5 Blogs Before Lunch

Disney Buying Marvel. Captain America, Meet Hannah Montana.

In a deal that is reportedly one of the largest acquisitions in Disney's history, The Walt Disney Company is acquiring Marvel Entertainment in a deal valued at around $4 billion.

Looks like Spider-Man, Captain America and the X-Men may have some new dating opportunities with Snow White, Ariel, and Sleeping Beauty.

From The Wall Street Journal:

The move fits with Disney's stated strategy of driving revenue from popular content over time across multiple platforms. It also gives the company a boost with young male audiences, where Marvel's characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor are particularly popular. Disney has shown more strength with females from its properties like Hannah Montana.

Chrsyler Looking at New Ad Agencies

Chrysler reportedly is looking for creative inspiration for a fourth-quarter advertising campaign. And, that inspiration might not come from BBDO Detroit, its longtime agency of record.

BBDO will participate in the pitch, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal and Adweek.

Did He Just Pitch "Doc Bottom's Aspray?"

Doc Bottoms Aspray is billing itself as the first "All Over" deodorant.

Yes, you heard that name right--Aspray.

A two-minute infomercial, featuring brand founder Adam Jay Geisinger as pitchman, "is stinking up the airways" with its pitch for the body spray that is said to eliminate bacteria and "stink" in all sorts of private places.

The Washington Post reports that the informercial showcases green gases emerging from various body "odor zones," a construction worker musing that "I got odor in special places," people spraying their "privates" and Geisinger shouting the unforgettable tag line: "NO BACTERIA, NO STINK!"

"Beastly butt odor? How do you stop the stink?"

The ad aired once on MSNBC, before the network reportedly pulled the spot.

From The Washington Post:

"The first time it aired was the last time it aired," says Jeremy Gaines, an MSNBC spokesman, noting the demo the network was given did not match the full ad. (Geisinger counters that the ad aired more than once, and may air yet again. "I pay for it, so I have the logs to prove it.")

TENA: "The Evolution of Bladder Protection”

TENA has launched a stylish new ad campaign to promote its bladder protection products.

The new campaign takes an open and honest approach to the condition of bladder weakness and positions TENA as “The Evolution of Bladder Protection.”

Apparently, bladder weakness affects one in four women over age 40. The direct marketing approach is designed to take bladder protection out of the closet, and show that the condition is not something to be embarrassed about and does not have to control consumer's lives.

“The Evolution of Bladder Protection,” parallels women’s fashion and how it has evolved over the years to become less restrictive, more comfortable and figure hugging. The fashion connection is designed to resonate with women and provides an easily identifiable example of how their  lives have changed and evolved over the years – and how the products they use need to adapt to meet their lifestyles.

See the new spot here.

Unilever CEO Gives Marketing Some Credit Where Credit is Due

The CEO of Unilever is blaming crediting increased marketing spending for helping drive a 4% increase in organic sales and 2% increase in volume in its most recent quarter.

"Unlike some of the competitive set, we have invested in [advertising and promotion] and spent behind our brands and innovation, and that has given us the growth," says Paul Polman in Advertising Age.

Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough comes back, with a warning label.

About two months ago, Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough was pulled off the grocery shelves and out of consumer's refrigerators due to a reports of E. coli-caused illnesses linked to the consumption of raw cookie dough,

Now it is time for Nestlé to reestablish consumer confidence in the brand.

They're starting with the placement of a blue "New Batch" label on all new production cookie dough items. Product shipping cases also are marked in blue (instead of the previous black) to denote new production and will feature the warning label: "Do not consume raw cookie dough."

"While the FDA inspection at our Danville, Va., facility has concluded, Nestlé's commitment to food safety continues, as does our intensive testing," said Paul Bakus, general manager at Solon, Ohio-based Nestlé USA Baking Group. "We test ingredients as they arrive and our cookie dough as it's made."

Source: Brandweek

Jethro's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion and Casino

The 1960's TV show The Beverly Hillbillies conjures up feelings of nostalgia, fun and money-makin' for at least a few generations of Americans.

