Current Best & Worst of TV Ad Campaigns

Prior to my recent return to work, I had time to watch a bit of television, and I came across two television commercials that I felt merited comment. The first was Taco Bell's Black Jack Taco ad, which features a number of black items (black boots, black pants, black dog, black eye, black sheep, etc.) with runway-style music and a mysterious, designer-esque voiceover stating what each item is. A goofy-looking guy holding a black taco periodically interrupts, "Black taco?" The commercial concludes by showing a photo of the new Black Jack Taco, a limited-time item that costs 89 cents. Please allow me to preface my comments by admitting that I hate Taco Bell, so I may be somewhat biased. I find the fast food restaurant's food to be very bland, Americanized, and distasteful. In any case, I still find the need to comment on this commercial. The first time I saw it, I was baffled, and my confusion has not dissipated with subsequent viewings. Why would Taco Bell introduce a taco with a black shell? What makes a black taco shell at all appealing? After doing some research, the only differences I can identify between Taco Bell's standard crunchy taco and the new Black Jack Taco are that the new product has a black-colored shell, pepper jack sauce, and three types of cheese (big deal!). It's still just a taco, and an unappetizing one at that. I'd be curious to hear how sales of the new product are faring, as this, to me, seems like a major marketing failure.

Macy's "150 years" ad campaign, on the other hand, is brilliant:

With short clips from old black-and-white movies, the Macy's Thankgiving Day parade, and classic television shows and cartoons, Macy's uses nostalgia to connect with American consumers -- a strategy which, as I said before, is absolutely brilliant in light of the emotional, tradition-focused nature of the holiday season. Further, the campaign effectively differentiates Macy's from other department and discount stores during a time when recessionary conditions mean intense competition for the consumer's dollar. Will I shop at Macy's this holiday season? Maybe not, but I'm certainly impressed with the company's current marketing strategy.

Best Christmas Music

We've made it past Halloween to my favorite time of year -- the Christmas season! Right now in Colorado Springs, 3-4" of snow blankets the ground, so I thought it would be appropriate to share what I believe are the best sounds to accompany the season. Growing up, one of the first Christmas albums to which I became hooked was Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas. She does an incredible rendition of O Holy Night, and the original song Jesus Born on This Day, to which a children's choir contributes, is excellent. I also love Josh Groban's and Third Day's Christmas albums. Josh Groban's version of O Come All Ye Faithful and Third Day's Jesus, Light of the World (as well as the band's live version of The First Noel) are not to be missed. And, of course, Trans Siberian Orchestra offers some strong contributions, too!

Other songs in my Christmas playlist include:
The Christmas Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Alvin & the Chipmunks
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft
Twelve Days of Christmas - John Denver and the Muppets
Run Run Rudolph - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Frosty the Snowman - Jackson 5
Christmas Time Is Here - A Charlie Brown Xmas
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Jim Reeves
Merry Christmas DarlinNg - The Carpenters
Jingle Bell Rock - Max Bygraves
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
Silver Bells - Elvis Presley
Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
O Holy Night - Whitney Houston
the Rat Pack's Christmas album
Christmas songs by Nat King Cole (O Tannenbaum, The Christmas Song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, etc.)
Harry Connick, Jr.'s Christmas album

Now it's your turn. I'd love to expand my playlist, so please tell me what I'm missing! Also, what is your favorite Christmas song of all time? Mine's probably a tie between O Holy Night and What Child Is This. I cannot help but worship when I listen to either of them!

Blessings to you and yours this Christmas season.