TMZ Inspired Topical

This from KTXL here in Sacramento -- a promo shot a lot like the TMZ show.

What do you think?

News, Weather & Traffic Together!

A new revolution in television:

KHOU Year Ender

From my friends at KHOU in Houston. They've spent some of their holiday time pouring through stories and finding good video/sound.

Check it out!

WCBS Holiday Spots

These are web-only -- but pretty cute!

WBZ Year Ender

From WBZ in Boston:

Wonderful World of Weather

I was certain I'd posted these in the past - but I guess not.  From the Fox station in Charlotte -- I give you "The Wonderful World of Weather."

This station is known for their standout creative.  These also feature a former coworker of mine, Malachi Rodgers.

Enjoy!



And the holiday version!!:

Holiday Spots

These are from my friend John Rice's station, WBTV in Charlotte.

I love the simplicity.

Now That's Talent!

On this Friday - I end the week not with a promo but with a cute video.  This kid puts me to shame when it comes to playing the ukelele(or any other instrument for the matter) -- but I'm WAY better at something this kid CAN'T do well.  You'll see from the video.  Enjoy!

Apparently - there's already an app for that.

KARE 11 proudly showed off their new iPhone app in a newscast recently.

They left WCCO, their main competitor's app on the screen as well.  

Tivo article

Am I the only one who doesn't understand Tivo's thinking????

TiVo getting its wish, as more people warm up to 'DVR' as a verb

For a while, TiVo had achieved what some marketers think is a worthy goal: Its name became shorthand for the category, the same way Kleenex is for tissues or Coke is for cola. TiVo wasn't too happy about that, though, as it feared brand dilution. The company notes on its Web site: "Consider the following now-generic nouns that were once trademarks: Escalator, Linoleum, Kerosene, Cellophane, Thermos, Aspirin, Yo Yo and Bikini. The importance of correct trademark use cannot be emphasized enough." TiVo even used lawyers' letters to get journalists to stop using the term to represent the category. Well, the company seems to be getting its wish. Have you noticed how more people are now saying they "DVR" their favorite shows, despite having to utter that extra syllable? A search on Dow Jones' Factiva service brings up 58 mentions of people having "TiVoed" something over the last 12 months, compared to 77 a year earlier. Over the same time, "DVRed" inched up slightly, from 26 to 28 mentions. The term is also losing ground in Google News search results, where "DVRed" had nine recent mentions compared to seven for "TiVoed." More ominously, there are 118,000 Google results for "DVRed," compared to 37,000 for "TiVoed." There's a fairly simple explanation: TiVo's market share is now less than 8 percent of the DVR category. Microsoft would like the same thing to happen to Google, and would love to hear that people "Binged" stuff they wanted to learn about. Quantifying Bing's influence will be tricker, though, as it shares that past-tense form with the verb "to binge." As in, "I binged on turkey over Thanksgiving." Or should that be, "I binged on Butterball this Thanksgiving"?

Happy Holidays... from 1966?

A holiday promo from CBS in 1966:

We've Got that B-Roll!

Something fun for this Sunday night. I hope you all have a great week.

WKYC Weather Spots

Interesting, different take on weather promotion.

KXAS Bad Weather Day

Cute spot from KXAS in Dallas:

McDonalds Commercial

I love storytelling through images.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

A nicely done spot from WABC in New York:

WeatherCall: Kids Edition!

Something tells me this would be a lot creepier if it was a male meteorologist:

Get in the Spirit of the Holidays!

An interesting use of sound in this holiday spot:

UPDATED: WCCO in Iraq

I like the use of the photog in this spot - but the message is a little muddy to me.



UPDATE: Thanks to one of our readers, here is a story this photographer,Tom Aviles, shot in 2004. I've seen this before and you may have too - but it's worth another look.

This is one of the best stories I've ever seen. Outstanding photography and storytelling... which has sadly gone missing from many newscasts across America.

Amazing, inspiring work:

I am officially tired of...

pit bull stories.

Your turn! Comment below.

WANTED!

Going Wireless-less

A fun, well crafted spot from Fox 17 in Grand Rapids, MI.

WCCO: Pressure for Perfect Kids

Here's another great promo from Erica at WCCO. My fav part is the winking! These are two of their anchors - who just happen to be married to each other. Fun spot!

We're the Weather... We Come in Peace!

