June 27, 2010
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Ads That Get Me Each Time
Have you ever watched an ad on TV that ended up affecting you more than an ad really should? Nevermind what it was advertising. The approach the ad took still left a lasting impression on you, whether you wish to acknowledge it or not.
Lately, this AT&T ad has been playing on TV a lot, and each time I can’t help but find myself watching the entire thing whenever it does:
Admittingly, the storyline definitely plays with my inner romantic. Even though it might be a little cliche, I can’t help but enjoy the meet cute situation that marks the beginning of a sweet chain of events for the guy. I have a feeling a part of me sorta wants to be that guy.
Another recent commercial that touched me was this Google one:
After watching that, it really made me think about what my parents had to go through when they immigrated to the United States. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this touching video as well. It definitely causes one to appreciate the sacrifices a parent makes for their child. It’s really admirable, and I hope I can be just as great and responsible to my future children.
Here’s just one last commercial I want to mention. It’s by Liberty Mutual and it came out a few years back. I still remember it very well:
Alright, so realistically the world doesn’t work as perfectly as the ad portrays, but the message is very empowering. Paying it forward is an honorable idea, and if it makes just one person’s day a little brighter then it’s absolutely worth it to do. Positivity is underrated at times, at least in my opinion.
Perhaps I’m being too sentimental with all this, but damn it the concepts of these ads really do find ways to move me.
Oh, and the music doesn’t help either.
Comments (128)
O I really like the second one! they have a different one that’s about finding love in Paris.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnsSUqgkDwU
the last ad makes me go EEE!!! you’re giving that dirty doll back to the kid?? GERMS! and yea, the music is great.
Thai Life Insurance commercial. You can thank me later.
… also, what happened to apartment hunting?
you know, come to think of it, way to stereotype google! what, all vietnamese pple are seamstresses?? sheesh.
In a perfect world, these ads would actually be quite mundane when you think about it.
do you know what song is in the last one?
Yea, these are really good ones.
I really enjoy that first ad.
Hey, I used to ride the subway all the time. That never happened to me T.T
aww.. the google ad was so touching and true too.
I agree with wonderland7386… the middle ad is a heart-tugger alright, and I can totally relate and appreciate my parents for what they went through, but it seems heavy-handed with the model immigrant story. It’s as if Google is trying to say that with Google’s help, immigrants can make it in the US. I love what Google has given us in terms of technology, but I think it’s important to remember that they are a corporation, and with all corporations, they have something to benefit from promoting particular narratives.
Oooh that first one got to me. Thanks for sharing the ads – it honestly made me tear up a bit!
The first time I saw that AT&T ad it made me think about how every one of my actions has a direct consequence… makes you feel pretty powerful eh? I’ve never seen the second one but it’s absolutely adorable (nevermind the fact that I wouldn’t trust some of the links on Google for some of those searches). The last commercial is my favourite though – I love the whole concept of passing on the kindness.
*sigh* The creators’ talents seems a bit wasted.
The commercials that usually get me are the ones that make me laugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmkKS_6zIRA – hope you get a kick out of it!
The google ones always get me.
Where you TRYING to make me cry? RLT 1 me 0
the only one i’ve seen before is the liberty mutual one
thanks for sharing the other oneslove these
I have seen and love the first two. That is all I’ll say. I feel a story coming on… mmm. No, maybe not a story, but a private post I’ve been meaning to make manifest for a few weeks now. “Any second could be the second…”
I really like the last one.
The Google commercial was really touching. I didn’t know Google had commercials, seeing how “to Google” is now literally synonymous with online search.
I loved the google commercial and the Liberty Mutual commercial
Thanks for posting this
John
i definitely liked the last two. sorry alex, not a fan of the cheesey romantic stuff
no offense or anything of course! but thanks for sharing the insurance one!
Man, that google commercial almost made me tear up. Just because my parents told me, about a fortnight ago, that at one point when I was in middle school, my dad was considering going to the post office to work the night shifts to make ends meet. My parents hid our financial hardships so well that I never realized we were so tight on money…
@wonderland7386 - Yeah, that Paris ad was the first one I saw. This new one came out within this past week I think. It is a tad stereotypical haha.
@stupid_systemus - Geez Jose, that’s pretty depressing commercial -__-. Oh, I just came back from apartment hunting. Time to refine it more to the McLean/Tyson’s Corner area!
@SlackerSociety - Mundane’s not too bad.
@wyrdkismet - For sure, if I’m granted such a meet cute situation I’ll definitely make a note of that!
@JustPlainMorgie - Yup, Half-Acre. I think it’s one of the related links.
