November 16, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (3)

Check out this fun new commercial from Benihana. According to the company, "This spot is the first execution in a campaign that presents Benihana's grill as the stage. In the spot, Benihana's famous tiki mugs take on a giant ramp made of vegetables."
 
At first glance, it's like, what does this have to do with Benihana? But break it down to its elements: tiki drinks, piles of fresh vegetables and shrimp, showbiz. That's what Benihana is all about. And Benihana has been upgrading the food and experience, so it makes sense that it's also trying to attract a younger, hipper audience. 

I like the commercial and think it works. What do you think? Reply in the comment box below.

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Industries: Marketing

November 12, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Caribou Coffee says, "Get real," to steer Starbucks customers toward Caribou's new chocolate drinks that start with all-natural chocolate pieces.

The new TV commercial shows snooty marionettes in the mall posturing for each other until a real person sits down with a delicious-looking Caribou beverage. "Why don't we ever go to Caribou?" she asks. "Because we're not real."

I like this commercial, as far as it goes. The puppets are clever, from the bluetooth-enabled earpiece to the puzzled-looking chihuahua. Being "real" is trendy and excess is out in these troubled times. And the beverage looks delicious, and I want one for dessert.

This is where I get stuck. It looks like dessert. It doesn't look like "real" c...Read More
Industries: Marketing

October 16, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (3)

World-famous singer Celine Dion stars in this commercial for St-Hubert, a Canadian restaurant chain that specializes in rotisserie chicken.

I don't know French. I took Spanish in high school. But I think the closing screen is telling us the spot is supporting cystic fibrosis research. I imagine the dialog goes something like this:

Customer: Hey, lady. You kind of look like Celine Dion.

Waitress: Why thank you. I get that all the time at the curling tournaments and hockey games I go to. But actually, Celine Dion is thin and beautiful and working in Las Vegas to support her family. Unless there were some sort of charity involved, she would never eat at this rotisserie-chicken chain.

Celine Dion: That'...Read More

Industries: Marketing

October 13, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (6)

Wendy's "you know when it's real" commercials are on the air, and I am relieved. Really.

I never liked the "better than fast food" tag. Wendy's is fast food. And those crazy red wigs? Don't get me started.

What I like most about the new spots isn't the fact that they're clever, though they are. It's the focus on fresh, juicy burgers. They remind me of the old commercials where Wendy's customers needed lots of napkins because they were dripping all over themselves. Ah, a point of differentiation! 

Here is the 60-second extended version. What do you think? Reply in the comment box below.

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Industries: Marketing

October 7, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

This is not a restaurant chain commercial. It's kind of a restaurant industry commercial. In a departure from our typical post, enjoy this look at some special restaurant operators, the winners of the National Restaurant Association's 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Awards.


This is one of the reasons I love this industry.

If you have a restaurant-chain commercial or other video you'd like to see in this space, send an e-mail to ...Read More
Industries: Human Resources, Marketing