically a pro at this point! Do your playlist a favor and add “Daylight” to it!

10 Dreaming by Pacific Dub

Last, and certainly not least “Dreaming” by Pacific Dub. This was my favorite song in high school about 100 years ago (more like 6 years ago), but I think the message is clear and perfect for this playlist. Remember that “sweet escape” I talked about earlier? Well this is it. We all have music in common and we’ve all dreamed about better days, but why wait?! You and your friends can listen to the music of your dreams today! You just have to construct the “perfect” playlist. Can you do it? I believe you can. And with this playlist to guide you, there are no limits to how great your playlist can become! Keep listening and share the love! Later y’all!

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The Walking Dead: 10 Reasons Why Glenn Is Still Alive

Okay Walking Dead fans, I love you. I love all of you. We have to talk about that last episode or I might explode! I could barely watch it. Very devastating episode for the fans who have been following Rick and the crew since season 1. As you well know, Glenn has been a crucial part of his groups success and there’s no way in hell we going to let him go that easy! Here are my flawless, logical reasons why Glenn must still be alive.

1. Glenn is too damn important in the series. Unlike other shows, The Walking Dead is able to kill off seemingly important characters. This adds to the intensity factor when the folks at home are watching the show on Sunday night. It’s scary, it’s fun, it’s exciting! We become attatched to characters and just like that BAM! Your favorite character could be the next one to go.  It’s true, no one is safe in the show. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be very dramatic, would it? 
2. The Walking Dead knows that it needs to keep the audience on the edge of our seats at all times. And if last episode is any indication, they are doing a damn good job of it! I believe that the Glenn dying scene is a stunt to get the audience upset about taking one of their favorite characters. This probably wouldn’t go over well with almost every other show, but this isn’t “every other show”. This is The Walking Dead! And you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be watching the next episode looking for answers just like you.
3. If you’re impatient, you’re probably wondering when I’m actually going to explain how Glenn is alive. Well let me just say that patience is a virtue and you will get your answers! It is important to understand the reasoning behind why the show would pretend to kill off a main character. It is also just as important if not more important than how they explain him surviving in the next episode. 
4. The Walking Dead would not do this to us! I realize that no character is safe in this show, but the fact is that isn’t true. I’ll bet a million dollars that Rick, Carol, and Daryl all survive the next episode. Will there be some close calls? Of course, we expect that! That’s what makes it exciting to watch, but how can I so confidently say that these characters won’t die? 
5. Because we are not just watching a zombie show! Some people will never understand how much more this show really is. The Walking Dead (and Fear TWD for that matter) are shows about the survivors of the apocalypse. Key word: survivors. If every week there was a new cast of characters doomed to die a horrible zombie filled death, well I still think people would watch, but no one would care like they do now.
6. Back to my last point about the show being about survivors. That is why I can confidently say all of these characters will be alive after next week. Because they have survived obviously. They’ve had to make difficult decisions and choices (which add to the intensity factor) and you can call it luck if you want, but these people are fighting. I don’t think there is any doubt about that. 
7. Glenn is not only a survivor, but he is a fighter. He also is damn good hearted person. Which is saying alot because we’ve seen the zombie apocalypse change people. And when they change it’s almost always for the worst. Yet, Glenn has proven that a good person (like you or me), a pizza delivery driver, a random person can still be good in the face of so much evil.
8. Glenn is a good person. That is a fact at this point. He spared whatshisname’s life after he tried to kill Glenn. Most if not all of us would agree that Glenn should have left that guy bleeding out in the woods for the zombies. But Glenn isn’t you or me, he is a good person (lol). And good people shouldn’t die in real life or in tv shows!
9. Sure maybe Glenn is too kindhearted and trusting. But to kill off a main character… At the hands no less, of the guy (who we all hate) who he saved in the previous episode! That is not irony, that is just down right wrong! Myself and a plethora of Walking Dead fans would never forgive the show for this. I understand, you have to kill off characters sometimes, but not like this. This isn’t how Glenn dies.
10. Finally, this is what I believe will happen… Glenn falls on the ground and whatshisname falls on top of Glenn. Creating a literal human shield. Therefore the blood, guts and entrails that appeared to be Glenn’s are actually not! Vuala! Glenn is still alive! But what then? There are roughly a million zombies on all sides of him with no where to go. Still not looking good for the survivor, but the dumpster he was standing on is elevated enough for him to possibly find cover under. His seemingly hopeless situation has improved, but he’s not away from the herd yet. He must either quickly (and conveniently, but I don’t care) find a sewer to get away safely or use his walkie-talkie as a distraction so he can climb onto the near building and get away safely.