At least that's the hope of series star Max Baer Jr. (Jethro) who is planning on buying a closed hotel-casino in Sparks, Nevada and turning it into Jethro's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion and Casino. According to Luxist, the mayor of the town says that Baer has met with city officials and councilmen on the possible purchase of what was the Silver Club. Baer already has a home at Lake Tahoe.

Plans are for a Granny's Shot Gun Weddin' Chapel, Jethro's All-You-Ken-Et Buffet, the Cement Pond, Granny's White Lightnin' Bar complete with rain & lightning, Elly May's Buns (Bakery), gourmet meals from Drysdales' Fancy Eatin' Fo Da Richins and Granny's Vittles & Hog Jowls Coffee Shop.

Would Mr. Drysdale approve the deal?

Bud Light College "Fan Cans" Spark Contorversy

A number of universities are protesting a new Anheuser-Busch InBev college football promotion in which Bud Light cans are adorned with school colors, and placed near campus.

Several school administrators say the new "Fan Cans" will encourage underage and binge drinking. They say the use of the team colors falsely imply that the colleges are complicit in the endorsement.

In what has become a typical response from a beer company, Anheuser-Busch has responded that the campaign is aimed only at fans who can drink legally and that it has long supported efforts to fight alcohol abuse.

The brewer points out that the cans do not make use of any school's name or logo and has promised to withdraw the promotion from around any college that formally complains about the can.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

The Economist Media Innovation Competition

The Economist is holding a competition to find the best media innovations that will change the way marketers think about reaching consumers. 

They're looking for "entrepreneurs, innovators, creative thinkers, inventors, ideas people and future new media moguls" who have a media or marketing innovation that just might change the way people behave,

Twelve finalists will be invited to present their innovation during the Media Convergence forum, taking place in New York City, October 20th-21st, 2009. Finalists will be invited to deliver a seven-minute pitch, followed by three minutes of Q &A, to an audience of 200 media and marketing executives. These executives will vote during the event for their favorite innovation.

Complete details and rules area available here. The deadline for entries is September 8, 2009

Taco Bell is Inviting Jimmy Dean, Seattle's Best Coffee, Dole and Cinnabon to Breakfast

Fast-food chain Taco Bell is about to start market testing a new breakfast menu that includes co-branded products with  Jimmy Dean sausage, Seattle's Best Coffee, Dole, and Cinnabon.

It is unclear how the mexican-esque food restaurant will combine its brand image with those of Southern-and-folksy Jimmy Dean and Seattle's Best.

"Would you like a chalupa with that Cinnabon?"

From Examiner.com

It will probably draw Taco Bell lovers who will indulge in the proposed menu items like a guacamole bacon grilled burrito, bacon and egg tacos, sausage and bacon grilled burritos, breakfast potatoes and cinnamon tostadas. Pilots of the menu apparently kicked off in April in Arizona, Nebraska, and Ohio. How will Taco Bell fair when there's already a bevy of fast food places, and also morning hot spots like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks that sell breakfast items? Time, and money, will only tell.

More details of other planned changes to Taco Bell at Restaurant News.

"Puma Employees Only"

Puma is exploiting spotlighting its employees as part of a new brand campaign.

"Puma Employees Only," features photographs of 14 workers and their seemingly random thoughts.

In an attempt to make a human connection between consumers and the brand, the campaign includes tidbits about employees, like their love for chicken nuggets, desire for cupcakes and rants about unnamed ex-girlfriends. One, for the company's Newberry Street store in Boston, features a poster of store employee Adam F., who is "Looking for people to join the Midnight Runners Club. Bring shoes, protection, electrolytes."

The effort campaign includes ads, each with a featured employee's photo and views on various topics, in-store and other events hosted by the workers, and the chance for customers to participate by signing in-store boards in locations in New York, San Francisco and four other cities.

Source: Marketing Daily

CBS, PepsiCo and Entertainment Weekly Team Up To Bring Video To Print Magazines

To promote its new Fall season, CBS is inserting tiny screens in copies of the print magazine Entertainment Weekly.

