[Merged] new "er" ads

[Electricute]

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/9733/erck0.jpg


These ads have been popping up recently in the city. No sure what its all about, kinda like the "let your kids choose their own college" ads.

these ads were also in vancouver so its not something local

[rayray27]

lol what coincidence I was gonna make a thread on this too, just saw it while on my way to work today. anybody have any idea what it is? I saw a bunch of them but each had like a different shape.

[jadoocian]

here we go again....

we're all going to be speculating and in a few months they'll tell us and it'll be like....drink BRITA water!

[KorruptioN]

we're all going to be speculating and in a few months they'll tell us and it'll be like....drink BRITA water!

Or maybe it's a campaign telling us to drink tap water instead of bottled water.

The difference here is that there isn't even a URL we can visit to find out more information.

[M@rk]

They're all over the place. Confused the heck out of me.

[billdozer]

it's deep.

[molala]

I saw this beside a City of Toronto recycle ad, I thought it was part of that ad...boo!

[goob3r]

Campaign for speech therapy.

[BaconMunch]

I've seen them on the large over-hanging boards as well but with a large D to the right as well?

Anyone have insight on this?

[Jabb]

Campaign for speech therapy.

its possible

[BlueMax]

This kind of marketing's been done for scores of years, dating back to the origin of the word "QUIZ".

I hate it.... :mad:

[vrus]

i want to rip them all apart.

[dre145]

lol, when i first saw the ads i knew it was going to be all over the internet...
their marketing is working

[Flyer]

gabbo
Gabbo
GABBO!

[just_For_ipod]

Nooo, you're falling into their marketing scheme.

Quick lock this thread before you spread any more free advertising for them

[Lava]

Epa!

Epaaa!!

Eeeepaaaaaaa!!!!

[Shaftasaurus]

I could be wrong, but I think the ads might be for Porter Airlines. I was walking through the Skywalk toward Union yesterday and there was banner after banner of the same 'er' ad, just with a different sort of shape on each. At the end of the walkway just before you go into Union, there was an ad for Porter. To me, it seemed like it was the same font.

Not sure, just my guess!

[AudiDude]

How long before people began to complete the word. This is just asking for it, I can see it already.All you need is a marker.
"Fcuker"

[JeVartan]

How long before people began to complete the word. This is just asking for it, I can see it already.All you need is a marker.
"Fcuker"


I saw the ads everywhere on the TTC today and the thought of writing something before "er" with a marker crossed my mind. However, I'm not one to vandalize so that was it.

Surprised no one has written anything on the ads yet. Where are the vandals of TO?

[AudiDude]

Or maybe it's a campaign telling us to drink tap water instead of bottled water.

The difference here is that there isn't even a URL we can visit to find out more information.

Beer

[kunjar]

gabbo
Gabbo
GABBO!

who knew krusty and luke perry were related?

[N_Raged]

it's deep.
So deep you don't understand it.

[Keigotw]

So deep you don't understand it.

DeepER

[cOmAtOaSt]

One of two things:
The marketing company ran out of money, and could only afford to print 'er' on the billboard; or
A graphic artist called in sick to work the day he was supposed to work on the ad.

[AcidBomber]

The ads are very random... :confused:

[Drake89]

Has anyone seen those advertisements that show a random line/shape and just say "er".

I know its part of their marketing, they'll put up these ads to catch peoples attention in hopes to have people curious as to what it stands for, what they're advertising, and then release the complete ad, in hopes that it pays off in the end.

Has anyone figured out what it might be for?

[joe_j]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618780

[Drake89]

Thanks!!

Tried searching and googling but when i put "er ad" or "er advertisement" too much unrelated results appear.

[Drake89]

I could be wrong, but I think the ads might be for Porter Airlines. I was walking through the Skywalk toward Union yesterday and there was banner after banner of the same 'er' ad, just with a different sort of shape on each. At the end of the walkway just before you go into Union, there was an ad for Porter. To me, it seemed like it was the same font.

Not sure, just my guess!

I went on the website and the ER does seem similar, but then again, it's not illegal to use the same font.

but if maybe all of the skywalk were these ads and only that one was for porter airlines then it might be a give away.

meh.

Time to pull some Blue's Clues and start drawing each shape in a notebook in hopes of connecting them together.

lol!

someones already started trying that, i'm pretty sure.

