Boost Mobile LLC in Irvine released the latest installment of its “Be Heard” mini documentary series. The two-minute webisode, which can be seen on the brand’s YouTube channel, features mixed martial athlete Marlon Moraes, who competes for the World Series of Fighting in the bantamweight division.
He speaks candidly about his struggles to succeed, as well as praying for his father’s recovery from cancer.
Newport Beach-based ChopShop Entertainment Inc. filmed the video.
The webisode seems to have resonated well with viewers.
“This guy inspired me to be strong and to be the man I’m supposed to be no matter what I go through,” one posted in the comments section. “I have to keep you in my prayers. … Thank you Boost Mobile for this great video.”
The brand also made an appearance on March 14 at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Boost Mobile collaborated with New York-based Complex Magazine to put on “Worlds Collide at SXSW,” a mixture of a concert and a live art installation.
Boost Mobile is a subsidiary of Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint Nextel Corp.
Mazda Architecture
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright is the star of Irvine-based Mazda North American Operations’ new commercial for its 2014 CX-9 SUV.
The ad features archival footage of Wright at work, as well as some of his masterpieces, such as the Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
Wright “defied conventional architecture by combining form with function to create the extraordinary,” and, according to the ad, “defying convention is the Mazda way.”
The 30-second ad is part of the brand’s Game Changer marketing campaign. It was produced by Mazda’s own ad agency, the Garage Team Mazda in Costa Mesa.
Munching on the Oldies
Irvine-based Taco Bell Corp. released a new 30-second ad to promote its “Happier Hour” $1 specials.
The video, set to a modern rendition of “Afternoon Delight,” which was originally released in the 1970s by the Starland Vocal Band, shows couples leaving the office and the classroom to meet up at a local Taco Bell for a midday snack.
The ad was produced by Interpublic Group’s Deutsch LA.
Another Mexican-themed fast-food chain, Lake Forest-based Del Taco LLC, employed “1960s celebrity” to promote its seafood tacos.
Its new ad starts off fairly bland, showing footage of crispy shrimp and beer-battered fish tacos while the commentator says, “Tacos like these sell themselves, but research shows 1960s celebrities also sell.”
Then, as if the creative director wanted to make sure everyone was still watching, a scene from the movie “Clash of the Titans” overtakes the screen for the following 10 seconds, showcasing The Kraken, the giant green monster.
“Sorry boys, that sexy sea creature is taken,” the commentator continued. “But if you think we wouldn’t hire a sexy monster spokesmodel to sell seafood tacos … You Don’t Know Del.”
The ad was produced by the brand’s agency of record, Camp + King in San Francisco.
Hot Dog With Fries
Wienerschnitzel’s sprinting hot dog, “The Delicious One,” is starring in a new 30-second TV ad for the chain’s Ultimate Chili Cheese Fries. The little guy is part of a Polynesian-themed musical, until of course, others prepare to eat him.
The new menu item is also being promoted through in-store signage, social media, and spots on the Pandora online music station.
Wienerschnitzel’s advertising agency of record, Santa Ana-based DGWB Advertising and Communications, and Renegade Animation in Glendale produced the ads.
The Irvine-based brand spent $3.5 million on ad placements last year, according to New York-based Kantar Media.
New L.A. Papers
Santa Ana-based Freedom Communications Holdings Inc. said it plans to launch two monthly community newspapers that will run under the Easy Reader masthead as editions of the Los Angles Register.
One will cover Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista and be delivered to 23,000 homes, while the second will cover Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Venice, and be delivered to 58,000 homes, according to the company.
Freedom said both will be available in the Los Angeles Register when home-delivery subscription service becomes available following the daily newspaper’s April 16 soft launch.
