Beyond Urban Branding

MMA and Hip-Hop continue their branding embrace with a new alliance between Snoop Dogg and Serious Pimp clothing line. This is pretty huge and I was happy to see www.allhiphop.com cover it.  -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com *** (AllHipHop News) Rapper Snoop Dogg will enter the business world of the MMA this Saturday, when he is expected to be named President of the Serious Pimp clothing/sunglasses company. The announcement is expected to take place at the Venus Pool Club at Caesar’s Palace this Saturday (May 29th) afternoon.  Snoop and company will then attend the UFC’s highly anticipated contest between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans. "This brings the best of both worlds to Serious Pimp. Snoop Dogg knows what the people want and shares our vision to promote events that combine the Hip Hop culture and the MMA movement," said Serious Pimp Founder and CEO Damian Kutzner. "Together we will usher in the next era for the Seriou...

Dr. Pepper stepped their game up for real. This is a funny ad. I think that funny ads, are the BEST ADS. The reason is, because people remember funny ads. You never hear people on a bus talking about that heartfelt commercial they saw. But funny is sticky.  Enjoy Strahan doing good deeds on this one.  Even before HP, Dr. Pepper knew this was a strong move. Dr. Dre makes people stop look and listen. Every young aspiring person connected to Hip-Hop wants to do what Dre does. The thing was, this ad was a squandered opportunity. They had a chance to knock it outta the park and they didn't. It wasn't really funny, it wasn't really heartfelt and it wasn't shocking (the only thing thats almost equal to funny). But it didn't suck either. I mean, Dr. Dre's on the wheels. I have not seen that since The days of the World Class Wreckin' Cru (Dr. Dre's original rap group).    Kiss rocks hard with this ad. Dr. Pepper was pretty creative here. Who doesn't lo...

Kia Motors has been doing a lot to try and battle Scion for the young urban automotive market. Recently Kia came with this hamster campaign. Initially, I was not feeling it. I thought the first commercial (seen below) was paced way too slow. But I got the point. Kia Motors is not making cars for Gramps any more. This is for you (todays driver)! They make sure you see the iPod connected to the radio, speakers that light up etc.  But the NEW ad, the one up above, is fantastic. Paced well, shot well, they used a classic Hip-Hop by Black Sheep (The Choice is Yours)to keep the vibe poppin'. I can't imagine a young person who would see this and not want to drive a Kia (or at least consider it ).  For your listening pleasure, I have placed the original video of Black Sheep for your listening enjoyment. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

 HP and The Venetian Hotel HP and UPS Rhys Darby breaks down the theme of the campaigns  Here are a few more ads by HP's "Lets Do Amazing" campaign. I'm noticing the consistent theme in the new HP ads is showing how big brands use HP to stay ahead of the competition. I like this strategy. Clearly the idea is not to bank on the Dr. Dre ad, but to show how individuals like Dre or huge companies like Venetian or UPS refine their execution with HP technology. Everybody wants to walk with the winner. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

 Here is a fantastic documentary on sneakers on the huge shoe culture explosion that erupted (in large reason) because of Hip-Hop. My man Leo laced me with his info. Part 1.  Part. 2 -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

So, I have recently posted these funny Old Spice ads with Terry Crews (more thna 4 million views on youtube alone). I think they are both courageous and comedic. I was asking myself, "Who will be bold enough to go head-to-head with Old Spice?" KABLOW! Gillette took the challenge. The only thing was, they kinda fumbled. They dropped an ad for their new "Odor Sheild" promising 16 hours of protection (like Old Spice). But their ad was a little corny. I'm looking for it online (can't find it). Basically it shows a guy in the shower from the knees down. As the narrator talks a garden hose, tools and other things from the guys day fall to the drain of the shower. Very unimpressive. It felt like something I'd expect a team on Celeb Apprentice to get fired for by Trump. Certainly not anything from a top notch ad team. The question is, knowing they were going up against the Old Spice crew, why did they come so soft? I mean, I can't even find the ad on y...

