Mad Men Illustrations from Dyna Moe

As they're ramping up for the 3rd season of Man Men (which i believe starts at the end of summer) AMC and Mad Men have been doing a good job rallying excitement via facebook and the Mad Men blog.

Today they are featuring an interview with freelance illustrator Dyna Moe who was commissioned to help design a Mad Men illustrated Holiday Card and from there went on to do an extensive series of designs for screensavers, iphones, calendars and more based on the story line of each episode. Of course, all of the illustrations are in a mid-century modern style, see some of my favorites below. Joan Hollaway as a paper doll? of course!



For Dyna's full series visit her flickr set.

Mad Men Adds to it's Trophy Shelf at the 2008 Creative Arts Emmy's

The Creative Arts Emmy's were held on Saturday - which are basically the Emmy's for the people that don't have personal stylists to dress them for the event, the people behind the scenes.

Mad Men picked up three - a good start leading to this Sunday's Primetime Emmy's where they are expected to leave with a few more.

The first Emmy's on the shelf are for Best Art Direction Single Camera Show, Best Cinematography Single camera Show, and best Title Design.


You can learn more about the title design, created by Imaginary Forces, on the Mad Men Website.

Also, one of my favorite spots of the year, BudLight Swear Jar won the Emmy for Best Commercial.

Mad Men for Vanity Fair Shot by Annie Leibovitz

I know, I know, it's Mad Men mania. After last night's repeat Emmy Wins, today's Oprah special, and yesterday's killer episode it seem s like its all Mad Men all the time. So, I'm going to continue to add to it! Check out these spreads from the September issue of Vanity Fair from famed photographer Annie Leivobitz.



Don't they make you want to jump into that world and steal Don and Betty's wardrobe (or furniture depending on your shopping fetish!)

Looking Back at Canada Dry

Don't you love the little commercial fun facts you get as bumpers to some of Mad Men sponsors? I'm loving the vintage Canada Dry they've been showcasing and couldn't help but to find some more.


This first one featuring Ann Margeret is very Mad Men, it reminds me a bit of the Patio/Bye Bye Birdie spot that Sal directedt...



One gulp is for thirst, the others for kicks...


The taste that's less sweet...

Mad Men Inspired Bacardi Ads

I have a problem. After each new episode of Mad Men I find myself scouring for the vintage ads the team is working on that week. I just want to see if their ideas are real and authentic to the brand strategy or are fabricated for the show. I know what the answer probably is, but I still look.

In honor of this week's Bacardi brainstorming session, here are some vintage Bacardi Rum Ads for your enjoyment.
ps. I know they aren't all from the 60's but I think they still work well together as a group.

Mad Men Intro Gets Simpsonized

Two of my favorites combined for the Tree House of Horror XIX when The Simpsons presented their take on the Emmy Award winning Mad Men intro.

Utz Up?

Is it me or does it seem like there has been a resurgence of Utz Potato Chips since they were featured in Mad Men? Maybe I'm just noticing the brand more...but I swear my local pizza shop just stocked up for the first time.

Speaking of Mad Men, if you haven't checked it out, they have a pretty great website up with blogs, videos, and interviews that delve into a variety of topics including the fashions showcased in each episode, 1960's brand and historical references, and the evolution of the show's own ad campaign. You can even relive Don Drapers show stopping Kodak Presentation slide by slide (yes the monologue accompanies the images.)

What Would You Call Mad Men from Boston?

That's right MA Men, a Funny or Die Spoof for all of the Massholes out there or any of you that know of a few Massholes. Joey McIntyre and Crew represent Sterling Cooper and Co. - the Boston Office.

MA Men from Joey McIntyre

Tip a little for Teddy Williams!

Presidential Election Ad Campaigns

Since news of Barack Obama's big Olympic ad buy has just surfaced I thought that sometime soon I would want to showcase commercials from both sides of the 2008 Presidential Election.

To prepare I thought a nice Friday review of campaigns past would be nice (ok, I've been watching a lot of Mad Men too and had to dig up the Kennedy/Nixon spots.) Enjoy, if you have any other classics please share!

1992 Bill Clinton "Read My Lips"


1984 Regan "Morning in america"


1984 Mondale 'Rollercoaster"


1972 "Nixon Now" He caught onto the song idea...


1972 McGovern "Newspaper"


1964 Lyndon Johnson "Daisy"


1964 Barry Goldwater "In Your Heart-You Know He's Right"


1960 Kennedy "Song" Commercial


1960 Nixon "Russia" commercial


1952 Isenhower "Ike for President"


1952 Aldia Stevenson " Music Man"

Toyota Avalon Travels Back in Time

What do you guys think about these new retro kitsch Toyota Avalon commercials? They are part Mad Men, part vintage advertising, and part stepford wife creepy.

At first i thought they totally missed their mark, trying to be vintage but not going far enough with the aesthetic, lighting or film stocks, but the more i see them, and think about the two of them as a campaign rather than individual spots i get the kitsch factor much more and kinda really like them. I also like the idea of travel as a luxury rather than a given or a right, it's a nice change of perception. thoughts? Mr. Sandman bring me a dream?

New York Department Store's Holiday Windows 2008

As a former Production Designer and Set Decorator my absolute dream job would be to design store fronts in New York. Every year the biggest retailers outdo themselves with magical, otherworldy, and completely awesome vignettes.

Each store has a unique theme that is always fitting to the brand itself. This year, Barney's celebrates the anniversary of the peace sign with a hippy trippy display right out of the 60's. Sak's Fifth Avenue's display is a snowflake story book adventure, Macy's is a bright and colorful futuristic toy store, and Lord and Taylor's is a nod to traditions in an elaborate Christmas scene. The Bloomingdales scenes look like they were ripped from the 60's ad campaigns from Mad Men, and Bergdorf Goodman is an eerie but elegant winter scene with intricate white details and woodland creatures.

Barney's
Sak's Fifth Avenue (video)
Macy'sLord and TaylorBloomingdalesBergdorf Goodman

Saturday Night Live Take a Cue From Mad Men

I caught some of last Saturday's SNL with January Jones (Betty Draper) as the host. I felt some of it fell short but this sketch of A Ladies Guide to Party Planning is everything ridiculous i love about housewives, cookbooks, and etiquette from the 50's and 60's.

United States of Tara Take Home Emmy for Title Design

I can't believe it's been another year already, I feel like I was just writing about Mad Men taking the Emmy for Outstanding Design (by Imaginary Forces) last month.

This year's winning intro is an animated, paper doll, pop- up book type design, really darling, but I haven't seen the show as I don't get those "premium channels" is it any good?

Check out this Q&A with the creators i found on Motionographer.