@puella_sapiens216 - Entertainment Weekly mentioned it in their recent magazine, which is what actually inspired me to write this.
@mycontinuity - Perhaps it will happen in NY!
@hodtos - I liked the parts where you can imagine the person was really thinking about it, like the very last search.
@Linh_L - I know what you mean. The person who came up with that idea is pretty good though.
@Passionflwr86 - Cool, glad you liked them. The second and third ones have other versions as well. If you want me to show you the links let me know.
@m_kabs - I always like ripple effect stories. It’s cool to think how some tiny event can lead you down a certain path.
@neekersha - Haha yeah, funny ads are great too. I would have included some of my faves as well, but for this post I was thinking more along the lines of sentimental crap =P
@shillykins - Can you relate to it?
@lil_mama2499 - Wasn’t my intention! Which one made you tear?
@jing116 - Cool, have you seen the second version? I like this first version better though. I like how they portrayed an Asian guy that’s a good driver haha.
@Southeast_Beauty - Intriguing, I wonder what it’s about.
@xchinkylaydee - Me too. It has a little karma thing going with it as well.
@Senlin - They have a Toy Story 3 version of it too! Although, that one is a bit more funny than sweet.
@The_Aftershock_3650 - No problem. Haven’t seen your comments in a while! I definitely noticed something missing.
@unfathomablelove - None taken. I’m a sucker for that cheesy crap.
@bluehoursky - Oh wow, that’s really sweet of him. My parents did a good job of hiding their finances too. I didn’t get a good idea until I had to asked them details to fill out financial aid forms.
the humane society of the united states
My favorite is the AT&T ad. Every time it’s on, I have to watch it and it never gets old.
@Roadlesstaken - Second one for sure, the third one touched me too. It might have been that I just watched Beaches last night also, I probably had some left over tears. lol I have been a heartbroken mess for months now so the first one puts a bitter taste in my mouth.
@JustPlainMorgie - Actually here, I found a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR0CWvbl51o
@MsxDiary - hmm? Are you referring to a commercial by them?
@CuaSo - It’s strange how I haven’t gotten tired of it either. It plays soo much.
yes. tv commercial. airs every now and than. the last time i watched it, i bursted in tears. so sad…
just call me emo
wow, i’ve never seen the second ad, but i love it!!! i feel like it is pretty hard for a commercial to tell a detailed story in less than a minute, but google definitely accomplished that in their commercial.
I loved that ATT commercial. I thought it was brilliant.
I really like the google one. ^^
The google one was really heartwarming. Thanks for posting this!
For so many of us children of immigrants, the Google ad hits home.
First two were cool.
Also ad that gets me every time…the Nike 3 minute epic “Write the Future”…AMAZING. Nuff said.
@AmyC0987 - It’s crazy how much story those commercials tell in such a short time span!
@howsthewheather - No problem. If you know of any good ones show them to me too.
@ivorygem - Yes indeed.
@RemiBlanc - Those have been fun ads to watch throughout the games!
@Roadlesstaken - just searched it up. pretty good pretty good
Very thoughtful post, Alex. The subscription I read right before yours touched on the same theme as that last ad, the way that the kindness of strangers or people we don’t know very well can still play a big roll in our lives. The Google ad is also very compelling for me as not only does it tell the immigrant story but it does illustrate how all those pieces of life can fit together online. I’d love to collect that ad and save it to show to my nieces when they become adults some dozen-plus years from now. By then the technology will seem quaint, I’m sure, but I’d like for them to know what a sense of possibility we felt at the start of this era.
Watch any of these and try not to tear up.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sad+thai+commercial+insurance&aq=1
Wow, that Google one really got me. I have tears in my eyes!!
I’ve written a couple of commercials in my job as an ad writer. My most successful one was one I wrote for BC Tourism that played when the Vancouver Winter Olympics were on.
@DraculVanHelsing - whoa..you wrote one of those ads?? =)
Why are there no black people in this video? Jesus was black!
I think you are a racist!
@CaKaLusa - DUDE, someone previously linked me to one of those commercials and it was so freakin’ depressing!
@lil_squirrel4ever - Very emotional commercial for sure. They know how to tug our hearts.
@DraculVanHelsing - For real? Is there a YouTube link to it?
@christao408 - I’ll probably be doing the same thing with my future offspring and whatnot. I wonder how many things will seem ancient by that time?
@lil_squirrel4ever - Yeah, I wrote the one with Michael J. Fox where he says, “You gotta be here.” A friend of mine who lives in Fresno, California said it even played down there when the Winter Olympics were on.
@blackjesus@revelife - But Black Jesus, there was one in last ad!
@Roadlesstaken - Well that is not enough black people, and if you don’t like it, then you are a racist.