Loving how exciting these companies are making the trailers!! -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

Sorry for the drag in posting people. I had a death in the family, but me head is clear and I'm strictly business like EPMD. Enjoy the track. Stay motivated to make money and have fun...New posts coming soon. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

Crisp ads like this make me want one to. It looks fun, it looks easy to use. Hard to ague. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

I've always loves Sinister Brand fight wear. You've seen some of the biggest UFC stars wear their shirts into the cage. These guys have made quality stuff for years. Recently I heard a track from the upcoming album by Rakaa Iriscience from the trio Dilated Peoples. Outside of his devastating rhymes, he's one of the first rappers to train in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. His new solo album Crown of Thorns drops July 20th 2010. Anyway in one of his songs he says "Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Sinister Brand Sponsored/ You ain't fit, you old aerobics like Jane Fonda!" I love it. So many rappers reference MMA and UFC related themes in their music. This one is by far one of the best. Expect to hear more stuff like that in the coming years. If you ain't up on Dilated Peoples you are probably living under a rock. Here are two videos I suggest you peep. You will see Ralek, Ryron and Renner Gracie in a cameo This Way feat. Kanye West

Red Dead Redemption Launch Trailer - Watch more Game Trailers Red Dead...

The search engine Bing.com has a funny new ad done entirely in Spanish. Its made to be a mockery of Latino soaps that can be found on Telemundo type stations. The subtitles are in English. The camera shots, outfits, everything screams soap opera cheese. I think its cool 'cause it really does hit to demos with one ad and nobody is demeaned culturally in the ad. Bing.com has made a few cool ads. I've posted some of the other ones I like below: I love the idea of reframing their function from "search" engine to "decision engine".

I think I might remember this ad forever. If ads are funny, I tend to remember them WAY more than others. Comedy always breaks through. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands Introduction Trailer - Watch more Game Trailers You know, I've never been a big gamer. I've loved them, but never been obsessed like some of my friends. But this, this here could do it. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

I just heard a rumor that Dream Entertainment in Japan is close to signing an MMA match set for May 2010 between Ralek Gracie and Sakuraba!!! If you know your MMA history you know that Sakuraba is a fierce MMA fighter who has defeated several Gracies- Royce, Royler, Ryan and Renzo. Ralek Gracie is the son of Rorion Gracie and got his Black belt from his Grandfather Helio Gracie. He has had two matches in Japan over the last year or so and he won both by submission. I think Ralek and really, all of Rorions sons may have the biggest chance of leading the charge of the next generation of Gracie fighters within MMA. If this fight happens it will be yet another chapter in the never ending saga of the Gracie family going head to head with the best Japanese fighters. I have to do some more research and see whats what. But my source seems to think this is going to get inked soon. Why didn't Dana White think of this? -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

I love the phone wars. Apple, Samsung and Google just go after one another. With all the cool movies like Iron Man and stuff coming out, the above ad peaks interest. Can the Android take a bite outta the Apple? Only time will tell... -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

Heineken has a good team keeping their ads funny for the guys. This is a "mans man ad". I think the alcohol companies spend the most (and the best) money on good ads campaigns. Hate it or love it, its true. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

I love Kung-fu almost as much as I love soda. This ad was well paced, well written and very fun to watch. The ending is very clever. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com 

So a few months ago, my good buddy Alex, aka AD (to the highest degree) hit me up and said "Hey my friend is doing a book on boomboxes and I think you'd be good for it. I want you guys to talk. So, he connected me to Lyle Owerko (who was cool as ice) and now, I'm a part of this cool new book. Spike Lee did the forward and there are some super hot stars in the book including Fab Five Freddie, Bob Gruen, Rosie Perez, Kool Moe Dee, LL Cool J, Lisa Lisa, DJ Spooky, and Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys and many others. For more information visit: The Boombox Project  you can also follow them on twitter @boomboxlove . I will give you guys more info as we get closer to the release date. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

I can watch these ads all day. I always wanted to move my chest like that....Guess its time to hit the gym. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

Shaun White is hard not to love. He's funny, crazy, cocky- everything most of us wish we were. To see him do this ad with HP was awesome. I think HP is doing a great job of allowing for their stars to announce upcoming things (the skateboard line, the jacket etc.). -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com