5 Blogs Before Lunch

BET and Grey Goose Partner-up for "Rising Icons"

BET Networks and Grey Goose vodka are teaming on an eight-part TV and concert series titled "Rising Icons."

This is the third development for Grey Goose Entertainment division, which debuted in 2005 with the Iconoclasts series on the Sundance Channel followed by Live From the Artists Den, which  aired on Ovation TV in Jan. 2008.

Rising Icons breaks from past endeavors in its focus on up-and-coming artists, according to Chauncey Hamlett, brand manager, Grey Goose. “We really wanted to partner with people that could bring their story to the forefront, which is very key to the brand. The main thing is to solidify the association between these emerging artists and Grey Goose.”

PETA Goes Wild Posting Against McDonald's Chicken Practices

While Domino's Pizza is using GreenGraffiti to promote their brand around New York, PETA has begun "wild posting" hundreds of copies of its new ad featuring a close-up of the eye of a chicken who's been scalded alive in order to create negative publicity around the McDonald's brand.

The poster features the tagline "i'm hatin' what I see,"  taking a swipe at McDonald's familiar "i'm lovin' it"

Why take aim at McDonald's? The group says the company refuses to implement new slaughterhouse technology that would eliminate the worst abuses of chickens and improve working conditions.

"All eyes are on McDonald's because the company refuses to lift a finger to stop its suppliers from breaking birds' bones, cutting conscious chickens' throats, and scalding them to death," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "McDonald's customers across the country are now saying, 'I'm hatin' it,' every time they see the Golden Arches.

There's a website (McCruelty.com), a video, and more. Warning: the video is not for the faint at heart. I lasted about 15 seconds and felt I "got it."

Green Graffiti On The Rise, Thanks To Domino's

Remember Wild Postings? They were those ads posted in urban areas without permission of the owners of the walls or buildings where they were placed.

Well, 2009 brings a new form of wild postings--called Green Graffiti. The technique uses a high-pressure water hose and a stencil on dirty sidewalks, leaving a bright and shiny corporate logo, tagline or other form of advertising.

The Dutch company who's promoting this new media form is called GreenGraffiti--a company that thinks this is an environmentally friendly form of outdoor advertising, saying it is completely carbon neutral.

Domino's Pizza is using the stencils to engrave the company logo on 200 grimy sidewalks in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.

The first 250 people to hunt down the sidewalk ads and e-mail pictures of themselves with the GreenGraffiti to Domino's receive a $15 gift card. Winners will also have their pictures posted on Flickr.

Source: Adweek

Official Michael Jackson Concert Memorabilia Lives On

Today was to be the premiere of Michael Jackson's “This Is It” concert series at London’s O2 Arena.

Michael's gone. The concerts have been canceled, but the merchandising lives on.

Official concert merchandise is being sold online and will be available in stores.

The Los Angles Times reports that there are more than 300 items including jigsaw puzzles and games for children and rhinestone dog tags. The collection will go on sale at retailers such as Hot Topic, Target, JCPenney and Spencer's.

Additional sourcing: Shop Diary

Northwest Airlines Flight Attendants Want Richard Tyler Designed Uniforms in Plus Sizes

Northwest Airlines has branded their signature red dress uniform designed by Richard Tyler.

Unfortunately, not all of the NWA flight attendants can fit into the outfit.

Since being purchased by Delta Airlines, the NWA red uniform can only be worn by those women who can fit in a size 18 or smaller. Other outfits are available to those of a larger size (up to size 28).

But NWA flight attendants want the red dress from Richard Tyler.

The Northwest chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has filed a grievance with the airline.

Patricia Reller, who handles grievances for the union's executive committee, said Friday that even if there was only one flight attendant who wore a size over 18, that person should be able to wear the stylish red dress.

"I think red is an eye-popping color and it's not subtle, and to me by not offering it in a size over 18, Delta is saying, 'We don't want you wearing that if you are over size 18,'" Reller said. "But the job isn't about being sexy. It's about safety."

Dear Burger King: A Hindu Deity and the Texican Whopper Just Don't Mix. But You Already Knew That, Didn't You.

Burger King continues on its quest to create controversy through its advertising.

The fast food chain has run an ad in Spain, then quickly retracted it once it raised the ire of Hindus across the world,

The ad features an image of Lakshmi, the Indian goddess of wealth, placed above the image of a BK burger--'the Texican Whopper' which of course contains beef--a food item forbidden under Hindu religion.

The "offending" Whopper includes an all-beef patty, a beef chilli-con-carne slice, egg-based Cajun mayonnaise, all forbidden by strict Hindus. Some Hindus might also be offended by the inclusion of onions which some believe inflame passions.

Burger King clearly knew it would generate controversy by running the ad. The goddess and the burger were placed under a headline that read  'La merienda es sagrada' – the snack is sacred.

Burger King quickly withdrew the ads and issued an apology after world Hindu leaders condemned the chain for its insensitivity.

For some time now, Burger King has been on a campaign to ratchet-up brand awareness by having controversy associated with nearly everything it does in the marketplace. The company, and its advertising agency, Crispin, Porter + Bogusky have been publicly open about their strategy to step over the line, creating a viral awareness of Burger King which far outreaches any media buy they could create using traditional methods.

For Burger King (at least so far) Ads + Irreverance = Exponential promotional exposure.

Source: UK Telegraph

Evian Uses 96 Roller-Skating Babies in New Ad Campaign

Clearly, consumers can not get enough of the "Look Who's Talking" talking-baby phenomenon which started decades ago. Recently, E*Trade has been running some great ads with talking babies, and now Evian has joined the wave with an ad featuring 96 computer-animated infants roller-skating to a remix of the Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight.

