The Lint Screen

Category: Advertising/Marketing

Informed points of view you might agree with or throw stones at. All’s I’m sayin is…

  • Halloween Treats, No Costumes Required

    Ames Scullin O’Haire continues its series on life in a post merger mega agency network world with a trailer and the third installment of the saga.

    Enjoy, tricksters.

    Here’s the trailer:

    Here’s the film:

  • What’s The Game Plan, Chrysler?

    Oh, Clint and Chrysler, make us believe.
    Oh, Clint and Chrysler, make us believe.

    When Chrysler’s “Halftime in America” spot aired in the first halftime commercial break of XLVI Super Bowl on February 5, 2012, it became an instant classic. Wieden+Kennedy’s two-minute tone poem intoned by Clint Eastwood (Mr. Tough American himself) struck a nerve.

    Over beautiful cinematography, Clint spoke of resigned hope and optimism for Detroit and the American car industry. Like the genius Hal Riney spots that launched the Saturn auto brand, this spot resonated because it was honest, confessed past sins, then asked absolution and forgiveness in setting a new path forward to making better American cars (“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned…”).

    Terrific, powerful stuff. If only it were true. Saturn started with great expectations, then morphed into a generic GM brand and drifted into oblivion. Which leaves us with Chrysler and its promise.

    I was recently involved in a car accident and had to get a rental while my car was in the shop. I was put in a Chrysler 200. I think if I put Clint Eastwood in one, he’d give it a short drive, park and fire a full load from his .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson into it.

    The engineers had to work hard designing a car this uncomfortable (did Marquis de Sade design the seats?). This vehicle could be used for enhanced interrogations Gitmo.

    Fortunately, the car had ants and that gave me a reason to return it for a Toyota Corolla, a small car that’s so far superior to the Chrysler, it’s depressing.

    Everything about the Toyota is better than the Chrysler: the ride, comfort, ergonomics, sound system, mileage, fit and finish– you name it. Which sucks.

    It sucks because I wanted to believe Clint Eastwood’s halftime speech about a rededication to building great cars. It sucks because I’m a proud American and would love to buy American if given a compelling choice. It sucks because an adman like myself wants to believe in great advertising and has his heart broken when beautiful work proves to be empty promises and wishful thinking.

    Ford’s have gotten better, Chevy’s, too, but check out the competition, Detroit– it’s superior to what you’re making. Car reviews prove it, consumer stats confirm it.

    Halftime is over, Chrysler. If you’re going to kick some ass, you’re going to have to have a better game plan, and I believe all Americans would cheer for you to come up with one.

    We’ve been waiting far too long. Let’s go, team!

  • World Premier: “The Merger (pt. 2)”

    You’ve read about it in The New York Times, now catch the film critics are calling “Not as bad as I’d thought it would be” and “Better than a fist in the face or a dagger in the pancreas.”

    Here it is, the sequel to “The Merger”, “The Merger (pt. 2)”

  • Selling The Publicis-Omnicom Merger

    This year, some of the slickest marketing the agencies involved with this merger will do is selling why the merger is good to their clients.

    We think it might go something like this…

  • Advice From An Old Fart

    Pontification is good.
    Pontification is good.

    I was recently asked by the blog The Agency Post to give some advice to college grads interested in pursuing an advertising career. I did it but think the advice also applies to just about anyone in the market for a job, the kind with paychecks.

    Please give it a read. Feel free to add your own advice. It’s fun to be philosopher king.

  • Study Finds More People Read Headlines Than Body Copy

    Ain’t that a bitch?

    People also like pictures.
    People also like pictures.