The Most Worthy of the World’s Best Commercials 2009

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.

The Friday Breakthrough: Unfriend this!

The Friday Breakthrough 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.

"I totally unfriended that guy." If you've uttered this phrase over the past 12 months, then congratulations! You've been using the 2009 word of the year all year-long! Oxford University Press recently announced that 'unfriend', the social networking term, is the 2009 Word of the Year.

Car-maker Ford recently held the largest 'tweet-up' in history (so far)! A 'tweet-up' is a real-world meeting (you know, with smiling and hand-shakes) of people who know one another through Twitter. Ford got almost 13,000 people out to help its "Fiesta Movement" social networking project.

Crowell Advertising recently announced The Tracy Awards, its Academy Awards-style list of the year's worst ads. The categories include "Best reckless waste of expensive talent," and "Best use of a jingle to justify suicide", among others.

How many people have you unfriended in the last 12 months? Let us know! Leave a comment or send us a tweet @marketingottawa.

1000 Awesome Things Wins Webby Award!

1000 Awesome Things is just a time-ticking countdown of 1000 awesome things.

Yet, it has been awarded with one of the most prestigious online awards - a Webby Award for best blog.

This Canadian website is reminding the world every weekday just how awesome the little things in life can be. And its hard to argue with any of them.

For example:

#810 Returning to your warm and comfy bed after getting up to pee in the middle of the night

#974 High Tens

#904 When you manage to squeeze enough toothpaste out for one last brush

#977 The smell of gasoline

#955 Sneezing three or more times

#871 Finding out your birthday is on a Friday or Saturday next year

This is one blog that will keep you smiling and keep you thinking...yup, That IS awesome.

Check it out at: 1000 Awesome Things