Slushi's Select: Beer, Cider and Coolers

 

 

As a college student, I love beer.

As an LCBO employee, I love beer.

Conclusion...I love beer!

I often have classmates ask me about reccomendations on  various beers or coolers. They usually ask me what tastes the best, how expenisive it is, where is it from, ect. My employment at the LCBO has allowed me to sample a decent variety of beers, ciders and coolers and popularity doesn't always quality.

 

 

[The following beverages are a few that I reccomend based on personal experience.]

 

Beer

Upper Canada Lager

LCBO# 278218

 

 Price: $9.95

Size: 6x341 ml 

Alcohol/Vol: 5.0%

Country: Ontario, Canada
Type: Lager

I recently discovered this beverage while exploring new beers with my buddies. We were hestitant of the quality at first because of the price but we had never had it before. Honestly I'm glad I tried it because this is now my go-to cheap domestic if I can't decide what I want. Similar to Molson Canadian this beer is light and easy to enjoy.

 
Shock Top Raspberry Wheat
LCBO# 380295

 Price: $2.55

Size: 473 ml 

Alcohol/Vol: 4.2%

Country: Ontario, Canada
Type: Wheat

This beer is great because of how unique it is. Generally when people think of what beer tastes like they refer to Budweiser or Molson. Shocktop however has a very unique taste because it's based off of wheat and has a lower alcohol content. Light hints of respberry make this beer refreshing and a great compliment to summer.
 

 

Ciders

Growers Honeycrisp Apple

LCBO# 374546

 Price: $2.95

Size: 473 ml 

Alcohol/Vol: 7.0%

Country: Ontario, Canada
Sugar Content: 68g/L

  

I really enjoy this cider because of the subtle honey taste. This is a sweeter cider and what makes it stand out is the light, crisp apple taste with every sip. Despite the higher alcohol percentage the honey really compliments the apples and creates a light and refreshing drink.

 

Molson Canadian Cider

 LCBO# 339770 

 Price: $2.95

Size: 473 ml 

Alcohol/Vol: 5.0%

Country: Ontario, Canada

Sugar Content: 54g/L

 

Molson Canadian Cider has a slightly more "beer" taste to it compared to the Growers. I enjoy this cider because it's slightly dryer and easy for me to drink. It goes great with bbq and the apple taste is noticable but not too overbearing. 

 

 

Coolers

American Vintage Hard Iced Tea

LCBO# 378315 

  Price: $2.65

Size: 473 ml 

Alcohol/Vol: 5.0%

Country: Ontario, Canada

Sugar Content: n/a

 

American Vintage Hard Iced Tea is nice cooler to relax and enjoy with. What I enjoy the most about it is that despite being 5% alcohol, the taste is not too overbearing and you are still able to appreciate the tea taste. I suggest serving this drink in a tall frosty glass with some ice.

 

Bacardi Oakheart & Cola

LCBO# 273177

 Price: $2.65

Size: 473 ml 

Alcohol/Vol: 5.0%

Country: Ontario, Canada

Base: Spiced Rum 

 

Have you ever mixed too much of either rum or coke into your drink only to be dissapointed? Worry no longer because Bacardi made it one step easier. The premixed Bacardi Oakheart is simple and tasty and the flavour definately comes from what type of Rum you use. Because Bacardi is aged in a oak barrel, it gives it a light smokey taste that compliments the sweet cola flavour. Mix with lime and enjoy a great cooler.

 

I hope these reccomendations help you the next time you need a cold frosty beverage.

-Slushi-

 

 

 

 

 



Slushi's Stuff: Retro Gaming Nostalgia

Kids these days will never understand it.

 

As a kid growing up in the 90's I've had the opportunity to see technology come and go and with it memories of the past. Kids are more focused on graphics, pixels and frame rates rather than actual content and game play. Most main stream console games these days consist primarily of first person shooters (FPS) and respond to the demand in the market. I feel sorry for kids these days because of the lack of genre selection available to them.

Fortunately with the growing Indie game industry and the competitive Steam market place, new and original concepts are being created by smaller teams which allow for investment in risky idea's rather than larger budget project which sick with "safer" formula's.

The following is a short list of games and consoles that personally resonated with me nostalgically.

