By Katie Earley, Copywriter

I’ve noticed a couple ads lately selling women’s products that, as a lady myself, I find very disturbing.

Exhibit A: Clean lady parts will help you get a raise?

What does Summer’s Eve recommend is the first step you should take when asking for a raise? Cleaning “down stairs”. Seriously?!

I can see what they’re trying to do: You should be confident when you ask for a raise and Summer’s Eve makes you “feel your most confident”. Often when I’m running late (for things other than work, of course) I’ll choose to run later so I can get a shower, get some makeup on, and not have a wretched hair day, because that makes me feel better about…well…everything. But I still find the idea of Summer’s Eve helping you get a promotion laughable. I don’t think I find their message degrading, as some do, but it seems like a stretched connection.

Exhibit B: Your hott date has some feminine recommendations for you.

I thought this was cute until about 1:00, at which point I just got weirded out. Maybe it’s the awkward, forced transition from “I love a welcoming home.” to “I hate moisture. Let me demonstrate these pads’ absorbency for you so you will buy Stayfree.” This wins the award for Most Awkward Date I’ve Never Been On.

I found this article, and thought it would be a good follow up to my blog about World Cup marketing.  In this article, Barry Finkelstein (Vice President/Director of Public Relations of Erwin-Penland in Greenville, SC), talks about some valuable marketing lessons that we can learn from the World Cup.

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By Katie Earley, Copywriter

No one can sell you something like someone you have pre-established trust with: friends, family or even the endorsement of a favorite celebrity. Now with the Internet you have greater access to opinions and the word-of-mouth commentary we crave for our buying decisions. One example is blogger recommendation, which I only mention because I drove out of my way last night for a blogger-endorsed paint brush. (Yes, that is how I’ll be spending my long weekend. Yay?) But another is the consumer review.

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By Katie Earley, Copywriter

I’ve mentioned on our Twitter how much I’ve been enjoying the Sherwin Williams campaign made of paint chips. It’s visually stunning, and since selecting paint colors has been the drama of my personal life lately, it was love at first sight. I was glad to see the print version in this month’s Real Simple. Now I know what to do with all of my paint chips once I’ve (finally!) made a decision.

By Katie Earley, Copywriter

As electronic communications have improved over the last few decades, there have been accusations that this will bring the downfall of human interaction. We will text instead of call. We will e-mail instead of visit. And we will slowly lose our ability to have face-to-face encounters.

But I think these new technologies have the potential to bring us together in new and wonderful ways, and some ads from Apple and a new web series from Microsoft use that angle to sell their gadgets.

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By Katie Earley, Copywriter

We seem to be talking about incontinence a lot lately. Or more than usual. Which I guess just means we’re actually talking about it, because we normally don’t.

Susan recently questioned some of Poise’s tactics, like hosting Poise House Parties, so today let’s look at Depend’s new campaign.

The concept addresses the fear of being known for having a “condition”, while emphasizing the truly important qualities you’re known for, like being able to start a fire with a wet sponge. They’re funny and charming. The ads make you feel warm and fuzzy inside while letting you know Depend now comes in new prints and colors. That’s some talent.

For more, visit AdFreak.

By Katie Earley, Copywriter

Often on here when we praise or critique someone’s piece of advertising, it’s usually a commercial, website or print ad. I’m not sure we’ve ever discussed brochures.

The Denver Egotist recently features a very nice die-cut brochure that is worth checking out and adding to your inspiration folder.

By Katie Earley, Copywriter

Outside of a novel, I don’t like a lot of copy. Copy heavy ads make me think, “Who’s going to read all this?!” But this ad from Panera (found via Adrants) shows how long copy can work.

The ad takes form of an open letter to people on opposing sides of a variety of issues, and after a long list of the squabbling people, it’s addressed to (including Don Draper and Roger Sterling), the message simply says “Break bread.”

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By Katie Earley, Copywriter

I’m a sucker for a sweet story, so I had to share this one about the campaign for Patrick Dempsey’s new cologne. As opposed to hiring a model, he insisted he pose with his wife. Adorable!

By Katie Earley, Copywriter

It’s been a busy week, so as I was catching up on my Google Reader addiction, I saw an article from The Denver Egotist about a great campaign by Water for People to promote World Toilet Day (which was yesterday. Sorry I’m a little behind.).

The ads are entertaining and clever, yet they highlight an important and frequently overlooked cause: people need a safe place to…you know…pee and such.

One of my good friends was in the Peace Corps in Africa and her project was to help her village build some new, clean latrines. Until then I hadn’t really thought about it much. We all know people need food, clean water, access to medicine, mosquito nets, but until then I had forgotten that toilets are probably an important part of that. So as the ads remind us, let’s stand up so others can sit down!