@DraculVanHelsing - @Roadlesstaken - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwSCHRQCIBY OMG I LOVE this commercial!!
@DraculVanHelsing - You did really well!! It is one of the most beautiful BC Tourism ads out there.
@Roadlesstaken - This is the commercial as I originally wrote it. It was supposed to be 30 seconds in length but I have a tendency to be long winded. The final commercial was edited down to 30 seconds. I have to say the edited version was more effective. I was surprised that they actually filmed my whole long-winded commercial the way I wrote it and posted it on YouTube. As far as I know, only the edited 30 second version was ever shown on TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXqKORNdDh4
@DraculVanHelsing - Very, very cool =D
I never paid attention to the first ad before. It always got me when it said “57th president”, now i actually know what its about. I think the last one is my favorite though, those women are gorgeous
Unable to view the ads. Something is wrong with my internet connection. I’ll try to check them again later tonight.
I remember the Google one… I even went on the youtube channel to look up other ‘search on’ videos.
I have never seen the Liberty Mutual one (maybe because I live in Canada…) but that was a really powerful commercial.
The one that always got me was the AT&T ad where the dad goes away on a business trip, and his little girl puts a stuffed monkey or something in his briefcase. So he takes pictures of the monkey in every city he goes to and sends them to her, and the last one is in front of their house when he gets home, and she just leaps out the door and bumrushes him.
Getting a little teary remembering it. Jesus, I’m such a sissy.
I love the Liberty Mutual ad. I remember that. It always made me smile. ^_^ You’re so sentimental. I like it! lol
the last one is amazing
@the_rocking_of_socks - YEAH I LOVE THAT ONE!!!
Summer’s Eve commercials: “Men have their idea of” etc. etc., showing some slobby male behavior, “and we have ours. Summer’s Eve, enjoy being a woman.”
fuckin’ annoys me each time, man.
Wow I felt a tingle in my nose when I watched these. Love the idea of paying it forward. I love it when I know that I have brightened someone else’s day.
@DraculVanHelsing - You made that?! Wow. You are amazing. I happen to live in BC, so I’m very impressed. Good work!
I haven’t seen that Google commercial but it’s a good one!
I love the last one! Commercials can be so annoying sometimes; it’s great when you spot one that’s touching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb2iWSae5HE&feature=related
Great commercials =)
i love the first one. I always have to watch all of it. <3
I remember seeing that last commercial. I’ve always thought if I could just do something good for someone, I can help make their lives a lot better, maybe even help them get through the day. Its hard to do that for people in a town like this, but I’m glad I can help someone. That’s why the last commercial is my favorite.
I enjoy these kind of commercials too!
The 2nd one was so touching, it made me cry… And I love love love the concept for the Liberty Mutual commercials…
@DraculVanHelsing - love that commercial! BC is beautiful.
continued successes-whatever needful things you may find.
awwww
@stupid_systemus - omg that is so sad!
i like the last one
I can’t watch a single ad. Oh well.
I LOVE the first one but the other two were pretty cool also! thank you for sharing!
That AT&T one gets me too.
Aww, the second one reminds me of my favorite Superbowl ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnsSUqgkDwU. For the sentimental, romantic fool in anyone!
I’ve even gotten teary eyed at Hallmark ads before. Some ads ARE just that moving!!
Gee talk about ‘split second decisions’ Lol bet that guy in the first ad was thankful he had bought that handy little iphone or whatever it was. Loved the last one too, though it may not mirror reality too exactly, it made me smile. Haven’t seen those ads here in the UK.
I really like the top ad! I always have to watch it the whole way through too.
@jumpthenfly - Thanks.
@HisKeiki - BC is a very beautiful province.
I always love those Liberty Mutual ads.. in fact I love them so much I went and downloaded that song Half Acre by Hem. I think the song is beautiful and I really like the “pay it forward” message of the ad.
I find a lot of good music through commercials. lol
I also really like the Liberty Mutual commercials. And I hadn’t seen that Google one… it made my heart smile. But metaphorically. Because now that I think about it, a heart literally smiling sounds painful.
We should meet in real life sometime.
@nikii_monstrr - Oh, which ladies?
@RestlessButterfly - Is it because you’re in Malaysia?
@babixling - I’m planning on making my own version of that Search on commercial! Just need to think of a creative one.
@the_rocking_of_socks - I remember that one now too. That’s another good contender for touching commercials
@RaquelHiggins005 - Urgh hate being so sentimental haha
@dead_poetic009xx - There’s a sequel to it too!
@Coffee_Kaioken - Well, I guess you wouldn’t say that’s a moving commercial haha
@jumpthenfly - No tingle in your eyes?