Nintendo Entertainment System: Super Mario Bros 3
 

[Console]
My first gaming console was the Nintendo Entertainment System I received in 1997. I still remember when my cousin gave me his old bulky 12 inch CRT, a miniature recycling bin full of games and the console with 2 controllers. Sorting through the bin I recall all the vividly detailed and coloured labels against the dull gray cartridge. Newer consoles these days are moving away from hard copies of video games and encouraging downloading straight to the console for better convenience and cost efficiency. Personally though I still miss blowing the dust out of my favourite game because It added to the tactile experience.

First Nintendo Entertainment System

 
[Game]
The bright yellow cartridge of a flying mustached raccoon man was what caught my attention to Super Mario Bros 3. I remember not knowing what to expect and being fascinated with all the colours and design. Back when the Internet was a new concept learning through trail and error was what made this game a true adventure. Before YouTube let's plays or game walkthroughs, players would beat levels based on skill and not advantage. Despite the 8 bit graphics the game was just challenging enough to keep the player driven and the rewards gave the player satisfaction in their accomplishments. The more and more I played it, the more secrets  I learned and the deeper I became engrossed.

Super Mario Bros 3

 

A few of my fondest moments I recall the best include:

1. Discovering the tanooki suit and flying to the secret warp pipes.

2. Moving behind the scenery and bypassing enemies [Blew my mind]

3. The secret warp pipes behind level 2 that allow you to portal to other worlds.

As someone who owns a WII U I can say that the new Mario games available do capture the spirit of Mario Bros 3 and add new things to it. Kids growing up with the WII U as their first console will experience the adventure of Mario games and allow them to connect with older generations of Mario players.

Game Boy Pocket: Donkey Kong

 

[Console]
The first portable gaming console I received was the original Game Boy Pocket. I remember the day my grandparents gave me a tiny grey box for my birthday and being excited to see what It was. I remember not knowing what it did, but recall seeing the Nintendo logo. Turning it on for the first time and hearing the start up sound blew my mind. Being able to play a game anywhere without all the wires and heavy equipment was ground breaking for me. Despite only being shades of grey, It was special to me and bring me memories of my grandparents.

Game Boy Pocket

 

[Game]
Donkey Kong was the game that was included with the console. No matter where I was, I would always bring my Game Boy with me. When I was at school I would dodge springs, and when I was at home I would climb ladder's. Compared to sophisticated portable games such as Monster Hunter this game is primitive but, at the time it was revolutionary. Although I still have yet to beat Donkey Kong, It still ignites memories of my grandparents and childhood which makes me happy.

1994 Donkey Kong Commercial

 

PC: Counter Strike

[Console]
2006 was a great year for PC's and technology was at it's peak. By today's standards though, a computer run by a hamster wheel would probably run faster. My first computer that had Internet was an old Dell desktop. It used to have a floppy disk and ran games at the same frames per second as a picture book (5 fps). I remember getting the Counter-Strike:Anthology from my cousin for my birthday and not knowing what to expect.

Dell Desktop

[Game]
Back in 2006 Counter-Strike: Condition Zero was huge phenomenon. The game was explosive in popularity and had an active community. This game specifically brings me nostalgia because it was the first game I played using the Internet. My cousins used to play in clans call DSK and would compete in ranked ladders. Watching them play with their teammates in Cal-I really expressed a genuine bond they had for each other. Pro's and enthusiasts would spend thousands of dollars on premium computer parts (liquid cooling) so that they could run the game at the highest quality (1000 frames per second). When I finally started playing, It was simply amazing. The teamwork, communication and reflexes needed to play this game were completely different from my NES. Today we have it's predecessor Counter Strike: Global Offensive and it's still an amazing game which added new elements while still keeping the spirit of the original alive. Overall playing Counter Strike back in the day was some of the earliest memories I've had using the Internet and reminds me of a age when I had more time on my hands.

Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Commercial

In conclusion gaming since the 90's has allowed me reflect on the progression technology and myself. While kids today complain about graphics or frames, what they really need is a perspective. Although people will always complain about image quality, what they really should consider is the experience and the memories that game creates. These games act as an archive of my youth and kids growing up now will no doubt defend their favourites when they get older and technology becomes more real.

 

What's your best gaming nostalgic memory?

 

-Slushi- 

Simple Slush: How to install Photoshop Brushes/Fonts

What I love about Photoshop is all the possibilities. The program gives you a huge variety of options to work from and is fairly easy to learn. Throughout school  I've slowly picked up new tricks that have helped me immensely when creating new idea's. One example includes layering font strokes so that it creates contrast and is easier to read when placed on a colourful or complex background.