Yep, that's right, you'll be able to watch 40 minutes of video and sound via a thin plastic screen measuring two and a quarter inches diagonally.

The technology is similar to the sounds chips inserted in some greeting cards. The devices were created by a company called Americhip. Each screen is hand-inserted at the printing plant.

The reader viewer can push a spot on the cardboard insert that holds the screen and watch a clip of the sitcom "Two and a Half Men." Push another to see a preview of the new crime-investigation spinoff "NCIS: Los Angeles." In addition to clips of CBS shows, the video will include an ad for Pepsi Max, which is sharing the cost of the promotion. The theme: CBS Monday to the Max.

From the Financial Times:

“It’s part of the future – a way to engage consumers in new and surprising ways,” said George Schweitzer, president of CBS marketing group. “How do you sample a drink? You give them a taste.”

Sources: Financial Times, WSJ.com and USA Today

Abercrombie & Fitch Continues To Walk The Fine Line Between Fun and Tasteless

It feels like an annual tradition for provocateur clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch to try to push the envelop of good taste.

Each season, it seems, they step away from their sex-pot marketing and try to push the boundaries of political correctness with a line of t-shirts. Take a look at this season's selection (click on image for larger photo):

Sponsors to Philadelphia Eagles on Vick Signing: Give Us Advance Warning The Next Time You Sign A Convicted Felon

The National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles has 44 corporate sponsors. And, apparently no one with the team's organization thought to give them advance notice about the team's signing of convicted felon Michael Vick, who was recently released from federal prison after serving a term for his role in a dog-fighting ring.

Apparently, none of the sponsors threatened to cancel their deals, but some said they would have preferred advance notice to prepare their own public relations strategies.

From Advertising Age:

Eagles President Joe Banner said that about a half-dozen of the team's sponsors called him following last Friday's press conference featuring Mr. Vick, Eagles coach Andy Reid and team owner Jeffrey Lurie. "One thing they wanted to do was find out what our thinking was. Another thing they said was that they wished we could have given them a heads-up so that they could have prepared their corporate communications people,"

Union Bank Case Study: New Brand Identity Helps Signal Change

Union Bank (California, Washington, Oregon) has introduced a new brand identity. It is another example of how corporate logos and name changes can help signal change in consumer's perceptions of a brand.

Changing the logo of an organization like Union Bank is no small task--logistically or financially. Logos and brand treatments will be swapped out over the next several months--everything from branch signage, ATMs and ATM cards, customer forms, bank statements, checks, ATM cards, product brochures and other materials must be changed.

The bank has been going through a lot of brand changes, starting with a name change (from Union Bank of California, N.A. to Union Bank, N.A.) last December. The name and logo changes are meant to signal the transformation changes at the bank.

Plans are to expand offices in several major U.S. and international markets and broaden the bank's footprint in commercial real estate, energy and utilities lending, and commercial banking.

From PVVT.com:
"Changing our name to Union Bank last year was an important first step toward achieving our strategic goals and our desire to have a higher degree of national brand recognition in the financial services marketplace." Said Union Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Masaaki Tanaka.

The stylized red "U" adjacent to the blue Union Bank wordmark reinforces that the company is focused on the community and "You, the customer," according to Tanaka.

Chase Promotes 'Shoptimism' With New Sapphire Credit Card

Chase, the largest U.S. credit-card company, hopes to woo wealthy shoppers with household incomes of $120,000 and up and to encourage them to start shopping again by introducing a new rewards-oriented card called "Sapphire."

From Forbes' "Call It 'Shoptimism': Chase Woos Wealthy Consumers":

The company pitches its card by selling its rewards program, which allows card users to earn points for every dollar spent and redeem--with no restrictions--for travel, cash, merchandise and so on. "Is it a coincidence that blackout dates fall during school vacations?" one of the print ads asks.

"The idea was to take the emphasis off spending and [put it] on reward flexibility," says Sean O'Reilly, general manager of Chase card services.

