New ad campaign for Walgreen’s is at the corner of hokey and Main Street.
August 17, 2012
“What -No dirty magazines?”
There are many, many Walgreen’s in this country. In Chicago and San Francisco, it seems like there’s one on every corner. Which takes me to the part about Walgreen’s new ad campaign I sort of like, the tagline: “At the corner of Happy and Healthy.” I say “sort of” because its treacle makes me squirm. Especially when uttered by one of America’s biggest pussies, John Corbett. From his wife-pleasing turns in TV and movies (Oh, the 90’s era earnestness!) to his previous schilling for Applebees (yuck), this is a guy who seriously needs his ass kicked. Corbett is more Good Morning, America than Matt Lauer. And I don’t much like him either.
“The flyover people think I’m hip!”
But I respect the copy for what it’s trying to do. Walgreen’s stores are ubiquitous and, as GSD&M’s introductory anthem spot points out, they are also pioneers in health care (drive through pharmacy, child-proof tops) and happiness (inventing chocolate malts!)
Trying is the key word. This paint by numbers campaign tries like the dickens to be all things to all people. (In fairness, that is what Walgreen’s aspires to be as well.) Yet, the formula in this spot is so conspicuous I can see the storyboard. It’s just too linear and contrived. For example, the dutiful black and white images on the front end. Gee whiz, History! 2+2= bore
Given Walgreen’s went through a lengthy review, subsequently dinging their previous agency (Downtown Partners) this fluffy piece of advertising is a disappointment. Admittedly, I was a fan of Downtown Partner’s work. Highly stylized and very unorthodox, so unlike what we have here. Which is probably why it was killed. But that was then and this is now. Walgreen’s is bent on proving it owns the corners of mainstream America, along with cheap nail polish, Prozac and Gatorade.
Walgreen’s & Downtown Partners. I guess things weren’t so perfect after all…
The Happy Soul Industry
The Last Generation
Not to mention the as predicted over use of “period film look” to somehow make it feel authentic… when all it really does is provide technique and disconnect a viewer from the story.
Sigh…what would George Lois do…?
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I think that you have to be a pussy yourself to call someone as talented as John Corbett one!! Where would this world be without haters?
Alex- I was being unnecessarily harsh on the guy. And I’m with you on “haters.” But I dislike Corbett as AVO in this and other commercials. His fabricated hipness makes my skin crawl.
He’s a giant douche, you hit the nail on the head.
“I love you, Toula, you’re so unique and quirky!” Suck my ass.
To be abe to call yourself a professional and use language like that…Phffft! Maybe you should go back to school and learn some new adjectives.
I guess it’s safe to say that you have a problem with Walgreen’s John Corbett and Applebee’s.
W O W !!!!!!!!
I first heard the Walgreens commercial and instantly thought “My God, Its Chris in the Morning From Northern Exposure.”
Nothing wrong with John Corbett’s narration, the reviewer has a major bug up his butt.
Indeed; the narration is fine, I just felt that Corbett could be doing better things than Walgreen. But at least I can pretend I’m listening to KBHR in my car!
Someone is bitter, jealous & has a HUGE gnarly bug up his butt:-/ Seriously, get over yourself! Who the heck raised you, wolves? Try being kind or zip it. Oh & this is said with true compassion cause I don’t want you to burn in hell for being so mean spirited =}
Screw u. He’s no pussy. You’re Pure jealous!
I LOVE John Corbett. The ad campaign may deserve the ridicule, but not John!
Love John Corbett no matter what he is doing….what I hate is bully’s ….. You don’t know his situation,,,,everyone needs to work…LOVE YOU JOHN
Go ahead and judge my grammar and call me illiterate …lighten up
Love John Corbett and his voice!!!! Very talented actor and that voice has all the comfort of warm apple pie. The Walgreens commercial played on the radio this morning and it was so good to hear something from him again. You didn’t need to go there. He’s a good guy.
I originally thought the voice was Kevin Costner…….but happy to find out that it is John Corbett because I like him too.
Me, too! Love John Corbett and his voice. There is something about his voice that always appealed to me….I hear joy, enthusiasm, honesty….really just a fantastic feel good kind of voice…makes you want to listen…..I like it.
John rocks! That voice is great, makes me want to hug him and watch reruns of anything he appeared in, again!
Love, love, love John Corbett and his comforting, benevolent voice. He is a very talented actor and does a GREAT job with the Walgreen’s commercial. I too was glad to hear his voice again. Reviewer needs to find something more productive to do with his free time, and stop ridiculing good, decent people.
[...] New ad campaing for Walgreens Review by Gods of Advertising [...]
So glad to find this. I just couldn’t figure out whose voice it was. I have to agree with you that the “Town of Perfect” ads were much better and more clever!