For those who are new or unfamiliar with Photoshop, the two best skills that I applied include how to import both custom brushes and fonts. Being able to customize my brushes and font's really opened up my possibilities creatively  and prevented me from using the standard presets. The following blog will provide a light tutorial on how to use these tools to improve your artwork. 

How to Download & Install Photoshop Brushes

Requirements: 

• File Extraction Program: (Winzip or 7-Zip) 
• Photoshop

To download additional Photoshop brushes is fairly simple. 

Step 1: Unless you have a program that unzips files already installed on your PC or mac, I suggest downloading the free software 7-zip. 

Step 2: Go to Brusheezy.com and create a free account. This site provides you with free downloads for brushes, patterns and high definition textures for your projects. 

Step 3: Once you have an account, choose a brush you want to install and download the zipped file to your desktop.

Step 4: Right click on the file and extract the contents onto your desktop or into a separate folder. 

[The file should be an .ABR and/or .TXT file.] 

Step 5: Open Photoshop and select the following: 

1. Brush tool
2. Next to mode at the top, select the brush drop down menu
3. Select the gear
4. Load brushes. 

Step 6: Select/Load the previously saved .ABR brush file. 

Step 7: Your brushes will be uploaded and saved at the bottom of the brush drop down menu. 

[Warning: Your brushes will only be loaded on the computer with the .ABR file.] 

Step 8: Design using your new custom brushes. 

How to Download & Install Fonts for Windows

Requirements: 

• File Extraction Program: (Winzip or 7-Zip)

Downloading custom fonts for PC is a similar process to downloading brushes.

Step 1: Make sure you have a file extraction program downloaded. 

Step 2: Go to Dafont.com and browse/sort through what type of font your project requires based on genre.

 

Step 3: Select the font you want to use. 

Step 4: Download the .ZIP folder to your desktop or a separate folder.  

Step 5: On your desktop select  the following:

1. Start
2. Control panel
3. Fonts folder

Step 6: Drag the zipped folder you downloaded into the font folder. 

Step 7: Right click the zipped folder and select extract all or extract here.

[The file extracted should be a .TTF and/or .TXT file]

Step 8: Once the .TTF file has been installed, in Photoshop or word search for your specific font 

Step 9: Make sure to save your work on the PC that has the .TTF font file since Photoshop will report it missing if you open the .PSD file on a different computer. 

Hope theses short tutorials help anyone out with their creative projects or Photoshop knowledge. 

Thanks for reading and I hope my blog helps! 

-Slushi-

Slushi's Select: Vodka

Working at the LCBO has given me the opportunity to learn about all varieties of wine, beer and spirits. There is alot that is involved in the process of creating a quality product. To know which is a quality vodka is based on many things including what ingredients are used to create it and how many times it is distilled. As a customer service representative it's my job to recommend product based on the customers personal taste, price, popularity and personal opinion. The past 3 years has allowed me to sample a variety of alcoholic beverages ranging from bargain brand to top shelf and personally price isn't always a factor when you are looking for quality.

Vodka is a traditional spirit created from starchy/sugary ingredients such as:

• Potatoes
• Corn
• Wheat/Barley
• Fruits

Depending on what it's made from can determine the subtle tastes involved with unflavoured vodka. Although you can't really taste vodka, it can influence the mix and the strength of regret from the hangover the next morning. 

Distillation is also important when determining a smooth, quality vodka. Distillation is the process of converting the water and starch into alcohol. The higher number of times the vodka is distilled, the smoother and crisper the shot will be. Smoother vodka also blends mix beverages more discretely and will prevent the rubbing alcohol taste some cheaper vodka's may have. 

                                                         

                                                              *cough* Smirnoff *cough*

As a student, knowing that you've spent your money wisely on a decent quality spirit is important. The following list are just a few of my favourites based on personal experience, price and quality. 

1. Tito's Handmade Vodka 

Quality: 9/10

Price: $34.85

# Of Distillations: 6 

Alcohol/Vol: 40.0%

Ingredient: Corn Based

Country: Texas, USA

Tito's Handmade Vodka is one of my personal recommendations based smoothness and price. To compare it to a more popular brand such as Grey Goose or Belvedere, both are only distilled only 4 times and cost $50 each. With a smooth finish and reasonable price, I strongly recommend this vodka and it's my personal favourite. 

