Looking for something to do this weekend in Ottawa? You may be interested in checking out one (or more) of the 35 free walking tours that are part of Jane's Walk Ottawa. It is described as "a pedestrian-focused event that improves urban literacy by offering insights into local history, planning, design, and civic engagement through the simple act of walking and observing." This initiative began in 2007 in Toronto and is now held in numerous cities across North America. Jane's Walk was inspired by the late Jane Jacobs, urbanist, activist and author of "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." For a schedule of this weekend's tours, click here.
I just learned about this annual event and think it's fascinating. It sounds like a great opportunity to get out and about and learn more about the city we live in.
Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing the World’s Best Commercials as per the 2009 London International Awards. Although some spots were obviously made with the sole intention of winning awards, others were able to do the near impossible: connect us with the brand in an entertaining and surprising way. Here’s my top pics from the World’s Best:
First up, an automotive ad for Volkwagen that actually had an idea in it. I say that because the other automotive spots that took home hardware were all about making the Art Directors look like gods, and little else. You can’t help but be charmed by this one and good on Volkswagen for keeping up their tradition of amazing advertising. How do you take a 19 second beer commercial and make it not only memorable but also absolutely freakin' hilarious? See for yourself.
Although these were my absolute favs, there are plenty more on the list that are worth watching. Check them out after the jump.
Lately, I've noticed a few OC Transpo buses around Ottawa sporting a new ad by Chez 106. They are certainly eye-catching, due to the uncanny image of Sir John A. MacDonald with a bright red Rolling Stones' Forty Licks-style mouth supplanted on his face.
I'm impressed by Chez's mashup in the ad. It's clever and modern, reminiscent of the recent book "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", by Seth Grahame-Smith (and Jane Austen).
How about you, Daily Breakthrough readers? What local ads have appealed to you recently? Let us know.
The Friday Breakthough is Ottawa’s weekly roundup of some of the Internet’s best marketing and social media articles for a less-than-intense day at the office. For the duration of the Winter Olympic Games, the Friday Breakthrough will be dedicated to reviewing The Good, The Bad and The “What Were They Thinking?!” of the marketing of the Vancouver Olympics.
Part One: The Good
1. Nike’s Force Fate
Nike nails it with “Force Fate”. No commercial in recent memory better captures the attitude of our determined athletes.And what about those golden expectations? Their defiant retort: “Destiny doesn’t decide if we win. We do.” Wicked line.Pow! They hit you in the gut with that. The music is killer, too. It’s a crank-up-your-ipod-I’m-gonna-run-10miles-flat-out kind of song. Honestly, if this spot doesn’t get you psyched up for Team Canada Hockey at Olympics, I don’t know what will.
If there’s one downfall for the commercial, it’s how pretty it looks. It’s shot beautifully, which makes me wish that it wasn’t. The attitude of this spot is so gritty that it leaves me wanting imagery that matches. Give me raw footage of practice; with sweat everywhere, whistles blowing, coaches yelling, and the heavy breathing of athletes pushing themselves past their breaking point. Now that is some serious “destiny” butt kicking.That would be the ultimate “Force Fate”.
2. CTV’s Believe, narrated by Donald Sutherland and set to the music of Oscar-winning composer Howard Shore.
Now I am a self-confessed Olympic junkie who loves those touchy-feely athlete profile stories that tug at your heart strings, but I have to say CTV has done a nice job with their promo spots. Donald Sutherland has the perfect pitch to carry the tone of the Canadian Olympic dream and adding in the music from the guy who won an Oscar for his work on the Lord of The Rings trilogy isn’t too shabby either.
Although I love the spots that profile our athletes, I am not such a fan of the other “Believe” spots that feature young Canadians. The thought is right and the message is right, but somehow it doesn’t feel authentic. It doesn’t pull at my heartstrings and it seems forced, like I know those kids were fed those lines. Canadian kids do have Olympic dreams and they’ll tell you about them, but I just don’t buy that they would tell you in the way that CTV is presenting. So overall, they got it right with Donald Sutherland, but they dropped the ball on the spots featuring the kids.
3. IOC (International Olympic Committee) – The Best of Us
This IOC spot with the cartooned athletes from the different continents in their respective Olympic gear. In the spot, these enormous cartooned athletes are standing on top of their home continents and each have a rope. They pull hard until they bring all the continents together. The different continents coming together is like a visual interpretation of the Olympic rings – emphasized by the continental colours. It’s imaginative, memorable and fun to watch. Kudos to the IOC!
Stay tuned for next week’s Friday Breakthrough. It’s gonna be ugly. I mean bad. Actually, Olympic marketing bad. Ok. You get the idea.