All of my scenarios involve Glenn getting away safely because that is what I want to believe happens. Of course, I could be wasting everyone’s time, but I’m obviously not the only one who cares about this. I feel weird saying this, but I think I speak for every Walking Dead fan when I say “Please don’t be dead Glenn!”

Hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you think!

3rd Republican Debate 2015: Who came in first? Who lost?

Last night the nation saw our top 10 Republican candidates duke it out for their party’s nomination. All I have to say is “Well, that was fun!”. If you’re like me you were probably exhausted after the first hour of watching the candidates tear into each other. To be fair, the moderators didn’t do a great job at keeping the questions focused on the real issues (tax policy, immigration, the economy etc.). Instead, it seemed like they just wanted to watch a blood bath! And that’s obviously an exaggeration, but never the less, the debate was more entertaining than it was informative. At least, that is my Democratic opinion. Yes, I do consider myself a liberal and if that keeps you from reading on, I do understand.

However, unlike many others, I do listen and pay attention to what the other side has to say about important issues. So let me be very clear: I’m not here to slam the Republican candidates. In fact it’s quite the opposite. One of my strengths is that I can form opinions for myself. Shocking, right? And that strength allows me to watch a debate (whether it’s Republican or Democratic) and remain neutral until I’ve heard everything that has to be said. It sounds simple enough, but politics has a way of blinding even the most open minded individuals. Before you question my sources, please understand that what follows is mainly my observations and opinions from last night’s debate. Enough chitchat! You’re here because you want to know the million dollar question: Who won the Republican Debate?

LOSERS

Like so many debates (and especially one of this size), there’s rarely one clear winner. And this debate is no different. However there is a line between the winners and losers of last nights debate and I’m going to do my best to draw that line for you. First we’ll talk about the losers.

JEB BUSH

I don’t think this is surprising to anyone, but I’ve been wrong before. Jeb’s poll numbers have been slowly deteriorating over the last two months (according to RealClearPolitics) and unfortunately it seems like it’s got the best of him. Early in the debate, Jeb confronted (or should I say attacked?) Rubio about missing votes due to his arduous campaigning. A point that Rubio turned around expertly and won the crowd (and myself) over. I’m sorry Jeb, but if attacking other candidates is your best strategy, maybe you shouldn’t be President.

CARLY FIORINA

I personally thought Carly won the last debate although she didn’t get much time to talk. Unfortunately, Ms. Fiorina was unable to keep that momentum and has stayed in the single digits in the polls. This debate was her opportunity to once again shine and stand out among the candidates, but she didn’t really get a chance. Due to the moderating, Carly was stuck trying to justify her past at Hewlett-Packard as opposed to talking about the future and the real issues! Who finds these moderators, seriously?! I was looking forward to hearing from Carly, but after the hole the moderators dug for her, she struggled to climb out.

MIKE HUCKABEE

I should say before I continue that I respect all of these candidates (something I’m sure I’ll mention later), but the fact is: There are way too many people running! That being said, Mike Huckabee hasn’t seen double digits in the polls since the beginning of his campaign (RealClearPolitics). I don’t form my opinions based solely on polls, but I do look at them to see who the American people are leaning towards. And while Huckabee has managed to make it on the stage once again, I admit that I wasn’t expecting much from his corner. He was able to talk about the significance of social security, which is great, but the moderators didn’t give him a chance to explain how exactly a Huckabee Presidency would be any different from the other candidates running. Once again the moderators win. That doesn’t seem right!

RAND PAUL

I honestly do like Rand Paul. I may not agree with his policies or his politics for that matter, but he seems to have the best intentions for this country and I respect that. Last night Paul got hardly any time to speak about his platform. Once again, this wasn’t his fault, but the moderators seemed to have their own agenda as far as the debate was concerned. At one point last night, Paul even recognized the fact that his attempt to follow up on another candidate’s comments was completely denied by the moderators. So much for the debate part of the debate! After some pushing and shoving he was able to get 30 seconds in about how his tax plan would essentially cut the payroll tax. It seemed pretty disrespectful to me that the moderators would treat any candidate like this. Unfortunately, I don’t think his time on screen did much to convince the American people that he is the man for the job.

