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radvertising

I’d like to preface this post by saying that I love my job. I am totally jazzed about being a copywriter. Switch is the coolest, and my professional life is turning out to be waaaay friggin’ cooler than all of my friends’.

However, in those moments when I’m not wrapped up in a cool project or scouring the internetz for the newest, coolest thing those kooky creatives out there are doing, I begin to feel a little bummed out about the industry.  Don’t get me wrong, there is some seriously cool shiz happening these days.  But I feel like, as a consumer, most of what I see on TV and in print somehow manages to try way too hard and be totally meh at the same time.  I’m bored with your lame lifestyle imagery of moms wearing sweater sets and kids making messes.  I don’t think your TV spot is funny just because it’s absurd.  And seriously, stop ruining songs that I like by pairing them with shots of a stunt-driving car.

I long for a simpler time, when advertisers said ridiculous things about products, but said them with feeling.  A time of shameless plays on word and windbreakers.  A time of neon anything, acid wash jeans and hair mousse. That’s right, folks, I’m talking about the ‘80s and I want them back.  I want to see more throwback creative in the world, and not just for the sake of being throwback.  But because it’s simple, straightforward and cool looking.  That’s why I’m starting a movement.

It’s called Radvertising and it starts now.

Radvertising is any ad produced during the decade of my birth (yeah, I’m a millennial, so?)  These timeless pieces of artistic genius usually feature bright colors, double exposure images, overt sexual innuendos and models in silly poses.  I’m starting a new feature, The Weekly Rad, right here on the switch blog, so check back often for your ‘80s ad fix.

This week’s Rad comes to us from Reebok, an obvious superstar of ‘80s fashion advertising.  It features bright colors, reverb graphics and the headline “Sizzlin’ Hot Neon.”  The body copy sings, and pretty much makes me want to search for these bad boys on eBay right this minute.  Because seriously dudes, life is not a spectator sport.

Also, I’m thinking about creating my own Rads in my free time, so email me if you have something you’d like to radvertise.