2. Purity Vodka

Quality: 10/10

Price: $49.40

# Of Distillations: 34

Alcohol/Vol: 40.0%

Ingredient: Wheat & Barley

Country: Sweden

Purity vodka's is the vodka you bring out for special occasions and celebrations. Costing the same as Grey Goose, this vodka blows it out of the water when it comes to quality and smoothness. Distilled 34 times this vodka is incredibly smooth and should be enjoyed straight. This vodka is not always available all year long so if you happen to see a bottle in an LCBO, I suggest saving it. 

3.  Presidential Standard Vodka

Quality: ?/10

Price: $25.75

# Of Distillations: 8

Alcohol/Vol: 40.0%

Ingredient: Grains

Country: Ukraine

Presidential Standard Vodka is a new to the LCBO and was released January 24, 2015. I personally have not had the opportunity to sample this vodka but, I welcome anyone who wants to enjoy it with me. I saw this at work and was astonished that a vodka distilled 8 times is cheaper than Smirnoff which is only distilled 3 times. Hopefully this product will not be delisted from the LCBO and it will be available all year. 

Slushi Suggestion:

 Freeze your vodka and shot glasses for smooth vodka that goes down like water.

Vodka is a versatile spirit and creates a party from any drink it's mixed into without distorting the taste. Here are a few beverages I've discovered that I suggest trying.

Vodka/Ginger Ale/Aloe Vera Juice

1. Put ice into an empty glass and pour 1-2 shots of vodka.
2. Fill 1/4 cup with ginger ale. 
3. Mix 1/4 cup of aloe vera pulp. (regular,pomegranate,coconut,mango)

[This drink is great for keeping hydrated and preventing crippling hangovers] 

Vodka/Cranberry/Lime

1. Put ice into empty glass and pour 1-2 shots of vodka.
2. Fill 3/4 with cranberry juice.
3. Cut lime into wedges and crush into drink.

[Simple and sophisticated drink]

Screwdriver (Orange Juice)

1. Put  ice into empty glass and pour 1-2 shots of vodka.
2. Fill 3/4 cup with orange juice.

[The orange juice eliminates most of the burn from vodka so this drink can be deceptive]

As an advertising/marketing student I've learned alot about what's involved with selling a product. This program has taught me to not always go for the most popular or expensive product, but to do research to make sure I'm getting a quality product for a cheap price. I hope my advice helps people make wise purchasing decisions the next time they are looking to celebrate with a nice, smooth shot of vodka. 

-Thanks-

Slushi

Guerrilla Marketing: Creative Possibilities

Guerrilla Marketing is an alternative to traditional marketing that utilizes unique and low-cost idea's to in order to maximizes brand exposure. Traditional marketing involves conducting primary research and using media's such as television, newspaper or radio in order to communicate the brands message/product. Guerrilla Marketing however conveys the message through non-traditional channels such as social media and live events. What I enjoy about this form of marketing is the creative possibilities since it is not limited by restrictions of the media or financial costs.

This blog post will highlight a few creative idea's I thought were really effective.

1. Molson Canadian-Beer Fridge: 

Molson Canadian's marketing strategy is to create an emotional connection between the brand and it's target consumer. To communicate this tactic Molson created a special fridge that only opened when a Canadian passport is scanned. The vibrant red machine was placed in various towns throughout Europe in public locations where individuals tried to interact with it. What I love the best about this ad is when a Canadian is able to open the fridge and distribute the beer to the crowd. For the cost of a few beers, you can see the joy and Canadian pride it creates in it's consumer eyes and really fortifies  the positive Canadian stereotypes of sharing and socializing with others around the world. The event built brand recognition, created a positive brand image, and targeted the emotional perspective Canadians want to project to the world. Overall the campaign was a great success creating over 2.7 million views for the YouTube video, generated a lot of social buzz around the campaign and even sparked a follow up campaign the following year which required the user to sing "O Canada" in order to unlock the fridge.  

