Image: Patrick Fallon/Bloomberg Diet Coke’s new ad campaign, which features the tagline “you’re on,” is drawing criticism for appearing to reference drugs. But the company dismisses such talk. “Diet Coke in no way endorses or supports the use of any illegal substance,” a statement from the company reads. Instead, “you’re on” is meant to remind young achievers that “Diet Coke is there to support them in the moments when they are at their best,” according to the statement. “Every single day, young people around the world experience ‘You’re On’ moments big and small. It could be a job interview or a national TV interview, a first date or a final exam, a presentation to your boss or a performance in front of thousands.” A TV ad in the campaign, which features Taylor Swift, underscored that theme. The ad features a montage of moments, such as a best man’s wedding toast, in which young people assuage their performance anxiety with a sip of Diet Coke. The ad culminates with Swift, sitting in front of a mirror, being told it’s time to perform. The cola giant launched the campaign, created by Droga5, in early February at the launch of the Sochi Winter Olympics. Droga5 is know as a somewhat edgy agency; some of its past projects include “Hot Malms,” a fake porn site for IKEA beds, and a 2006 Mark Ecko campaign that was designed to trick fans into believing someone tagged Air Force One with graffiti. After the launch, several people alleged that the agency and the brand might be offering a subliminal cocaine pun. Stark outdoor ads appear to highlight such a possibility. Is it just me or does this ad for Diet #Coke do a better job at marketing #cocaine by reading as “You’re on coke”… pic.twitter.com/azk1fKsAaF — NewYork TaxiCab (@aNYTaxiCab) February 26, 2014 “You’re on coke.” I see what you did there, @DietCoke! pic.twitter.com/P3QsWOkLEg — John McDermott (@mcdermott) February 24, 2014 Gothamist and Adweek both amplified such sentiments, which had been scarce, at least on social media. Diet Coke sales fell 3% by volume in 2012, according to industry tracker Beverage Digest. Across the board, sales of diet sodas are down as consumers grow wary of artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which is used in Diet Coke. The concern prompted the brand to launch a campaign last year reassuring consumers about the sweetener’s safety. As sales are falling, the brand faces an environment in which some marketers are trolling consumers and executing elaborate pranks to get attention. YouTube’s Most-Shared Ads of February 1. Budweiser: Puppy Love Shares: 1.16 millionBudweiser’s tear-jerking puppy ad is still basking in its post-Super Bowl glow with more than 1 million shares. Video: YouTube, budweiser 2. Learn for Life: Set Yourself Free Shares: 540,887The most no-holds-barred “stay in school” ad you’ll ever see comes from Australia (where they apparently use their pristine and beautiful beaches as explosive testing sites). Video: YouTube, henryandaaron 3. SOS Mayday: Would You Give Your Jacket To Johannes Shares: 456,769A campaign […]
Is the CW’s The Carrie Diaries a lazy turd of a Sex in the City prequel? Is ABC’s Nashville just a country version of NBC’s Smash? Sherlock Holmes sure thinks so in this video ridiculing the fall TV lineup. In “Sherlock Can’t Solve Elementary,” the detective pins down which new shows remind him of past series. “All of these putrid new shows are thinly veiled clones of previously successful ones,” he bemoans. | 6 Fox Shows to Watch | 6 NBC Shows to Watch But one eludes him: CBS’s drama Elementary, which premieres Thursday. Watch him struggle to crack the mystery in the above video from comedy site Jest. Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/09/26/sherlock-fall-tv-elementary/
It sounds nice: chilling on the back deck, dropping a fishing line in the water — then this happens. In the immortal words of someone from the freshly uploaded YouTube video above: “It’s a big-ass shark!” The video was uploaded with minimal information by user Sarah Brame and YouTube’s view count hasn’t caught up yet — but this is one fishing tale destined to go viral. Everyone has a “one that got away” story, but Brame’s comes with seemingly authentic video proof. Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/07/11/big-ass-shark/
Remember that terrifying feeling of being in trouble when you were a kid? That was the scariest thing of all, because letting Mom and Dad down (and getting caught) was completely awful. But when this little boy gets in trouble, he doesn’t contest it. He just freezes in fear, and it’s super adorable. Even Mom can’t help but giggle! I hope this boy doesn’t get in trouble too often, otherwise he could be frozen for a long time! That wouldn’t be good for anyone. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/frozen-fear/
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when you’re scarfing down sugary cereal and carb-heavy bagels, you kind of defeat the whole idea of the meal. Instead of completely obliterating your calorie intake for the day, why not try this recipe out? Not only are the results just as delicious as the traditional comfort food, these hash browns are also healthy! googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DCBP_ATF’); }); To make this tasty (and healthy) update to this breakfast staple, check this out: Ingredients: 1 head of cauliflower 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon of minced onion 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon of pepper 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder 1 teaspoon of coconut oil Recipe: Cut the cauliflower in half and remove the leaves on the bottom. Using a cheese grater, grate both halves. Put the grated pieces into a bowl. Add the egg, onion salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan and add half of the cauliflower mixture. Cook for three to five minutes, repeat with the other half, and serve! Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/cauliflower-hash/
