Friday, January 19, 2007

I've only seen them two or three times, but I've already had it up to here ::indicates ear-level:: with the the new UPS "Whiteboard" ads. Call me crazy, but evoking the feel of a meeting where a condescending prick explains concepts to his audience as if they're a bunch of kindergartners may not be the way to go. And it's this guy wielding the Dry Erase marker that really sets my teeth on edge.

Turns out the guy in question is Andy Azula, the creative director of the agency that came up with the campaign. I'm sure he's a fine human being, loves his family, is kind to animals great and small, volunteers time and money to worthy charities, etc. However, if I had to judge him solely based on these commercials (and that is, indeed, all I have to go on), I wouldn't cross the street to give him the righteous beating he so richly deserves.

Too harsh? Probably. But as a nascent advertising icon, Azula is sadly lacking. I know of only one case where an ad agency staffer was used successfully as the face of a campaign, and that's the old Rusty Jones rustproofing commercials. Remember those, Chicagoans?

I knew Rusty Jones. Rusty Jones was a friend of my mine. Mr. Azula, you're no Rusty Jones.

Posted @ 8:30 AM

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