Everybody’s seen the TV commercials featuring Mac and PC.
The computer advertising world shifts to Normal, Illinois this week for a casting call for a web-based advertising campaign that will pit residents of Normal against citizens of Boring, Oregon in a friendly competition designed to help Toshiba sell laptop computers.
A May 14 Pantagraph news story explained the concept:
“The genesis of the idea is Toshiba makes laptops around the way people use them,” said Aron North of Young & Rubicam Brands advertising agency in Irvine, Calif. “This brings real people in real situations from fun towns with great personalities.”
Ron Smith, vice president of marketing for Toshiba said Normal was chosen because it “offers an interesting mix of people and represents everyday people.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m planning to attend either Tuesday at Medici’s or Wednesday at the Normal Theater to meet with the producers and find some creative way to explain how a laptop will help me achieve my hopes and dreams.
Both casting calls run from noon to 8 p.m.
If nothing else, I’ve always been fascinated with advertising and marketing campaigns, and it will be interesting to see what Toshiba has up their sleeve. And will it help us acheive the same kind of marketing notariety that Peoria achieved with that age old question: “Will it play in Peoria?”
I’m also curious to see who else shows up. And will some Bloomington residents try to pass themselves off as Normalites to appear on a commercial?
Plus, I’ve had some good luck lately entering contests.
Just About Normal 