Tim Tam time

Good on you Qantas.

You've been kicking some big goals with your marketing efforts of late.

And this Tim Tam effort is just a perfect little touch on Australia Day.

And even though I've been demoted to Bronze Frequent Flyer from Silver recently (I'm not bitter, I'm really not), I still think you're ace.

Keep playing the patriotic card, it's speaking to me.

On the box

It's no surprise that Christmas is my favourite time of the year. 

Great food, great spirit, great excuse for celebrations.

And as soon as the Adelaide Christmas Pageant has been and gone, I'm ready to kick off the shenanigans (even in Melbourne!). 

Christmas marketing campaigns always grab my attention and two of my faves so far are below. They're both heavyweights in the retail world (UK and Australia) but do these ads speak to you?

John Lewis

David Jones

Yes, they do to me.

AFL done good

Sport is such an important cultural force that can unite people from all over.

It has its haters, but you can't deny the role that sport plays in bridging gaps and building teams. 

I love that sport is a language in itself - everyone can speak it. Whether it's dressing up for a day at the races (and not even seeing a horse run!) or sipping Pimms with your friends at on the banks of the Thames during the Boat Race - you could be standing next to someone who doesn't speak a word of English, yet still communicate with them through sport.

I LOVE what the AFL has done with its multicultural round ads for this year.

They're a bit tongue in cheek, they're fun and they're warm. I applaud the light hearted nature in which the topic of multiculturalism has been tackled. So often we tiptoe around these issues and try to make political statements out of them, but at the end of the day, it's just a game of footy.

Check them out below . . .

SA Grateful

I might have caved to social pressures and packed my bags for the big lights of Melbourne, but I will always be a fiercely proud South Aussie at heart.

So much makes this SA Great (oh how I wish they'd kept that brand instead of Advantage SA) and food and wine tops the list for me.

Menz is a firm favourite of mine and I especially love their commitment to the community and local charities. So I was especially chuffed to see them up in lights amongst some serious national heavy hitters today when I received my regular marketing industry newsletter this afternoon.

Menz has created what is believed to be Australia's largest mural made entirely of lollies.

Read about it here.

Doesn't it look great!? I'm yet to identify all the iconic SA landmarks hidden throughout the thousands of sweets but so far have spotted the Malls Balls . . . anyone have any other ideas?!

Then this morning, my parochial fires were burning for Kochie's South Australian food segment on Sunrise. Farmers Union Iced Coffee, Haighs, Maggie Beer, Penfolds wine . . . so so so good!

Check it out here . . .

Putting the Rad into Radelaide

Adelaide's got its cool on.

And I love it!

What do you think of the new TVC produced by kwp!? It is a lovely new chapter in the South Australian story of late and I love what they've done with it.

Here was the stunningly beautiful and edgy Barossa ad.

And remember the Kangaroo Island winner?

There are going to be the haters, the people who don't recognise the Adelaide they've grown up in. They've cut me down before on this very blog.

But that's not who this campaign is for.

We're trying to attract tourists, visitors, new people, adventurers, foodies, explorers, internationals, sceptics, SA haters and investors.

But let's be brave, take risks and stand out from the pack.

This is different. And different is not wrong. It's just different.

** Editor's note: I showed my housemate this ad tonight and she thought it was terrible. Had no idea what it was promoting. Interesting. I'm looking forward to hearing what others think. Stepping away from my 'Adelaide can do no wrong' bias, it does look quite European or something. Maybe an ad for a technology company? Maybe I love the edginess of the ad rather than the message. I will stay tuned for the backlash . . .

Recipe to Riches

Australian TV is doing me proud lately and I'm eagerly anticipating the next Channel 10 reality TV show 'Recipe to Riches'.

I think it's the frustrated foodie in me - someone who knows what they like but can't articulate it or work out how to foster this passion and turn it into a career.

Have you seen the previews for the show? It's been done in Canada before, I think but I'm really excited about the local slant and the marketing ideas behind successful FMCG products.

Good on these punters for giving it a go. It'd be such a 'pinch yourself' moment to see your hairbrain idea for a supermarket product on the local Woolies shelf.

Check out the Recipe to Riches facebook page for some great example of brands we've come to know and love through their creative approach to advertising.

And I'm looking forward to getting to know Carolyn Creswell of Carman's fame a little better on our TV screens. Her story is wonderful, she's so inspiring and just a normal Mum with a passion for what she does. And she's always smiling - a big, warm genuine smile.

Stay tuned to the Ten website for more details . . .

Pucker Up

I'm always on the hunt for clever ad campaigns and love what Burberry has done with Google recently.

Maybe it's because I'm a romantic at heart, or maybe it's because I'm a proud owner of a new Burberry trench (which I must add, I got dirty with makeup today - any tips for how to get it off the collar? Grrrr!)

Check this out . . .

Isn't it sweet?

You can read more about it on the Google Blog here or check out the Burberry Kisses website here.

Barossa. Be Consumed.

So, I'm sitting on the couch watching The Americans with my new housemate and we were rendered speechless when a new tv ad came on.

It was stunning. Beyond gorgeous. Great music, breathtaking scenery, and a little bit edgy. Reminds me of the True Blood opening credits (but way cooler). We were lost for words. I pitched in with a 'Daylesford, maybe?' But my Vic housemate surprised me with a 'definitely South Australian'

I thought he was taking the piss, knowing how fiercely parochial I am.

But no, apparently we're known for great ads. Remember the brilliant Kangaroo Island campaign?

Well, I got all warm and fuzzy when I saw the end frame. None other than the Barossa. Brilliant! 

Check it out ...

www.southaustralia.com

Good work SATC. Snaps to you.

River of Blonde

If I could have any advertising budget, I think I'd want a beer company's.

Love love love this latest effort from Pure Blonde.

It's so simple, engaging and beautiful.

And to think it's for beer!

Isn't the song stunning?!

Throw another STEAK on the barbie

We all know I'm a meat girl from way back. 

Nothing beats a medium-rare slab of steak to get me giddy with joy.

I love love love love the latest ad campaign from Meat and Livestock Australia. It's so clever!