A cup full of creativity- part 2

N24 channel MTV Mastercard Lycra

Levis Johnie Walker - Keep walking Jansport Hungarian Dance Academy - sexist but good History Files Harley Davidson Greenpeace Golds Gym Garnier ELLE Durex Duragres Tiles DHL De Beers Clearasil CCRJ Homeless children association California Milk Advisory

Buttero Boots Bhopal Medical Aid - read the copy Audi - lovely Aquafresh Absolut Vodka

A cup full of creativity!!

Advertising.

Take a moment. What does this one word bring to your mind. Products, brands, promotions, shahrukh in numerous ads, some abstract jingle you heard while getting a haircut at the salon? Well, advertising is much more than all of these. It is, probably, the highest form of make believe. The advertisers will convince you that you look old, that your husband/boyfriend would love you just that much more if you use this cream every night for the next 30 days or wear this rather sexy pair of jeans that looks 'Oh-my-God-gorgeous' on Sushmita Sen. But what advertising does best is convincing you that you can actually look like Sushmita Sen or that model in that particular red dress in that ad (and you will pose in front of the mirror to see if you actually do even if it is hidden away from the rest of the world). And all advertisers do this obviously for the 'holier than thou' client of theirs. Now none of this should suggest that I don't like ads. I love them and I absolutely adore subtle intelligent advertising. Obviously, Govinda in some red kurta saying Thanda thanda cool cool is not my idea of an ad, but Shahrukh telling me that he has used Nokia for years is (and this has nothing to so with their screen image). It is just the intelligent use of the personality for a classic showcase of the product that convinces you to try that product that advertising aims at. It is, without doubt, the best medium to create a brand image that pervades the psyche of the consumer, if done well.

I belong to a generation that has seen some really good ads from our days in the cradle. From Lalitaji (plain, simple, direct) to Aishwarya and Aamir in Pepsi to Aamir Khan in Coke paanch series to the adorable pug in the Hutch ads to cricket in Nike on bus tops and finally to the borderless Airtel. At the same time we have been exposed to some rather horrendous gimmickry that only they would call advertising! But still, in my opinion advertising, if done properly and intelligently can serve a purpose and actually build a brand.

So yesterday, as I sat in my office working I came across this collection of ads that left me spellbound. Some of them purely because they were really clever and the others simply because they weren't ads at all! leave aside the bad ones to their own existence, I am putting up some of the ones I really liked in the following post.

And we can leave the point of least resistance, the reach and effectiveness et al for a later discussion.

dilbert at day end

Self praise of a new kind

Reading a few blogs here and there I noticed a largely popular trend.

Many people bask in the glory of self pity!! And make their sordid tales and sad sorry lives everybody's business!! SIC.

Mindless chatter of a Monday morning

It simply amazes me! On a rather nippy (cold it was) winter morning, this bunch of women, dressed snazzily [worth a mention the attire: two of them in sleeveless tops and the other in a simple full sleeved shirt!], chirping away at the main entrance to my rather dominating office building.

Getting off the car, i grant them a half hearted look. Trying to manage the three large ( it surprises me how women carry "purses" that measure no longer than my finger span. But that's another story) bags I carry (one is for the laptop, one is for all the other things other women need to carry as well and the third for the food, which probably is the largest of them all and being a Punju it shudn't even surprise anyone) and the access card (most important in this 'high security office' which is perenially at risk) and the damn turnstiles which make more nuisance than any sense, I just about managed to stand upright on my two rather pretty feet in 4 inch heels (THAT is another story. Not that I need heels owing to my decent-ish height but it does impart a secret pleasure with men who stand at 5 ft nothing looking up at you. Whatever happened to tall dark handsome). While I bravely shoulder the burden of the universe on my dainty shoulders, I can't help but overhear their converstaion (of the three women, remember this is about them who might have gotten lost in my endless rambling about trivial pursuits of my lilfe).

Anyhow, back to the conversation..it starts with a reference to some sale at M- Block market where the women saw some really "cool" stuff with faux fur on it!! I couldn't help but recoil at the talk..It is a Monday morning. The weekend hangover is still not gone. And it is freezing at 5 degree celcius. And amidst all this, these women find the time and the will to brave the odds
(read cold) and discuss mundane things which are even beyond the trivialities, and all this in practically non existent clothes!! I am just surprised. And then....it hit me. I was actually surprised at myself for finding this conversation ridiculous. Not long ago while in college, the sales and their talks were indeed what 'bonded' practically everyone in the class, even those you try your best to ignore! And then.. I just grew up from one Monday to another. The mindlessness of their talk actually made me think. The pseudo intellectualism that pervades our society and mocks at Himesh Reshammiya and the aunties in strange clothes is completely turning a blind eye to the popular culture. Not that I like either of the two but then again, I wouldn't have baulked at these women talking about strange things in strange clothes on a maniacal Monday morning a few years back.