Clever spot from KNXV in Phoenix to play during "V".



It even got a write up in the paper!

http://nerdvana.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/13/on-v-the-weather-is-out-of-this-world/34033/

Very Cool

This is nicely done...

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

...nice viral marketing Office Max.

Discovery Channel "I Love the World" Reprise!

It's one of my favorite spots ever -- now Discovery's "I Love the Whole World" has a sequel! Check it out:

KHOU Morning News Promos

Some nice spots from my friends at KHOU. Check out the animation and sound design:

News 9 Oklahoma City

Check out this clever approach to digital TV readiness:



And these are cute spots with an "I missed the news" theme.









These guys worked with a company out of Oklahoma City to do the production. Skyline Productions:

http://skylinemediainc.com

WCBS Storytellers

Decent spots from WCBS that play to their reporter strengths:

New Only in Vegas Spots

Thankfully, these spots make Carrot Top look far less scary than the recent ads for Burger King!

LOVE THIS!

Weather Channel Promo

This is probably older and you'll have to fast forward a few seconds to get to the spot - but this is a nice promo for weather super bad ass Jim Cantore:

Must Be 21!

Clever spot from TXA21 in Dallas:

Just 10 Minutes

I like the way they incorporated their messages into common morning visuals(coffee cup, toast, love the cereal box!) -- but think the song could have been stronger.

WBBM - Bill Kurtis/CSI Miami

Here's another WBBM spot featuring Bill Kurtis.



I'm starting to dig these, don't ask me why. Just quirky I guess. Or maybe I just picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

:)

KTVT Spots

Here is a series of spots produced by KTVT in Dallas, Texas:

Enough.

Alright folks. This is just me talking here... but I think alot of you will agree!!

Beginning today - if your station gets an iPhone app - please try and come up with a more clever way of promoting it. "There's an app for that" is getting way old - especially how this announcer says it!

Scary Good!

Check out these 3 "mini-movies" from my coworker Paul. These horror-based spots were made to have some fun during October. They match the tone of the show... which is fun and irreverent.

No "news, weather & traffic" here... no "our doppler is bigger than your doppler" -- just some good, clean fun!







The receptionist in 2 of the spots is our actual station receptionist Eleanor! Wonderful woman and fantastic in the spots!

Great job Paul(and Eleanor!)

Are You Tracking Storms Now?

CBS 4 Denver WX Spots

Weather Feet Promo

Life Moments

KCTV Investigative Spot

Thoughts?

CBS 2 New York

New Morning Spots from WCBS:

There's Cake in the Conference Room!

It's hard to believe - but I started this site two years ago today!

During that time, I've posted countless spots, made some good friends out there in promoland and luckily, kept the blog discussions from turning ugly(ok, well - most of the time!)

I'd like to thank everyone who comes to blog, especially those who contribute and for sure those that click on the ads! (I'm close to getting my check for 10 cents -- so come on, click those ads!)

In the next year - let me know if there's something you'd like me to add to the blog. And I encourage anyone who wants to write something for the blog or submit spots for review on the site - to do so.

This is your site. Let me know how we can make it even better.

Thanks again everyone. Enjoy the cake!

(some restrictions apply. see store for details. not available in your state. there is no cake.)

Cool Visuals

Check out this cool effect from WBBH, NBC2 in Fort Myers.

Even if you're a bad guy - you have to be stoked to be animated! Nice take on a spot most of us have had to produce in our lives.

LA Times Ink Campaign

This is freaking cool. What a great visual effect that links perfectly with newspapers:









And here is another clever spot for the paper:

Oprah Topicals

Oprah does not take declining ratings sitting down... this season she's been hitting some pretty good topics. Mackenzie Phillips, the face transplant lady, now Mike Tyson - a few that come to mind quickly.

Their promo department has always done top notch work, no matter what their subject matter. Check out a few of their recent topicals, always good for a little inspiration:














The result? Ratings are up for the Queen of Talk.

CBS Evening News

Cool effect on this CBS Evening News promo.

Culture.

Netflix recently posted this internal document - that discusses their corporate culture, how they keep good employees and their lack of key policies such as vacation!

A fascinating read. Some of it you may skim over(it is 128 pages!)... but it really sets the stage for a place anyone would want to work. Some food for thought as television quickly loses its lure for many.

Culture

View more presentations from Reed Hastings.

