Stumbled on to this late last night. Chilling and inspiring.

The theory of evolution claims that only the strong shall survive. Maybe so…maybe so…But the theory of competition says just because they’re the strong doesn’t mean they cant get their ass’s kicked. Thats right. See what every long shot, come from behind underdog will tell you is this. The other guy may in fact be the favorite, the odds maybe stacked against you, fair enough. But what the odds don’t know is this isn’t a math test. This is a completely different kind of test. One where PASSION has a funny way of trumping logic. So before you step up to the starting line, before the whistle blows, and the clock starts ticking. Just remember out here the results don’t always add up. No matter what the stats may say, and the experts may think, and the commentators may have predicted, when the race is on all bets are off. Don’t be surprised if someone decides to flip the script and take a pass on yelling uncle. And then suddenly as the old saying goes, WE GOT OURSELVES A GAME!

I’ve watched this Super Bowl ad from Google more times than I can count. I remember watching it live during the Super Bowl, in Vegas, and being stunned at the simplicity of the spot. It connects with us, because we’ve all started our journey toward something bigger at the altar of Google.

Last week Kevin Willer of Google, shared that this spot was not created for the Super Bowl. Google had created several “Search Stories” videos and simply picked the best performing spot to run. Brilliant, when you consider most companies invest several million dollars into a new commercial that they are hoping will perform.

The Search Stories program is pretty cool.  You can literally create your own story using a slick and simple to use tool. This past summer I used the tool to create one hell of a search story. With the holiday season upon us, I urge you to let your inner geek shine and try creating your own for someone special!

Personally, if I were the other carriers, I’d band together, pool resources and money and then take on AT&T and the iPhone as a unified team.

I saw this ad earlier today and it really stuck with me. I travel out of state frequently, my family lives in another state and my kids are in another state as well. It’s technology that keeps us all connected. This anthem from Cisco really nails the idea of creating an emotional connection.

We saw ads from Audi, Dodge, Hyundai, Honda and others.  Usually the Super Bowl is a proving ground for card ads.  Manufacturers bring their best of the best to the table so they can outshine the competition.  This year’s Super Bowl was just strange.  Hyundai was ok…nothing Earth shattering.  Honda and Audi were abysmal.  Doge was suprisingly strong.  But, to me the best ad from a car manufacturer was from Kia.  If you have kids, you have to love this spot.  Now, let’s see if it moved the needle.

Of all the Super Bowl ads, the one from Google was definitely my favorite.  It’s sorta funny to think that a company grounded in technology, math, algorithms, and 1s and 0s could create such an emotional connection.  Well done.

You have to admire a brand like Axe.  They know their consumer audience really well and nearly all their work in on brand, on strategy, on message, and memorable.  That’s how ads should be.

Perhaps the best thing about this ad is that it leads to the sale of a real product. Yes, the Axe Detailer is legit.

I love this new campaign from Verizon. It started with this set of ads that focused on Verizon’s superior coverage and AT&T’s abysmal coverage. As a former Verizon customer and a current iPhone owner I can definitely attest to the accuracy of those ads.

Following the launch of the “There’s A Map For That” spots, they then launched this one called “iDon’t.” It’s fun when you’re the challenger brand and trying to take on the brand leader. When you’re the challenger brand you can take bigger risks and be a bit more spunky. This ad does exactly that:

I’m on the fence about what to do with my cell phone situation. I love the iPhone, but I loathe Apple and I hate AT&T’s horrible coverage. The Palm Pre looks damn tasty and as soon as it launches on Verizon next year, I may have to switch. Interesting times ahead and as with all competitive situations, the consumer will ultimately win.

While watching Mad Men tonight I saw an ad from Clorox that disappointed the hell out of me. Men and Dads specifically, never get any respect from advertisers. We’re often characterized as bumbling idiots who can’t do anything except drink beer and drive cars. This new ad from Clorox had me hooked and leaning forward. I loved the time lapse look and the voice over was perfectly in tune with the animation. Then, roughly 13 seconds into the ad, I had a “WTF, are you serious” moment. The copy reads, “Laundry is not new. your mother, your grandmother, her mother, they all did the laundry…MAYBE EVEN A MAN OR TWO.”

Wow. Wow. I thought I had misheard the ad, so I went out to YouTube to find it. Sadly, I had heard correctly. As a dad, I find the line utterly and completely disrespectful. I do 75% of the laundry in my house. I know several men who do their fair share of laundry. To characterize men as people who don’t do laundry and women as the only people who do is insulting to both genders. Clearly, Clorox, hasn’t gotten the memo about the changing American family. Their time laps commercial seems stuck in the 1950s.

Since Clorox obviously doesn’t think I’m useful, I’ll be switching to private label and the competition.