Calvin Klein Bright Briefs Campaign

Quote: "In living colour"

Subliminal Matters: CK seems to have a shortage of dark skinned people to use to promote their line.

Location: William St, @ Coca Cola sign end 

Ad Review: Mixed feelings about this billboard. While I hear all the time that bright colours look good on dark skin I think this just might be a little too weird. If I hadn't done a double take I would have been certain this ad featured three black models. To find out just the opposite was admittedly jarring and left the question of why not just use people born with the complexion for the ad. 

I don't enjoy this billboard even though I love bright colours.

Great Britain Appeal

Quote: "Countryside is Great Britain. Culture is Great Britain"

Subliminal Matters: A visit to Great Britain could be as boring as this billboard.

Location: William St

Ad Review: I've never been to the UK and I've got to say after walking home and seeing this ad daily for a month, this billboard has completely failed to appeal to me. Now, I realise that the English are not known for vibrance and fun, but I feel like this billboard just served up the commercial version of the most boring tea time imaginable. Boring. It could also be because my idea of a great vacation is not the English countryside, although I'm positive it is beautiful and just like I imagined in my Jane Austen readings. 

Actually, I think Jane Austen has more chance of changing my mind about wanting to go see the English countryside. Well that, and the idea of meeting my beautiful English friends there.

Mary J Blige Burger King Commercial

Quote: Mary's line: Crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, three cheeses, ranch dressing, wrapped up in a tasty flour tortilla

Wendy Williams' reaction: There's something about black people singing about fried chicken that is just very, very embarrassing

Subliminal Matters: chicken + black performer + hip hop beat = bad cliche & stereotype; Black Americans take themselves too seriously?

Location: Burger King TV commercial

Ad Review: From the reaction of the American public, and the removal of the commercial, it's clear that lots of people found the ad offensive. I found the ad to be funny. I would never put MJB in a BK ad. To me she'd be synonymous with maturity, sophistication and poise not ever BK's chicken wrap?! For me the contrast spelt humour. BUT, while the black people outside America may give the commercial a pass, we can depend the American public to be more vigilant about the media's use of stereotypes. 

Vintage Ad Shrine: East Sydney Hotel

Quote: "One of the only pubs with no poker machines left, available are darts and a pool table"


Subliminal Matters: Sydney pubs have lost their authenticity


Location: Cnr Crown & Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo
Ad Review: I entered this pub and I literally felt I was in a vintage advertisement shrine. This pub managed to preserve ads that I'd like to imagine were from it's beginnings in the 1970's. It truly put a whole new spin on alcohol advertisements and the iconic value they represented back in the day. I really enjoyed this place and wanted to share some of my favourite vintage ads that appeared on the wall. They are from a different time, and I'm from a different place, the attraction was inevitable. 

Refreshing Aussie Rasta MnMs

Quote: "I'm not gonna wear this simply to promote MnMs"
                                                                         -Red MnM

                                                      

Subliminal Matters: Aussie + Dreadlocks + MnMs = funny


Location: TV- Foxtel to be precise


Ad Review: I don't know if I enjoy this TV commercial more because I miss my home in the Caribbean or because it's hilarious to hear the Aussie switch up the accent.  I generally enjoy MnM commercials, they're always funny on a universal level. I was a little nervous when I observed the dreadlocks and heard the Aussie accent but it was executed well. What a sigh of relief! Aussie humour can sometimes get lost on me but not this time!

In Love & Alcohol

Quote: "I bust the windows out your car,
And no it didn't mend my broken heart..."

                    -Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows" The potential background music to today's ad.

Subliminal Matters: monogamy or else!


Location: Hyde Park opposite Phillip & Cook
Ad Review: I love ads that can tell a story in one shot. It literally takes you right in the moment without any over stimulation or cheesy lines. Only Chandon! Strong tagline, great transposition to the viewer. 


So, don't miss the message: if your woman has a Chandon bottle in her hand and you make her jealous...chances are, she will smash you over the head because Chandon will make her hyper sensitive to your wondering eyes! #inlove&alcohol