The ad campaign for the new season of Dexter pays tribute to a few iconic modern magazine cover designs. In the process, it proves the power of a solid brand’s recognition, even when all original written content has been removed.
Burned Into Your Mind
When a completely different idea can be laid over your existing design style and everyone immediately thinks of your brand; you have archived superstar status. Think of how many times you drive by a mom-and-pop restaurant and instantly know that the building use to belong to a specific fast-food chain. The signs are all gone, but the frame work of the architecture has developed a permanent spot in your brain and you subconsciously make the connection. Its a fascinating testament to the power of a solid identity repeated with integrity over time.
The Art of a Good Knock-Off
I’m a little down on the obvious knock off concept in general. 15 years later, the once mighty “Got Milk?” campaign is still being disgraced. Dexter’s new campaign is a whole different animal though. The difference is, the art direction in these ads obviously has a huge amount of respect for the brands they are borrowing. To truly knock something off properly, you have to spend a lot of time learning to appreciate it fully. It’s like a good band doing great cover song as opposed to a cheap Vanilla Ice rip-off.
All About Dexter
It seems like there is a widening divide in the television world. At the bottom, soap opera style trash and shiny plastic game shows are having a contest to see who can make people with a college degree change the channel fastest. But at the top, high end dramas keep one-upping each other with writing, art direction, acting, and cinematography that makes you wonder why you should ever go to the theater again. Right in the middle of this high end TV renaissance is Dexter. America’s most beloved serial killing vigilantly has raised the bar with fantastic acting, music, editing, and design… all in one dark, twisted package. It also has my favorite opening titles of all time.
How many of these magazines can you identify:
Thanks to Pajiba for the tip.
Robert Hance
Wed, October 1 2008
Hmmm… interesting contrast between cheap rip-offs and respectful knock-offs. Personally, I do my best to avoid products or services that are advertised with “Got ___.” It actually helps me identify companies and/or organizations that I don’t want to associate with. However, I really enjoyed Robot Chicken’s Star Wars episodes and was surprised to see it supported by George Lucas. On one hand you have copying for the sake of monetary gain and on the other hand you have artistic expression for the sake of adoration (and monetary gain).
Dexter: Season Two is at the top of my Netflix queue.
Mon, November 17 2008
Yeah Rob, “Got… Anything” is a dead giveaway that you are buying crap.