The “Think Fed-ex first” assignment over at Poptent.net closed last week when the brand purchased three user-created ads for $5,000 a piece.  All three ads are pretty good but this one is just genius:

Purchased by Fed-Ex. Price: $5,000

That right there was more memorable than any commercial I saw on TV all week. One reason I really like spec ads and video contest stuff is because you never know what you’re going to get. That’s probably why so many marketing people like contests too. Would a big money ad agency ever have the nerve to pitch a spot to Fed-Ex called “Human Head?” This seems like the kind of idea that a bunch of pros would joke about and then shove in a file because the client might think it was too dark. But when you shoot a project on spec you’re feel to do whatever the hell you want because you have nothing to lose. 99 out of 100 times, the results are a mess and the creator misses the mark. But when off the wall ideas actually work, the client winds up with something far more interesting than the average old commercial.

You can see see the other two purchased ads over on the Poptent blog. The one with the Teddy Bear is especially amusing.