Love this guys voice. Listening to it just makes me want to know him and would hope to run into him at my local Walgreen’s. I have been hooked on this ad campaign from the first. Must be a major jealous Joe to berate the actor when some of the best voices have done MAJOR ad campaigns in the past. Robert Mitchum, Loren Green, Robert Goulet…Distinct and clearly unique voices are far and few between. Too bad you find it demoralizing to be working this venue.
Love John and love Walgreen’s. Don’t even need to be sold on the latter. I had the parent company as clients back in the ’90′s. Never worked with bigger corporate slime balls. And I’d never spend a penny at CVS..
John Corbett is the bomb!…..HE was Aiden on Sex & The City..how could someone ever call him a ‘pussy’…really?!
He is smoking hot then and is smoking hot now…YOU go John
John’s voice is so soothing and comforting. I would go to Walgreens any day and hope I see a poster of him. His voice is cute and sexy. He could sell me anything. But…. I just think he is a great actor and good person. The people that have downed him are only because they are just jealous. Too funny. They should get a life and not make fun of other people.. Maybe they should take voice lessons and improve their own, (in more ways than one)
Everytime I hear that damn commercial I wanna punch something…which let me to your story…I knew I wasn’t alone. I used to be an “Aiden” fan…now I can’t go by an Applebee’s without thinking of Walgreens and I still wanna punch something.
LOOOOOVE John Corbett – awesome move, Walgreen’s
Oh, thank you for not saying some warm and fuzzy statement about his voice and these commercials (yes, hokey and FF or mute worthy).
Ever since I saw him in S&the City I can’t stand him. I think he was practicing for these commercials then with his “natural guy” and his voice just grates on me.
I’m also just sick and tired of commercials creating wives into mothers of their husbands “making” him do things that make his face go sour!
And yeah, he may have cleaned up and looked good with shorter hair, but he was still annoying.
To each his own, and some love him, but I’m glad to read your take.
Exactly.
Ugh! We are supposedly getting a Walgreens in our town next summer. I don’t care who does their commercials–I will not shop there. Walgreens is one of the top two stores that I hoped never to see here (of course the other one being Walmart and we have so far been fortunate to not have that particular devil arrive). John Corbett–I know you and Bo love Jackson Hole–please prevail upon the powers that be to cancel their plans to build a Walgreens here at the corner of Happy and Healthy (or in this cae the corner of Broadway and Budge Drive!).
I love hearing John Corbett’s voice on the Walgreen’s commercials. It is the only commercial I stop and watch and listen to. John has a great voice and it makes me happy just to hear it! He is a wonderful actor and I watch every movie or show he is in. Keep John Corbett on the Walgreen’s commercials! I love it!
You go john. Your wonderful. I love our voice. When i hear your voice i stop to listen. Great commercial.
I have no idea whether or not he’s a “pussy” nor that he “needs his ass kicked.” What I DO know is that he’s a talentless hack who somehow secures way more work than his talent and ability suggest. I hate both the Walgreen’s and Applebee’s ads.
Why can’t the world be less judge mental and just listen to the voice of John Corbett in this add. I think his voice is soothing and convincing. Put your ” too much information and opinionated minds to rest”. And use your energy to focus on the practice of loving kindness in your lives.
You’re an advertiser’s wet dream. Keep gettin’ sucked right in. They love and live off you – an easy sell! TV is not real. Didn’t you know?
yeah, because feeling no need to dis the man and act like he just stole someone’s money or spouse – means I’m a pushover and ripe for the picking.
yep, I guess that’s why others bully. Gotta keep that game going and prove I’m no advertiser’s ‘wet dream’.
His voice sounds like Jerry Houser. Not a good thing.
” When you’re at the corner of ” < if I hear this one more time I may not go to Walgreens on purpose. – ever.
When you're at the corner of "I really hate this commercial" and "I can't stand it anymore"…
When you're at the corner of "I wish my kids would shut up" and "why can't my husband ever (fill in the blank)….
ha ha there are soooo many others — better than Walgreens stupid commercial… but I really hate that saying….and I hate the boppy stupid music. I mean … nice white picket fence for all you folks aye….
I smile every time I hear this commercial because having twin grandchildren I know how my children felt when they brought them home. John Corbett’s voice is perfect for the ad and the ad is perfect for Walgreens.
I cannot believe how many people have to get a life and get off this kick.
The writer of this article is a total F-tard and only wishes he were as cool as John Corbett…
The writer of this article sounds like a jealous, bitter douchebag.
I like John Corbett and I LOVE Northern Exposure, but I agree with the article, John sounds like a moron in both the Walgreens and Applebees commercials. His vocal inflections are offensive to my intelligence. I don’t know why they encourage him to sound like a duffus. No one talks like that….