I was born in 1997 so I have no idea what any of this is. Film student, yes, so I thought I might recognize what they are referencing, but I am lost and clueless. The only familiar things to me are the classic Apple logo and the way films looked in that time period. I have no idea what happened here except I think Apple might rule the world one day. I still give it four stars because some people out there know exactly what the reference is and because I haven’t seen this type of ad before. So it does hold originality.
Arguably the Macintosh computer may well be the most important electronic invention from the last 50 to 100 years. And this ad introducing the Apple Macintosh computer was very effective, if a bit scary, and gets my overall rating of five. The marching shadow men and the grim background music upped the level of tension, making the ad very effective in introducing Macintosh to an environment dominated by Microsoft at the time. With its haunting sounds and visuals, if your shoulders don’t rise watching this commercial you may need to watch it again – several times.
I like it. Don’t love it. It’s original, but it’s kind of lame. It seems like someone in the office was like, “Frogs kinda sound like they say our company sometimes.” and some other employee was like, “Hey! He’s right. They do do that!” and thus the “Bud” “Weis” “Er” ad was born making old people giggle and children sleep at every corner. I don’t know how you could make a beer ad one of my favorites for creativity. So overall it’s incredibly plain and boring.
The frog – Budweiser commercial was really amusing and the part where the frogs are spelling out Budweiser was hilarious. I am not sure how much beer this Budweiser ad sold, but it was very powerful for the brand. Whoever was behind the creative for Budweiser Frogs deserves a five. And I would second that.
I love this ad so much. The kid tries so hard all day to try and use the force like the dark lord Darth Vader, but it just isn’t going his way. The dog is lazy, the baby won’t budge and mom moved the sandwich, not the force. Just before giving up he tries the car and what better way to show off the car’s cool features than in a fun, comical way. It doesn’t really show how well the car performs, but it does show how cool the new feature is. This definitely gets a five.
You know I am partial to kids in ads and this VW ad is no exception – I loved it. The ad tells the whole story of the kid trying to get his magic to work. The punch line where the kid thinks his magic has finally worked and when the car starts, that was a really touching moment for me. I give the VW commercial a five.
I have always loved the Snickers ads because they are just so funny. Plus with Betty White, you gotta give them five stars at least. I have no idea how Snickers really helps with hunger, but it makes for a good commercial. I love how in this one the two hungry characters get plowed straight into the mud along with the part where he is getting yelled at for playing like Betty White. I love all of these ads though – from the very first one all the way until now because they never get old.
Beating up old ladies – splashing them in the mud for laughs – is not my idea of being creative, and isn’t that what ads are suppose to be – creative? So for me this ad was no fun and doesn’t deserve a good grade. Snickers can do a lot better than this. Though, Snickers bars are really good and just because I like Betty White I’ll back off a bit and give the ad a two. 
As I watch this ad I see myself and you know, I can relate. I have made similar searches in my travels abroad, but I slowly catch on that this man is different in that he falls in love and has a child with this girl, but it all started with one search “study abroad in Paris.” It’s really touching. Google’s ads help show you that you don’t need sites like Match.com to fall in love. Just enjoy life and see the world – your soulmate is out there, you just have to look. This ad is low-key touching.
This Google ad was boring. Plus, this Google ad would only appeal to a limited audience of computer nerds – granted a big audience – but the ad excludes many who would find it boring and beyond their electronic skills. You’d think that Google would focus more on the vast source of knowledge it makes available to anyone with a computer and a limited computer skill set. I give this ad a two. 
I love this ad and I know I have seen a movie where they reference this, but I can’t remember which one. I think it has a great story line and makes complete sense. I really like the graininess to this era of video too, but I guess they didn’t really have a choice on how clear it looked in the 70’s. But still, I think this is a very well done ad and would like to see more classic styles like this in today’s commercial world. It definitely gets a five.
THE BEST OF THE BEST – This is one of my most favorite commercials ever. Look what the ad offers – Mean Joe Green – one of the best, most famous pro’s ever in a vulnerable moment with a fan. A really cute kid is trying to please his hero – Mean Joe Greene. Plus the ad keeps the Coke brand in the forefront throughout. You’ve got to love the exchange of the kid’s Coke for the best souvenir trophy ever – Greene’s jersey. In short, this wonderful commercial had everything – a super star, a generous kid – with a heart warming exchange, in just the right way – a 5+. 
