LIFE IMITATES ART, IMITATING LIFE
Where the line between what is and isn’t real on TV, the internet, and especially in advertising, has been blurred beyond recognition, we’ve finally come full circle. It’s hard to believe that it took this long for such an occurrence to take place. But low and behold, it finally has. And in the most glorious of ways.
Last week, the advertising world took an interesting turn when Heinz, the classic condiment connoisseurs, chose to run an ad campaign echoed practically verbatim from a fake ad campaign created for a TV drama. In what seems to be a half marketing/half PR stunt, Heinz proposed their latest marketing effort: a series of ads originally pitched on an episode of the show Mad Men.
While we (of course) have to admit it isn’t really at all that far-fetched, it is indeed, a fantastic example of life imitating art, imitating life. In 2007, AMC introduced us to the world of advertising as it was perceived in the 1960’s. It wasn’t just a drama, it was an in-depth look into what was the burgeoning world of Madison Avenue in its heyday. Though while the companies were real, the ad pitches were merely script.
For those who watched the show, they’re sure to remember the infamous pitch presented by Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce darling Don Draper. He and artist Stan Rizzo boldly suggested a campaign in which the product they’re selling is never shown.
The spots featured close-ups of french fries, a cheeseburger, and a cut of steak against a simple white background adorned with the phrase “Pass the Heinz.” It was one of many very good ad campaigns the show presented not from the actual history of advertising, but rather from the minds of the show’s writers.
While the fictional Heinz execs from the days of yore initially passed on the campaign, the more open minded real execs of today are finally running with it nearly 50 years after Draper’s initial presentation would’ve taken place.
David Miami, who currently represents Heinz, pitched the idea with a clever marketing ploy – accrediting the original founders of the SCDP advertising firm, as well as Mad Men writers Matthew Weiner and Erin Levy. They can be seen in the campaign credits provided to Adweek (who originally reported the story), cleverly presented in vintage typewritten copy as they might have been in 1968.
The campaign is sure to be a hit with Mad Men fans, who’s premiere will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary this summer.
The ads can currently be seen on billboards in Times Square, Vanity Fair, The New York Post, and much to the chagrin of Mad Men purists, social media. Your move, art.