NEUTRAL

While there are clear winners and losers in all debates, with a debate this size there are bound to be some candidates that don’t leave a clear positive or negative impact. In other debates that might be a bad thing, but in this one, it’s honestly the best case scenario for most of the candidates on the stage. Here are the candidates that neither won nor lost last night’s debate:

CHRIS CHRISTIE

Christie had a decent night, but once again, his message didn’t quite stand out from his competitors. He didn’t get much screen time, like many of his fellow candidates, but when he did speak, he spoke with conviction and passion. Don’t get me wrong, he improved immensely from his last appearance, but it just isn’t enough to get his struggling campaign off the ground. His “big” moment last night (one could argue) is when he criticized the moderators for bringing up Fantasy Football, when there are so many other pressing issues our country is facing. The crowd seemed to enjoy his viewpoint on the relevance of fantasy sports, but what about his stance on other issues. Unlike the majority of his party, Christie does believe in global warming and tackling it head on with a National Energy Plan. A commendable cause, but not one other candidate even mentions energy. Why isn’t this issue being talked about more?

BEN CARSON

This may be a shock to many of you, but I’m just being honest with myself and my observations. Carson looks like a nice enough guy (even if he has said some unorthodox things), and up until this point that has been working very well for him. VERY well. But the fact is, he isn’t a great debater and not a great public speaker either. That is my observation. When moderators pressed him on the issue of debt and how his tax policy fell short, he stumbled over his words and wasn’t straight forward with his answers. It doesn’t instill very much confidence in me (as a voter) that he really does have a solid tax plan. And that may be why he is once again 2nd in the polls.

JOHN KASICH

I think Kasich has potential. His track record speaks for itself: he cut taxes and created jobs as Governor of Ohio. The thing is, many of the people on the stage with him have cut taxes and created jobs at some point in their career so that doesn’t really set him apart. What sets him apart in my mind is the fact that Kasich  directly influenced the balancing of the federal budget. And while I or you may not agree on how that was accomplished, it is still quite a feat and something this country desperately needs. I think the problem with Kasich’s campaign is that he does dwell on his past accomplishments and (while they are impressive) the American people want to know what his specific plans are. 

WINNERS

TED CRUZ

Ted Cruz got a lot of screen time yesterday and that’s definitely a good thing for his campaign. It’s not exactly a close race, but at least he’s in the top 5. I won’t talk about his answers (because they’re similar if not the same across the board) so much as the way he delivers them. I consider Cruz to be a good public speaker, which is a plus for him, because when he talks I feel compelled to listen. That is a good quality for a president to have, regardless if you agree with what they are saying. According to Zingnal Labs, Ted Cruz was mentioned in over 100,000 tweets during the debate which is more than any of the other candidates can claim (including Donald Trump). Say what you will, but that is quite impressive by itself.

MARCO RUBIO

It seems as though Jeb Bush’s early attack was the best thing for Rubio. After pointing out the double standards placed on candidates by the media, Rubio made it clear that any attempt to hinder him wouldn’t be taken lightly. Later in the debate, moderators brought up his past again and asked if he was ready and able to oversee a $17 trillion economy. Rubio responded with the struggles he has overcome and confirmed that yes indeed he is capable and proceeded to outline his “family” tax plan. I like Rubio’s response because I think many people (myself included) can relate to him. We all have struggles and loans and yes, it’s a difficult time for the economy, but he worked hard and came out on top. It’s an inspirational story and if the next president is anything, inspirational should be one of his or her qualities.

DONALD TRUMP

We honestly didn’t hear much from Donald Trump last night compared to his previous appearances. And I don’t think this was by accident. Of course, everyone get’s their time to talk about their ideas, but we saw far less outbursts from the front runner than I think we expected. I think this strategy works for him because his name recognition is honestly enough at this point. And while his theatrics have proved effective (for whatever reason) I don’t think he or his campaign want to take any more risks.

Like I said in my opening, this debate was more entertaining than informational. I don’t blame or judge any of the candidates for doing what they think is right to win the nomination, but I encourage you as a voter to check out the websites of the candidates you’re leaning towards and educate yourself! Every 4 years someone says it and every 4 years it’s true: This is them most important election of our time…

I just want to reiterate that I’m not writing this to bash any of the Republican candidates. I have tremendous respect for these people who have stepped up and want to lead this country. We all know that being President is a difficult job and this is a difficult time in our country. I hope that whichever Republican recieves the nomination is well suited and ready for the potential responsibility to lead this country. Let me know what you think!