I just about pull myself to my room and dump the stuff. I sat back and thought over a cup of Hot Mocha from Costa about the things that this morning has offered and what lies in store. Well, am back to my weekend (and the weekend years) having moved over the maniacal Monday.

Back to Adam

One of the most interesting pieces of writing (with no intent of hurting the literary sentiments of anyone) is as follows, "The best man in the world is not good enough for any woman"


Now, I am not a feminist standing up for women's rights et al. I donot think women should have a 33% reservation. I don't even think that any form of a special treatment must be reserved for the women. I don't think a man has to hold open a door for me. I don't think the world has to stand while I take my seat. And I most definitely don't expect a good looking male colleague to go out of his way to drop me home in the dead of the night. [But i must admit, I LOOOOOVE every bit of attention that is unconsciously showered upon me and others of my kind]. But loking over the trivialities, undoubtedly, this statement echoes the larger sentiment of the fairer sex; atleast the sentiment that elicits a hidden sly smirk. This might actually add to the never ending debate of the superiority of one sex over the other. I am sure we have all had our share of jokes which denounce either of the halves that maketh the society. While we wait for our beloved Knights to return, what goes in taking a dig or two.


I loved it. And the debate goes on..

Cheers to Nano

Hail Ratan Tata.
Now I am no sucker for overt patriotism (don't think I need to shout out my love for the country from the rooftops). But for vision, I crave. Vision that has meaning, I survive. On vision that works, I thrive.

...gotta go home now!! write again tomorrow. Buh bye

Sign Off

Too much of nothing

A new day. A new idea. A great feeling, "Its gonna be a good day".
A confident stroll to the office. A gentle smile at the on lookers.
A few heads turn (much too noticeably)
Man!! No doubt I look good today.
Log in. Nothing. Initial euphoria.
A cup of coffee at Costa.
Some networking. A lot of it
This and that.
Pretty Woman. Dream. Lunch. Vanilla Sky. Nightmare.
A chocolate brownie at Costa.
Some more networking.
Number 23. Interesting.
The wait for the call.
Some more this and that.
Blog.
Friends Season 8.
Time to go home. Log off.
Man!! What a day!!

memories in a pink cover

We are already 9 days into the year. A lil late it might be but what the heck! One question that has followed me around is what is my new year resolution? "None"
Not that I am a stranger to New Year resolutions. Long back (that makes me feel rather old) while in school, we made (or were asked to make) resolutions annualy. But not any more. Its maybe because I can't follow them lor maybe because I just dont see the point or just that its just another day. But ok...I have tried secretly. Just can't think of something really worthwhile to call it my new year resolution!
I mean I am not into alcohol or smoking or drugs! Men, i see no particular reason to avoid consciously. Dont need to lose weight. Dont have a troubled home scene that I need to sort. Have always had "that someone special" so dont need to look for it. Work wise, am fine. Broadly, am quite settled and happy.
So this time when I was pretty much made to announce my New Year Resolution, I had to think really hard. And I am still at it..
I just think, in this year I want to make the most of what comes by. Can't just take the good and leave the bad. But what I do intend to do is make a picture book of happy memories. Gather them up and fill my cup of joy. I wont leave the bad. Will just make the most of the good that comes along.
No extra doses of compromise and promises. Just a happy ending that will be mine for the taking. And I already see the picture book.
I want one with the bright pink cover and yellow flowers...

of new year wishes

it's come and gone!
January 1, 2008 stands crossed out in the calendar. 2008 is already a day old, with 365 more to go!!
And I am still recovering from the barrage of new year messages...not that i am extremely popular (i'd be pleasantly surprised if someone told me i was), just that the mobile has made things a tad easier for everyone when you can just write a common message and forward it mindlessly to everyone on your phonebook list. Messages from all the friends you just forgot with time (and thought they forgot you), from all the ones you wanted to forget, from people you never knew existed, from people you never wanted to exist, the relatives (never mattered anyway, unless they spot you on the road with a guy), the neighborhood barber (ok..i didnt get one from him), old school teachers and ofcourse the service providers!! It's been a tiring last two days.

PHEW..

And oh!! before i forget, wish you a happy new year (i might not know you but still..its all in good will)

In peace till the next one