The ad is part of Evian's 'Live Young' international TV and web video campaign. No word yet on a media schedule in the U.S., but with millions of views on YouTube already, who needs paid media (did I just say that?) More info at UK Daily Mail

Controversial Marijuana Ad Running...And Not Running, in California

A voter-approved measure made medical marijuana legal in California in 1996. Now, the Marijuana Policy Project is pitching the decriminalization and taxation of marijuana as a way to enhance California state budgets during the fiscal crisis, but NBC, ABC, and FOX affiliates in Los Angeles and San Francisco have declined to air an ad promoting the plan because of concerns about its content.

But the ad is currently airing on KPIX (CBS 5 Oakland), KOVR (CBS Sacramento), KXTV (ABC Sacramento), KRON (San Francisco), and - via California cable operators - on MSNBC, CNBC, and CNN.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the ad features what is called "an actual California marijuana consumer," Nadene Herndon of Fair Oaks in suburban Sacramento County. Herndon is shown alone on camera talking about proposed budget cuts to schools, police and state parks, then suggests that Sacramento politicians "are ignoring millions of Californians who want to pay taxes. We're marijuana consumers."

The Huffington Post reports that Alison Holcomb, drug policy director of the Washington ACLU said that while the refusals obviously don't "implicate the First Amendment from a legal standpoint," she believes the practice "undermines a core principle underlying the First Amendment: that the strength of a democracy flows from the exchange of ideas."

Additional reporting at UK Telegraph.

See ad here:

Crisis Management Ad for Tylenol After FDA Warning

Recently, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended limits on the use of acetaminophen, a commonly used painkiller and the generic ingredient in Tylenol, among others.

In classic crisis-management mode, Tylenol's maker--Johnson & Johnson ran full-page ads in USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other newspapers within days of the FDA warning. The ads defended Tylenol as "the safest brand of pain reliever you can choose" when taken in the proper dosage.

The Wall Street Journal notes that J&J's ads were carefully worded to convey the idea that neither Tylenol itself, nor its marketing, were to blame for any overdosing problems.

McDonald's Ad Asks, "Are We There Yet?"

McDonald's advertising in Sweden has an interesting twist on the brand.

DDB Stockholm has created a spot with a decidedly Harry Potter-feel that promotes the idea of stopping at McDonald's on road trips.

The ad plays on the common childhood whine..."Are we there yet." Personally, I prefer this ad to ANYTHING I have seen from McDonald's in a very long time. It elevates the brand, is entertaining, and delivers a clear, strong message--stop at McDonald's during car trips with the family.  

Hat tip to Adweek's AdFreak.com

Is There Life After Death for the Brands that Picthman Billy Mays Promoted?

Direct-marketing pitchman Billy Mays died recently. He was the face of numerous brands such as OxiClean, Kaboom, and Orange-Glo.

So what is a brand to do once it's star is gone, and all of its marketing relies on the relationship built between star and consumer?

Different brands seem to have different viewpoints on how to treat a dead spokesman. Some companies are pulling his ads, and airing tributes to Mr. Mays. Others seem to be saying "on with the show--let's make some money."

Mays had an undeniable electricity that connected with consumers. He may have had an annoying, screeching voice, but somehow consumers were drawn to him--and the products he pitched.

So, if you are A.J. Khubanim, CEO of direct-to-consumer merchandiser Telebrands, you roll out a national marketing campaign featuring the infomercial star -- eight days after his death.

From DailyFinance:
Mays's final pitch is for Telebrands's Jupiter Jack -- "the new revolutionary cell phone accessory for your car that turns any car radio into a wireless speaker system" (yours for only $19.99 plus shipping and handling!). The spot was filmed a month ago, and Telebrands spent millions on the airtime. Last week, Khubani decided to show it.

"We struggled with this decision," he told DailyFinance. "There's no precedent, and we really don't know what's going to happen. There could be a tremendous backlash."

Khubani says his company consulted with May's family: "We decided collectively that this is what Billy would've wanted, and it's okay with the family...Billy was the sole breadwinner for his family. They're looking for a continuing revenue stream from this and other products."

Billy Mays also served as the pitchman for many products, including Mighty Putty, Mighty Mendit, Ding King, Vidalia Slice Wizard and most recently, the Mighty Putty Super Pack--all marketed by a company called Media Enterprises. That company also decided to continue to air the last infomercials Billy Mays recorded before his death. Additionally, the company confirmed that Billy Mays television advertisements for Mighty Putty and Mighty Mendit will now resume after a one-week respite in advertising in recognition of the pitchman's death.

That's one way to go, or you could do what the makers of OxiClean, Kaboom, and Orange-Glo (all marketed by Church & Dwight) have done. They pulled its Mays spots.

Or follow the lead of the  Discovery Channel, whose television series "Pitchmen" starred Mays, is running re-runs of the show, plus a special, "Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays." and  devoting the bulk of a day to programming a Mays memorial that will include a 12-hour Pitchmen marathon, ending with the season finale, which hasn't aired before.

Shape of Mars' Bounty Bar Not All That Unique, Or Worth A Trademark

There's been a bit of a chocolate war going on in Europe over the shape of popular chocolate-covered coconut bars.

The "Bounty" chocolate-covered coconut bar is one of the most well-known chocolates in Europe (think of the "Mounds" bar in the U.S. made by Hershey's). The Bounty bar was developed by Mars in 1951.

The brand is so valuable to the Mars company, and the shape of the bar itself so unique (in the eyes of Mars), that it thought it best to trademark the shape of the famous bar.

However, a German chocolate maker and group of European judges begged to differ.

The European Court of First Instance in Luxembourg recently declared: "The allegedly distinctive characteristics, namely the rounded ends of the bar and the three arrows or chevrons on top of it, cannot be sufficiently distinguished from other shapes commonly used for chocolate bars."

I guess the Bounty bar wasn't quite as special as the folks at Mars thought it was.

