The announcement of the 2011 Emmy nominations have given us six competitors under the category of Outstanding Commercial who seem to have all that it takes to score. From celebrity appearances, polar bears, babies, Indian flea markets, to even Isaiah Mustafa wearing nothing but a towel, it looks as if the choice will be pretty difficult. Kudos to the brands who made the list- McDonald’s, Chrysler, Subaru, Nissan, Old Spice and American Express- and especially to agencies TBWA and Wieden+Kennedy, as well as Ogilvy and Carmichael Lynch for their outstanding work and nominations.

I am, however, surprised to see that the Super Bowl smash hit-  Volkswagen’s “The Force”-  didn’t make the cut… but nevertheless, here are the nominees!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

McDonald’s
Title: “Baby”
Agency: TBWA\Chiat\Day New York

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chrysler 200
Title: “Born on Fire”
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Subaru
Title: “Baby Driver”
Agency: Carmichael Lynch

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nissan LEAF
Title: “Polar Bear”
Agency: TBWA\Chiat\Day

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Old Spice Body Wash
Title: “Questions”
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Express
Title: “Conan”
Agency: Ogilvy New York

Who will take home this year’s Emmy? It’s only a matter of time until we find out. But for now, let us know through your comments who you think will be the big winner….

By Maria Elena Moré
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).

Pave the way for the bold, the ruthless and the new…

Switzerland Tourism

Title: “More than just Mountains”

Agency: Spillmann/Felser/ Leo Burnett

Switzerland’s love affair and eternal association with mountains is put to the test by the folks of Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett in an ad for Switzerland Tourism that aims to tell us that they are “more than just mountains”… Two (actual) farmers from the Swiss mountain-tops travel and explore the cities and soak up fine dining, shopping, museums, nightclubs in a cosmopolitan environment that defines a face of Switzerland we can’t help but love. Contemporary and modern. A clear message. Now that’s something to yodel about.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

McDonald’s

Title: “Lester”

Agency: DDB, London

A cute and lovable way of connecting the brand with history. DDB brings us the story of Lester and his “sweetheart”, whom he met while working at McDonald’s back in 1955. An excellent way of adding the element of realism to an ad, especially because more than anything, it narrates the experience people have with the brand and its impact in their lives. And no one can better tell a brand’s story than someone else…

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bar Aurora & Boteco Ferraz

Title: “Drunk Valet”

Agency: Ogilvy Brasil

Concept meets execution in this excellent experiment-turned-spot by by Ogilvy Brasil. A clever way of encouraging people not to drink and drive through a message that hits the target: “Never let a drunk driver take your car. Even if that driver is you.” Giving people a taste of this medicine will probably make it much more precise in achieving its goal.

By Maria Elena Moré
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).

McDonald's shines as Spain picks up its first World Cup title in South Africa

July 11, 2010. 

As Spain picked up its first World Cup trophy, national media did not waste a second in publishing its glory on every paper out there…printed, online, you name it…

Enter McDonald’s.

The fast food giant makes a subtle, yet brilliant statement at www.elpais.es, a leading Spanish newspaper. Their historical corporate colors (red and yellow) make it an excellent opportunity to relate to the Spanish flag.

The text next to the heading?

“Passion for our colors. Congratulations champs. Thank you Villa (David) for celebrating your goals with us.”

Brilliant… and I’m loving it.

By Maria Elena Moré
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).