On Saturday, Moody College of Communications at the University of Texas held a virtual graduation ceremony for its 2020 graduates. You can revisit the ceremony here: The College is home to the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations, among other notable programs. I love how Moody is sharing the student’s success on Instagram. […]
Main Content
The Adpulp Interview
The Adpulp Interview: Katherine Hollar Barnard
Katherine Hollar Barnard is a force, a dynamo, a badass. She’s the founder and CEO at Firesign in Kansas City, which offers “enlightened legal marketing” to its clients. We became friends two years ago and I want to mention why that is. This lady is fierce. I admire this in her, and in others. Katie […]
Ad Legends
Without An Abiding Purpose, Advertising Is Just Another Job
What drives people to work in the advertising business? What human impulses are at work? Advertising—like journalism, publishing, technology, and entertainment—is a tough field to join and a difficult field to stay employed in. So, it’s fair to ask, what is the original impulse, and what is the daily motivation that keeps the best people […]
Emerging Voices
Moody And Austin Are Powerful Incubators of Tomorrow’s Marketing Communications Talent
On Saturday, Moody College of Communications at the University of Texas held a virtual graduation ceremony for its 2020 graduates. You can revisit the ceremony here: The College is home to the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations, among other notable programs. I love how Moody is sharing the student’s success on Instagram. […]
Creative Unicorns Starting to Multiply
Editor’s note: This second article in our new Emerging Voices series is made possible by the generous support of Looney Advertising in Montclair, NJ. The advertising industry calls them unicorns—the creatives that are skilled in both art direction and copywriting. When a unicorn is discovered, some advertising veterans that believe in the traditional creative structure […]
Featured Creative
“We’ll Fix That In Post” Is Now “We’ll Make That In Post”
Unhappy people in unhealthy situations. It’s a storyline of this time. Oreo can’t fix our ailing economy or find a cure, but the cookie maker can extend a lighthearted and cheerful message, which is perfectly on-brand. There’s nothing wrong with this Oreo spot, especially considering it was released on April 9th. But it’s the kind […]
In the Deep End with Klay Thompson, Care of Kaiser Permanente
NBA superstar Klay Thompson went to the floor in pain during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA finals. His ACL was torn. The Toronto Raptors went on to win the series and the title four games to two. The five-time All-Star missed the abbreviated 2019-20 season but is expected to re-join the Warriors lineup when […]
This Commercial Features the Voice and Music of Nina Simone
Vous etes seuls, mais je désire etre avec vous. Before we consider how Nina Simone’s song is used in a commercial, let’s consider the song. The song is from Simone’s 1982 album, Fodder on My Wings, and it expresses the perfect sentiment for this pandemic-ridden time. You are alone, but I want to be with […]
If Your Feel Restricted By Your Garments, It’s Not Duluth Trading’s Fault
Building a brand while making the register ring—it’s every CMO’s dream. Sadly, it’s not a reality for most, as the ads they make and run fall into either the direct marketing (or drive-to-retail) camp or the brand camp. Duluth Trading Company rises above the din of ad noise with its long-running animated ad campaign that […]
Ad People
The Adpulp Interview: Katherine Hollar Barnard
Katherine Hollar Barnard is a force, a dynamo, a badass. She’s the founder and CEO at Firesign in Kansas City, which offers “enlightened legal marketing” to its clients. We became friends two years ago and I want to mention why that is. This lady is fierce. I admire this in her, and in others. Katie […]
Creative Unicorns Starting to Multiply
Editor’s note: This second article in our new Emerging Voices series is made possible by the generous support of Looney Advertising in Montclair, NJ. The advertising industry calls them unicorns—the creatives that are skilled in both art direction and copywriting. When a unicorn is discovered, some advertising veterans that believe in the traditional creative structure […]
Ad Chatter
Ad Chatter, Edición Cinco: Walmart’s New Resident Poet, Plus, Plus, Plus
In this fifth edition of Ad Chatter from Adpulp.com, Dan Goldgeier and I discuss new commercials from Lexus, Specialized Bikes, and Walmart. Plus Austin-based artist and ad man, Chad Rea, gets a shoutout, along with the new online portfolio school, rAdvertising. I meant to call Chad’s former agency 86theonions by its proper name, but I […]
Ad Chatter No. 4: NASCAR Returns to the Track, Sponsors Get Back to Business
NASCAR is racing again on Sunday at the legendary track in Darlington, SC. There will be no fans in attendance for the first time in the sport’s history. It’s going to be an interesting thing to see on TV and a clue to the near future of professional sports. In this new edition of Ad […]
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Win $15K In Aftermarket Parts from Barricade Off-Road and ExtremeTerrain
Do you find yourself daydreaming about your next offroad adventure? Us too! Here’s your chance to win the aftermarket parts on the top of your wish list with ExtremeTerrain’s biggest giveaway of the year. The $15K Giveaway, sponsored by Barricade Off-Road, runs until 5/14/20, You can enter these sweepstakes every day to increase your odds […]
Content Marketing
In the Deep End with Klay Thompson, Care of Kaiser Permanente
NBA superstar Klay Thompson went to the floor in pain during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA finals. His ACL was torn. The Toronto Raptors went on to win the series and the title four games to two. The five-time All-Star missed the abbreviated 2019-20 season but is expected to re-join the Warriors lineup when […]
As Always, Progressive Finds Its Way
Are you tired of seeing commercials with zero production values? Commercials shot on iPhones? Or commercials captured from a Zoom chat and edited in post? Have some patience! This trend—borne of dire necessity—has just begun. Plus, not all Zoom chats are created equal. Let’s take a look… Shot on iPhones and leveraging a new condensed […]
Media Trends
Media Melt Down, A Sad Saga in Short Repetitive Chapters
The Oracle of Omaha recently warned that newspapers were toast. It’s not the kind of thing to take lightly. The Guardian, for one, is not taking it lightly. Here’s what it says in their pages: Print advertising revenue has collapsed, down by about 80% since the start of the pandemic. The situation at local newspapers, […]
Pandemic Times
When There’s No Money Or Desire To Buy Things, There’s No Need To Advertise
I do not understand economics. Or, I do understand, it’s just that economics stopped making sense. Did you know that demand for housing was down 18% in April; yet prices remain 7.4% higher compared to last April? How does anyone explain such figures that are clearly at odds? When you dig in and work hard […]
