The next best thing to traveling to exotic places, bumming around the beach and hanging out with fabulous people, is reading about those that do. Gypset Style, written by Julia Chaplin for Assouline, is “about an emerging group of artists, musicians, fashion designers, surfers, and bon vivants– who lead semi-nomadic, unconventional lives.” Hence, gypsy + jet set=Gypset.
The true Gypsetter leads a life of experimentation, forever on the lookout for the most deserted beach cove, the chicest beach party, or the sexiest caftan. The Utopian life of the true Gypset is aspirational, to say the least. And it makes for a seriously hot beach read—whether you’re in Formentera or Fire Island.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Chairman of Waterkeeper Alliance, and Gloria Reuben of TNT’s Raising the Bar, hosted our launch party for The Dirty Lie campaign at The Greenhouse, New York’s first “eco-lounge”. A packed house of reporters, celebrities, envirogroupies, donors and party-goers stood gob-smacked as they watched our videos showing the devastating affects of mountaintop removal and of mercury emissions.
The crowd was equally awed when Gloria and RFK spoke about the deadly effects of the filthy coal industry. The purpose of the party was to start a dialogue about energy with young influencers, eventually debunking the myth of “clean coal.” From the reaction of the crowd, we’re pretty sure we started something.
2008 was weird and confusing. The market tanked and Pepsi got a new can, again. Between those two important hallmarks we did come together to elect a new president, thank goodness. How we made it through no one knows. What we can tell you is that if the same confounding fate awaits us in 2009, have no fear. We here at Mouth have created a little game to answer all of your questions this year. Good luck and may Mouth be with you.
The coal industry is looking to make us believe that coal is warm and cuddly and that we should be thankful for their dirty fuel. What better way to do this than to bastardize our favorite Christmas carols and have them sung by what is supposed to be the worst thing you can get on Christmas, lumps of coal.
One of 2 things is happening here. Either the the coal industry really is super evil and desensitized to the fact that they are causing tremendous damage to our environment and health, or their creative agency is playing a cruel joke on the jerks they work for. The only place that we can think of where lying to the public is normal and coal is great for Christmas, is hell. And that is where this campaign should go.
In the last few days the social networks have been a buzz with fear and loathing for the territory this Motrin ad has entered. The piece seems to claim that wearing your child is basically like putting on a $10,000 pair of uncomfortable Jimmy Choo shoes, that it is both extremely fashionable and painful at the same time. Somewhere they forgot to remember that mothers enjoy being close to their children. Daycare is not for everyone you know.
The fallout from the public has caused Motrin to pull the ads and issue an apology. The question here is whether or not this controversy/pr nightmare will hurt or help their brand. While being offensive, the commercial is still sending a message that people are discussing. It is memorable and isn’t that what advertising is all about? For all those who are offended, we are willing to bet that the next time you are in the ibuprofen isle at the drug store you will be thinking about Motrin before Advil.
Case 2: Brooke Shields Told Me To Get Pregnant And Buy A German Mini Van.
Has anyone noticed the inherent creepiness of the latest Volkswagen Routan ads with Brook Shields? Is she or is she not telling us to create a little army of whippersnappers who will one day grow up and defend our nation against the powers who intend to destroy us? And how odd is it that this message comes from a company who’s name means “the people’s car”, and who’s original state-sponsored business plan was to give an automobile to everyone belonging to the master race? However disturbing or unintentional it may be, these commercials are so odd they have lasting power. Kind of like how everyone knows about the movie Soilent Green. Thanks Brooke, but this mini-van better be really fast and turn into a submarine or something.
Clearly the collaboration was a colossal waste of time and money and talent. Cow carcasses neatly hung on the wall doesn’t hint at Hirst’s former opinion on our collective state of denial when it comes to the animals we eat. And Kaye’s timid, formulaic filming of a cute ass thrashing about a hospital room is hardly reminiscent of American X’s poignant and brilliant depiction of an American tragedy. Not exactly Gilbert and George. Or the Cohen brothers. Sometimes, creatively speaking, it’s better to go solo.
The idea of making ugly space look pretty and interesting has been around since the late 80’s when they invented the plastic “yard rock” to cover ugly pipes and drains so your neighbors and maybe even enemies would not know you were hiding a bomb shelter, wishing well, or food stockpile. This idea has recently been re-discovered by the advertising industry. Now everyday eyesores can be used as a channel for branding!