[burnt_toast]

SUCKer

[MrDisco]

higher
faster
stronger

it's the new Canada Olympics rah-rah poster

[Kahads]

The Torontoist suggests it's a Bell marketing strategy:

http://torontoist.com/2008/08/er.php

[davidtopping]

Hey all,

I'm nearly positive that it's a Bell ad.

http://torontoist.com/2008/08/er.php

[Mulder and Scully]

The Torontoist suggests it's a Bell marketing strategy:

It's definitely from Bell as they rented the space from the owners of the building I work at and put up the same ad.

[cmackie]

I've been told they're BMO ads - rich/richer, etc.
but who knows...

[ndrew029]

You can kind of see the Bell corporate logo letters on the ad. The corner of the "B" and the two "L"s in varying sizes. After hearing all this talk, it finally clicked.

When they reveal it, it will read something like "We're paying for this ad with your incoming texts, suckERs".

[MrDisco]

You can kind of see the Bell corporate logo letters on the ad. The corner of the "B" and the two "L"s in varying sizes. After hearing all this talk, it finally clicked.

that make sense seeing as they released an add with frank and gordon saying goodbye to everyone.


When they reveal it, it will read something like "We're paying for this ad with your incoming texts, suckERs".

lol how true.

[danfromwaterloo]

If you look at the ads, each one seems to have a part of a letter "hung" partly over it.

One looks like a V, one looks like a B, one looks like E, and one looks just like a blue top right corner.

[Dimension]

I've seen so many of these today! I wouldn't know what marketing thing they were doing, if it wasn't for this thread.

[AcidBomber]

When they reveal it, it will read something like "We're paying for this ad with your incoming texts, suckERs".

+1
I lol'd... :cheesygri

[djnorm112]

perhaps it is belling mocking manag(ers) they fired recently

managers no more just ERS to do the work!

[3weddings]

the 'er's seem to be multiplying today...

Saw a bus with four of them on it....the plot thickens..lol

[Squally425]

You can kind of see the Bell corporate logo letters on the ad. The corner of the "B" and the two "L"s in varying sizes. After hearing all this talk, it finally clicked.

When they reveal it, it will read something like "We're paying for this ad with your incoming texts, suckERs".

Hahahahahahahaha! Give me a minute while I choke over laughing too hard.
There really appears to be just enough space to fill those words in on those ads.

[Dimension]

the 'er's seem to be multiplying today...

Saw a bus with four of them on it....the plot thickens..lol

They are taking over the city :(. In fact, I'm a little annoyed by it now.

[molala]

i even saw it at a billboard on a farm closed to my house...

[fizz]

******

[burnt_toast]

middle of the contract changer
money taker
no warning to customers

[ShadowVlican]

internet throttler

[Kerlo]

Incoming text charger

[Hard_Taco]

Lamer

[LNahid2000]

Internet killer

[Badman]

lol post # 48 to 51 is funny.

Weird how its a bell add.

[V A N Q U I S H]

middle of the contract changer
money taker
no warning to customers

internet throttler

Incoming text charger

Lamer

Internet killer


I think Bell's ad campaign has backfired on them. Thanks for the laugh guys :D

[Jabb]

interesting how they changed their typeface for this ad...maybe they're trying to take the brand in a different direction? i love the apple killer ad, even though its no contest simply because of the status an iphone brings to its owner

EDIT: 1000 posts! wohoo!

[Mulder and Scully]

i love the apple killer ad, even though its no contest simply because of the status an iphone brings to its owner.

The Samsung Instinct looks good but it's still on Bell. Not that other carriers are any better really.

[Riflem@n]

http://www.bce.ca/en/news/releases/corp/2008/08/07/74829.html

[legendofxix]

Now that we know what "er" is for, lets print out some text and attach them to the adds.
Anyone know what font they use? I wanna print out "Incoming Text Charg" and attach it to a sign.

[Rosico]

wow, good culture jamming idea there!

[Paranoidandroid]

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9726/belloy0.jpg

[Golem]

Bell used the letters from the word suck"er", the alternate word Bell uses for customer. Wherever there's access to Bell's new "er" ads, use a big black marker to print "Suck" next to the "er" or "Whatev" or something else more appropriate for what Bell service consumers think of Bell.