From the UK Telegraph:

The verdict is a victory for Ludwig Schokolade, a German chocolate maker, which challenged a decision taken by the EU's trade mark office in 2003 to approve Mars's application to register the Bounty's shape as a trade mark across Europe.

The German manufacturer had been making chocolate-covered coconut bars for British supermarkets from 1990, including the Romeo bar for Aldi and the Ludwig bar for Asda and Iceland.

A spokesman said: "Our trade marks and intellectual property are extremely valuable to us. In the highly competitive world of branded goods, trade mark registration of the key brand elements is part of the everyday process of ensuring that our brands remain protected effectively and that others do not unfairly trade off the goodwill created in our brands."

Oscar Mayer is Dead

Yes, Oscar Mayer is was a real person. In fact he was third in a line of Oscar Mayer's working at the company that bares their name and was founded in 1919.

Oscar G. Mayer Jr. was the retired chairman, of Oscar Mayer Foods and died at the age of 95.

His grandfather, Oscar F. Mayer, died in 1955 and his father, Oscar G. Mayer Sr., died in 1965.

You may remember that the company used a little person named “Little Oscar” as its spokesman, but the real Oscar Mayer, was, apparently, a tall, dignified and courtly man, that rarely sought publicity.

Mayer retired as chairman of the board in 1977 at age 62, shortly after the company recorded its first $1 billion year. The company was later sold to General Foods, and is now a business unit of Kraft Foods.

Oddly (and apparently) The famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has proudly made appearances at funerals of past members of the Mayer family, but the Wienermobile not make an appearance at Oscar Jr.'s service, because "it would be too much of a spectacle."

Source: The Wisconsin State Journal and TMZ

Sci-Fi Channel Changes Its Name To "Syfy." The early reviews: "Perhaps the most ill-advised branding move since New Coke,"

The folks at the Sci-Fi Channel wante to expand, and "own" their audience through their brand. They wanted a brand name to be usable all over the world in Internet URLs, brand extensions and merchandising. They wanted a brand name that was uniquely theirs, while staying true to their established base.

So they're shifting from the Sci-Fi Channel to "Syfy."

Like many name changes, the folks at Syfy are catching a lot of heat. Change is rarely welcome among core audiences, unless it is user generated. This was a corporate change, driven by the desire to build the bottom line.

The example of a user-generated name that posed little threat was "Fed Ex." The general population had already shortened the company's name from "Federal Express," so the official name change was not much of an issue.

But moving from Sci-Fi to Syfy may lack the authenticity that comes from an easy brand change.

Here are a few early reviews, reported by the folks at the Cable News Network...ah, I mean, CNN:

"Perhaps the most ill-advised branding move since New Coke," wrote CNet's "Digital City" blogger Dan Ackerman.

Even some of Sci Fi's own SciFi.com commenters were dismissive.

"This is a terrible idea," Grateful Josh wrote.

"You mean the announcement wasn't an April Fool's joke?" Sue Lee asked, adding that the channel should have changed its name to "FRAK," a common expletive on Sci Fi's popular "Battlestar Galactica." Some critics have taken to pronouncing the new name "Siffy."

To launch the new name, the folks at Syfy have a new marketing tagline: "Imagine Greater" and will be launching new programming.

McDonald's To Include Electronic Vehicle Re-charging stations...and "Happy Watts Meals?"

It is being reported that a new North Carolina McDonald's will include electric vehicle (EV) recharging stations, part of the ChargePoint network.

The automobile re-charge--which may take 2-hours to conduct (pun intended), leaves a lot of time to enjoy that "fast food" meal of a Big Mac and fries.

The folks at Daily Finance see interesting tongue-in-cheek cross-marketing potential, and remind us that marketing should be left to the professionals:

Since most current EVs take a couple of hours to recharge, McD's would have a captive audience to buy desserts and frou-frou coffee drinks to fill the idle time. It could offer discounts on fill-ups with meals, and Happy Watts meals for the kids. And with over 30,000 locations worldwide, what company is better placed to establish a recharging network?

It could also refuel those green vehicles retrofitted to run on French fry grease...So welcome to McDonald's. Would you like some electrons with your Big Mac and fries?

China's Spring Airlines To Offer "Standing Room Only" Fares?

How low can airlines go before passengers just give up?

It must be quite a challenge for marketers to have to advertise a constant DECREASE in service to customers while airline ticket costs continue to rise.

It seems relatively easy to market a product when you are adding special features and services to customers, but how do you sell the concept of "get less for more money" to consumers?

The only marketing position that comes to mind is the idea of "a la carte" flying--the idea that the world of full-service airline travel has changed forever--and get used to it.

Welcome to the world of pay-for-play travel.

Pay-up or take the bus.

First there were fees for security, fuel surcharges, baggage, additional legroom and even food. Airlines have floated the idea of charging passengers by weight, and Ryanair announced they were thinking of charging for the use of toilets on planes, and asking passengers to self-load their luggage into the belly of the plane to help reduce the cost of baggage handling (both ideas presumed to be for promotional-hype only).

What's next? A fee for a seat?

Well, yes.

China's Spring Airlines says it has been considering the concept of selling "standing room only" fares since the beginning of the year to accommodate a surge in passenger volume.

While a representative for the airline claims that the new method is "just like bar stools," it could allow for 40% more passengers and cut costs by 20%, while lowering airfare for consumers.

The idea, apparently, has been floated around for some time. Back in 2006 it was reported that Airbus had been quietly pitching the standing-room-only option to Asian airlines.

Passengers in the standing section would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness.

What's next, a fee for flying while inside the plane?

"Our base fare is for wing-seating only. If you'd like to sit in the main cabin, our rate is..."

Graphic source: The New York Times

Aston Martin Develops Sub-Compact Car For "Zipping Around Town"

Aston Martin is a car company known for its uncompromising luxury, power, and design.

It now wants to build a new compact car based on that brand DNA.

