Posting daily at 1pm central about all kinds of things. One day it's dating, the next it's TV commercials. I hope you're entertained. Professional photos on SmugMug – https://benwilder.smugmug.com
Uber has been airing a commercial during the 2024 Olympics; They’re calling it “On Our Way,” a fitting description of what they offer, whether you’re using their ride option or food delivery service. The ad also weaves together a few candid “home video” clips meant to personalize the brand. In the ad, they also did something very uncommon. When’s the last time you heard 2 songs in a commercial? An argument can be made that 30 seconds isn’t enough time to properly execute a two-song soundtrack, but this Uber eats ad times out at 1:30 so they had plenty of time… but can you name the artists and the songs? Make your guesses then scroll down for more…
The Music. The first 1/3 of the ad is dedicated to the let-downs, the heartbreaks, the disappointments. The song for this portion is from Lou Reed in 1972, ironically called “Perfect Day.”
Take a walk on the wild side bright side as the music and the mood both change, Uber offering themselves as the solution to all the problems we face daily. The final 2/3 of the ad features The Beatles song recorded in 1963, “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”
I’m so glad drones weren’t designed like the flying security cameras on display in the recent Apple iPhone commercial. Can you imagine these goofy things flying up above? On the positive side, they might be a lot less loud than every drone I’ve ever encountered! Take a look at the ad which might also prove birds aren’t real.
It’s like the modern version of Hitchcock’s The Birds. Or maybe the mechanical version? No matter how you describe it, the ad is really creative in showing the benefits of the iPhone’s privacy feature. And as one who’s had a bird swoop down to nip my head multiple times (I guess I was too close to its nest?), I appreciate the idea that we (the birds and I) can peacefully coexist… and have some privacy!
The Music. A great soundtrack for this is comes from Björn Jason Lindh, a song released in 1975 called “Billathi Askara.” Here’s the full track.
I’m sure the ad agency behind the ad is proud of this musical selection. It’s another in the long line of peculiar, deep cuts if you will, songs they often pic for the iPhone commercials. What do you think about the ad, and more importantly, do you think birds are real?
No matter what the tourism board decides, the slogan for Las Vegas will always be “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” However, country music is often about a breakup 😭 and Midland offers up a clever delivery for a relationship that started in Vegas and ended when “what happens in Vegas, doesn’t stay in Vegas.” After three days, the woman got on a plane and went back to her normal life, leaving the narrator of the story probably regretting he ever went to Vegas at all. Take a look then scroll down for more…
A few years ago this song would be called a relic of country music’s past. It’s certainly not bro-country. It’s not pop. In fact, I’d say it’s probably not even radio friendly… which makes it so refreshing! With a style more suited to late 80s or 90s country music, Midland seems to have a product here that fans are really loving (based on the YouTube comments, at least). I wouldn’t be surprised if this song is received very well when they perform it at their Vegas concert in December. However, I think the guys missed the mark on the way they marketed it in this Instagram post…
Not exactly the song that’ll get you hyped up to hit the blackjack table or take a chance on waving hello to the pretty person sitting across it. But still, great nostalgic sound reminiscent of one of my favorite lost-love country songs. Anyone remember Kenny Chesney’s best, “Anything But Mine”? Another song that shares a story of a summer love that, when it’s over, hits you in the gut but in the best possible way.
How is Dick’s Sporting Goods outperforming mega-brands like Nike in their inspirational commercials? They’ve done it again with an ad airing during the 2024 summer Olympics. Take a look at these awesome (non-professional people) sports moments caught on camera. But spoiler alert: Can you pick out one that shouldn’t have counted?
I feel a little legalistic pointing out that the basketball buzzer beater should have been waved off by the refs. While it’s an incredible shot, the player had the ball in his hands as the buzzer sounded. The ball went in but the game should’ve went in…. to another overtime! Apparently the buzzer was signifying the end of overtime and the game was tied at 51. But maybe the real clip shows what really happened? Like it was just an editing thing or some kind of delay on TV and the shooter actually got the shot off before time ran out? Well, I found the original clip…
A moment that will live on forever! But still shouldn’t have counted. Here’s another angle.
OK OK, I’ll let it go. The shot went in. The refs threw their hands up for the three-pointer. The crowd went wild. What a moment! But here’s something kind of crazy. The guy who shot the ball, Andrew Landis, said they had to get every single person on the court to approve use of the clip before it could be included in Dick’s commercial.
“They asked if they basically had permission to make a commercial with my shot. We ended up signing an NDA so I couldn’t talk about it. And we had to get every person on the court’s permission.”
Can you imagine trying to track down all the signatures necessary? Crazy. I also discovered the shot was featured in an ESPN top 10 list.
The Music. I’m sure most people know the song featured in the ad but in case it’s new to you, it’s called “Chariots of Fire” and I have a memory of this song etched in my brain forever. I was walking into school as a 3rd grader and I heard another older student playing it on the piano before classes started. Since then, it’s been a favorite so here’s the full song by Vangelis.
“I believe God made me for a purpose – but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” -Eric Liddell, Chariots of Fire
Dick’s knocked it out of the park with this ad (even with their dated logo) and I’m sure it’s making an impression as it airs during the Olympics. Contrast that with this Nike commercial that highlights individualism ruling over a team mentality. Granted, it’s visually stunning and edited very well. But Nike loses this round to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
I won’t share the person’s name but I got this amazing comment on a blog post of mine recently. It didn’t take much research to narrow down who the author is but I still don’t know if I should be flattered or worried. Take a look…
Why do you stillpost every day? Obviously no one cares. No one likes or comments. Is this like playing the lottery…if you keep playing MAYBE one day one will hit it big time! And then you’ll be famous! SMH, keep dreaming. You do know the odds of winning the lottery, right? Although your odds of winning the lottery just might be better than the odds of your chicken legged self finding a wife, I suppose. It appears to make you feel better about yourself to constantly criticize the works of others (commercials, music, politicians, democrats). I suppose this makes you feel better about the fact that you yourself could not make it in the media industry? Maybe if you were as smart as you think you come across on your blog, you’d still have a job in the industry and be getting paid for your opinions. But you don’t. Good thing you have your dogs. I’m not sure it’s possible for someone who’s always so bitter and condescending (and still living within eyesight of his parents) to find a woman willing to put up with him. You’re also definitely not cute enough to be so arrogant either. Dood, Give it up already.
I’m blushing because this person knows me better than I know myself. And the way they weave together a compliment with a bruising uppercut is brilliant. Maybe all the work I’ve done for my blog was meant to bring us together at this historic moment. My first stalker. They say you always remember your first. But it will never be a healthy relationship– I can’t be around someone who’s so negative. If they’d tossed in a few more compliments on their quest to tear me down, I’d consider meeting for coffee. But not now! They’ve totally blown their first impression. But on the other hand, I need someone like this who can hold up a mirror to my life so succinctly. “Obviously no one cares”… but you do, and I dig it.
Out of the Wilderness 