[whampoa]

You'll miss the most famous "er" of all,

The decider

[burnt_toast]

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9726/belloy0.jpg

now that's nicer

[MrDisco]

..

That's awesome. Can you imagine a guerrilla campaign of those posters plastered across the city?

[burnt_toast]

That's awesome. Can you imagine a guerrilla campaign of those posters plastered across the city?

where can i get my copies? i'll be happy to post them around town...

[bimmer009]

"Bell - it's over"

[loonie]

i saw this on the way to a jays game. while walking thru the skywalk there were like 30 of the posters just like the one in the first post. they got so annoying and seemed so dumb. but ya im pretty sure its from bell especially from a commercial i saw today during the opening ceremony:

cheering just got better

and the er was blue like tht...

[dre145]

That's awesome. Can you imagine a guerrilla campaign of those posters plastered across the city?

ya put them on bells telephone poles...
Oh wait they are the tax payers.

[Lone_Prodigy]

beaver

So much for changing their mascots.

[desi_eng]

beaver

So much for changing their mascots.

Why the heck did they get rid of Frank and Gordon?? >:(

[MrDisco]

Why the heck did they get rid of Frank and Gordon?? >:(

unlike diamonds, ad campaigns don't last forever.

[whampoa]

Man, I can see this thread as a do-it-yourself ad for Bell.

Why paid millions when you can have it done for free?

[Hard_Taco]

beaver

So much for changing their mascots.

Last time I heard, Frank and Gordon were seeking for another job.

[imoo2u]

Last time I heard, Frank and Gordon were seeking for another job.
Nobody want Frank or Gordon anymore. Me, too. Next assignment ... probably both get stuffed permanently for the main showcase at Bell HQ in Montreal. :D

[dubey]

There is a Vancouv"er" 2010 Olympics advertisement in the Eaton Centre

[goob3r]

Rogers

[Canuck_2005]

Here is my contribution to their campaign :)

http://www.nerdybynature.ca/misc/beaver.jpg

[3weddings]

Just saw the Bell cheer better on TV

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=5124d4b8-af9d-4280-9722-5dbf3b08b846

http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_david/20080806er.jpg



what a nuisance they are!!

[Madchester]

Why the heck did they get rid of Frank and Gordon?? >:(

Blame Canadian Tire's Ted and Gloria. They were hungry after being out of work for 3 years.

[nfnx]

it's deep.

i agree man, its deep.

if it was bell wouldnt it be in the same colour tone as their new logo?

[MasZakrY]

Yes, its for the Bell ad campaign the new owners are throwing.

IMHO its one of the worst ad campaign's ever.

[bell02fantasy]

Yes, its for the Bell ad campaign the new owners are throwing.

IMHO its one of the worst ad campaign's ever.

I like the Bell ad;s////its no worse than the daily advets from Rogers that are in my mailbox EVERYDAY................

[MasZakrY]

I like the Bell ad;s////its no worse than the daily advets from Rogers that are in my mailbox EVERYDAY................

I'm referring specifically to the "er" ads. They are meaningless and plastered everywhere.

[Uncle Cool]

I'm referring specifically to the "er" ads. They are meaningless and plastered everywhere.

They're not meaningless if people are talking about them...

[dstylez]

The fact that theres already a 6 page thread means its working.

IMO I think the ads are a great new face to Bell, the beavers were getting annoying. And with the new owners, theres a LOT of change coming and the Bell we all hate will not be the same anymore. Give them a chance!

[MasZakrY]

The fact that theres already a 6 page thread means its working.

IMO I think the ads are a great new face to Bell, the beavers were getting annoying. And with the new owners, theres a LOT of change coming and the Bell we all hate will not be the same anymore. Give them a chance!

Define "working". Out of every 100 people who see the "er" ads on the TTC, how many of those could tell you what the ad was for. Out of those who could tell you what it was for, how many would purchase Bell internet or phone because of them. These ads are not pushing a promotion, just merely stating in a very ambiguous manner the fact that Bell is still around and competing in the communications market.

[catchme]

Bell the great or greatest Robber

[gman]

Bell is cheater and they want us to be suckers.