Partnering with Toyota, Aston Martin has announced its new "Cygnet" which the company calls a “luxury commuter concept.”

The car will be based on Toyota's iQ city car, which Toyota began selling in Japan and Europe late last year.
So why would Aston Martin dive into the sub-compact market?

Apparently they're seeking to capitalize on a niche within a niche market--the high-end luxury marketplace of individuals who own a fleet of cars--including at least one small car for zipping around town.

“This concept — akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht — will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market,” said Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin’s chief executive, in a news release.

Incidently, The name Cygnet, means "young swan"

Source: The New York Times

Thieves Steal Christian Audigier's new Champagne From Launch Party

Christian Audigier has been associated with the success of iconic fashion brands such as Diesel, Von Dutch and Ed Hardy (among others).

He was said to be collaborating on a new line of clothing with music legend Michael Jackson before his death, and rumored to be the next lessee of the house where Jackson died last week. Apparently, he's also teaming up with Madonna on a clothing collection aimed at "seven-year-olds to 77-year-olds" called The Material Girl Project.

Also last week (if all of this wasn't enough), Audigier premiered a new brand of Champagne at London's Movida nightclub.

What could have been a well-orchestrated and proper global brand launch turned salacious when the cases of Audigier's Grand Cru and Rose Champagne were stolen from the venue--scuppered or nicked as the British say.

The whole lot stolen just hours before they were to be unveiled!

Attendees of the event had no Champagne to drink, but thankfully Audigier is also a maker of wine (not of the sparkling sort) and plenty was on hand to whett the palettes of the party attendees.

Crispin, Porter + Bogusky Creates "Giant Digital Fishing Net"

 Ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky has created a promotional gathering place on the web. The site contains news and promotional items about the agency, their clients--and as a video from agency prinicpal Alex Bogusky states: "the good, the bad--the mildly unnerving."

The site features Twitter posts, News and Blog content--anything that mentions the agency and its work, in a newfeed environment. It also features client's TV spots under tabs for Microsoft, Burger King, Old Navy Domino's, Coke Zero, Guitar Hero and Hulu.

While it feels incredibly self-indulgent on CP+B's part (I mean REALLY self-indulgent), I have to admit, it is a fun site to explore, reminding me of what a creative agency is all about.

The site appears to be in beta (not yet publicaly announced) but is publicly available at http://beta.cpbgroup.com/ and should be accessible at www.cpbgroup.com in the future.

Levi's: Go Forth

Levi's has, over the years, commissioned some of the most innovative, entertaining and strategically brilliant advertising campaigns in the industry. Thanks (primarily) to agency Foote Cone + Belding (San Francisco) and later BBH, we've been treated to some great advertising--with a subtle sexiness that has become Levi's trademark.

Now it is time for Wieden + Kennedy Portland to take a swing at Levi's. It recently introduced a a new campaign titled Go Forth, which draws on the brand's heritage as the quintessential American jeans, and targets the next generation of twenty-somethings (Levi's core target).

From Stuart Elliott of The New York Times:

The campaign is meant to buff the image of the Levi’s brand as much as sell products like 501 button-fly jeans. The hope is that “Go forth” will resonate with young America today the same way that campaigns like “501 blues” and “501 U.S.A.” successfully appealed to a generation two decades ago.

The “Go forth” campaign is replete with Americana imagery, in keeping with research indicating that teenagers and 20-somethings are patriotic and optimistic about the United States. Those elements include the poetry of Walt Whitman, flags, paeans to the pioneering spirit, declarations of independence, salutes to hard work and, in the star-spangled tradition of Madison Avenue, copious amounts of nubile flesh.

Here's Creative Review's summary:

The campaign will run across TV, print, and digital (with the website launching tomorrow) and, according to executive creative director Susan Hoffman, wants to pay homage to Levi's history, "but also to refresh and reinvent the idea of a pioneering spirit for the times in which we live". These times are of course that of a recession and the spots feature a manifesto suggesting that one of the answers is to abandon suits and make a return to good ol' fashioned hard graft (presumably done while wearing Levi's jeans) – "I am the new American pioneer, looking forward, never back," it states. "No longer content to wait for better times... I will work for better times. Cause no one built this country in suits." The two TV spots continue in a similar vein, featuring works by US poet Walt Whitman.

Microsoft Pulls Vomit Ad--Deemed Distasteful

Microsoft has pulled an online ad for its browser Internet Explorer 8, which featured a woman vomiting several times.

The ad was deemed...distasteful, by consumers. (apologies for the pun).

The ad features actor Dean Cain who explains how IE8 can wipe-away browsing tracks to avoid others from seeing a user's web surfing history.

The offensive part of the ad comes in the rather graphic demonstration of the results of a wife, using her husband's computer, who inadvertently finds a site in the browsing history and finds it so disturbing, she vomits on the floor.

Her husband slips over on her vomit and she proceeds to vomit all over him while Cain steps into the foreground and tells viewers that the woman is suffering from "OMGIGP" or "Oh My God I'm Gonna Puke" syndrome.

For those who are interested, here's a link to the offending ad:

Gap Hires Crispin Porter + Bogusky To Run Its Holiday Campaign

Last year, Gap brand Old Navy hired Crispin Porter + Bogusky to revamp its brand to focus on Moms (from its previous teen/twenty-something target). By most accounts, the campaign has seemed successful.

Now CP+B gets a chance at marketing the mother ship--the Gap brand.

Reports are that the agency will handle the flagship brand's holiday campaign. This is the first time in seven years that Gap will bypass agency of record Laird & Partners, New York, for the all-important seasonal push.

And, they made the decision through a review process--with as many as ten agencies participating, including Laird & Partners and Campbell-Ewald.