@Meowmeowkimmaee - It’s brand new! Not sure if they shown it on tv yet.
@confident_christine - Aw, that’s a cute one.
@HisKeiki - I’m glad it’s only 30 seconds long or else I’ll be wasting a lot of time!
@Illegally_Invited - The people in your town do not enjoy random kindness?
@mZdejavuZ - Even though it’s advertising insurance, it’s such a good one.
@I_once_was - For sure for sure.
@FreeeVerse - Is it because of country restrictions?
@Mac_Libureet - I want to see AT&T make more commercials with similar concept!
@Shopgirl0393 - Ah yes, the Paris one. That was sweet too. Was gonna put that up, but figured most people have seen that but not this new one.
@Chatamanda - I’m sure UK has their versions of sentimental ads =)
@TheCheshireGrins - Good, glad to see I’m not crazy =D
@Fireflywishes - That is a good song! I looked up the full version of it the first time I watched that commercial.
@randaness - Lets make it happen! You should somehow find a way to travel to NY for the NY meet next month.
@Roadlesstaken - But I think it overlaps with my Panama trip D:
@randaness - Urgh! Okay, find sometime to visit me in VA then!
@Roadlesstaken - Ok!
@Roadlesstaken - the indian ladies in the last video
That AT&T commercial is my favorite
.
Neat ads. Came here by way of rec from christao408. True. some commercials just take residence in your brain.
In my town, there was an occurrence the day after Obama was elected that 40-ish cars payed for the car behind them at the Starbucks Drive Thru.
@Roadlesstaken - No, they just take it for granted.
nope. they move me as much as they move you an. I try to live my life the way the liberty mutual one prtrays. though the google one made me smile. =]
@Roadlesstaken - Probably because I’m using broadband. I never have any problem when using Steamyx.
@ZSA_MD - Indeed. Commercials can be its own art form in a way.
@Mangonese - How awesome! Occasionally, I would pay the toll for the person behind me.
@verified_but_still_denied - I try to as well =)
The other google ad, (the Parisian one) gets Corey and I almost every time.
I like the Liberty Mutual Ad the best. It reminds me of the movie pay it forward =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pCtXRP1edo&feature=related
as if the pictures arent sad enough, they add the worlds most saddest theme song to go along with it. depressing.
@skylar_rose - That’s a really good one too
@accordingtolana - I liked the premise of that movie! Funny thing is that I haven’t watched it yet. I should.
@MsxDiary - I think they’re more sentimental music than depressing haha
The google ad was just….wow. You could see almost the entire life story of a person based solely on the things they looked for. There’s another ad like that for google, but a romantic story about moving to France.
I’m NOT THE ONLY ONE?!
they always have these tim hortons ads playing during all olympics that always make me tear up ><
sentimental turned depressing…for me anyway.
play the cocomo music or something.
@ordinary_gir1 - Oh Canada!
@tenshii_rage - Yeah, that’s another good one too =)
but did you want to buy what was advertised?
the girls in the ads don’t count as products!
This reminds me of a few touching commercials/PSA’s that I’ve seen over the years. Might be due for a timestamp, I think…
@TheBigShowAtUD - lololololololololololololol
@TheBigShowAtUD - Well…not really haha. The story is good though.
@theacematt2 - Like what?
@Roadlesstaken - I’ll tag you, xD
The last one is my favorite. I’m a huge fan of the ripple effect and doing one night thing and then they do one nice thing and so on.
@suggestivetongue - It’s a trend that should catch on.
got here by christao’s rec.
that was really nice. i’ve never seen these ads before and it has made me think, and like you, i feel connected to them – what a strange nice feeling
@stepaside_loser - Very cool feeling I say.
Those were really nice
I love all of those ads! Especially the first one… it makes me wonder if I should be letting all of these moments in my life keep slipping away… like giving and taking chances. =/
you are too romantic for a guy, huh?
haha..
nice ads
however it would not be a good ad for the company if all people are like you… these ads will only make people better without making them buy the product, LOL
@maniacsicko - yeah, probably a little too much XP
@xkthily - Everything can change with just one slight action!
I hadn’t seen the Google one before… okay… it kind of made me cry lol.
But I remember the Liberty Mutual one… possibly another version of it, though.
@reallifedemo - Yup there were two versions, but I prefer the original.
Awww..I love all of them. Their all soo cute..:)
hahaa, you watched eclipse?
i thought it’s a chickflick. hahaa!
hahaa, is it worth $6?
@x3style - I watched it with a female friend =) . I generally found it alright. Like I said, better than the other two.
I reallyyyy like the Liberty Mutual commercial!