what your name means on the street
If you work in a place where you'll get in trouble for seeing nasty swear words on your computer, then ignore this post. And definitely don't click this link.
But if you're not offended by crass language, or have a potty mouth workplace, then you'll totally love this campaign by UrbanDictionary to promote their tool.
Enter your name, and learn what it might mean in street slang. (I am so happy to be named after a turd.) Cute. From pottymouth @benkunz.
Labels: copywriting, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:51 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
get in the door with goodness
Chris is a copywriter, in search of a job. Or an opportunity. And he knows that every great opportunity usually starts with a good meeting. How do you get a meeting with a bunch of creative people who don't have time for you?
Karma. Here's how it works. You give Chris the benefit of your time, and meet with him. (And who knows, maybe you'll hire him.) In return for that meeting, Chris will volunteer for two hours at the charity of your choice. Everyone wins.
Excellent door opener, conversation starter, and generally good thing. What are you doing to get in the door?
Labels: adindustry, copywriting
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:23 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
finally, a punctuation mark for sarcasm
Someone's invented (and selling) a punctuation mark, so that you can indicate your sarcasm in emails, tweets and other typed posts.
The Sarcmark. An "easy-to-use punctuation mark to emphasize a sarcastic phrase, sentence or message." I'm not making this up.
In the meantime, let's continue to use ;). From Gothamist.
Labels: copywriting, typography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:01 AM
2 comments
Thursday, November 19, 2009
how to use one of those apostrophe thingees
If you've ever been confused about when to use an apostrophe, and when to hold back, here's the ultimate guide: How To Use An Apostrophe is a wonderous visual cheat sheet that helps you clarify when it's needed and when it's not.
Teachers and wannabe copywriters: you can even buy a poster version of this guide for your classroom or cubicle. From @damnredhead.
Labels: copywriting, education
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:47 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
will your content really connect?
Adweek has a great piece about how some online media makers like Digg, Federated Media and Gawker are helping brands craft messages that speak to their audiences in a more appropriate way.
Sometimes even agencies aren't great at writing and creating content for unique communities, and nobody speaks community like the community itself.
Labels: adindustry, copywriting, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:06 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
they liked turtle necks and body copy in the 70's
Check out this gallery showing the history of Apple advertising.
Apparently in the 1970's, copywriters ran the ad industry and demanded that every ad be filled with at least a half page of content. Thanks, Casey!
Labels: adindustry, ads, copywriting
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:13 AM
0 comments
Monday, October 05, 2009
football first.
This new series of ads for CBS College Football are pretty awesome. So awesome, that you know they'll be hanging in dorm room, basement and living room walls across the football land.
Labels: ads, copywriting, sports marketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:41 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
the most influential tag lines ever
Advertising Is Good For You points to the Most Influential Advertising Tag Lines Since 1948.
Here are the top ten:
1. Got milk? (1993) California Milk Processor Board
2. Don’t leave home without it. (1975) American Express
3. Just do it. (1988) Nike
4. Where’s the beef? (1984) Wendy’s
5. You’re in good hands with Allstate. (1956) Allstate Insurance
6. Think different. (1998) Apple Computer
7. We try harder. (1962) Avis
8. Tastes great, less filling. (1974) Miller Lite
9. Melts in your mouth, not in your hands. (1954) M&M Candies
10.Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. (1956) Timex
Labels: adindustry, copywriting
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:26 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
best wedding invite you've ever seen
Who says wedding invitations need to look like what everyone expects wedding invitations to look like? Wouldn't they be better if they represented the "brand essence" of the couple getting hooked? Wouldn't they be better still if they told the story of the relationship?
You have to click through and read the story of Jill and Matt, and see the most awesome wedding invitation that you've laid your eyes on. We need to meet this couple.
Labels: branding, copywriting, creativeinspiration, design
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:38 AM
1 comments
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
americans like plain english
A recent survey concluded that people don't like reading things that are difficult to understand. DUH. Yet marketers and info designers continue to over-complicate, over-think and over-write collateral.
84% of consumers say they are more likely to trust a company that uses jargon-free, plain English in communications. How could you simplify your customer experience?
