Americans want bigger government, just not this one

Today's USA TODAY has one of those sweeping studies that attempts to segment Americans based on their feelings about government. Some of the verbatims are so interesting. This one really nailed the zeitgeist for me:

Most Americans endorse government activism on a range of issues — not only national defense but also the environment, civil rights and consumer protection — but doubt the competence of government to deliver results effectively and efficiently.

Trends to watch for at the NDAC Super Bowl Party

What can we expect to see at the NDAC Super Bowl party, besides tipsy art directors and suicidal Giants fans?

• Premature exposure - It used to be that the Super Bowl was a brand's big chance to make a statement to the business media. But this year, it seems that practically every spot has either been released or teased online. The creative may seem new to consumers, but NDAC members and reporters may arrive at the party with their minds already made up.

• Storytelling - Traditionally, Super Bowl ads are all about spectacle. But things may start to change this year. I'm curious to see if any brands have the courage to use their spot as an accessible doorway into a larger story told across multiple online and offline media.

• More of the same - Every year, brands feel obligated to try to out-big each other by overplaying rock music, overdoing special effects, and overpaying Justin Timberlake. That trend probably won't die this year. But it could be less prevalent.

• Cause marketing - Ian Schafer predicts that big brands will use their time "to tell consumers how green, pink, yellow, or red they are." That may cause a backlash among educated consumers and jaded NDAC members.

• I think that's the lint-licker actress hawking Bridgestone - That's not really a theme. But it's funny.

You can see my Super Bowl linklist here. You can see every AdRants post tagged Super Bowl 2008 here. You can check out AdFreak's ongoing coverage here. Oh, and get your tickets already.

I don't care that it's impossibly obvious

And I'm impossibly late and all the hip people knew about this band in 1990-whatever and now that the single is all over 93.3 they've totally moved on to that other band that dresses like Bonnie Lou but then wears those rad sneakers and oh aren't they hilarious or ironic or something.

I don't care. This is just so good. It's so, so good. And it gets better everytime I hear it.