News Snackies: 2degrees, one year on

2degrees still failing to suck
A new 2degrees ad just launched on Sunday night. It’s a year on from the launch, when we were surprised that the launch ad for the telco, er, failed to suck. Yours truly has finally been freed from the shackles of Skodafone and has switched to 2degrees to test it out. So far it’s been a happy – and very easy – experience, so I’m now in the process of switching the family over too. Soon I’ll work on my friends, my friends’ friends, and the neighbour’s dog, who might shut up his barking if he could call his doggy mates on the big canine phone instead. 2degrees continues to make inroads into the other telcos’ share, but one problem remains: perception of quality. Purely anecdotal, naturally, but since switching over I’ve found many people (who aren't even on 2degrees) inform me the coverage is rubbish and sketchy at best. Simply not true, but it’s something TBWA may have to address to help the fullas out. In the meantime, check out the Facepage for more action.

The Hathaways ready to rock
It seems like just yesterday we were yelling about the arrival of the Ad Show with great excitement. This week marks the end of season one with its 20th episode. We’ll be talking to Mike Mizrahi and Steve Kane, and Ogilvy band The Hathaways will be rocking out in the studio. Like to see a second season? Make your views known on the Facebook page.

A big fat newspaper fail
Nobody’s good enough, eh! What’s happened in the world of newspaper advertising? The goodies are just there for the taking, but nobody’s in a taking mood. There’s no award for the June NAB newspaper ad of the month. Judges Dave King, Kim Pick and Janelle Herrick didn’t see anything that rang their bell. Don’t forget the grand winner is to be revealed on July 15 at the Hopetoun Alpha in Auckland.

Drinkies ads in for the chop
Alcohol advertising is getting the finger from the authorities, who want to see the five-point plan put in place. Advertising is one of the points and could be in for the chop. That’s the one, folks, we called it already: stop yawning and start giving a damn. (Damns are cheap – only $9.95 at the Warewhare.)

Naughty and nice
Kiwi chocolate company Whittaker’s has a new spot out for its dark peppermint block, and it’s very naughty. It features a naked white woman swinging into dark chocolate and a naked black man swinging into white peppermint. Then all bets are off. Check it out here. Now if only Whittaker’s would bit the bullet and do a dark chocolate version of the coconut block, life would be complete. Also see the making of video at the same link – great fun.

Cow = steak, not chocolate
As for the competition? Cadbury is still rocking out with Freida the dancing cow. I couldn’t help but notice the print ads (seen in Sunday magazine on the weekend) that poor Freida mysteriously has a tongue that seems to be attached to her nostril (see here for example). And is it just me, or is the sight of a cow licking its nose and lips fairly unappetizing? Just sayin’.

News, gossip, bribes, small morsels of tasty food? Email adhoc@nbr.co.nz.