I don't know if it's my love for musicals, weird humor, or my new year fresh-start mentality, but the new Old Spice commercial by Wieden + Kennedy Portland had me roaring*. It's one prominent example of the creativity that will unleash this year and it's pretty exciting.
So check it. The commercial captures the tragedy every mom faces when she starts to realize her son is growing up, and God forbid, takes a backseat to that cute girl in chem class. Consequently, she has his heart (and all his texts for the month. Can you say spendy?!).
I can't think of any mothers I know that look that creepy, but their laments (yes, in song!) must be universal: He's now a ladies man, and the lady aint me.
Nooooooooo!
When I'm a mom, I'm pretty sure I'll be joining that chorus of sad women. Partly because I'm sappy and I've always thought it'd be wonderful to burst out in song whenever I have a thought or emotion I want to express. I'll feel torn; not wanting to share that special place in his heart with someone else yet feeling proud that the young ladies are taking notice of him (he would be, after all, a product of muah!).
I might be somewhat incredulous at first. Ladies, have you smelled his hockey bag? I'm the one who reminds him to shower! And then I'll be forced to thank Old Spice for donning him the smell-o-magnet of manhood.
I'd be interested to see what actual mothers think of this piece. Are you horrified or able to laugh at yourself a little and get the kid a can of Old Spice. After all, if you taught him to shower, why not teach him how to fake it on a whim. Sometimes, you just have to.
I'd also be interested to know what the young guys think.
On a similar note but new tangent, for a slightly older set of guys, I think a jewelry company should create a humorous ad that acknowledges Facebook engagements are EVERY. WHERE. and EVERYTHING. these days. (And everyone's annoyed about it.) So many ways you could go with it. Fun to think about.
Here's to spicing up the creativity in 2014!!
*Now hold the phone, before anyone gets caught up on personal values here, by acknowledging the brilliance of this commercial, I'm not advocating that young guys "misbehave" with the ladies. They should be taught to treat a girl with respect. However, it's natural for mothers to worry about where their son's manhood is taking him, as captured in this ad.