Is China's ad industry knocking off commercials the same way the Chinese tech industry is knocking off gadgets? That's a question posed by Chinasmack, a blog that covers all things China. It serves up a few examples of foreign-produced ads that are re-appropriated for the Chinese audience.Continue reading...

Was it really just six months ago that Arianna Huffington was calling the Old Spice Guy a "game changer?" (No, it was five months.)

After abandoning the Ray Lewis versions, the original Old Spice Guy is back! *crickets* We remain unconvinced of Old Spice Guy's long-term branding prospects. Still, there's no denying that the popularity of the Old Spice campaign spawned many copycats.

One example of how the Old Spice act was aped is this United Moving commercial. But one brand fully understood the power of the (viral) sentiment behind the Old Spice Guy campaign and harnessed it without directly mimicking any of the exact campaign. And that's how it found success.Continue reading...