Name that adtune

Ever find yourself watching TV and wondering where that song or background music comes from? Well, wonder no more. From commercials to TV shows to movies to video games, Adtunes has the answers. This open chatroom for and by music junkies guides you through the links, backgrounds, sidebars and oftentimes the actual answers to your most burning questions.

While you're there, check out the voiceover thread of awesomeness where you'll quickly become addicted to learning inane facts like Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State) was the voice of the Cottonelle puppy and Stockard Channing, aka Rizzo, is the v/o for AIG. (Suddenly those spots don't seem so cheap.)

You might never see/hear commercials the same again.

Most Valuable Puppet

The LeBron-Kobe debate may rage on, but for my money, Penny's still the undisputed king of puppet commercials. For basketball. By Nike. Imagine what Chris Rock could've done with 60 seconds. Dare to compare for yourself.



"I know my spot, fool."


If only Jimmy Kimmel, et al, had been called in for some Crank Yankers magic.

Indy 500 takes Fishers detour

Indy Tire & Auto Service in Fishers played Gasoline Alley yesterday, hosting an adrenaline-fueled fundraiser for Riley Hospital for Children. With the help of Firestone, the event brought Indy 500 drivers Paul Tracy, Alex Tagliani and Will Power by for photo ops and autographs.

And for a small donation to Riley, people got to scream around town at street level in an official IRL race car, abusing a quarter-mile of Eller Road like the backstretch at the 500. The only thing missing was Jim Nabors.


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When animals attack. . .with bazookas

From Irra the Burrowing Owl to Titus the Grizzly Bear, the members of the Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo is putting the "Grrrr" back in "endangered."

This irreverent take on conservation is part of Rocket World, an outfit out of San Francisco that just seems to be having a little more fun than most people, featuring works from artists of the "Pop-Surrealist" and "Low Brow" movements.



And you have to admit our owl friend above is certainly UHU-worthy.

Socialized medicine that's easy to swallow

As people-turned-patients turn to the web for advice and insight on their conditions, their treatments and their doctors, support group sites that people can trust to be current and serving their best interests have popped up and thrived.

Much has been written lately on the collective wisdom gained from these social networks. And brands who can harness this kind of inimitable research and condition-treatment-side effects analysis will be in the best position to offer patients and physicians the tools, motivation and support they are looking for to improve their lives and reduce their challenges and frustration.

Certainly there are plenty of also-rans and pretenders in this category. But we've highlighted four of the best health-specific social networking sites that have been a part of the solution for years and, because of it, have built a following no self-serving brand could hope to attain. But by being a part of these types of communities as a knowledgeable expert, commenter and contributor, healthcare brands can listen, learn and leverage what their audiences are really saying.
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Patients Like Me
A beautifully simple concept with a name ripped right from the vernacular, this site gives people the opportunity to share experiences on their treatments, symptoms and research.

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Wego Health
This community "empowers health activists to help others," bringing the leading online minds together to share ideas and findings, while maximizing their reach to the patients and doctors they want to help.

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I'm Too Young For This
Here you'll find all the attitude you'd hope for in a site driven by young adults (and the young at heart) unyielding in their fight against cancer.

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Diabetes Mine
As it says in the description: "Here you'll find 4 years' worth of info on every imaginable aspect of living with diabetes — from food scales to pharma news and book reviews, to the exasperating things other people say." web articles

Err Force One

The recent photo of Air Force One is causing quite the stir. Not because of the fact that a low-flying 747 chased by F-16s was buzzing over New York. But because of the cost to take the picture. I mean, c'mon. $328,000? HRW could produce an image for half that. Or even a third - whatever, we can talk.

The photo you're looking at now is a fake. It's one we put together using photoshop, stock photography and a common sense of frugality. Rollover the image to see the 'real' photo.

Not only is ours a reasonable substitute, it would've saved the taxpayers $327,000 and change. Next time you're in the market for a stunning visual, but not sure if your budget suits, give us a call. Maybe we can bail you out.

Viral is Vaudeville

This week, "Guys backflip into jeans" - a 1:47 tour de farce from Levi's - turned one year old. This YouTube phenom also passed 5 million hits (to be said with pinkie placed on corner of mouth). That's pretty good considering it's not a music video and doesn't feature a laughing baby.



It's shot as you would expect via handheld cam, but with smooth enough editing and a bouncy soundtrack to keep it moving. And the talent featured are seasoned breakdancers with, as they say, mad skills. The only real trickery was that the guys wore silk boxers, and the pants were starched silly.

So what can we learn from one of the most viewed "commercials" on YouTube. The same thing we learn from the most viewed one. Find a gimmick and run with it.


28,597,169 hits with a little help from world sports icon Ronaldinho.

Whether semi-scripted, staged or CGI'ed, people want to be surprised by the whirling dervish du jour. So spin your plates and strike up the calliope, just don't think you're making a TV spot. Approach it more like you're capturing a moment in time that answers the questions: Wouldn't it be cool if someone did X with our product or because of our brand? Or what is a credibly over-the-top way to show our level of expertise or service is better than the next guys?

Just be the barker, and you'll find a following.

Favre plays all-too familiar game

Peugeot gives Londoners the full Monty

Peugeot took this cheeky unusual measure to reveal a quirky perk in its new 308CC convertible. Earlier this week during London's busy morning rush, the carmaker sent 308 seemingly naked people sporting nothing but blue scarves through streets and subways. Actually, they were in nude bodysuits. The point: To build awareness for the 308CC's new Airwave Neck Heating System that emanates warm air through the headrests, keeping the head and neck warm when the top is down (and presumably when the top is up, if you want).

Peugeot also followed the out-of-home effort with announcements through social spaces online that built towards the big reveal at 3:08pm.

Memorable, yes; but will consumers touch the stunt with a ten-foot pole?