Coca-Cola follows up their magnificent Happiness Machine with the Happiness Truck, which hits the streets of Rio de Janeiro to deliver – what else? Happiness.

Love this campaign.

By Definition 6.

Stunning image work by RLR Advertising for Heal the Bay, a non-profit environmental group trying to restore the Santa Monica Bay. Great work RLR, but is that seriously your website?

Super Bowl XLV came and went, and the overall story (beyond Christina Aguilera screwing up the national anthem) is that the ads stunk. Lacking any real inspiration or powerful concepts, the ads seemed to fall back on typical Super Bowl mainstays: Slapstick humor (shots to the groin, etc.), celebrities (Justin Bieber and Ozzy Osbourne for Best Buy, Kim Kardashian for Sketchers, Richard Lewis and Roseanne Barr for Snickers), babies (hello E*Trade), and cute animals (hello E*Trade again).

Even worse, there were multiple head-shake moments induced by the likes of Pepsi Max, Doritos, Mercedes and everyone’s favorite Super Bowl whipping boy, GoDaddy. Unlike last year, when Google pulled through with their simple and engaging Parisian Love, there wasn’t any ad that struck hard and stayed with you.

So which spot does this blog choose as the ad winner? With lukewarm applause, it would have to be the logical, safe Volkswagen spot. Although it uses a couple crutches to walk (cute kids, pop culture icons), the concept is just simple and smile-inducing enough to cross-over to multiple audiences. Nice job, Deutsch.

The funniest spot nod goes to CareerBuilder, who once again exploit monkeys to torment our young everyman just trying to make an honest buck. Props to Erik W for spotting the Nebraska plates.

Yet another Coca-Cola smile-maker that warms living rooms across America with that classic Coke cheer:

Though a bit somber and heavy-handed, I was impressed by the copywriting and engaging tone of this spot. The true pride and grit of Detroit is simply seething throughout and it shows. And though some will question the selection of Eminem… would you have rather had Kid Rock?

Riding the post-Betty White wave, Snickers again turns to previously obscure celebrities. The spot would’ve been my choice for Best Of Super Bowl XLV if the scene with Roseanne Barr was real.

The NFL dials in some pop culture faves to perfectly capture how deeply ingrained America’s love for football really is.

Metaphors come full circle in this spot for CarMax. Unfortunately, it was the only CarMax ad during the Super Bowl that was worth a damn.

The latest Old Spice ad is finally released! This, after a short pre-launch campaign that granted one lucky Old Spicer Super Fan status. As a Super Fan winner, 16 year old Chris Gatewood got full access to the new ad 24 hours before it hit the net. Oh, and some Super Bowl tickets.

Is it awesome? Yes. Mind-blowing? Debatable. Looks like there is finally a subtle feeling of diminishing returns on the whole campaign, but it’s still better than 98% of the ads out there. Discuss.

BBDO’s campaign for HBO has re-enacted key scenes of HBO flagship programs such as True Blood to hilarious effect. This one (which I somehow missed over the holidays) features Eastbound and Down, and it’s the best because of how gleefully demented it is. The cut to the graduation photo as the two parents suck face is absolutely priceless.

Inspired? Make your own re-enactment.

Energizer introduces a series of entertaining animated vignettes highlighting their “ability to last longer.” Why the quotations? The videos cite nice figures, such as “lasts 65% longer”, or “20 hours longer”. But the videos aren’t comparing Energizer batteries to the competition (as you would assume), but to Energizer’s own line of batteries. The beauty of fine print, ladies and gentleman! Oh well. Fun stuff that is probably TBWA’s first campaign for Energizer since they won the global biz.

I don’t typically post showreels on this blog. But when you have a one the best in the biz putting together an incredible reel, you do it. The Mill is a fantastic production and special effects company behind some of this blog’s favorite ads, including Das Handwerk’s Craft, Adidas’ Star Wars Cantina, DirecTV’s Opulence, and yes, even Nike’s Write the Future and Old Spice’s The Man Your Man Could Smell Like.

Much love.

Ad agency john st. mocks self-serving campaign summary videos with one of their own; a glorious satire about how they made little Chelsea Bedano’s 8th birthday a rousing, fully-integrated multi-touch success.

Love it. Via AdFreak.

The latest Communication Arts just came out with its first ever Typography Annual. Excellent stuff in there, but this campaign by JWT Dubai caught my eye with its combination of concept, design, and of course typography. Enjoy.

You may have seen it before, but here’s a wonderful “why didn’t I think of that” campaign by Brazil’s DM9DDB for Sasxofunny Sound Production Company. Great, great stuff. Via Illusion 360.