2. UNICEF-Dirty Water Vending Machine:

The purpose of this campaign is to inform individuals about unsafe water conditions found in developing countries. To communicate this message they created a dirty water vending machine that dispenses discolored water with labels such as "hepatitis" for $1. The vending machine was advertised in time square and the reactions from the consumers were recorded. By setting up this vending machine in a populated area, consumers were exposed to a unique ad that physically connected them to the UNICEF brand since they were able to interact personally with the contaminated water. This method more efficient then just telling the consumer that people need help since they can tangibly interact with it. The campaign was successful since it not only communicated the brand and message but they were also able to generate donations and media coverage related to the event.

3. Pepsi-Time Tunnel:



Pepsi's Time Tunnel campaign was created by AMV BBDO Advertising Agency and highlights a creative way of promoting the brand by using 3D projection. The concept for this campaign is to create an experience for the consumer which creates a connection with the brand. With the Pepsi Time Tunnel campaign, multiple projectors are hidden in a dark alley way and converge creating a 3D perspective. When the oblivious people walk by, it projects an image (Dinosaur) creating a "time tunnel" which interacts with the viewer. The sequence ends with an 3D Pepsi can provoking the consumer to buy the product. I love this campaign because of the concept and the use of new technology. Since this technology is relatively new not many people have had time to adapt to it so when they are exposed to it in a natural setting, the reaction created is more genuine. All the reactions were recorded and posted on YouTube which helped improve Pepsi's brand exposure and imposed a brand image in the consumers mind.

These are just a few examples of Guerrilla Marketing tactics that used limited budgets and creative techniques in order to promote their message to a wide audience. With such a wide range of  creative possibilities compared to Traditional Marketing, Guerrilla Marketing is definitely a career consideration I would like to invest in.

Electronic Music: The Vast Variety

My personal favourite genre of music is Electronic Dance Music, otherwise known as EDM. What I enjoy about is the variety of sound and emotion it creates. What many people may not know is that there are numerous sub genres. These sub genres are based on the type of sounds used and the BPM's (Beats Per Minutes).

Listed below are just a few examples of genres I personally listen to and invite you to explore them.

1. Electronic House:

Electronic House also known as "dirty house"is my personal favourite genre at the moment and is generally middle of the road when it comes to intensity. Imagine the uniformity of House music but spicier. I enjoy the balance of intensity this music has. It expresses energy but still has form.

• Beats: Medium-Fast BPM's
• Voice: Sometimes uses vocals
• Best Enjoyed: Partys, Gaming and Sports
• Length: Songs are usually 3-5 minutes unless included in a mix

Recommended Artists:

1. DJ Wicked Wes
2. Dimitri Vegas
3. Tiesto
4. Wolgang Gartner

2. Progressive:

Progressive is the music I enjoy listening to when I need to "zone out" .These mixes are usually longer and as the name suggests progressively pace themselves. Unlike Electronic House where the beats will crescendo at a "drop", progressive is more about the entire experience. I recommend listening to it when you need to relax, focus you just need to chill out.

• Beats: Medium-Slow BPM's
• Voice: Usually soft female vocals
• Best Enjoyed: Relaxing, Cleaning, Homework
• Length: Songs are usually longer and range 7-15 minutes with mixes usually lasting 1-2 hours.

Recommended Artists:

1. DJ Samer
2. Vice Tone
3. Sasha
4. Ferry Corsten

3. Hard Dance/Hard Style

If you are looking for something abit more intense then I recommend Hard Dance or Hard Style. This genre can be defined by its repeating beat and loud volume. This genre pumps you up and fills you full of energy and makes you aggressive. Personally I can only appreciate this music for a small period of time before It burns me out but for those who need intensity, check it out.

• Beats: Fast BPM's
• Voice: Limited Vocals
• Best Enjoyed: Moshing, Raving ,Extreme Sports (Shark Wrestling)
• Length: Songs are usually 2-3 minutes long.

Recommended Artists:

1. Ruthless
2. DJ Generator
3. Excision
4. Specimen A

4.Drum and Base

Drum and Base or DNB is a genre that focuses mostly on the base line and drum beats. This genre can range in intensity and is generally faster than progressive house but still evenly distributes the BPM's throughout the entire song experience rather than focusing on a "drop". Although vocals are common the focus is on the rhythm. I have alot of nostalgia for this genre and reminds me of my childhood playing Starcraft. Overall its one of the older genres of EDM and I recommend giving it a listen.

• Beats: Medium/Slow BPM's
• Voice: Common
• Best Enjoyed: Studying, Focusing, Athmospheric
• Length: Songs are usually 3-10 minutes long.

