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Keith Lorizio Out at Microsoft

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 22:27

Veteran sales executive Keith Lorizio is out at Microsoft. The company has not provided a reason for his ouster. But according to sources, Lorizio's departure was not voluntary, and was immediate. Lorizio has been with Microsoft since 2006. Microsoft issued the following statement: "We can confirm that Keith Lorizio, vp of U.S. sales for Microsoft Advertising, is no longer with the company. Barry Dougan, gm of global specialist sales, will assume interim leadership of the U.S. ad sales organization while we conduct a rigorous and thoughtful search for a permanent replacement.

H&R Block Supplants Super Bowl Spot With a Ton of YouTube Ads

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 22:02

Even though it's Super Bowl weekend, it's still tax season. Thus, H&R Block has purchased YouTube preroll ads that will run against every big-game spot that's repurposed on the social video site. To put this blanket approach into perspective, there were 62 paid Super Bowl spots last year. So while the tax preparer doesn't have a big-game commercial, it will be all over YouTube on Sunday in an effort that runs through Feb. 9.

Adweek Will Be Grading Every Super Bowl Ad as It Airs, and You Can Too

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 21:55

Everyone has an opinion on the Super Bowl commercials. Now, you have a place where can grade every one of them—with a single click. Adweek is launching a special site for Sunday's Super Bowl where we will be giving each spot a letter grade (from A+ to F) shortly after it airs. And we'll be asking you to do the same. You'll be able to see all the commercials in one place, too. The submissions will be averaged to give an overall reader grade, which will sit right next to Adweek's official grade—so you'll be able to see how much you as a group enjoyed each ad, versus how much we did.

Anheuser-Busch Is the Super Bowl’s Top Sponsor

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 20:54

The King of Beers also rules the Super Bowl. According to Nielsen, Anheuser-Busch was the top spender in the last five Super Bowls, ponying up $149 million between 2009-2013. That the maker of Budweiser and Bud Light is the biggest backer of the NFL championship tilt isn’t at all surprising; on average, the brewer scoops up four-and-a-half minutes of airtime, mixing it up with 30- and 60-second executions.

Dr. Oz Magazine Loses Lead Designer Ahead of Launch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 19:36

Hearst’s newest magazine, Dr. Oz The Good Life, hasn’t put out its first issue, but it's already lost a key member of the launch team. Cass Spencer, the design director, was let go Thursday, a few days ahead of the launch. Spencer, who lists work from another Hearst title, Cosmo for Latinas, as well as Rodale’s Prevention on his website, declined to go into specifics about his departure.

At Last, Chrysler Confirms Super Bowl Appearance

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 19:28

Chrysler finally acknowledged its return to the Super Bowl today, saying that it will unveil three new ads. In a two-sentence statement, the automaker—now known corporately as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles—said the ads would run during the first quarter, at halftime and during the third quarter. The statement failed to mention, however, which of the company's brands would be featured and which roster shops created the work. Wieden + Kennedy, The Richards Group and Doner all work for Chrysler.

Guy Has the Wildest Night of His Life in Bud Light's Super Bowl Campaign

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 16:49

What were Don Cheadle and Arnold Schwarzenegger doing in those goofy Bud Light Super Bowl teasers? All is revealed this morning in this extended version of the content from BBDO that the brand will air Sunday night during the Super Bowl. In the behind-the-scenes style video, a random dude named Ian gets transported to the craziest night of his life after he's accosted by an attractive woman in a bar.

Adweek's Top 5 Commercials of the Week: Jan. 24-31

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 15:40

It's been an incredible week for new creative, with dozens of Super Bowl teasers and full ads released and other commercials elbowing their way for attention. Budweiser, Newcastle and Guinness all rolled out spots that went viral, while JCPenney got a head start on the Olympics and Cheerios unveiled a sequel to a notorious ad from last year. Watch our picks for the week's five best spots below, and vote for your favorite. If your favorite isn't shown here, tell us in the comments. UPDATE: A late surge wins it for JCPenney.

Ad of the Day: Finally, an AAA Commercial You Wouldn't Want Towed Away

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 13:58

Who knew an ad about an automobile club could be graceful and stylish? The Richards Group's latest commercial for The Auto Club Group (the second-largest AAA club in North America) uses frozen moments in time through the years and a little heartstring tugging to great effect. In short, it makes mundane acts like insuring a car or booking a trip feel naturally part of a family's story. In a series of flashbacks, the ad, "Emma," depicts moments in the life of a father's daughter—from her wedding day back to her birth.