Labels: adindustry, copywriting, design, marketing, traditional media, trends, web2.0
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:21 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
answers to random questions
There's a new tool that some of our social media friends are chattering about. It's called Plinky. You're served a random question, like "Describe the coolest thing you've seen in another country." and then answer it.
Your answer gets posted, and over time, you build a profile. So that snarky social media types can judge you by your responses. ;) This may be a great diversion when you're' suffering from a writer's block, an idea stoppage or just need to think of something entirely different.
Labels: copywriting, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:32 AM
2 comments
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
abraham lincoln invented the emoticon
As we prepare for an historic occasion this afternoon, it's important to look back on the events that helped get us to where we are today. Without visionaries like Abraham Lincoln, we would not have...emoticons.
Some people believe they've found the first emoticon in an 1862 New York Times transcript of an Abe Lincoln speech. Some people also believe there's a face on Mars.
Labels: copywriting, politics, pop culture, publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:58 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
we're going to make this as difficult as possible...
There's more qualifiers in this JetBlue ad than exist in many pharma ads. Completely off brand for the airline that otherwise prides itself on simplicity and 'easy'. The "restrictions apply" note at the end almost feels like a joke. Really??
There's an old advertising rule: If you can't explain it to your mom, simplify the concept. Seems like the copy from this new $50 coupon from JetBlue might have benefited from this thinking.
Labels: ads, branding, copywriting
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:25 AM
1 comments
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
copywriters: check out this antimetabole thing
The Slate has a wonderful piece on how the speech writers on both sides of the fence are utilizing antimetaboles. I got all excited when I saw the word, naturally thinking it was a time travel device. But no. It's an age old copy trick of reversing things around in an elegant and powerful way.
Read the Slate piece for all of the details, and then go produce a killer antimetabole headline for your next brand campaign. From BenKunz, via Twitter
Labels: copywriting, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:16 AM
1 comments
Friday, August 15, 2008
if you were swedish furniture, what would you be?
I would be a bed. And I would spell my name with two of those crazy little dots that you use for smiley faces over the "a". I'd call them umlauts, but that's a silly word that sounds like it should describe a pair of pants with a bib and suspenders. But those are called lederhosen. One day, we should all agree to switch those words around.
Find out what kind of Swedish furniture you are with the Swedish Furniture Name Generator.
Labels: copywriting, creativeinspiration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:40 AM
1 comments
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
those copywriters really know what they're doing.
Send this to your copywriter friend. She'll hug you. (Yes, it's long and in French or something - but you can deal with it. Trust me.) From Mave Gibson, via Facebook.
Labels: copywriting, creativeinspiration, video, viral
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:00 AM
1 comments
Monday, July 14, 2008
it all starts with a girl.
A super inspiring piece, all about a girl.
Think you don't have a strong enough production budget? Think only irreverent productions go viral? Here's a wonderous example of the most simple production, masterful copy writing and an emotional message coming together to make something beautiful.
From Shari, via Twitter.
Labels: copywriting, nonprofit, video, viral
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:35 AM
2 comments
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
simple = better.
No stunning photography. No gorgeous models. No design. Just a simple message. Absolutely love this street campaign for Zyrtec.
Labels: ads, copywriting, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
3 comments
Friday, March 07, 2008
danskin: sweaty smelly and stinky.
Danskin just sent out their newsletter to potential customers...and describes them as "perspired." Uh huh. Someone needs a copywriter. And some brand help.
I agree with Maura. I'd never describe myself as "perspired." Time for Danskin to call their agency "retired." Thanks Maura!!
Labels: branding, copywriting, fashion
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:55 AM
0 comments
Monday, February 25, 2008
unscrew america
It's a pretty rare event that conceptual, strategy, copywriting, design, illustration, sound design and flash development all converge to produce something great. Unscrew America is just that type of project.
The goal is to inform people about energy-efficient CFLs and LEDs - and also make sure people know that CFLs contain mercury and have to be properly recycled.
The incredible online component to the campaign feature beautious Flash animation, video, audio, writing, and everything else. Boom Design Group and their sister company Fluid did the Flash and sound design and video.