I know we aren’t supposed to rate above five stars but I had to. Yes, it makes no sense. And no it has nothing to do with Reebok, but it is such a great short. I wouldn’t really call it an ad. If I had to rate it for an advertisement it would be a two, but as a video it is a ten. My favorite part is…well everytime I go to decide what part I loved most I change my mind. The visual contrast between the boss and Terry is just priceless along with Terry launching employees, and it gets me every time when Terry says the names of the employees!
This Reebok ad is way over the top in violence and brutishness. What were the Reebok executives that approved this ad thinking? That the audience would enjoy brute force being applied to their employees? Is that the way Reebok treats their employees? This ad doesn’t deserve to be in this group of really good commercials. Reebok: You flunk the commons sense test with this violent mess of a commercial. Rated zero (or if I have to give a grade then a one). 
This one is up there, but I just have some beef with it. I don’t really like when companies bash their rivals instead of just making an ad. It’s funny sometimes and this was just good enough, but not good enough to make me want a Pepsi any more than I want a Coke. I thought it was funny and smart to have everyone notice him instead of the other option, which would be to have him look around hoping nobody saw him. No, instead he has to suck it up and walk out with everyone staring at him. Good. But just good, not great.
Even if this is a funny commercial why would you want to show your competition to such an extent? I’d give it maybe a two or three. Viewers might get confused – probably not – but why take the chance and give your competition’s brand name so much exposure? Let’s start over – why do many folks prefer Pepsi to Coke? Is it the flavor? Or more bubbles? Just why does a super star – like Joe Namath – swear that Pepsi has better taste and better bubbles et al than any other? Now you’re on the right track! 
Yeah, I don’t want what these kids are describing and I am pretty sure nobody does. It really hits hard to see kids basically already giving up on dreams and giving in to the corporate world. As a grown adult nobody wants this either so I can see the people who do have these dead-end jobs seeing themselves as these kids and thinking I don’t want this – not at all. Then, immediately going to Monster.com and getting away from the monster that is failed dreams and brown nosing. I can totally relate, so I’ll give it a five.
I DON’T GET IT? What’s the point of this commercial? Is this an ad or is this… WHAT? Go back to the drawing board and figure out first what you are trying to sell here. How about a one? Well, maybe not a one, but what would have worked better – pick out the most photogenic and likeable kid and build a story around him or her like they did with the marvelous Mean Joe Greene TV commercial for the Super Bowl. Now that was a great ad.
I saw these commercials when they came out and I loved them. So original and it makes so much sense. After a big hit they went on to make many more of these baby E-Trade ads and they were all amazing. It makes it obvious that you don’t need a ton of insight to work the stock market if you use E-Trade. It’s convincing and funny, but it isn’t just goofy and dumb, it makes me want to sign up. Way to go E-Trade. Five stars.
Let’s start out with the punch line – this commercial deserves five stars.You have saved the best commercial for last – E-Trade “Baby” has it all.
* You can’t lose with a cute baby in your commercials
* You can’t lose when the baby speaks and says some really smart things
* You can’t lose when the baby has a nice speaking voice
* You can’t lose when the baby is helping you make some money
The ad team that made this E-Trade commercial did everything right.
The 18 year old
A rising student of film, Graham measures all advertising against his favorite movie scenes. So a commercial with a good car chase plays well. Better with an explosion. And funny. It should be funny. So a speeding car that explodes in an amusing way will sell product.
- Recent Pope High School Graduate
- Rising College Film Student
- Long Boarder, Snow Boarder, Rower
- Improv Performer at Whole World Theatre
- World Traveller (England, Scotland, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica)
The 80 year old
Graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Business School, Tom doesn’t let his Ivy League education interfere with an appreciation for inane advertising campaigns. He more than appreciates a poodle in a business suit selling cleaning products. He also enjoys talking babies.
- Lieutenant of the USS Gurke Destroyer
- Furniture Industry Legend
- Business Professor
- Husband for over 60 Years
- Lover of Daschunds, M*A*S*H and Scotch