Recommended Artists:

1. Pendulum
2. Dimension
3. Ella Grace
4. Noisia

5. Electroswing

This is one of the most unique genres I've recently discovered. This genre emulates the style of music found in the 20's-30's swing era but boosts it with modern day electro. It's not for everyone but there isn't anything else like it available. Who knows, maybe your grandparents could appreciate it rather then dismissing it as "new fangled music".

• Bears: Slow/Fast BPM's
• Voice: Frequent
• Best Enjoyed: Exploring, Relaxing, Swinging
• Length: Songs are usually 2-5 minutes long.

Recommended Artists:

1. Caravan Palace
2. Swing Republic
3. Stex

This is just a small overview of the dozens of genres EDM has to offer and I invite all to explore the variety and find the genre they enjoy the best. The best way to enjoy these genres is by using the following websites .

Digitally Imported:Allows you to listen to live streams of a variety of EDM genres.

http://www.di.fm/channels

Beatport: Discover new artists and top lists.

https://pro.beatport.com/








90's Nostalgic Advertisements

The 90's was filled with commercials, t.v shows , toys and foods that defined my childhood and had it's own unique flavour. It's weird watching a commercials we see on television now and have it be "normal". Looking back at what "normal" was in the 90's really puts things into perspective. But I have to admit, I still love those commercials and wish someone would make a current advertisement that would homage this great decade.

With vibrant colours, fast editing, weird angles, and creative humour, here are a few 90's commercials that I found awesome. 

1. Sega: Genesis Commercial 

What I remember most about Sega was the "SEGA" shout at the end of each commercial. I also really enjoy the exaggeration used to describe the graphics processing. The angles, quick editing and close-ups were themes commonly found in the 90's. Even though I personally owned a NES, I still remember these Sega's ads. 

2.Canadian PSA's: Don't Put it in your mouth

I still use the wisdom that this PSA has provided me to this day. I remember seeing this commercial hundreds of times, preventing children from choking by singing them a cheerful jingle. Watching this commercial now (being a college student) I can see how someone may misinterpret the innocent message this commercial is trying to preach...that being said it's still good advice. I also always wondered why they included anthropomorphic vegetables, but I do understand from their perspective. 

3. YTV Commercials 

Commercials and movies these days are always pushing the capabilities of 3D images. Looking back at the early days of CG however, they were not as aesthetically pleasing. This style however really defined the 90's, from it's t.v shows like reboot and beast wars to it's advertising; I'll always appreciate it for it's shiny textures and unique colours.

4. McDonald's Commercials

I wounder what ever happened to the Hamburgular, or Grimis or that ironically cheeseburger addicted mayor? Although Ronald McDonald is still the mascot for the brand, it's weird to not see them in that many recent commercials. I understand McDonalds is trying to build it's reputation as a "premium" restaurant but, I would still love to see them use these characters in future campaigns. 

5. Nintendo 64: Super Smash Bros

As someone who played it in his childhood and owns it for the Wii U I've got to say they've come a long way. From the roster of characters expanding across multiple brands, the refined controls and the variety of match modes the new version has allot to offer. That being said I still really love this ad for the life the combating life sized characters. The over exaggeration and fast editing also gives it that 90's energy. I still remember Fox being the first character I played and how much fun it is when you combat your friends. Overall this commercial is great.  

In conclusion 90's advertising had a unique style that gave the decade character. Hopefully future ads can recapture the spirit and energy of this decade so we can experience the nostalgia of our childhoods. 

Super Bowl Commercials-2014

For many the Superbowl is the time of year to get close with your family and friends, grab a beer and to cheer your favorite team to victory. As someone who doesn't really watch sports I can't say much about the game but what I really enjoy is the commercials. Every year companies will spend millions to promote their brands for a few seconds for this one event. According to CBS the 2014 Superbowl broke records with over 111.5 million Americans watching on their televisions, 2.3 million streaming online and countless more watching internationally; creating an effective advertisement that stands out and communicates a message is crucial.With a price tag of over $4 million per 30 seconds of air time, if you are not using every second to it's full potential, you're wasting money. But while reviewing these ads I noticed some repeating themes that crossed over many of them. A few of these themes include the use of sexuality, humor and emotional appeal were the main focus of a majority of these ads.

