Bahama banner like a postcard to friends

Can you see yourself enjoying Bahama's Out Islands?

Banner designers for the tourism board are targeting young, active couples on New York's Long Island with this 300x250 box ad that I discovered on the web pages of Newsday.

I would deduct a couple points for the logo in the lower left corner for the way it creeps into the ad and covers up her swimsuit. The headline (The Real Us. The Real Bahamas) is hard to read with the font that fades into the skyline. Putting that aside, the couple looks happy and seem to beg you to click on the banner for more info including where to stay, what to do, rate packages and links to reservations. The promise is that you'll have a splashing good time.

Student nurse wants you to look and learn

Look at what I found on the news pages of The Tampa Tribune online-- a student nurse staring back at me in this 300x250 content ad from University of Phoenix. Designers created this look to get attention of prospective students with the promise of graduate degree in just 14 months. Click to learn more. This static ad fits nicely on the page and gets a lot of action because it closely resembles the news content on the page. Though a little heavy on text the layout does a good job of getting your attention and offering a strong benefit. The proof is in the details that you will find on the U of P website. Classes are available on campus or online.

Dark Side of Moon ad suitable for framing

Pink Floyd fans in the Denver area gotta love this black & white gem I spotted in the Denver Post promoting Roger Waters live in concert at The Pepsi Center on April 30.

The founder and creative force of Pink Floyd, stands there boldly playing a riff from somewhere with the silver moon as his back drop. Live Nation wants you to call or go the web for tickets. I just checked, some choice floor level seats are still available. I like the ad for its attention getting graphics and its message which speaks so deliberately to baby boomer newspaper readers. Bravo.