Bill Kurtis is Scaring Me(UPDATED!)

Check out this promo from WBBM in Chicago.

Everything is pretty normal... until the last second or so of the spot.



Ok Bill!!! I'll watch Thursday nights!! Just please leave that poor anchorman alone!!

:)

UPDATE:

A coworker knew the origins of the "hit" - an AT&T spot featuring boxer Floyd Mayweather. You can check out the spot here.

http://www.brokencool.com/broken_cool/2009/04/video-floyd-mayweathers-att-commercial.html

My question is - how many people get the reference?

Catchy Tune!

We often see some of the great work from WCCO producer Erica on this site -- but tonight, I'd like you to see a project she's been spending her spare time on.

Check out this music video for local Minneapolis artist Dan Rodriguez. It features a cameo from WCCO anchor Don Shelby.

Paper Boy

Check out these spots from WFSB in Hartford. An interesting take on news delivery in our times.

Overheard in the Edit Bay

Hmmm, let's see. I can turn the anchors black and white. No, that's been done. How about pumping up the chroma? No... I need something new, something fresh!

Wait! I've got it! How about VAPORIZING them!!!!

Jacksonville Takes On Jay Leno

Kelly from WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida sent these along for everyone's feedback.

They did these "News is Cool" spots to counter Jay Leno at 10pm.

Click Those Links!

Ok, so Google has some system that is "supposed" to pay me some small amount of money every time someone clicks on one of the ads.

So... um... er... come on!!!!!! CLICK THOSE ADS!!!

I've got bills to pay! Liquor to buy!

And the day I get that check for .09 -- just know, I'll be thinking of you.

Come on - find out a little more about Jay Leno or Nationwide Insurance or Trojan Condoms(my personal favorite)... you'll be glad you did.

WBBM - Bill Kurtis

WBBM in Chicago has recently launched this new campaign:



Here is a link to the article in the local paper, where 3 advertising gurus weigh in. It also contains a link to another version of the spot.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/lazare/1788114,CST-FIN-lew24.article

What are your thoughts? I find it confusing and a bit much. You?

Social Media

Check out this video:



How does your station handle Facebook, Twitter, etc? Are they paying enough attention to it?

Smart Promo Idea

From Hollywood Reporter:

Sony Pictures is orchestrating an unprecedented preview ad campaign for "2012," the latest disaster film from Roland Emmerich.

Two minutes of the movie will air on almost every major North American network and cable channel on Oct. 1 between 10:50 and 11:00 P.M. ET/PT.

Ok - I admit, I'd never heard of this film but after watching the trailer, but now -- I can't wait to see it! Check out 2 trailers for the film:








I love over-the-top action flicks!

Hello.

I really like the simplicity and humor of this new branding effort from TV38, Boston(from the WBZ folks):

Who the Hell Are You?

From time to time, I wonder what type of people come to this site. CSDs, producers, news people, hobos, drug addicts... who?

Do me the favor of commenting with a little something about yourself. You can still remain anonymous - but tell us what you do, where you are at and anything else we may want to know.

Let's get to know each other a little!

WCCO Promos

A couple of spots from WCCO:

And now... Jay Leno!

Of all the marketing they've done for Leno, this has to be the oddest. That's cat food, if you can't tell.

Don't forget (as if you could) - Leno debuts tonight at 10 on NBC with guests Jerry Seinfeld and Kanye West... who will talk about last night's idiot move on his part. (I'm still fairly convinced he's a gay fish, btw)

Yeah -- I think the show will debut strong. :)

WBZ Mornings

KTLA Flipper Spots

Nice spots from LA... there is some crazy good news going on over there that make for great shots in the promo!

The Infomercial Stopper

Yes!!! No.

Hilarious.

WBNS First & 10 Music Video

Check out this full length music video from Dave Plantz at WBNS.

Dueling WFAA Promos

From 1998:



From 1999:



I've seen most of the campaign from 1999 and a lot of the copy is the same as '98 - but man is the one from 99 WAY better!

Thoughts?

Um...

if it weren't for the bold graphics, I'm not so convinced I'd know what time this newscast was.




Is there an Emmy category I'm not aware of that awards "overkill"?

Dinner with the Candidates

I like this concept - I wonder how hard it is to pull off?

WCBS News at 5

So WNBC is killing their news at 5pm - so this is WCBS's answer.

