So Commercial: Our Favorite Advertising Campaigns, Part Two

In part two of our Favorite Advertising Campaign Series, Ann and Alex discuss advertising campaigns for Chanel No. 5 perfume and Apple computers.

Our Favorite Advertising Campaigns, Part Two

Ann Mazzaferro

“Chanel No. 5 – A Bazmark Production” 2004

When it comes to lush romanticism and pure spectacle, is there any director better than Baz Luhrman? Fresh off of his success with “Moulin Rouge” and prior to filming the far less successful “Australia,” Luhrman made a two-minute commercial for Chanel perfume with frequent muse Nicole Kidman. It’s more than just a commercial, however; it’s a two-minute short film that took three days to film and required its own listing of production credits. Even the final line of the commercial, “Her kiss…her smile…her perfume” is the stuff of Hollywood dreams. Writers work for hours to come up with a line like that, but Luhrman and his team make it all appear effortless. Sure, there are hints of “Moulin Rouge” here (the forlorn writer remembering a lost love; an enormous pink feathered train that is more than slightly reminiscent of one of Satine’s can-can costumes) and over-the-top touches abound (fireworks at first kiss? A cliché, but an effective one). However, this is the first commercial I remember leaving me entranced; it’s almost impossible not to get caught up in the breathless romance of it all. While I’m not a fan of Chanel No. 5, it’s tough not to want to wear it after the promise of a campaign like this.

Alexander Poirier

Apple: 1984

Last week, Woodclinched blogger Andy brought up Apple’s “Mac vs. PC” ad campaign as one of his all-time favorites. While I love Justin Long and John Hodgman as Mr. Mac and Mr. PC, a much earlier Apple campaign is getting my nod this week. In 1984, Apple introduced the Apple Macintosh computer to the world with a commercial that would go down in history as one of the greatest commercials of all time. The Ridley Scott directed advertisement features an unnamed heroine wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the Apple logo, coming to the rescue of the brainwashed masses and saving them from their PC overlords. The commercial draws on themes from George Orwell’s 1984 and Fritz Lang’s classic film Metropolis to create 58 seconds of sci-fi nerd heaven. 1984, Metropolis and Alien in 58 seconds? If you aren’t a Mac fan already, at least a small part of you might be after seeing this.

What are some of your favorite advertising campaigns? Share them in the comments section below!