Apple iPad

Here some warm subjective camera shots of idealised Apple iPad users according to Apple. Or something like the following proposition:

'Are you a (cultured and well-informed) reader of The Economist, a (cool and up-to-date) Twitter user, a (savvy and enlightened) follower of TED talks and a (maybe nostalgic) friend of books? Are you (do you like to think of yourself as) all or either of the above?
Then you, who enjoy being all these things while sitting leisurely at home or at a trendy and generic café with sofas, wearing brand-new casual clothes, with your nicely air-brushed skin tone…, you must be an iPad person (buyer)'.

By the way, the ads bring an illustrative take on our contemporary cultural landscape, again, according to Apple: the titles of books we like to read (or just buy), e.g. Nineteen Eighty Four (now that’s a surprise); the people we like to listen to, e.g. Jamie Oliver (still?); the issues that we are concerned about (or supposed to be), e.g. climate change; the nothingness we like to spread via Twitter, e.g. a classic: “Just ate the best sandwich. Ever” (!).

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Apple: iPad
Euston Station (LU)
London

The Jewish News

Maybe because of my exposure to things Jewish before coming to live in London (in 2004) was practically non-existent, I can’t help having a heightened sensibility to notice Jewish things around.
It’s the good thing about having an outsider’s view; it makes you be more receptive, more aware. Although, in saying that, it makes me think also of how many other things I might be taking for granted, for I’m probably as much an outsider as an insider here.

Anyway, here you are a testimony of ethnic identity, Jewish in this case, still playing a defining role for many people. Also, by the way, a visual record of advertising performing phagocytosis on a black cab.

Apart than that, want to hear the latest (and hyperlinked) Jewish news of this blogger’s life? Probably not, but I’m telling you nonetheless:

• A colleague has recently moved to Stamford Hill to find he was among the largest Hasidic community in Europe.
• The same colleague told me of his surprise at having spotted an overtly camp “black hat” (colloquial term for orthodox Jewish geezers) walking around Soho. Or was he maybe a bearded hipster?
• A non-Jewish acquaintance has just married a Jewish man.
• I’m becoming a big fan of bagels; maybe it all started with the hot salt-beef bagels of Brick Lane.
• I’m also a big fan of Larry David, from whom I've learned more about Jewish things.
• But if you heard the story about the hole in the sheet through which to have sex (and you may have if you are a fan of Larry David too), know it’s a myth, sorry.

Shalom now.


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JN Media Group: The Jewish News
Wood Green, N22
London

Bringing the facts to life

This ad by the private TV channel ITV raises the issue of the cost of alcohol misuse for the National Health Service as an example of the factual and uncompromised information that ITV provides. However, it seems to me that the prevalent message conveyed by this eye-catching close-up image of three pretty girls enjoying their friendship, having fun and willing for more (supposedly after having 'misused' alcohol), is rather one of glorification of alcohol misuse.

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ITV News: Bringing the facts to life
Finsbury Park Station (LU)

It pays to think big

Using really strong brands to advertise your own not-so-strong brand? I'm not sure it works.
Even after having taken this picture, I couldn't remember what this ad was mainly about when I saw the thumbnail in my folder; I did only remember the iconic Ikea shed. Good for Ikea, I guess, who are enjoying free publicity.

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The Daily Telegraph: It pays to think big
Holborn Station (LU)

Be part of the times

Japan unusually portrayed in an ad that does not include a geisha. A bit disappointlingly, however, it features a robot

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The Times: Be part of the times
Leicester Square Station (LU)
London