An interesting campaign by Ogilvy & Mather, Bangkok, for the WWF, “Forests For Life” subtlety touches upon the issues of deforestation, endangered species and poaching in one image.

Is it bad that I want one of these in my apartment?

via littlkhole

While in DC it seemed like everywhere I went was the “Official Inauguration Headquarters” (sorta like in NY how every Ray’s Pizza is the “original.”) Granted there was plenty of Obama-inspired advertising but none was as big as Ikea’s Embrace Change or Pepsi’s Refresh Everything campaigns. They were both plastered everywhere.

I’m a bit weary of the cultish attitude but I like both campaigns. I love the idea of building my own oval office and Pepsi’s site has some good content. More importantly both are in support of change and that’s definitely something I can get with.

The enterprenurial spirit of D.C was the best. I could purchase anything remotely Obama related on any corner. The prices weren’t bad either. As one vendor put it, “stimulate the economy right here!”

Two ladies from Alabama came up and signed a 2 week lease at 15th and U Street to open this Everything Obama Store.

You gotta get your commemorative paper.

I think the hand warmers were the best seller for the day. I walked away with this New Car scent air freshener. Wish I had bought the Obama cologne too.

Launched in 2004, Contagious is a quarterly magazine that explores “the shifting relationship between brands and consumers, to predict the impact of new technologies and to make sense of the fragmenting media landscape.” A subscription comes complete with a DVD showcasing over 100 pieces of creative work per issue. “An intelligence resource for those attempting to stay ahead of change,” they recently released their round up of marketing coverage for 2008.

I highly suggest taking a look. Available for download and more info on subsciption at Contagious.

“He was joking on the starting blocks.
He reacted last to the gun.
He ran against the wind.
He didn’t tie his PUMAs.
He jogged over the finish line.
He broke the world record.
And then he danced.
And reminded us that
Being the best should be fun.”

I love this ad. It’s well done, but I most like the point it makes that “being the best should be fun.” After he broke the world record and won the gold in Beijing the media gave the Jamaican such a hard time for his extended celebration. So he danced around, pointed at his shoes and savored the moment. What’s wrong with that? In my opinion it was not disrespectful in the least. At worst, he improved the Olympic’s ratings on television and was the only interesting portion of an otherwise dull track and field event. 

And seriously, he didn’t tie his shoes and ran 28mph? You can’t front.