retro
09/13/2007
Crazy 80s Rap Commercial For MS-DOS 5!
Here's a little known fact: at some point in the 80's, the marketing teams responsible for launching virtually all new software lost their collective minds. Don't believe me? Check out this "rap" video promoting MS-DOS 5.
I can't do it full justice -- you really have to watch it -- but there's some scientist guy, and he's rapping, and then he shrinks for a while, and there are some dancing elephants, and then he's full sized again, and... seriously, just watch it.
And if that alone doesn't convince you that insanity was spreading through Microsoft's ad department like wildfire, have a look at this promo for Windows 386. (Don't be fooled by the first couple of minutes; the crazy kicks in at about 2:15.)
I don't... and why... and with the.... <sigh> My head hurts.
If I ever get my hands on a time machine, the first thing I'm doing is going back to the pitch meetings for these two promos, so I can witness for myself the ad guys acting them out as a delighted Bill Gates shouts, "YES! I LOVE IT!" After that, I'll go kill Hilter and do a bunch of other stuff. But first, I'm finding out what's with Microsoft and all the rapping.
01/16/2007
Pepto Monsters
There's nothing better than a company that has a sense of humor about its product. First, the ad wizards at Pepto Bismol brought us the genius 15-second spot that features breakdancers popping and locking to the tune of "Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea."
Recently, Pepto returned to the marketing scene with a brilliant send-up of Godzilla movies. This ad makes me want to gorge on rotten Chinese food just to have an excuse to reach for the pink bottle.
11/23/2006
You’re a Turkey
For all you young folks who might be finding yourselves at a hippie Thanksgiving, here’s a post-dated note from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Drugs are bad, and if you do them you are a Turkey. Not that this zinger makes any more sense than being called a goose or a pheasant, but I do remember the tragic year -- somewhere around '92 -- when the mention of the holiday bird somehow became a horrific slur. The only respectable come-back to which was “I know you are but what am I,” or “No you’re a turkey!”
So while you are cooking your bird of choice this holiday season, enjoy this Turtle-tastic PSA. And remember…Don’t be a Turkey.