[Madchester]

failier

[goldenegg]

Define "working". Out of every 100 people who see the "er" ads on the TTC, how many of those could tell you what the ad was for. Out of those who could tell you what it was for, how many would purchase Bell internet or phone because of them. These ads are not pushing a promotion, just merely stating in a very ambiguous manner the fact that Bell is still around and competing in the communications market.

It all starts with people talking about the ads. They start trying to figure out the meaning. Once it's revealed that Bell is behind them, people will start checking out the services Bell provides. Bell's marketing team is betting on the fact that some of those people will like what they see and bring their business to them.

Watching their quarterly earning reports is the only way for us to truly judge the success of the campaign. At the very least, this campaign has now 'burned' the new Bell look in to all our minds. This makes sure the public will automatically recognize Bell via their new image.

[7jai]

poorly devised campaign that won't work. it stimulates curiousity, and does infiltrate your mind with the permanent imprint of "ER"; however, that will not be enough incentive to woo consumers into their products.

it just isn't enough...such a shame.

[blahblohblah]

Read the comments at this Blog site - these are not industry insiders and they have a real hate-on for the new ad campaign

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080811.WBwellsblog20080811085902/WBStory/WBwellsblog#post

This one is most interesting - but all are well worth reading

Anna di Giorgio from Canada writes: Are we suffering from corporate amnesia? This new campaign, either in English or French, is obscene. Obscene because it's timing coincides with the departure of executives whose bank accounts grew exponentially as they negotiated and finalized the company's demise while thousands of employees were let go; obscene because the last Bell identity revamp in 1994 has not been completed rolled out (signage on some buildings still displays the old-er Bell logo) and this new one will cost millions more at a time when the company can't afford it; and obscene because branding is not a game. A brand is supposed to reflect the reality of employees' lives, of customers' experiences, of products' value. The new Bell brand and campaign reflects none of this. Employees no longer provide customer service because they now receive nano seconds of training and have a sales quota; customers become interesting to them only once they're someone else's. The development and marketing of new products receives an equal amount of attention. Rather than throw money to ad agencies, perhaps the new executive team ought to have implemented a tightly managed change management program to reinstill the values Bell used to be known for: courteous customer service, world-class public relations and innovative products; values I would argue that would go a long way towards re-establishing a firm footing with Canadians. I am disappointed he chose the easy way out to make a point that will resonate with none other than those used to nodding in agreement. Oh, and one more thing: using a company name as a verb or noun or adjective (as in the French campaign) is not innovative or clever; it's simply wrong.

[AudiDude]

Define "working". Out of every 100 people who see the "er" ads on the TTC, how many of those could tell you what the ad was for. Out of those who could tell you what it was for, how many would purchase Bell internet or phone because of them. These ads are not pushing a promotion, just merely stating in a very ambiguous manner the fact that Bell is still around and competing in the communications market.

+1
When english is not your first language, would you even bother to read signs that don't have anything to do with your day? How many people were not born in this country buyt telecommunications services? Lots. What do they (happens to be the majority as well) want? Cheaper pricing with multicultural program access and communications that can be used if they go back home.

Bell says "Come back to Bell". For what? Where are the multicultural channels? Where is the global cellular platform that allows me to use any phone I want? Where is my free long distance to call my cousin in Halifax because we both have the same provider? Where is the high speed internet that at least gives 80% of what the maximum is? Where is the high speed internet in places like Unionville, which is not exactly in the middle of nowhere?

Where are some bundled deals? NOT deep discounts where I get an amazing deal for six months and then you raise the price while I am locked in. Percentage discounts work better because you only pay a percentage of the increase as well and you do better over the life of a contract. Where is the 125 years of knowledge when I call in? You brag about it, so bring it.
Lastly don't try to sell something to me with a couple of gay beavers like I am six years old. Just tell me what I get and what I save please.

The two letters "er" are going to have to work a lot harder to save Bells @ss..

[samir805]

It is bell mobility ad. The slogan is "MOBILE INTERNET JUST GOT BETTer"

I have to give props for the ad company...Initially, I was confused as well. Now that many ppl are confused and even took time to post here basically just suggest the marketing scheme behind it....

However, I must add that this doesn't make me buy their product...The best way to make consumer buy is to give better product for cheaper price with excellent customer service...

[fastlayne]

If, over the next year or two, the private equity owners of Bell fail to clean up the mess, maybe the remnants will be tossed to


Rogers