Beyond Urban Branding

"My Limo" by Da Rich Kidzz K Mart really did a good thing. When I was a kid, they used to tease you by saying your clothes came from K Mart. So K Mart flipped the strategy, reframed ads around good clothes at a good price and HIT BIG with these ads. I love them all. Not just because they used all kinds of kids, but they let a Black girl with dark skin have a prominent role in the ad. Thats huge.  The sad thing is, a lot of super racist and bad comments flooded the youtube channel. Reminds you that everybody is not ready for diversity. But we are, and thats what matters. Great strategy, well executed....one of my favorite ad campaigns of the year. 

So powerful, this is it. This is why we get up, this is why we eat good, this is why we train, this is why we dream big. This is why we fight so hard on the field. I love this add!!!

This is so great. I have the original poster from the first Run DMC shoes.

This is easily my favorite Jay Z song. It is so powerful. As big as he ism I feel many of his more recent fans do not understand the depth of his lyricism and ability. Budweiser made a great choice in choosing him. Nobody in rap is as big ass Jay Z right now. Everything connected to him is winning. There is no better artist to be associate with. This ad is done crisp and clean. Nothing super flashy, just the feeling of almost being there...Feeling like you are a part of it...Solid....Somebody asked me if I think anybody will buy what he drinks cause of this ad. The answer, is YES! Here is the original version:

I know a lot about this trend. I was a teenager when it was unfolding. This was an amazing time. The cross-cultural dynamic of football and Hip-Hop has never been the same.

John Travolta in a Brazilian rum ad.

Resse's has been sticking with the urban feel for their commercials for a few years now. It must be working. The interesting thing is that they do small things to attract parents and kids to the brand. Its very subtle, but effective. They are sure to use kids of various races, so nobody feels left out. They always use an uptempo rap that chants the letters of the brand in creative ways. These guys pay attention. This one has a bit of a reto feel. All the haircuts are from the 80's. I suspect thats done to attract parents while the music and the editing and the cuts are meant for kids. Well played, Mr. Reese....well played.