This following list highlights a few of the ads that stood out to me personally and why I enjoyed them or disliked them. This list is in no particular order, just what I felt made the largest impact to me. You can view all the advertisements on the official NFL website HERE. 

1. Sprint: Super Goat Apology

What I love about this ad is the simplicity. Simple text with a hilarious punchline; what else do you need? The ad is promoting the offer that sprint will cut it's competitors customers phone bills in half if you switch to Sprint. Sprint even has the courage to elude to their competition as being asses. They don't need to fluff the ad up, they just want their competitors customers.

2. Discover: Unwanted Surprises 

Similar to the previous ad, this one features simplicity and goats. I personally found this one to be one of the best because of the setup. The ad promotes free Fico scores when you switch to the Discover Card and says that "no one likes surprises". I personally was surprised when the guy enters his apartment and not only is the goat surprised, but also the guy and the person he was talking on the phone with. Simple message with a great finale; more goats please.

3.Mountain Dew: Kickstart 

How do you market a highly caffeinated neon green beverage? You make a commercial that is absolutely insane. Although mountain dew is trying to promote their new beverage line "Kickstart", I personally don't feel enticed to purchase it. As a Superbowl commercial It works perfectly and keeps the crazy, over the top themes traditionally seen in Superbowl Ads. Personally though I felt like they were trying too hard to make it a meme. They should have focused on one strong concept then cramming a smorgasbord worth of content into a minute ad. I don't understand how partying chairs and twerking dogs helps sell a soft drink...but it is entertaining to watch, for a little bit at least.

4.T-Mobile: Kim Kardashian PSA

Now I would like to discuss the ads that I thought were terrible, and a prime example is this T-Mobile Ad. This ad is trying to promote the unused data that is taken back by phone companies but the message is communicated terribly. They make it look like a PSA which tries to evoke sympathy from the viewer by making the viewer feel that not watching Kim Kardashian is some sort of bad thing. Personally this entire ad is just oozing with narcissism and It makes me recent the brand. Personally I don't keep up with the news around Kim Kardashian (probably because I'm too busy with my life) but watching this just made me distaste her just a little bit more.

5.Budweiser: Lost Puppy Ad

One of the most popular ads this year was the Budweiser puppy ad. The ad promotes Budweiser by relating it back to their slogan "Best Buds". The ad overall is well designed and puppy is cute but, what does this have to do with beer? I really didn't like this ad since there was SOOO much focus on the emotional aspect with the use of cute animals, being lost in a big world and standing up to danger despite being a small puppy....please. I get this ad campaign is trying a different angle from the traditional over sexualised or "stupid" humor normally found in beer ads but, at least those ads show the product. I'm just saying instead of wanting to chill with my friends/family with a cold beer the entire time I wanted to just pet the puppy. Every frame of this advertisements heaps on a thicker layer of sappiness and emotion until the end and I just simply don't want to buy their product. I'll stick with my Molson Canadian.

The Superbowl commercials are my favourite part of football. Every advert is trying to grab your attention and entice you to act and that's what I love about the creative design that goes into these campaigns. Teams of individuals working together to come up with a concept that will make their commercial the one that is the most discussed. The ads which are universally loved are shared on several media platforms (social media, message boards, television, newspaper) for weeks to come. Let's just hope next years are twice as creative then the last.

Console Wars: Past and Future

Video gaming consoles are a great way of socializing with others and relaxing after a hard day's work. Although they are fun experience video gaming consoles cost can be quite costly and can average between $300-$600 depending on the offer. That's not even including access to online,additional games and equipment.With all these options selecting the correct one for you can be challenging.

This fierce competition to be the best has created a unique microcosm of conflict among the player bases of the top 3 companies; Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Each company provides its customers with their own unique IP's (Intellectual Properties) and gaming experiences that reflect what the consumer is looking for. For example the Nintendo Wii is marketed around a family focused target market and promote games such as the Mario franchise and the Wii Sports games. Consoles such as Sony and Microsoft however are targeted towards the more "hardcore" gamers and promote IP's such as Halo on the Xbox One and Killzone for the Playstation. What's interesting about these two consoles are the fact that despite being identical technically the amount of passion and support from their respective fans is intense.

The "Console Wars" is a term which refers to the conflict between which console is superior. Weather it is technologically superior, better game IP's, better frame rate and even larger console sales, the player bases of each console are determined to express their opinions everywhere online. Examples include gaming discussion boards, YouTube comments and social media are just a few locations of where people will ignite a debate over which is better.