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot(‘/37886402/VN_PG_DTBT_ATF’, [728, 90], ‘VN_PG_DTBT_ATF_581e97ca9b159’).addService(googletag.pubads()) googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_MB”, “VN_”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_SC”, “VN_ORGN”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_TS”, “TS_D”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_AT”, “VN_ORGN_PG_D_REV_2.0_ASYNC_DEFAULT”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_CC”, “VN_ORGN_D_UNK_118382_A”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_PG”, “1”); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTBT_ATF_581e97ca9b159’); }); When rescuers found Merlin, they nicknamed him “the saddest dog in the world.” The poor pup had been on his own for months and was on the brink of starvation. In addition to that, Merlin was covered in mange, lesions, and fleas. Most of his hair had fallen out, and his skin and eyes were oozing with infection. Merlin had lost his faith in humans, but was too weak to even stand upright. He accepted their help without a fight. Then an amazing transformation started to take place. By the end of the video, the “saddest dog in the world” looks like a brand-new boy! Read More: This Donkey Was Left To Die, But Finally Found Love In A Very Unlikely Friend Way to go, Merlin! Talk about beating the odds. You’re a true inspiration. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/merlin-rescue/
The human body is made up of trillions of cells, each one comprised of many different parts that work together to keep things running. This animation, which was made to teach Harvard students, offers a comprehensive overview of the inner workings of a cell. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/this-is-what-the-inside-of-a-cell-looks-like/
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTAT_ATF’); }); A dog named Ruger recently showed up at Vet Ranch suffering from something that broke the doctors’ hearts. Dr. Matt Carriker, a veterinarian from Texas, was so stunned when the poor pup entered his office with extreme chemical burns. He was found by a rescue organization as a stray, and when he entered the office for some much-needed care, people could not believe that someone could do something so awful to a dog. Watch his incredible recovery in the video below. Thank goodness these Good Samaritans were able to save him. Without their care, Ruger probably would’ve died scared and alone. Now he has a new lease on life! Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/chemical-burn-dog/
Now you can learn about 42 important historical events from the last century on your home computer through the Google Cultural Institute. The product of a partnership between Google and a number of museums and cultural foundations, the online exhibit combines letters, first-hand video testimonials, manuscripts and more into a multimedia historical journey. “The historical collections are the latest chapter in the work of the Google Cultural Institute, following the Art Project, World Wonders and the Nelson Mandela archives, “ Mark Yoshitake, product Manager for the Google Cultural Institute said in a blog post announcing the exhibitions. “We’re working closely with museums, foundations and other archives around the world to make more cultural and historical material accessible online and by doing so preserve it for future generations.” Wednesday’s release includes a look back at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, D-Day, and the Holocaust, amongst others. Much like other archives brought to the web by Google, you can zoom in on photos in the exhibition to check out details, and search through the archives for something specific such as a particular person or date. Each exhibition also includes a narrative that links the archive material together, such as the story of Steve Biko. The 15-year-old had a political awakening in the midst of the Apartheid movement. Learn how to navigate the archives in the video below. Let us know about your favorite exhibition included in the project in the comments. Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/10/google-brings-history-to-life-with-online-exhibitions/
When this 6-year-old boy was allowed to hold his newborn baby brother for the very first time, he did the most adorable and sweetest thing. Maybe he didn’t know he was being watched… but either way, he didn’t care. This loving little boy started singing a beautiful lullaby to his brother, a lullaby about all the things he likes about his new sibling. From those beautiful baby eyes to those tiny little hands. Watch this video of amazing brotherly love, it will totally melt your heart. (Source: Westmore Kids) Share this angelic big brother with your friends and family below. Read more: http://viralnova.com/boy-sings-to-baby/
