Typically, promotional ads for television shows lack innovation, style and sophistication.
But the new ads for HBO's series True Blood break all of those rules.
HBO has hooked up with Ecko Unlimited, Mini, Geico, Gillette, Harley-Davidson, and Monster to create a series of ads which promote both the brands and the television series while at the same time, entertaining the audience.
The print and online ads for True Blood carry the show's theme that there are vampires among us, and that of course they need clothes, cars, insurance and job help like the rest of us.
Consider it bending reality a bit.
USA Today reports that among the ads are: a Monster ad that promotes "thousands of night-shift positions," and a Mini convertible ad that let's you "feel the wind in your fangs." Ads will run in Us Weekly, TV Guide, The New York Times and New York Magazine, and digital ads include placement on CNN and entertainment sites.
And it's a good vehicle for reaching viewers in the same target market. "This is a very cool, sexy, powerful brand," says Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson's director, advertising, promotions and entertainment. "It's youthful and powerful and has attitude and strength. That's really a great partner for a brand like ours."
Ad agency Digital Kitchen developed more than 30 mock-up ads to persuade brands to be part of the campaign for HBO, which is picking up the majority of the costs.
