"Feel Safe Behind Your Walls" Al Sabeh Cement of Lebanon

Cimenterie Nationale began mixing cement in Northern Lebanon in 1953 and gradually developed a larger family of brands. According to their website,

Today, our team of 550 highly trained and experienced personnel is committed to the production of high quality cement products under the well-known ‘Al Sabeh Cement’ (Lion) brand, which continuously meets stringent national and international standards. Quality and a commitment to preserving the environment are integral aspects of all our operations, which is highlighted by our ISO certifications and various other awards. 

The commissioned ads from Impact BBDO of Dubai, UAE to be used in Lebanon.

I like the ads, but the message is that everyone is crazy and after you, so you should hole up in your house made of cement. The tagline is "Feel safe behind your walls." The ads make me think that this cement is only for movie stars, soccer (futbol) players and politicians. But that's obviously not the case. 

Cement is also not something that we usually think about in the U.S., so for me, I was thinking, geez why would so much effort go into three ads. There are so many characters in each of these. I like the three different versions as well. Each of the characters has personality, to the point that we could give them all names.

Each ad has it's own feel but because of the logo in the top right hand corner and the repetition that each exhibits by having so many characters, you can tell that they are part of the same campaign. Politician Discourse reminded me of the movie 'Up!' or 'Meet the Robinsons' whereas Referee made me think of 'Dragon Ball Z' and 'Pokemón'. And then Actress of the Year was reminiscent of Coraline.

Politician Discourse

Referee 

Best Actress of the Year 

So Strong. So Soothing. So Smooth: Lineage Coffee of South Africa

Craig Charity is the man of the day. At least in my book.

Photo: lineagecoffee.com

Photo: DailyFix.co.za

While it's #NationalCoffeeDay here in the USA, and we get all kinds of freebies (See USA Today's list here), I thought I could highlight an awesome barista in South Africa - let's make this #InternationalCoffeeDay

On dailyfix.com in March, Charity said:

‘I want to open people’s mind’s and taste buds to experiential coffee rather than just keep-me-awake coffee. My demonstrations will focus on creating specialty coffees and I’m hoping to create real Alice in Wonderland experience with tastes no-one’s tried before.’

The ads for Lineage coffee give off that Alice in Wonderland feel as well. I think that they match the personality of the #1 Barista in South Africa for 2014.

So soothing

So strong

So smooth

Are the ads effective?

It may be helpful to note that they are postcards.

I think yes.

Whimsical. The font chosen matches the way that the models feel. And make no mistake: You can see very clearly in the corner that the ad is for Lineage Coffee.

The ads are fun and quirky. I would definitely read the back of one if I received one. And if I ever go to South Africa, I plan to hit up Lineage Coffee

So yes. In honor of #InternationalCoffeeDay , Charity, you win.

Great ads. Clever. Now, Charity, you better mail me one :)

Happy Monday!

Bloody Hell: This would never work in the US.

And that's why.

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month right around the corner, I figured I could do something about this awesome organization called CoppaFeel! It's a registered charity in England and Wales.

Nudity is completely unacceptable for advertisements in the United States. It would be shut down within moments. And that is so unfortunate as this organization is awesome and every woman should sign up!

This non-profit, much like America's Susan G. Komen Foundation, is just a little more racy, when it comes to its ads. But I think they are pretty effective. You can sign up to be reminded to CoppaFeel! and it's pretty easy. Click the photo!

I've got Kiera and Knightly all signed up and ready to be copped monthly! And I hope you take a second to do the same.

Now more about the ads:

They're so effective because they beg for women to participate and they definitely garner attention. The participation is key. The organization just wants you to remember to feel your breasts monthly for lumps and they want you to be able to describe your breasts in a way that makes you think differently about them. And I think the ads drive people to do that!

They also have a pretty effective social marketing campaign going on as well. Check out #whatnormalfeelslike on Twitter!

So now: Did these ads make you want to CoppaFeel!?

I'm back!

Hello friends!

I am extremely thrilled to announce that I am back in the saddle with Ads Across the Globe. This blog began in part because I typically watch the advertisements on the television or try to pick out product placement in shows, rather than watch the shows themselves... And partly because I received class credit for it in an undergraduate Global Studies class.

I left because the class was over.
I never lost my love for thought provoking ads, in fact I have a cache of them waiting for you!
And I am now back because I'm getting class credit again.
Because in real life: Money = blog posts.

This time, it's for a graduate social media class!

-- AND NOW FOR MY SECOND FIRST POST YAY  --

Since I have been gone for so long, I thought that I would start back full steam ahead. I want to discuss two topics with you today. First, the idea that advertisements are called adverts in England/Great Britain. And second, let's bring up one of the BEST ads ever. And by best, I really mean controversial. Scandalous. Even a little bit jarring... Let me get your blood pumping a bit, if you will.

Photo: Google search for "advert"

Photo: Google search for "advertisement"

I love this! Ads are called "adverts" in Great Britain. See on the left. Even google says so.

The basic principle of an advertisement is to advert your attention, to capture your attention, from one subject to another, hopefully relevant subject... that is, if the ad exec did his or her job right,

The definition to the left, according to google, includes four topics for advertisements:

1. product
2. service
3. event
4. job vacancy

What are other things that you have seen "adverts" display? I think that those 4 pretty much sum it up for me. I don't know where I would put political candidate ads. Maybe under service?? What do you think?

Okay and now for the juicy part...

This ad is a little crazy, but just stick with me...

Photo: internetvibes.com

It's an ad for NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER

That's correct, pregnant ladies, it turns out you can have a beer with the boys.

Well my first thought was that the ad was about safe pregnancy. And then I read the side, and noticed the bottom corner. I had never heard of Nova Schin, the Brazilian lager, but then again I'm not into non-alcoholic beers lately, well ever. I don't even think that I would want a non-alcoholic beer if I was pregnant. And just off hand, that ad and pose and everything, I just really do not find that attractive. So I'm wondering who the target audience was here.

I'm a 24-year old maybe one day in the distant future potential mother.

And I'm not buying it.

Do you think that an entire board room of ad execs who planned this ad were gearing it more for men at a football game or NASCAR race? Cause that's what it's screaming to me.