You will laugh out loud and roll on the floor reading this…
Have fun reading it and hope your day is good!
After a long time I went to a sale shopping.
In fact, it’s the first time ever that I had been for a garage sale.
You basically go in with a lot of preconceived notions when it comes to a garage sale and obviously this was no different. It had all that I was thinking and wondering about.
And yet when I finally came out with my pick I had learnt few lessons.
Here’s what I would like to share them with you…
The worst part that I learnt is that no matter what, when you put humans in extreme situations they do behave like animals in dire situations.
I can still picture the moment when the clothes carton was emptied in a nearby rack of clothes, a swarm of people just stormed the place to get their hands on whatever they could hold on to. Just like how street dogs run in a competition for a piece of bone… well dogs are much civilized I must admit!
Last but not the least, I learnt that when you go in for a sale… come home and have a quick shower before anything else!
“Happiness is a cigar called hamlet”
This was my first exposure to the world of advertising. Until then I used to receive an ad as a very passive consumer. The day I joined KC College of Management Studies for my specialization in advertising and communications things changed at lightning speed.
As students we were exposed to various advertising campaigns and concepts.
But the Hamlet campaign remains my all time favorite ad.
When you have nothing much to say… just create some nice, funny, make believe ads. Add a dash of amazing selling line and you have a campaign that is well… campaignable through the ages.
Yes, my dear this is Hamlet Cigars for you…
Awesome stuff!
Have fun seeing these ones…
This is a classic example of how you can integrate your existing idea and bring it to relevance in any given situation. In this case, the brand was integrated with Channel 4, a local TV station using their channel signature message. Something goes wrong with the elements while transforming to the no.4, the elements keep trying until they give up. They end up smoking Hamlet Cigars… the message is so strong, subtle and highly impactful.
Hamlet is a well known brand of cigar produced by Japan Tobacco. They are available in several varieties, miniatures and also a regular length. They are regularly referred to as the ‘mild cigar’ in their advertising.
Hamlet cigars were first launched in the UK in 1964. More recently, Hamlet cigars have been launched in a number of western European markets.
They are most famous in the UK for their comical advertisements, which present various frustrating circumstances, where a man finds himself in an awkward or embarrassing situation and lights a Hamlet cigar. Lighting and smoking this cigar makes him smile and forget his woes.
The theme throughout was:
Having problems? – All your troubles will be forgotten when you’re smoking your Hamlet cigar.
The beauty about these ads is that they have such a strong concept that they can be extended towards anything and everything. You name a situation and you can create a relevant Hamlet commercial. This again goes to prove that with a simple story line and a strong concept, you can retain the freshness of a brand’s identity throughout its life cycle. The campaign started from 1964 I reckon until late 2000. Now imagine how many TVC’s the agency would have produced. Truly amazing and very highly commendable efforts.
Recognition
There are many more awesome campaigns like these and we will cover them in the coming posts…
Keep watching and keep thinking until then!
You get to be a “Real hero” just once in a lifetime.
All the other times you are just one amongst the crowd.
When you are the hero, just go full throttle and be at your best.
And while doing that… be different, think different and always do things that will raise a brow!
It’s the month of marriages. As I am drafting this note, various alliances are being set, decisions are being made and other wedding plans are being set.
Wow! It’s a great time really.
You feel the whole universe is focusing on you while you are busy working out other things!
Last week I got this invite from one of my close friends and a dear colleague and then I thought of putting this on my blog. Just by merely looking at the card, I could imagine the rush of emotions going thru his head.
Read the card and have fun!
Copy: Lokesh Achaiah (The groom himself)
Art Direction: Pankaj Bangde
And when I received the wedding invite, I thought of compiling some amazing and funny wedding invites that people have done…
I was surprised to find very few such work of art while googling, I am sure there are so many wonderful cards being conceived.
I think this is what makes an event memorable and different from the others.
It cuts through the routine and makes you stand out in a crowd.
This is what we have learnt in advertising too!
Always be different when you can. So many advertisers spend millions of bucks to make their brands stand out in a crowd. You are no different. And this is what makes us humans different, different from each other!
And remember, this is one big moment. This applies not just for your marriage.
You can do the same thing with your birthday invites, house warmings or any other event where you are planning to send invites. Be it in the form of words, pictures or any other formats you can to add your touch of personality.
People tend to remember you better when they stumble upon such an invite.
And as Fido Dido says… Normal is boring!