Here's AdAge's take on the shift:

Independent Laird & Partners, New York, has been Gap's creative agency of record since 2002, when it was selected to handle print and TV advertising amid a 21-month decline in same-store sales at the retail giant. The agency has done some well-regarded work for the retailer, but monthly same-store sales, after rebounding temporarily in 2003 and 2004, have lagged again in recent years. The retailer is now in the midst of a 13-month sales decline.

The decision is a blow to Laird & Partners, a boutique shop that primarily counts fashion and luxury brands among its clients. Trey Laird, CEO and chief creative, could not be reached for comment. It's not clear whether the shop, which has been Gap's agency of record, will retain that position or be invited to participate in future campaigns.

Here's a few Gap holiday ads from years past:

Subway Ad Featuring Michael Phelps To Debut

A few months back, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was caught up in controversy following the publication of an embarrassing photo of the star taking a bong hit at a party.

Phelps lost his Kellogg's endorsement deal as a result.

But Subway kept its sponsorship pact with Phelps, and this weekend marks the launch of a new television campaign featuring Phelps, alongside longtime Subway pitchman Jared Fogle.

Adweek reports that the ad, titled "Be Yourself," is designed to play up how easy it is to personalize sandwiches at Subway and provides a humorous contrast between the lifestyles of its two stars.

This 4th of July, Sales of Hot Dogs Are Up, Fancy Sausage Sales Down

Maybe it is due to economic factors, maybe it is a return to traditional, patriotic themes, but sales of hot dogs have been going up in recent months while sales for the more expensive bratwurst and knockwurst sausages  have been declining.

This, according to data from research from Nielsen who say this is a reversal of sales trends from the past several years.

The Nielsen study shows that until recently, purchases of bratwurst and knockwurst have been growing. However, sales of the fancy sausages have fallen by 6.7 percent over the past two months, compared to the same period last year, while the report notes that sales of hot dogs have seen a marked increase during the same two months, increasing 3.7 percent.

Source: Brandweek

25 Years On, Twiggy Returns To Olay Ads To Show She's Still "Got It"

Here's a little bit of marketing genius.

In 1985, P&G hired 1960's supermodel Twiggy to be the face of its Oil of Olay anti-aging cream. Now, 25 years later, proviing that she's still "got it" the company has hired her to be the spokesperson for Olay Definity.

The first ad campaign, which targets women aged from about 50 to 65, will run in the UK.

 "We we thrilled to welcome Twiggy back to the brand," says Sarah Clarke, spokesperson for Olay Definity. "She is a true beauty icon who continues to be an inspiration to millions of women across the UK."

"Some of our consumers will remember Twiggy's first campaign," said Carla Berry, P&G beauty and grooming spokeswoman. "But what is most important is that she is a relevant role model for mature modern women today."

Sources: The Guardian and Stylist

Very-American Themed Brand Polo Ralph Lauren To Continue Working With U.S. Olympic Association

Polo Ralph Lauren was the official outfitter for the U.S. team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

And, it looks like the association was a good fit.

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has announced that Polo Ralph Lauren will continue as an Official Outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams for the 2010 and 2012 Games.  The very-American themed brand will be designing the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony Parade Outfits for the U.S. Teams for both the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

Not surprisingly, the clothing will showcase a classic Americana and patriotic palette of red, white and blue. 

It is clearly a good match for both organizations, which often play to historic references and patriotism.

To play-up the association, apparel from the entire Polo Ralph Lauren U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team Parade Outfit collection will be available for sale, along with a full assortment of the athlete village wear pieces for men, women and children, in Polo Ralph Lauren retail stores, Ralphlauren.com, USOlympicshop.com, U.S. Olympic Shops and exclusively at select department stores.

Luxury Marketers Are Embracing Social Responsibility and Eco-Friendly Brand Values

A growing number of luxury goods companies are touting their social responsibility strategies and weaving environmental themes into their advertising and marketing.

Lexus has a $100,000+ Hybrid vehicle. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton recently took a stake in Edun, an organic-clothing company founded by the singer Bono and his wife. Tiffanny & Co. is touting its efforts on behalf of coral reefs in store windows, and Barneys New York is marketing a line of sneakers constructed partially with organic material.

The Wall Street Journal suggests this new strategy is based on the the bad economy and a fundamental, generational shift in affluent buyer's world view. The savvy marketers are changing with the times, with financial necessity as the clear motivating factor.

We are seeing a generational shift, with the rise of younger shoppers who more often consider their impact on the environment than do traditional luxury-goods buyers.

The WSJ reports that the Luxury Institute, a New York research firm, found that younger and more-affluent consumers seek information about corporate social responsibility more actively than their older and less well-off counterparts. "Young consumers believe that caring about the environment is how you create a meaningful life," said Milton Pedraza, the firm's CEO.

Here are three campaigns as example of how companies are embracing these new themes (both from the WSJ):

LVMH's Louis Vuitton leather-goods brand launched a "Core Values" ad campaign that has featured tennis player Andre Agassi, rocker Keith Richards and, most recently, astronaut Buzz Aldrin. The ads have emphasized the company's support for the Climate Project, and the celebrities appearing in them have donated at least part of their modeling fees to the nonprofit group, which was founded by Al Gore.

This fall, luxury menswear label Ermenegildo Zegna will begin selling an "Ecotech Solar" jacket under its Zegna Sport label, with solar panels on its sleeves that can be used to recharge a battery and heat up the jacket's collar.

Last month, upscale retailer Barneys New York began promoting a collection of $75 sneakers with uppers and linings made of organic material. The sneakers were designed by organic-clothing brand Loomstate in a partnership with Keds.

Brinks Home Security To Abandon Well-Established Brand Name

Perry Brink started a cartage business in Chicago in 1859, evolving it into one of the most well-known brands in history. When you see a "Brinks" truck delivering or picking up money at a business, you think security, confidence and trust.

The brand successfully was transferred over to their home security business starting in 1983.

But now, the company is abandoning the Brinks Home Security name as part of the spinoff of Brink's Home Security Holdings from its parent.

