The "Magic" in Creativity

A couple of days ago, I was sitting in my apartment watching one of the new shows that are being premiered on all the national television channels. The new episodes or surprising plot twists were not what caught my attention. The commercials are what really reached out and grabbed me. Not all commercials I guess, but one inperticular stood out. It was a commercial for Hewitt-Packer laptops. It went like this:

Gwen Stephanie was walking around, Japan or some oriental country talking about all the benefits that this laptop brought to her work. She mentioned that there is a "Magic in creativity." She also said that you can't just turn it on and off but it just sort-of happens and when it does, she is able to create her wonderful masterpieces.

That little segment of the thirty-second ad really kinda struck a cord with me. As a member of the creative community, I would have to disagree with Ms. Stephanie. As a graphic designer, I am asked on a daily basis to be creative and create work that millions will deem worth purchasing or paying attention to. My whole life revolves around me being able to turn my creativity on at 8a.m. and off at 5p.m. (sometimes much later). I do understand what they were trying to say in the ad. That she takes inspiration from her surrounding world and that she doesn't know where or when something will inspire her. Still, as I sit here in my cubical with nothing to inspire me but my wandering thoughts and a brief conversation with my supervisor. I can't help but think, what if the world really knew what advertisers, marketers, and designer went through on a daily basis. Do you think that we would be idolized just like those musical performers who are "SOOO CREATIVE."

I'm not sure what we do is as glamorous or as individual. Not that most of those performers do everything on their own either but I think you get what I'm trying to say. So I would like to make a toast to those of you out there who are like me. A member of the creative community that has been over-looked by the public. We are the true creative gods that have found a way to be creative on command.

All Advertising is Fair in Politics and War

It is about that time again where we as consumers start to become overwhelmed with advertisements. With the traditional spending season approaching, we should gear ourselves for the inevitable onslaught of deals and once in a life-time offers. But corporations and businesses are not the only advertisers that will be squeezing their thirty second ads in between the ten minute segments of our favorite programming.

Politicans will be starting their campaigns soon and with expectations of their budgets running in the billions this year, expect to see and hear them the most. Yes, you did read right. Billions!! With candidates that are hungry for the public eye and who most have already been seen in the countless headlines, this years political advertising should prove to be the most ever seen. Those advertising companies that have had success with political campaigns must be licking their chops.

The candidates this year are not your common, run-of-the-mill, president to be. Each has a unique aspect which might lead to non-traditional forms of advertising. It will be interesting to see how each candidate tries to portray themselves. We could have, for the first time, an African American president or we could be addressing our commandor in chief as Madame. No matter how the election turns out, we are poised for an interesting year of debates, commercials, and accusations.

Staying in the Black

Recently I was watching the television and it occured to me during one of the comercials that I was witnessing a new era of Advertising. It was something so suble that had I not just been talking about advertising with a couple friends, it would have most likely remained aware to me only in my subconcious.

I'm not sure how to refer to is so I'm going to give it the name of "2X Advertising." It is still the traditional advertising but with a little twist. An Ad within an Ad.

It happened while i was watching TBS and an ad came on for the television show Monk. Nothing out of the ordinary took place in this commercial but i noticed the purposeful positioning of Windex throughout the 30 sec span. It seemed like TBS or whom ever was responsible for the making of the commercial went out and got Windex to pay for product placement with in their own ad.

If this is the case, then i think this could really affect the way we approach commericals. With the ever rising price of the Superbowl Commercial slot and television commericals in their own right, smaller businesses need to find a way to make tv commercials more affordable. This could be the answer. Business might not have to break the bank and stay in the black for the quater.

Soon we could be watching a commercial and not have any idea who they are advertising for. Only time will tell.