The Week on AdFreak: Oct. 26-Nov. 2, 2012 Epic job listings, Sandy ad fails, and an agency run by 10-year-olds

Here are the five most-read AdFreak posts from the past week:

5. Famous Brand Logos Redesigned for the Zombie Apocalypse
4. FPSRussia Leads All-Star Cast in Killer 'Black Ops 2' Spot
3. W+K Seeks Help on Old Spice in Crazy, Epic Job Listing
2. If 10-Year-Olds Ran an Ad Agency
1. American Apparel, Gap Blasted for Hurricane Sandy Ad Fails

Dewar's: The Drinking Man's Scotch Preferred by English Women Claire Forlani stars in new ads

Dewar's is trying to convince young drinkers that Scotch whiskey isn't just a drink for your irrationally angry grandfather. It's also a drink for irrationally angry hot English women with Scottish accents! Dewar's got Opperman Weiss to make some ads with English actress Claire Forlani (aka Lauren Hunter from NCIS: Los Angeles). The tagline "Are you ready to take life seriously?" Coming from her, it almost sounds like a threat. I guess they're implying that Dewar's is for serious, grown-ass adult drinkers, which has darker implications. So far they're missing the self-awareness and fun of ads by rivals like Jameson. We'll see if they pick it up in future ads.

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In Sandy's Wake, Power Bar's NYC Marathon Ads Are Weirdly Gripping A city of defiant runners

"I think I'll put the pain aside." That's one of several evocative lines in Power Bar's new ads in support of the 2012 ING New York City Marathon—a race, still scheduled for this Sunday, that's become a major point of controversy in a city still reeling from the worst storm it's ever suffered. Night Agency wrote, filmed and edited the spots before the storm, yet the specter of Hurricane Sandy is everywhere. The first spot opens on dark, misty skies, with peals of thunder echoing. And then, almost immediately, there's defiance. "I think I'll go for a run today," says the first of many runners in voiceover. The gritty footage in both spots is as much about the city as the runners—fittingly for such a iconic race. And the Power Bar tagline, which isn't new, takes on an inspirational quality now. "You're stronger than you think," it says. The spots won't change the minds of those opposed to running the race on schedule, but they may well be quietly appreciated by those who see carrying on as a matter of pride. Second spot and credits after the jump.

UPDATE: The marathon has been canceled for Sunday.

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Mr. Burns Endorses Mitt Romney Clears up famous dog-abuse incident, too

With only a few days left, Charles Montgomery Burns has declared his presidential endorsement for none other than Mitt Romney. Sitting next to a few binders full of women, the fictional plutocrat of The Simpsons universe assures his gay assistant Smithers (who is probably voting for Obama) that the only thing that stands between the Republicans and their God-given right to rule is a shaggy-dog story—the incident from 1983 when Romney left his Irish setter Seamus on top of the family car for a 12-hour, 650-mile trip. Mr. Burns takes it upon himself to debunk to myth and calls out "Seamus" to tell America that he actually enjoyed taking that ride because it let him "see more of this great land of ours and its wonderful natural resources … ripe for drilling and mining and exploiting." Mr. Burns then asks the dog to choose between two men impersonating "Broccoli Obama" and "Meat Romney." But the dog, like much of America, is disgusted by both options and jumps out the window instead. You can catch the longest-running scripted show in television history Sundays at 8/7c on Fox.

Wii U Commercial Is a Spectacular Dubstep Disaster Spot crushed under weight of its grating music

Some readers felt we were being premature when we announced the death of dubstep at the hands of advertising earlier this year. But now you're going to wish we'd been right. Nintendo has released this 60-second spot for the new Wii U gaming console, and while the messaging is decent enough, the soundtrack is one of the most annoying in commercial history. A high-pitched dubstep screech builds to a shrillness of dentistry proportions while you're flashing from one family-friendly Wii U scenario to the next. By the end, I'm not sure I want a Wii U, but I'm damn positive I want that minute of my life back. According to YouTube and forum comments, gamers are more upset about Nintendo's focus on courting the Netflix-watching masses instead of getting back to its roots as the leading platform for gaming. Video-game industry types also wonder if Nintendo is making it clear enough that the Wii U is an entirely new console, priced at $300, and not merely a fancy controller upgrade for the Wii. Those are valid concerns, but for now, I'd settle for an ad that doesn't punish me for watching it.

Switzerland Kills All the Clocks in Timeless Tourism Ad Ahh, that's better

Switzerland's appeal as a vacation destination is timeless. As proof, the nation's tourism authority springs "Clocks" on the masses. Spillman/Felser/Leo Burnett's film finds Sebi and Paul, a pair of bearded locals introduced earlier in the campaign, on a mission to remove or disable every timepiece in their wintery homeland to facilitate relaxing holidays for stressed-out travelers. Since this is Switzerland, removing clocks to create a calming environment feels logical and unforced. The spot offers ticks, of a sort, but thankfully, not a single ant, unlike last year's spot with weirdo Swiss weather prophet Martin Horat. Yech! Here, there's a cute joke involving a rooster, a creature famed for shattering the peace at a certain time every day. And we're treated to lots of great visuals, like Sebi and Paul lugging a grandfather clock though the snow and depositing it on a horse-drawn cart, that make watching "Clocks" time well spent.

Darth Vader Goes (Back) to Disneyland After Lucasfilm Deal Old spot repurposed as celebration

In a bit of corporate efficiency that would make the Empire proud, Disney has taken this 2011 commercial for its Star Wars-themed Star Tours ride at Disneyland and recut it to celebrate he company's acquisition of Lucasfilm. It's basically the same spot, just with a little less vandalism by Vader. In fact, Disney Parks has done plenty of Vader videos, mostly supporting its regular Star Wars Weekend events. Check out a few of this year's ads after the jump.

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Honda Fit for Women Is Pink, Dotted With Hearts, and Even Prevents Wrinkles Ladies, what's not to love?

Women, if you have a Bic for Her pen handy, you'll want to jot this down. Over in Japan, Honda is making an adorable little version of its Fit compact car that's specially designed for women! How so? Well, first off, the vehicle—called, somewhat awkwardly, the Honda Fit She's—is pink. Also, the apostrophe in the "She's" logo is heart shaped. And finally, best of all, the car comes with something called a "Plasmacluster" A/C system that pumps out specially treated air that improves your skin and prevents wrinkles. Now, you'll never have to leave home without looking your most ravishingly girly, and have the skin to match! The designers say they were going for an "adult cute" aesthetic. In Japan, where the gender gap remains stark, it may be seen that way. In the U.S., which hasn't really had a proper car designed for women since the Dodge LaFemme in the mid-'50s, it would probably be laughed off the road. One saving grace: It wouldn't be for sale on Amazon. Via PSFK.

Gum Election 2012: Stick It to the Candidate You Hate the Most A cynical take on this year's race

In the event that your polling place was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, you can still vote for president early by smearing gum on the candidate you hate the most. Gum Election 2012—a street-art project by creatives Stefan Haverkamp, Hedvig Astrom and James Cooper—has put up signs all over New York City, as well as cities in California and Canada (the latter of whose gum ballots won't be counted), with Obama and Romney's faces on them. The signs encourage passersby to stick their used chewing gum on the candidate they dislike the most. So far, Romney is clearly winning this unpopularity contest, although I doubt the people behind these signs are really controlling for bias. Gothamist quips that the Gum Election "is bound to have as good a turnout as the real one," and I agree. In fact, I'd argue it's probably more meaningful at this point.

Air New Zealand Travels to Middle-earth With In-Flight Safety Video Peter Jackson makes cameo in 'Hobbit' tie-in

Yes, yes, my precious! Air New Zealand and WETA Workshop soar with this Hobbit tie-in—a real in-flight safety video. Characters from J.R.R. Tolkien demonstrate what to do in the case of an emergency and put a fanciful Middle-earth spin on donning oxygen masks, inflating life vests and pointing the way to the exits. This reminds me a bit of Virgin America's recent flight of fantasy, but it's less cluttered and more engaging. Here, the plane's filled by a pointy-eared lot, some with protruding fangs, leathery skin and razor claws, but they're still less freakish than former Air NZ pitchman Richard Simmons. And I'll take hobbits in the cabin over gremlins on the wing any day. Peter Jackson, who directed the upcoming movie, makes a cameo, sans makeup, at the 1:40 mark—though with his broad build, unkempt mane and creeping facial hair, he fits right in.