The company will change its name to Broadview Security. The brand created by Landor & Associates.

To make the transition, Brink's Home Security is embarking on a two-year, $70 million to $120 million marketing plan to rebrand as Broadview Security. As part of its transition, the new company is employing the tagline, "The next generation of Brink's Home Security."

They've got quite a challenge in front of them. Trying to transfer one of the most well-known brands in the business to a different name is a Sisyphean task.

Sources: Adweek and Advertising Age

The Aflac Duck and Risk Management: 'no guts, no glory,'

In a recent Q&A with The New York Times, Aflac CEO Daniel P. Amos discussed how risk management can be as much about identifying a good gamble as it is about avoiding bad ones--like adopting the company's famous duck mascot.

"The duck is a good example of being aggressive," he says. "To make fun of your name is something that's kind of scary, but I thought it might work. It was a hard decision, but I finally decided, 'no guts, no glory,' and we needed to try it."

Will The Wall Street Journal Charge For Its Mobile App?

The folks at The Wall Street Journal just can't seem to agree on a pricing strategy.

Ever since News Corporation purchased the venerable newspaper, pricing announcements have had the paper going free to online viewers, then back to paid.

Rupert Murdoch, head of News Corp, has recently been urging newspapers to begin charging for their online content. He's quoted as saying "People are used to reading everything on the net for free, and that's going to have to change."

In April, News Corp launched an iPhone application that was free to mobile users, while they still charged $100+ for subscriptions to the online or print versions. And now comes rumor of a micropayment scheme (i.e. pay per article) for mobile users as well.

The online edition has over one million subscribers, and the iPhone app has been downloaded more than 300,000 times during the first three weeks of availability.

Now someone at the company has came up with the idea to let the public decide the pricing of the mobile app.

The company is asking iPhone and Blackberry users if they would be willing to pay a subscription to access the mobile version of the paper. Mobile users were asked to complete a survey through their phones, which asked "If full access to Mobile Reader required a paid subscription, how likely would you be to subscribe?".

Brand Republic reports that The Wall Street Journal has not released the results of the survey. And there's no word as to whether they'll pay any attention to it.

Karl Malden Passes Away at 97. Here's Hoping He Didn't Leave Home Without It

Karl Malden, accomplished stage and screen actor, died at the age of 97 today. He won an Academy Award, and was known to many for his work on "The Streets of San Francisco."

But I'll remember him as the spokesperson for American Express Travelers Cheques that made the tagline "Don't Leave Home Without Them" an iconic advertising theme.

Air New Zealand Video Teaches The Naked Truth About Airline Safety

In-flight safety videos typically leave a lot to be desired.

Air New Zealand’s new video leaves only a little to the imagination.

Launched this week, the video (and accompanying ad) feature flight attendants, pilots, and baggage handlers clad only in body paint.

It takes a moment or two to realize that the models are naked-'cept-for-some-paint, as the body art is designed to look like their uniforms.

It is cheeky, fun, and informative.

Nice work Air New Zealand.

Source: The New York Times

Here's the video: And the "Making of" video:

Starbucks Unveils New Food Menu

Starbucks has made major changes to its food offerings over the last several months, and today they're ready to finalize the big push to healthier food offerings with a raft of new items.

The company has been overhauling its menu over the last several months, with oatmeal, naturally sweetened baked goods, and smoothies with protein and fiber. Oatmeal, in particular has been a big hit.

Today, Starbucks is announcing that they have overhauled 90% of its bakery case.

The company is announcing the shift in newspaper ads in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

From Advertising Age:

"There are few things good enough to go with Starbucks coffee," says the ad, from BBDO, New York. "Luckily we now have them all in our bakery case." Starbucks has readily acknowledged that its food offerings failed to stand up to its premium beverages, and CEO Howard Schultz has made upgrading the chain's eats a top priority.

Has OK Magazine Crossed The Line of Bad Taste With Deadthbed Photo of Michael Jackson

OK Magazine reportedly paid $500,000 for exclusive U.S. and U.K rights to a photo of Michael Jackson taken as he lay dying while paramedics attempt to resuscitate him using CPR.

After buying the photo, they decided to put it on the cover its Michael Jackson Tribute issue (a 132-page glossy that is scheduled to be on sale for a month).

Now, fans of the King of Pop are up-in-arms over the "tribute" and have launched a petition to encourage the magazine to stop selling further copies of the magazine.

Sarah Ivens, editorial director at OK!, told MediaWeek.com that she thought the dying Jackson photo would differentiate OK! from the other magazines running tribute issues this week.

Hello magazine, OK!'s rival, is also running a Michael Jackson tribute issue this week, but its cover image is of the star waving goodbye in a shot taken a few years back.

Sources here and here.

One Sexy Calvin Klein Billboard Replaces Another in NYC's SOHO District

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about the Calvin Klein Jeans ad in New York's SOHO that some called pornographic.

Well, it seems the ad has been replaced.

Were the Calvin Klein folks shamed into replacing the ad? Did they feel they got their first 15 minutes of fame, and decided to try for another round of media talk about the billboard (by replacing it), or was this simply a case of standard ad rotation?

You be the judge, because the clothing manufacturer is not making public statements.

Here is the first billboard that caused all the hub-bub:

And here's the latest ad, raised above SOHO last week:

The Shuttering of Vibe

Quincy Jones founded Vibe magazine in 1992 (in partnership with Time Warner). It was an urban-music magazine that enjoyed significant success through the 90's.

The Wicks Group (a private equity firm) bought the magazine in 2006, and has now decided to close the magazine citing reduced advertising revenue. The publishing group had, in recent times reduced its publishing frequency, cut salaries and moved employees to a four-day workweek to save money, but it apparently was not enough to save the magazine. 

