Miami Heat Intro Video

Here is the new intro video the Miami Heat are using this year.

First off, this video is very “Miami”. Hot girls. Cold suits. Sparks fallin. An 80′s Phil Collins cut playing…. And its obviously very easy to hate on the Heat this year.

However… I like it. I’ve seen enough NBA intro videos that are just full of highlights and dramatic opera music (see Hornets).  This Heat video actually has some production quality. Its not just dunks and highlights. Its original. I like seeing players’ personalities.  I like seeing footage of players off the court. I’d like to see the Blazers make something original.

After watching it, I can’t help thinking of this scene though.

Singapore SARS Commercial – Hilarious

I spent high school in Singapore at SAS. During the spring of 2003, my freshmen year, the SARS outbreak hit Singapore. I remember school being closed for two weeks.

Here is a PSA featuring one of Singapore’s biggest home town celebrities, Gurmit Singh (most famous for PCK). The ad is made to encourage people to behave cautiously and minimize the spread of SARS. The slang and accents are part of Singapore’s own blend called “Singlish“. Hilarious glimpse of Singaporean culture (and a few Singaporean sights & sounds).

“PCK say, don’t play play. Or stupid sars is here to stay!” “Use your brain (blain)! Use your brain! Use your brain!”

Find Your Beach – Corona

A simple but effective Ad from Corona. Corona ads are known for being very limited with no dialogue and usually only one backdrop.  I like how they reveal the line at the very end.  Whether you live on the coast, in the city, or in fricken landlocked Kansas, you can still “Find your beach”.

This also reiterates Corona’s association with the beach/vacation/escape.  When facing the dilemma of what beer to choose, people looking for a getaway or relaxing escape associate that with Corona.

Personally I think it tastes like water and is meant for those who haven’t acquired a taste for beer.  Still, their messaging is consistent and clearly works for a certain target.

I also think “Find Your Beach” can be a good slogan for life.  Even if you don’t live in paradise, it helps to find what makes you happy, what helps you relax and escape the stress of day-to-day life.

Search Stories – The Search for Braden Betts

Another Search Story about my own name/website.  The tagline is originally from Guiness.

While I’m promoting myself, check out http://flavors.me/bradenbetts to see my social media presence gathered in one place.

Budweiser Ad – Grab Some Buds

I really like the build up in this commercial.  The music works really well for it.  The ad holds my attention, my interest builds, and I get excited. Can’t ask for much more than that. (gotta love the seatbelted kegs too)

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One more Bud Light ad for good measure:

great motivational speech from the boss

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

I’m one of the millions of Anthony Bourdain fans out there.  I started by watching his tv show (No Reservations) first, then heard of the book that gave him his big break, Kitchen Confidential.  I found a brief but entertaining portion of the book on Google Books.  You can read it free, here.  Unfortunately, they (Google) only provide the first 30 or so pages and remove a couple pages every once in a while, leaving mysterious holes in certain stories.  However, you get a good taste of Bourdain’s writing style, sense of humor, and often vulgar, descriptive storytelling.

Mr. Bourdain not only has my second dream job (see Zane Lamprey for first), he will also be selling one more copy of his book, very soon.  Find it used on Amazon

Vitamin Water – Norman Tugwater

Remember the Alamo!

love the string of emotions around the 0:15 mark.

like the quick cuts and the breaking framed diploma.

thought Adrian’s roar was kinda lame.

you can see more clips at tugwater.com (which is a facebook page, which I don’t necessarily like).  Kobe has a quick clip, its kinda funny.

Rolling Stone Italy – Rock Stars vs. Politicians

Here’s an ad made by BBDO Milan.  Enjoy.  (some inappropriate content)

A great concept and some pretty shocking writing.

No Words – NHL Stanley Cup

some emotion from some of the toughest athletes there are.

See the warmth

A great example of visually representing a concept.

The “Making Of” Video