Watch the full debate HERE

 

Did You Know? Movies

All movies have their own unique selling proposition because they’re all tailored for different people with different tastes. Some people have no interest in seeing the Avengers, but that is why advertising is so important! Because it is possible to sway those people on the fence with strategic marketing efforts!

Movies have a huge advantage when it comes to advertising because they don’t have to worry about indirectly promoting a substitute (similar product). If you were to see a commercial for shampoo or lotion, but it told you it wasn’t coming out for a couple of months, what would you do? If you’re like %99 of people, when you go out to buy shampoo or lotion, you’re not going to go home empty handed because the new brand wasn’t there. You may recall the brand and even the commercial, but in the end you buy what’s available. And movies have the ability, unlike many other products, to build anticipation before their release! This is good news for the people sitting in the Box Office. IF YOU MAKE MOVIES, THEY WILL WATCH THEM.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron

It’s been awhile since my last post, but I figured I’d indulge my old hobby of analyzing advertisements and movie trailers. Today we’ll be discussing the highly anticipated Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer and see what all the buzz is about!

Needless to say, The Avengers franchise has undoubtedly changed the superhero movie genre for the better. While many will argue that DC comics has a greater presence on TV (Arrow, The Flash, Gotham), Marvel has thrived on the big screen! However, I’m not here to argue which Universe is better because they both have their own unique characters and storylines (a point I’ll come back to later). I’m a huge fan of both comics, but today I’ll be talking about The Avengers: Age of Ultron!

Now, if that didn’t give you goosebumps I don’t know what will! Okay okay, I’ll admit I’ve seen this trailer an unhealthy amount of times, but can you blame me? Like I mentioned before, I’m a huge fan of superhero movies and when you get all these characters together something amazing is bound to happen! Although I am very excited for the film, I will try to give an unbiased assessment of the advertising techniques used in the trailer.

The Ad execution techniques are as follows: humor, fear, physical attractiveness, fantasy, drama, narration and unique selling proposition acting as the main execution technique. All of these elements work together to make the final product exactly what it is. While some of these techniques may seem unnecessary, I will explain where they all fit into the trailer and why I believe they are being used.

Humor is not exactly a prominent theme in this movie, but it is definitely present. Joss Whedon is no stranger to lightening up his movies with a little bit of comedy. I think he does this so the audience knows he’s not taking his job too seriously, and although every scene isn’t 100% serious, I think the audience appreciates the giggles in between the action. The fear technique is also apparent throughout the trailer. Ultron is threatening humanity which provides the plot for the movie and also the conflict that The Avengers must unite to overcome. Fear is usually used in advertisements to scare people into buying their product, but in this case,  fear is motivating the audience to buy a ticket to the Avengers so they can root for their favorite superheroes!  I don’t think I need to go into much detail about physical attractiveness. These are all A list actors portraying these characters, looks definitely played a part in their casting. Because the audience deserves a good looking group of hero’s that they can fantasize about well after they’ve saved the day. Which brings me to the next technique: fantasy. Fantasy in this case means exactly what you’d think. All of these villains and superheroes are of course not real, but with the advanced technology and vivid imagination of the movie makers today, these characters are brought to life and it’s not so hard to believe that this could actually happen! Drama also plays a huge part in believing this “superhero world” is real. Because nothing is just black and white these days. It’s not just The Avengers vs. Ultron, it’s The Avengers vs. themselves and their own personal struggles. So dramatic! Narration is also occurring throughout most of the trailer. Specifically when Samuel L. Jackson (as Nick Fury) is giving his rallying speech that The Avengers so desperately need and always seem to get at the perfect time.

Now all of these elements are great selling points for this movie by themselves, but when it’s all put together we call it a unique selling proposition.  The reason it’s unique is because there’s not going to be an off brand Avengers crew in theaters this summer along with the real Avengers we know and love. That may be an extreme example, but what I mean is simple: If you want to see The Avengers: Age of Ultron, you’re not going to settle for some chick flick or even another action movie for that matter. Because after seeing this trailer you know what to expect (more or less) and there is not a single movie that will be anything like this. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll see Batman vs. Superman as well. Not because it has superheroes so it’s a sufficient substitute for the Avengers, but because it has it’s own unique selling prop that I’m anxious to see! Thank you for listening to me ramble on! I hope you learned something and I’ll see you May 1st!