This phenomenon was even parodied in a 3 part mini series on South Park where Kyle, Cartman, Kenny and Stan must choose between their friendship and which console to choose.The series ends in a literal physical fight between Bill Gates and the president of Sony which personifies the conflict and leads the children to come to a realization.

But is this conflict really negative or is it a win-win situation?. Personally I think this console war is the best thing that could happen to these companies. When 80% of your profits come from 20% of your loyal customers base, having consumers who will go out of their way to promote your brand can only help benefit your company. Consumers advertise and promote all over social media and defend their console choice as If it was their own country they were defending.

Even though the console wars are seen as primarily between the Sony Playstation 4 and the Microsoft Xbox One, Nintendo has also seen it's fair share of competition in the late 80's - early 90's between Sega. Similar to today where graphics and processing are used as support in arguments, in the 90's it was all about bits and blast processing. A great example includes this Sega Jaguar advertisement which solely focuses on the graphics of the console making the product superior. Despite heavy advertising on the amount of bits compared to it's competition, the Jaguar provided little in entertaining game play or audio which lead to it's slow decline.

In conclusion the console wars have been happening since gaming was invented and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. As long as there are options people will fight in order to prove that their decision was the best one. This conflict can be harnessed in order advertise each console and providing your consumer base with USP's allows them to micro market your console all over the internet. It's interesting to see how much passion individuals will have when promoting their plastic boxes and it's interesting to see the psychology behind it. Lets just hope we don't let this jingoism impede research and development of new consoles and technologies and that future tech is determined by consumers and capitalism.

Virtual Reality and the future of Advertising.

  The advancement in recent virtual reality technology has brought us the ability to view the world around us from a different perspective. A prime example includes the Oculus Rift which released it's first developer kit in late 2012. Since it's inception the company was purchased by Facebook for $2 Billion dollars and has released more advanced developer kits for individuals to develop software for the headset. Facebook's purchase ignited a fire storm of competition between large technology companies to develop the best VR tech. A few examples include Windows, Razr and Sony which are among the few racing to develop the next generation of technology entertainment.

  For those who may not know what it's like to experience VR (Virtual Reality), here is an example of customers trying the product for the first time. As you can see the immersion truly fools people  into thinking they have actually entered a new setting and that the danger is real. The technology works by having two small screens imbedded in the headset that render a wide field of view at a low latency allowing for the best possible immersion. For consumers this means that instead of just watching your favourite character on a screen...you become the character. The Oculus Rift is projected to be released sometime in 2015 for consumers and will most likely cost around $100-$350 based on the developer kit costs.

 Other companies however such as Windows are taking a different approach and have recently announced transparent glasses which augment the reality around you instead of viewing the game from inside the program. Here is footage from their preview video being shown. The headset allows the user to interact with 3d projected objects on surfaces including using calendars, answering calls and also creating in Minecraft with a 3d perspective similar to wooden building blocks. Personally I think this would be AMAZING for a zombie simulator.

 So, what does this mean for advertising? Personally I think these advancements in technology will completely change traditional advertising completely. When the technology inevitably advances and becomes cheaper, stronger and lighter, I personally think it will expand as fast as cell phones did. The possibilities are almost endless with the ability to project and augment the reality before an individual. An example I could see being used effectively includes have white billboards and posters with QR codes that are automatically registered into the glasses allowing for personalized ads targeted to individuals. A few examples include

• Customized ads which are linked with Google Adsense data that provides the customers with ads they would be interested in. An example would include viewing a series of tuner videos on youtube and seeing aftermarket car advertising close the business location. 

• Frequently updated advertising which can offer deals and services quickly and efficiently. This would be excellent for airports and travel agencies which rely on cookies and demand to adjust their rates.

• Restaurants which offer large menu selection and the advertisement can show an augmented version of a food they may be craving. I know If I walked by a place to eat and saw a 3d projected steak I would definitely be more inclined to purchase rather than just seeing a picture of it. 

  Honestly the possibilities are endless and with this emerging technology being released within the next year or two, I personally will be expanding my knowledge the best I can in order to have adapt into this emerging market. With aspirations of becoming a lead advertising designer, I want to be among the few that will harness this new technology and bring ads that people have NEVER seen before and will better engage them then traditional methods of advertising/marketing.