In this edition of TV Time Machine, host Jim Benson discusses the hiring of Ted Williams by Kraft Foods and helps showcase some of TV’s greatest commercials with two top Madison Avenue Advertising veterans.
Although some view these ubiquitous vignettes as an excuse to make a sandwich, let the dog out, make a phone call, check e-mail, wash a few dishes or visit the water closet—we will spend the next hour in celebration, playing peerless presentations of perfectly persuasive pitches both past and present.
On this edition of TV Time Machine, Jim Benson welcomes two of the best mad men and women in the ad game, Bruce Arendash and Lisa Rothstein. Mr. Arendash has served as Senior Vice President and Creative director at Lintas Worldwide and Grey Advertising, and Ms. Rothstein has served as Vice President and Creative Director at firms such as Young and Rubicam, Lintas Worldwide and Lowe Paris.
In these audio segments, Lisa and Bruce not only explore the best TV commercials over the past five decades, but they pierce the advertising veil, giving a behind-the scenes look at the type of creativity that helped conceive our cornucopia of classic commercials. They also discuss Kraft Foods decision to hire former homeless citizen Ted “Golden Throat” Williams for their latest Kraft Macaroni & Cheese television advertising campaign. Again, for those of you intrepid enough to squeeze the Charmin, feel free to challenge your short attention span, as we slip from the restraints of the present and enter a… but-wait-there’s-more… past!
Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash Audio Segment One-
In this segment, TV Time Machine host Jim Benson invites advertising executives Bruce Arendash and Lisa Rothstein to talk about working together at the prestigious advertising firm Lintas New York (now Lowe), the creative process that they employed during those years, and the behind-the-scenes machinations of how the ad game really works. The dynamic advertising duo also talk about product branding, and the way consumers are persuaded through certain advertising principals and selling techniques.
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Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash Audio Segment Two-
For the second segment, host Jim Benson can’t believe his guests ate the whole thing, as Madison Avenue masters Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash consume a cadre of classic commercials. The persuasive pair discuss the Clio-winning classic Alka Seltzer commercial from 1972, the American Express campaign featuring the classic slogan, “Don’t Leave Home Without It,” and the legendary McDonald’s jingle, “Two All Beef Patties Special Sauce Lettuce Cheese Pickles Onions on a Sesame Seed Bun.”
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Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash Audio Segment Three-
For the final segment, ad veterans Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash take a few shots at the Frito Bandito, while also taking aim at several classic controversial commercials. The talented twosome examine how certain TV commercial characters have evolved beyond stereotype, how changing mores and attitudes impact the bottom line, and the limits of what is acceptable in advertising. The creative couple also explore the controversial 2010 Super Bowl Audi commercial featuring The Green Police, and discuss the hiring of former homeless citizen Ted Williams by Kraft Foods, to perform the voiceover for their latest Kraft Macaroni and Cheese campaign.
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