From the NYT, Steve Aaron, chief of the Vibe Media Group wrote a note to staff:

“The print advertising collapse hit Vibe hard, especially as key ad categories like automotive and fashion, which represented the bulk of our top 10 advertisers, have stopped advertising or gone out of business,”

Sources: The Daily Finance and The New York Times' Media Recorder

Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Ed McMahon Used Madison Avenue To Build Their Iconic Status

We lost three superstars in the last couple of days. Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon were all cultural icons.

Helping to create this iconic status was, of course, the entertainment industry. However, the advertising industry had a big hand in helping form these entertainment brands as well.

Michael Jackson will always be remembered for his Pepsi commercials--spectacular event TV, that showcased his music and dance. One could say the King of Pop was also the King of Soda Pop. Jackson recreated his hit Billie Jean in one ad and Bad in another for Pepsi ads created by agency BBDO

"He (Jackson) really set the bar for the corporate world to embrace pop music," said Ryan Schinman, CEO of Platinum Rye Entertainment.

Ed McMahon was a pitch-person for a variety of advertisers, not-the-least-of-which was for American Family Sweepstakes and Publishers' Clearinghouse. Sadly, he may also be remembered for his Super Bowl ad in February when he appeared with MC Hammer to promote Cash4Gold--two icons, down-on-their-luck, pitching for cash--not fame.

Fawcett applied her sex-kitten image to ads for Noxzema shaving cream with NFL great Joe Namath, an ad for the Mercury Cougar, Ultra-Brite toothpaste her own line of shampoo by Faberge.

These relationships were of course mutually beneficial to both the superstars, and Madison Avenue.

Jackson, Fawcett, and McMahon grew fan bases and kept their brands in the public eye, at the same time building trusted brand relationships between fans, and colas, shampoos, cars and toothpaste.

More at USA Today on Jackson's Pepsi ad relationship

 

Kit Kat Produces Edible Postcards, and Wins A Cannes Lion

This week, they're handing out honors at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. It is one of the most prestigious awards in the advertising industry.

One of the Lions went to Nestlé's Kit Kat and its agency JWT Japan who won the Media Grand Prix award for creating edible postcards that could be purchased at post offices and sent by consumers to Japanese students wishing them good luck on exams.

"It was a brilliant idea, flawless execution and amazing results," media jury president Nick Brien said. "They created a business model that didn't exist before."

Advertising Age reports that Kit Kat Mail was available in 20,000 Japan Post outlets, creating a new, competition-free retail channel where the product was heavily promoted in a place where there were no rival products. It was also the first time Japan Post ever partnered with a private company.

L'Oreal Guilty of Racism

L'Oreal, the global cosmetics giant, has been found guilty by a French court of racial hiring discrimination.

The court found that in 2000, L'Oreal's Garnier division recruited sales people for the Fructis Style haircare line based on skin color and cultural background.

From Brand Republic:

When the brief went out, one of the requisites was that staff should be "BBR", an acronym for the colours of the French flag and widely used to signify someone who is white and of French descent. It also wanted the women sized between 8 and 12.

L'Oreal and personnel hiring firm Adecco, which handled the racist job hunt, has been fined $41,500 (£25,500) each and ordered to pay the same amount to anti-racist group SOS Racisme who brought the suit to the court's attention.

Barclays Buys Naming Rights To Brooklyn Subway Stops

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to sell the naming rights to subway stops in Brooklyn.

For $4 million, the names of subway stops at Atlantic Avenue, Pacific Street and Flatbush Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn will be purchased by a financial institution marketer: Barclays.

The Barclays deal ties in with the naming of the yet-to-be-completed Barclays Center, the sports arena planned as part of the Atlantic Yards project.

As The New York Times rightfully points out: "a New Yorker might wonder what’s next: Coca-Cola Presents 59th Street-Columbus Circle?"

“It’s always a question of balancing our need for revenue and our stewardship of public space,” said Jeremy Soffin, a spokesman for the agency. Advertising may make the most sense for a company associated with a station, he said, “but we’re not closing anything out.”

NYC Ad Agency Opens Doors To The Unemployed of Madison Avenue

The Emmy-award winning owner of a small New York City ad agency has opened his doors to unemployed advertising and marketing professionals.

It's not a soup kitchen, but a place that gives those seeking work a base for their activities (bring your laptop and grab an empty desk) and gives the small creative agency access to a new source of creative professionals, who are encouraged to pitch him ideas for new business. If Horn gets the work, he hires the creator to run the project.

Ariel Horn, who runs The Horn Corporation has found both a way to help unemployed ad workers in New York, and a new business model.

From NPR: "On any given day, there's a small, shifting crowd here, like a pickup basketball game. It's a community of job-seekers."

Van Halen Sues Nike over Dunk Lows Shoe Design

Eddie Van Halen is suing Nike, saying that the trademarked red, white and black stripe design found on his guitars since 1978 is also used on Nike's new line of "Dunk Lows" sneakers.

The Van Halen camp say that Nike infringed on his copyright without "consent, approval or license."

Van Halen is looking for general and punitive damages, all profits arising from the sales of "Dunk Lows" and a permanent injunction halting production of the shoes. They're also asking for "the impoundment and destruction of all footwear."

But this is not just about similarity between shoes and guitars. Van Halen recently launched his own line of men's high and low top sneakers, featuring the Frankenstein design.

Source: Spinner and NowPublic

Can New Balance Get Away With a "Made in the U.S.A." Campaign When 75% of Its Shoes Are Made Outside the U.S.?

Over the years, brands have used a "Made in America" messaging strategy to tug at the nationality heartstrings of consumers. The concept works well when there is a collective concern over the loss of American jobs to oversees manufacturers.

Shoe maker New Balance has created a multiplatform campaign to showcase its U.S. production facilities at a time when the country continues to lose manufacturing jobs.

The problem is, the company only makes 25% of its footwear in the U.S., so it's not clear whether the effort will resonate with the public.

