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Mayhem: With Dean Winters ;)

By Guest Writer: Sarah Mantione

When it comes to commercials, most people hit the mute button, get something to eat, or just tune them out. A lot of the time they are a nuisance or so loud and obnoxious we grow to hate them. One campaign actually has me seeking them out on YouTube when I can't sleep. The Allstate "Mayhem" ads starring Dean Winters (Oz, 30 Rock) have me completely addicted. I’ve watched them all and even listened to some of the radio spots.

The amazing thing is they’re actually funny. I am impressed when a campaign like this comes along because you only have about thirty seconds to get the product out and (if we’re lucky) be entertaining. They first appeared in July 2010 and they are still so creative they are winning awards.

One was received just last week at the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards. So when I saw that Allstate had some new commercials coming out, I was looking forward to them, with the expectation of the same level of style and humour as “Mayhem.” The following three videos are what I saw. Remember the sub shop commercials where the adults all have child voices? In that case, the concept did fairly well. Someone thought copying that idea and trying it on an Allstate commercial would be just as successful. Not so much. The newest Allstate ads involve a Barbie doll couple. WHY ALLSTATE, WHY???
 My initial reactions to them were “really?”, “REALLY??!?”, and “WTF?!?!!?” The Barbie ads make me angry because a nine year old girl could’ve made a better video with her Barbie dolls. Let a little girl have some work, times are hard. Normally, there is a progression in life. You grow, learn, and hopefully improve. These new commercials are like an advertising nose dive off the side of the Grand Canyon. It would be like learning how to walk, run even, and then choosing to do the worm as your main form of movement. It means eventually there will be no more “Mayhem” commercials and the apparent replacements are crap. So, let’s enjoy them while we can.

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