New WFAA Campaign

Here are 2 new spots from WFAA in Dallas.

New WFAA Spot

There's a lot you need to know before watching this next promo. This is from WFAA in Dallas - one of the best in the country.

It features weatherman Pete Delkis and sportscaster Dale Hansen. Each night during the news - these two like to give each other grief. They're known for it. And Hansen is WELL known for his larger than life personality. People in Dallas seem to eat it up. So that's setup #1.

Setup #2: This is based on(apparently because I've never seen the show) the closing of Boston Legal.

Now... watch and we can discuss:



First off, cigars and booze in a news promo? Its Dallas - so maybe we can let that slide.

Second, basing a promo off a show thats been on the air for years? Odd.

Third - talk of sleepovers and madcow disease? Hmmm.

Different - that's for sure. It does play off their personalities... which is interesting. But I'm not sure. What do you all think?

Subtracting the Plus

It was doomed from the beginning... a weather channel that wasn't...well, "The Weather Channel."

My station, like dozens of others out there - ran the service and completely rebranded their weather product as Weather Plus.

So... now what? Should local stations abandon the branding on their main station? Will they be forced to?

My thinking is dump it -- but in favor of what? WESH 2 Weather?

At least the Weather Plus brand stood out from all the other stations just calling themselves WXXX Weather.

Sure, there's Stormteam. First Alert Weather. Etc...

Anyone have any good ones to share? Will some stations just keep the Weather Plus brand?

New WCCO Special Report Promo

Here's a quick spot from WCCO. The producer says:

a quick "turn n burn" special report promo...super fast turn, but it turned out alright.
i'm a big fan of organic style :-)

New WKMG Campaign

This is from WKMG in Orlando. Its their new "Never Miss a Moment" campaign.

Some spots are ok. Some make me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

They are definately going for the emotional sell with several - ala Publix Grocery Stores, which I've blogged about here before. (use the nifty search option to the right to search Publix)

The others take a stab at humor, which is always tricky.

All in all - I give them props for trying something new in this market.

But in the end - they just don't hit the mark in my mind. This is all so contrived - I don't think viewers can take it seriously. And the beauty of the Publix/"tug at the heartstrings" spots is somehow completely lost here.

STOP THE POLITICAL ADS!

If you're like most people - you're about up to here with constant political ads on TV.

From Obama to McCain to your local elections - the airwaves are full of :30s, :60s and even a few :120s - and some of those ads are just darn mean.

Enter WCCO.

Always known for their different approach - check out these "political ad breaks":






UPDATE: The latest spot:



Cute... funny... they convey personality and make a connection with all the people out there that are sick and tired of all the ads and just need a breather.

Smart. I like 'em.

Oh, and I'm Don Smith - and I approved this message.

WKMG Promo

UPDATE: The user has mysteriously removed this spot from Youtube. Sorry folks, nothing to see here.

I have to admit - this is from my competitors here in Orlando - so I'm supposed to dislike their stuff -- but this spot is so melodramatic.

They tend to go for the "emotional" soft sell approach in their work - and I think fail more times than not.

Their anchor is good and a very nice person - but her promo reads tend to be more "acted" for my taste.

Also - the video technique in this spot is just awful. I can't concentrate on anything and the shot selection is average and pretty generic.

On the plus side, I like the location(its different) and the anchor is shot nicely.

Thoughts?