Kinda old school - but I think I like it.

You?

Jay Leno Show

Here is an interesting "promo" that will play in movie theaters touting the new "Jay Leno Show"... why they chose to parody a 10 year old movie is beyond me.

New WBZ Campaign

Here are 3 new spots from our friends at WBZ... very interesting visual style as they continue their "Curious" campaign.

NBC Web Spots

Here are 3 :30 versions of the new website promos:

WESH Weather

My friends at WESH did this fantastic time lapse spot using a motion control still camera. Great job guys!!

KPRC: Friday Night Frenzy

I think I like the concept more than the execution... thoughts?

WNBC at 5

No more news at 5pm, they're launching a lifestyles show. Here are 3 IDs for it:

WNBC NBCNewYork.com

I kinda like this, especially the beginning - but not so much at the end.

I LOVE that they're doing something different! Unusual for the market! :)

Thoughts?

No More NBC O&O Promo Depts

Rumor has it that all NBC O & O stations are doing away with their promo departments and hubbing it all out of New York.

Anyone have details? Thoughts? There must be topical producers left at the stations - but I guess all image will be done "out of house."

More on the story here: http://welldunne.blogspot.com/

3 Funny PSAs

You're The Most!

Patterned off one of my favorite movie trailers for Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedian" - this WMAR spot does a great job making their point:



And here's the trailer for Comedian - funny stuff!

Goodbye Analog!

Check out this funny video from the Fox affiliate in Seattle:

Awesome Technology!

How's this for not using the same cliche words? Does it work for you?

Emmy Time!

Our friend Jerry at WTVF in Nashville is looking through his excellent body of work to find something to enter for those fickle Emmy folks. My favs are the PSAs for the Rescue Mission. What do you like?

Broncos Football

Fun spot from KCNC in Denver:

WBZ Promo

A very interesting visual technique. These guys are starting to piss me off, they're so good. :) (Just kidding! Love me some BZ!)

Unique Spots

These are about a year old but good at getting attention:



According to the link - these won an Emmy.

Hilarious Spots!

Check these out from Hardees:

Facebook Scam

Another great promo from WBZ. I want to watch this story!

WRAL Spot

Here's a fun little spot from WRAL:



BTW... they did the right thing and pulled the spot when spokesman Billy Mays died.

New Fox Vegas Spots

This is just annoying:



This is kinda funny:



I guess I'd like it more if I knew who the anchors were:

KCNC Amazing Race

Here' a promo for a franchise called "Beating the Recession" done in a whole new way.

WCCO in HD

Interesting Fox Vegas Spots

This spot ties into "24"... an interesting spot that certainly gets your attention!



And this one... I have no idea what the hell they're talking about... but sure is interesting. Too vague though??

Jay Leno Show Promos

This one is pretty good, great idea for Jay:



These remind me a bit of KOVR's spots for their CW morning news, but I guess no one owns the idea of "bad consultant ideas":

Comfort Wipe!

Can this possibly be real? They say it is!



I'm not positive, but I think the woman who says toilet paper is disgusting is a former TV news anchor I worked with moons ago.

Michael Moore Movie Trailer

Love how Moore makes his point in an unexpected way:

Funny!

Here's to a good Friday and a good switch to DTV. If you're having a bad week or day -- just watch this hilarious video:

Amazing Visuals

NHL Spot

Nice editing on this NHL Spot:

Publix Commercials

I've posted Publix spots before. For those that don't know, Publix is a grocery chain in Florida(and beyond?)

When I lived in Orlando, I loved Publix and a part of that was their spots(that and the free samples in the deli!)

The reason I post these spots is for the storytelling. Not "APPLES!!! BUY 1 GET 1 FREE" ads at all. These tell a little story and make a real emotional connection.

Great Editing

WCCO: Don Shelby Reports

Weather Spots

Viewer interview spots focused on weather. Nice tagline at the end.

The lack of music makes them stand out for me - thoughts?

GM Spot

Some nice writing for this GM spot:

Why Do You Watch Oprah?

A nice little image spot for the Queen of Talk:

Worst Job Ever?

This man's occupation is not regulated, he has no union, doesn’t get weekends and works up to 14 hours per day!! Think your job is tough?

KGW Breaking News Spot

An excellent use of sound - check out this spot from KGW in Portland: