Ads that pop up on iPhones, digitalized billboards and flatscreens on the sides of buildings lack any semblance of a beating  heart or deep and mysterious soul. In fact, any human touch to the varnished, made up faces and gloriously sleek airbrushed bodies is gone; these creations seem to be something from a Philip K. Dick-like future rather than our living, breathing present. Where have the stories behind our ads gone? Where are the Mad Men-esque tales woven after late nights, cocktails and too many cigarettes? Where are the truly human elements?

Living in New York, I barely notice what the boards, buildings and my apps are trying to sell. Rather, I am still surprised by the pixilated platforms on which products are hawked (I mean, when was the last time anyone really paid attention to a newspaper ad?) There's a certain coolness to ads I see around the city and it makes me even less likely to part with my hard-earned cash in this city where, I've read, walking out of the door will cost you twenty dollars.

Apparently, some advertisers might feel the same. No, I don't mean about how much it costs to live in New York, but how little feeling some campaigns have today. Because, after all, on the other end of those earbuds and behind that iPad there are still emoting human beings. So these viral sensations have gone the other route. Using video, Chipotle – who already proved its social media mastery with the fake-hack – and, thanks to Gawker, the Thai conglomerate True, and Extra (yes, the gum) have put together stirring and beautifully shot advertisements.

And people are talking about them.

Each spot has the epic wonder of a Superbowl-placed commercial, but was released far away from that coveted event. Each ad is selling something that most people would have likely just bought anyway, but now they're talking about it. And each ad is in a format which can be played over and over on any device, computer or television with the right capabilities.

Why this – the internet attention and sharing -  is happening, I don't know – slow news day? Maybe there are a ton of really – gasp – beautiful advertisements out there that have not been getting the attention they deserve, and the Internet is just bored of cat memes and the antics of Miley Cyrus' rear end. However, I think there's something bigger going on here and – dare I say it – a trend emerging, one where companies appeal to human nature and beauty rather than fast, flashy and fake. Who knows? Overnight sensations can be just that, so it will be curious to see if more product marketing teams follow suit. 

Here's the Extra ad 

The Chipotle Spot 

And the True video, via Gawker 

So is it a trend, or am I just really bored and feeling emotional because it's fall? Have you noticed more involved, evocative ads lately?