So recently I saw an article discussing the most annoying adverts on TV in 2010. Top of the list? … Go Compare with the opera singer. We all recognise him…his kinked moustache, his voice, his tux. However, it seems it is not the first time that the Ad was awarded most annoying as this was also the case in 2009. Thanks to its irritating strategy it has definitely increased brand awareness. I know that when I go to compare prices, Go Compare will at least be one of my top 3 choices.

Some may not agree, but for me one Ad that I can still watch over and over again is comparethemarket.com. I don’t know if it is the cuteness of the meerkats or just the fact that it was a pure genius idea, but it is one Ad I’m still not sick of, in-fact I think it is one of my favourites!

Other Ads that topped the irritating list include: Webuyanycar.com, injurylawyers4u.com and Halifax. Interestingly, 7 of these top 20 were Ads which targeted people struggling during the recession. Maybe as the economy recovers we’ll see these Ads begin to disappear?

At my recent  Media Circle training we were told that anything is possible with outdoor!

And thanks to my friend’s amazing example we are now beginning to see how digital technology can be used to enhance observation of target audiences and circulation of advertisements.

Face recognition software is being developed to research consumers. It acts by placing cameras behind posters to register the age, sex and even mood of those who view them. This enables researchers to study who these advertisements are actually reaching and at what time of the day/week etc. It’s a new revelation that could alter the face of outdoor advertising and enable brands to target their consumers more efficiently. There is even awareness that as a result of this technology, advertisements could be more personalised by instantly changing the creative to suit the age, sex or mood of the viewer.

But with consumer cutbacks in spending taking place across the country, is this the best time to launch this technology? Or as some might say, could these personalised advertisements  be just what we’re looking for to increase targeted advertising and as a result lead to increased spending.

If you are a regular Twitter user and have been feeling a bit down in the dumps lately, a bunch of flowers could be on their way to you!

Interflora have begun a new social media campaign to approach online communities and increase brand awareness. Their campaign involves monitoring Twitter users to find those who are feeling a bit low then contacting them to get their address which they then use to send them a bouquet of flowers.

It is a unique idea that spreads the message of the power of the flower for cheering people up. Virtually every woman would love to receive some! So much so that it’s tempting to tweet lots of sad messages in the hope of being selected!

Ok so we all know the slogan, ‘Marmite, you either love it or you hate it’ but news is out that they are to extend their product range by introducing a marmite flavoured chocolate bar, ‘Very Peculiar’,  just in time for Christmas.
Although I’m not a fan of the original Marmite myself, more a ‘hater’ I guess, having been used to the horrible smell that floats out of the tub when my sister spreads it on toast, I can’t imagine anyone would buy the bar other than to torment the taste buds of the recipient.
However, Unilever, owner of Marmite are much more optimistic suggesting that its possible success could result in its permanent fixture on the shop floor.
If unlike me you think this is a tempting purchase then you’ll want to head to Debenhams or BHS from 4th October to get your own to try. Let me know how it goes!