There's also print ads and even a tv component, which includes a role for Paul Reubens. Can't wait to see that. Nice campaign, by GSD&M. Nice job!!
Labels: ads, copywriting, creativeinspiration, Flash, illustration, nonprofit
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:43 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
old movies don't need writers.
TCM has a clever ad supporting the writer's strike...all while promoting the fact that Turner Classic Movies still has stuff to watch on television. Well done.
Labels: ads, copywriting, television
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:42 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
the coolest sales collateral at CES
Apartment Therapy points to a very funny promo handout promoting home servers at the CES show. Great conceptual, design and writing. Nice work.
Labels: ads, copywriting, design, tradeshow
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:56 AM
0 comments
Friday, November 16, 2007
how much is internet content worth?
Outstanding piece from the writer's strike - from one of the writers on the Daily Show.
Labels: copywriting, tv, youtube
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:26 AM
0 comments
Thursday, November 08, 2007
why tina fey is on the picket line
Tired of watching celebrities feeding writers on picket lines and not understanding what this is all about? Here's an explanation of the writer's point of view, in a handy four minute video.
Labels: copywriting, tv
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:29 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
stuff found in jail
Someone's assembled a collection of notes and drawings found stuffed into books on the library cart. In jail.
Labels: copywriting, creativeinspiration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:48 AM
0 comments
Monday, October 01, 2007
badvertising rocks.
Gotta love badvertising. Casey over at StPetersblog (which is a hilarious - but not always safe for work blog about St. Petersburg, FL), points to one of the worst ads ever:
+ Complete and utter lack of design
+ Copy writing straight from a Chinese-translated-to-English user manual.
+ Punctuation. Randomly? And without...reason!
+ About 60 years late for the Metrosexual revolution.
Nice.
Labels: ads, copywriting, design
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:39 AM
1 comments
Friday, September 14, 2007
quotes gone wild
An entire blog devoted to the stupid and incorrect use of quotation marks. "Awesome."
Labels: copywriting, design
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:17 AM
2 comments
Friday, July 20, 2007
where copywriting becomes poetry
Simply awesome. Check out this supreme spot for Glenfiddich Scotch. Work from 180 Amsterdam. Found on AdForum.
Labels: ads, beverage, copywriting, creativeinspiration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:43 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
help wanted ads that rock
Some sweet help wanted advertising for bus drivers. Not only do these ads work, but they give you some insight into what it might be like to work at this company. Who says help wanted ads need to be stiff?
Labels: copywriting, outdoor, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:17 AM
0 comments
Thursday, June 14, 2007
blog orgy of branding fun
Kevin Dugan tells us about a really cool new group blog. BrandingWire. A group of marketing and brand bloggers brought together virtually, to discuss topics on a monthly basis. Their first piece is a great experiment. They created a fictional case study about a local coffee house, and each of the branding experts chimed in on how they'd approach the business.
Each of the experts details their approach on their own blog, linked from the original post.
It's interesting perspective for anyone in our industry, great learning for marketers, and a fantastic self promotional tool for each of the bloggers. Awesome.
Labels: adindustry, blogging, copywriting, creativeinspiration, marketing, strategy
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:00 AM
0 comments
Friday, April 27, 2007
copy tells the story
Mmmmm. Bacon. From Brandon Barr, via Twitter.
Labels: copywriting, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:15 AM
0 comments
Thursday, April 26, 2007
banner campaign and landing page that work as a team
Casey points to a really sweet campaign for Wamu bank. He clicked on a banner ad (!) and was led to this landing page. The landing page addresses you, fully understanding that it's a landing page. Even better, as you mouse over items like "Why Apply?" landing page continues to address you, with cute little items like:
"Personally, I like my checks to have unicorns on them."
This is great on a few levels:
1. A bank with a sense of humor is a bank that feels human.
2. Acknowledging an ad campaign as an ad campaign takes the edge off the sell.
3. It's entertaining. Copywriting, creative and programming all singing together.
Nice job. Thanks Casey!
Labels: branding, copywriting
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:32 AM
1 comments
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
creative director sets himself on fire
Great post on common headline mistakes from Copyblogger. My headline above was just a test of the system.
Labels: copywriting
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
0 comments