From Advertising Age:

New Balance does run the risk that consumers will view the campaign as disingenuous. After all, 75% of the company's footwear is produced outside the U.S., although that compares with 100% for most other U.S. footwear companies. And eagle-eyed consumers will note some New Balance products are labeled "Made in America," while others are tagged "Assembled in America." New Balance said the bottom line is that its U.S. operations allow for 1,300 manufacturing jobs in Maine and Massachusetts. Globally, the company employs about 4,000 people.

Guest Blogging at Cisco WebEx's "Ideas in Motion"

I'm guest blogging today over at Cisco WebEx's "Ideas in Motion" blog. My topic: How to improve communication: Shower people with humanity.

Calvin Jeans Ad in NYC's Soho: Pornography; Fashion Ad; or a little bit of both?

You may have heard that a recent Calvin Klein Jeans television ad was banned in the United States. (psst, see it here).

So how did a similar-themed outdoor ad make it to filling-up the skyline around Lafayette and Houston streets in the Soho district of NYC?

The ad for the company's Spring/Summer 2009 campaign, has apparently been called "borderline pornographic."

When asked for comment, a Calvin Klein spokesperson told wcbstv.com the "intention was to create a very sexy campaign that speaks to our targeted demographic."

Well done, Calvin Klein.

Source: AOL's Morning Rush, The Sylist

Green Washing? Kmart Slapped by FTC Over Biodegradability Claims

The company famous for its Blue Light Specials got a Red Light from the FTC on its Green advertising and products.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has charged Kmart, along with Tender Corporation, and Dyna-E International with making false and unsubstantiated claims that their paper products were “biodegradable.”

The FTC announced the cases last week in testimony before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The FTC charged the retailers with making deceptive and unsubstantiated biodegradability claims: Kmart Corp. called its American Fare brand disposable plates biodegradable, Tender Corp. called its Fresh Bath-brand moist wipes biodegradable, and Dyna-E International called its Lightload brand compressed dry towels biodegradable.

The FTC says that in order to call something "biodegradable" the product will need to be able to completely decompose within a reasonably short period of time under customary methods of disposal.

In the three complaints announced today, the FTC alleged that the defendants’ products typically are disposed in landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities, where it is impossible for waste to biodegrade within a reasonably short time.

"For the marketplace to thrive...companies must compete on the basis of legitimate advertising claims and consumers must be able to rely on those claims," James A. Kohm, associate director of enforcement for the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection told a congressional subcommittee.

The Fight Over A Reebok-sponsored NBA Player's Nike Tattoo

Marcin Gortat of the NBA's Orlando Magic has a shoe contract with Reebok.

So, the shoe company was non-too-thrilled to discover that Gortat had a tattoo on his lower right leg...a Nike tattoo (Reeboks chief competitor).

Representatives of the company found out about the tattoo from a photo in a newspaper of his Michael Jordan/Nike logo tattoo on his lower right leg.

So did Reebok rescind his contract? Ask him to have the logo surgically removed?

No, they asked him either to wear higher socks to cover up the tattoo, or to apply makeup so it will not be noticed...at least through the rest of the NBA Finals.

Given the fact that the reason Reebok has a contract with Gortat (a relatively unknown NBA player) is so he promotes THEIR brand, not their competitors, this seems like a logical request.

However, the NBA sophomore is having nothing of it.

It seems Gortat believes that the tattoo has helped him get to the NBA--somewhat of a good-luck charm, and he's not happy about being asked to hide it.

From Fanhouse:

"I've been wearing it 4-5 years now, and it helped me get to the NBA," said Gortat. "They didn't say anything about it when I signed the contract, so it's not going anywhere. I don't think they are paying me enough to take it off.''

"I've heard from other people that even other players, if they don't know my name, they know I'm the big white guy with the Jordan tattoo,'' he said. "I like that. Reebok will have to get used to that.''

Looks like Reebok may want to consider tattoo-checks before they sign their next athlete.

Febreze, Dasani, Scion: The Man Who Made it All Up (Lexicon Branding)

GM to Sell Saab To Swedish Sportscar Company Koenigsegg

Saab, the iconic Swedish car company that has been under the hand of General Motors for the last XX years, has reportedly been sold to Swedish luxury sports carmaker Koenigsegg and a group of Norwegian investors.

General Motors has been trying for months to find a buyer for its Swedish Saab unit. The bancruptcy of GM may have been the push it needed to unload the car company. There are reports that GM had been in talks with two or three bidders in the past weeks.

Here's The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswire's take on the match-up:

With the industry suffering from significant overcapacities in what has proved to be its most dramatic crisis since the World War II, analysts remain puzzled over Koenigsegg's plan given that Saab's rivals enjoy much larger economies of scale and are backed by relatively cash-strong parent companies. Apart from their Swedish heritage, Koenigsegg and Saab appear to be unlikely bed fellows.

Koenigsegg Automotive was founded in 1994 by Christian von Koenigsegg, a 22-year-old auto enthusiast, and delivered its first vehicle, a Koenigsegg CC 8S, to a customer at the Geneva Motor Show in 2002, according to its Web site. Christian von Koenigsegg, now in his late thirties, remains as chief executive.

Koenigsegg employs just 45 full-time workers, including seven engineers, four research and development personnel, five pre-assembly workers, three engine-assembly staff and 14 final assembly workers, manufacturing just a handful of cars a year. Its headquarters near the southern city of Angelholm are a cluster of buildings formerly occupied by the Swedish Air Force, and where a runway doubles as a landing pad for well-heeled customers and a test track for the super-fast cars.

"Leading Your Way Out Of The Recession": David Allen Ibsen on the Big Think

Big Think, a global forum "connecting people and ideas" recently posted an article I penned on how to succeed during the recession. The headline: Leading your way out of the recession."

The big idea: This is no time to be a follower. It is a time to lead.

Check it out here.