Ford CMO Jim Farley would rather have been talking about anything else at the kickoff media breakfast at the New York International Auto Show today, but first he had some 'splaining to do. Or, at least, apologizing.

He said Ford was sorry for the advertising renderings by the JWT of India agency that appeared online several days ago cartoonishly depicting celebrities abducting people but at the same time, distanced both his brand and the agency from the offending images. The images never came close to being used in official Ford advertising.

"All of us at Ford and JWT were as shocked as you were," Farley said today, according to USA Today. "We are extremely sorry about the incident ... It is not acceptable."Continue reading...

In an embarrassing reminder of the perils of creative license in an era of unprecedented transparency, Ford today had to apologize for a misogynistic set of online-only ads contemplated by its Ford of India unit and featuring the unlikely mashup of Paris Hilton, the Kardashians and Silvio Berlusconi.

The over-the-top visuals were created by JWT of India, which handles Ford advertising there, and were posted apparently for consumption by other professionals on a website called Ads of the World. The ads carry the tagline, “Leave your worries behind.” The existence of the ad prototypes was first pointed out by Business Insider, which called them “speculative renderings to show off” creativity.

In one drawing, Hilton is depicted in the front seat of a Ford Figo, with the Kardashian sisters bound and gagged in the rear and the hatchback open. A similar construction has former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi in the driver’s seat with a trio of crying women in the back—presumably a reference to charges that he has consorted with prostitutes. A third ad depicts Formula One driver Michael Schumacher abducting a male rival.Continue reading...

Brand USA, the government marketing arm pitching America as a travel destination, is getting into the branded entertainment business, with a new website now seeking television programming pitches. But is America lacking for TV shows about America?

“We know how incredible a destination can look on television and that, for many viewers, it’s what may inspire a booking for their next holiday,” commented Jay Gray, VP of Business Development, Brand USA. Continue reading...

Listerine in Hong Kong with agency JWT came up with a unique idea: using a flipbook with a nasty onion smell in the pages (and a coupon at the end) to leave a lasting impression.

Pepsi India's 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, Change the Game, has inspired the brand to continue the theme with a new spot — one executed by a new agency, with JWT hired to expand on the original ICC concept by Taproot, according to afaqs!

When it comes to advertising manly products, there seem to be limited approaches to take. Axe (or Lynx, in certain markets) uses sex appeal, as with its falling angels campaign. Gillette likes to get straight to the point with athletes, at least one with a few tricks up his sleeve.

But if they're trying to be funny, they'll be held up to the Isaiah Mustafa Old Spice commercials. But what happens when you run out of manly ideas for your manly products? The temptation is to pay homage to the masterful Mustafa character.

We understand, Old Spice wannabes, but we're begging you — knock it off with the knock-offs.Continue reading...

Valentine's Day is on Sunday and DeBeers wants to remind consumers of the importance of love. Actually, it wants consumers to remember the importance of love, and then drop everything.

The jewelry company has collaborated with JWT on a social-networking website that enables consumers to broadcast lovelorn webcam messages to significant others.

Sally Morrison of JWT explained, “This is a greater embrace of social media for DeBeers and a huge step for us in engaging people about what love means in this particular digital environment."

The site also features a collection of short films produced by JWT, which follow nine lovers on quests to surprise their special someone – a savvy attempt to connect with emotional shoppers searching for the perfect gift.Continue reading...