I was surprised how many emails I got after yesterday’s post – while I do not have my career listed on my about page on the blog, I do refer to it in my Twitter bio and I have mentioned it a number of times – yes, I do work in advertising. People ask me this all the time – what drew you to the field or why did you choose a career in advertising? The answer is long and drawn out and when I pause on the bring of the story often people change tact and what is your favorite ad? Off the top of my head I usually say “The Force” by Volkswagen. Why? It is a great spot and most people have seen it, as it gained immense popularity when it premiered during the 2011 Super Bowl:
When I saw this campaign I went with my mom and bought the shorts in the first ad – shorts I bet half of you own, or have owned at one point. When I put them on I was proud to be an athlete. In the decade since they first appeared I have read a handful of articles and reviews that critiqued the campaign because, “it showed neither real beauty nor ordinary women.” I beg to differ. As much as I love high fashion, these ads are real. I recognized that I had a curiosity about people and behavior and how brands connect us to our aspirations and impact our lives:
All six images found via Google here.
The shoulder ad hit home the most as I had muscly shoulders from swimming and even recall one family friend telling my mom to stop letting me swim butterfly because I would grow “man shoulders”. You know what? I was am proud of my shoulders. They pulled me through more miles of water then I care to think about. And over ten years after they came out, these Nike ads still hit home.
I must admit, the path here was not a straight one and although this campaign is very far from what I am doing right now in advertising, they pack a punch. Thank you, Nike.
A Great Addition to My Favorite Workout
National Learn to Swim Day
The Gili Islands Underwater
My Job is Not Like Mad Men
Kim Landry says
Hey Kel! Stumbled upon this post and thought I’d tell you a fun fact: ‘The Force’ ad by VW that you love was edited by the post-production company I work at, Union Editorial. It was just in the running for the “Ad of the Decade’…came in 2nd place (so close!!)
Hope all is well!
XO
sac vanessa bruno pas cher says
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉
Cheers!
Blue Adriatic says
Interesting story! Advertising needs people full of new, creartive ideas!
Kiss, Sily
isabel says
it’s a very tough one!
xx
isa
http://www.un-likely.com
MIDORI LINE says
loved this post, thanks for sharing! xoxo
http://midoriline.com/blog/
Julia @ Grace Makes New says
Those Nike ads are so awesome! Advertising sounds like a fascinating career, it would be really cool to be part of a team that creates ads like that!
Katie says
Such a great post. I have never come across anyone’s bloq who is in advertising before.
katieappleyard.com
Becca says
I am getting ready to graduate in Marketing/Advertising/Branding in a little less than a month and I absolutely love this post. I had never really thought about what drew me into wanting to go into this field until I read this. I love that you have this reason that so many other people who aren’t in advertising can relate to. And I agree, the VW commercial is one of the all time greats :).
MIsty says
I love that VW commercial. It’s so cute!
Cece says
LOVE all of these adds!! That’s the image we need to get out. I’m not saying that high fashion editorials don’t have a place but I think it should be along side adds like these that show a different body type. A body type that is just as acceptable and beautiful and needs to be promoted that way.
Samantha says
Advertising, marketing, PR… ALL my dream jobs. Maybe one day I’ll get to fulfill it somehow lol but I love you’re reasoning 😉
Jo from Styleat30.com says
LOVE the NIKE ad that you shared here. Nike is definitely iconic when it comes to their creative ads. Their slogan is great. My favorite ads are usually print and I love brands that can launch a mega trend like De Beer’s “Diamond is Forever” campaign — that totally catapulted an industry! I am in the jewelry industry so the first thing I notice in a woman is her accessories. Of course, Nike’s “JUST DO IT” slogan is also pretty epic and love that they feature real, powerful, successful woman achievers. Great post. =)
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