Shoptimism indeed.

New PETA Billboard: Save the Whales (Yourself Included)

PETA us running an outdoor board in Jacksonville, Florida which it says encourages consumers to lose weight by eating vegetarian.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is known for its controversial ads. This one, showing an image of an obese woman and the headline "Save the Whales. Lose the Blubber: Go Vegetarian. PETA." has, as expected, raised the attention of the media.

PETA says the outdoor campaign reminds people who are struggling to lose weight -- and who want to have enough energy to chase a beach ball -- that going vegetarian can be an effective way to shed those extra pounds that keep them from looking good in a bikini.

In a statement, PETA describes the image in the ad as a woman whose "blubber" is spilling over the sides of her swimsuit bottom.

"Trying to hide your thunder thighs and balloon belly is no day at the beach," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA has a free 'Vegetarian Starter Kit' for people who want to lose pounds while eating as much as they like."

Source: WalletPop, NBC Chicago, Huffington Post

5 Blogs Before Lunch Misses Birthday

I admit it. I am notoriously bad at forgetting birthdays.

But it is incredibly embarrassing to miss one's own birthday--or in this case the birthday of my blog.

As of today, 5 Blogs Before Lunch is firmly planted in its 5th year of existence.

Having amassed 1 million++ visitors, ~2,500 posts, and 2 Webby Awards, I guess we are here to stay--at least until lunch.

Sharp Turns To Branded Food And Beverage Trays To Drive Brand Interaction

Branded Tray is a company that sells ad space on food and beverage trays offered at sports stadium's concession stands.

They've just signed a new advertiser who'll use a promotions to drive awareness through interactivity with their target audience, including a texting promotion to encourage consumers to immediately interact with the brand.

Sharp Electronics will run the "Watch It Like the Pros" sweepstakes and "Text to Win $10,000" contest on food and beverage trays at the New York Mets' CitiField this month.

MediaWeek reports that the promotion, originally launched at the Major League Baseball All-Star Week July 10-14 in St. Louis, gives consumers a chance to win one of 10 sharp MLB Players Choice Packages, and hundreds of additional prizes ranging from MLB.com shop certificates to Sharp Aquos LED LCD TV sets.

"Consumers expect information to be accessible and convenient. This branding strategy, combined with the text-to-win action, increases the ways in which consumers can interact with the promotion and the brand," said Judah Zeigler, associate vp, retail and consumer marketing for Sharp.

VW and Crispin Porter & Bogusky To End Relationship

A client-agency relationship is a complex web--not unlike personal relationships. The relationship can run hot and passionate, then burn-out over time, or it can simmer at a mutually content rate for decades. And God-forbid a client (or agency) changes personnel mid-stream--all hell can break loose.

Such is the background for the announcement that Volkswagen of America is parting ways with creative hot-shop Crispin Porter & Bogusky after a four-year run.

CP+B dropped another car account--Mini cars, for VW back in 2005, and the German carmaker dumped Arnold Worldwide to jump in with CP+B. Now both will be in search of their next relationship.

Advertising Age reports that VW has been experiencing significant change at the global level, where it has been gaining ground on the likes of Toyota and General Motors of late. In addition to winning a long-running takeover battle for Porsche, it recently added former Fiat marketing chief Luca De Meo as its new global marketing chief.

"Our goal of rapidly increasing our volume in a mature market requires the Volkswagen brand to evolve into a more relevant mainstream choice," Tim Ellis, VP-marketing at Volkswagen of America, said in a statement. "The Volkswagen brand needs to inspire our base of enthusiasts as well as reach out and captivate those in mainstream America. Therefore, we are re-evaluating all areas of our business and after careful considerations have decided to take the necessary steps to ensure we have the right agency partner in place."

In response, Crispin says that, as a rule, they do not participate in reviews for current accounts. Sort of a "love us, or leave us" relationship philosophy.

Crispin's work for Volkswagen created some great advertising. And, helped the brand sales in the U.S. by most measures. Let's hope the next relationship--for both Crispin and VW, will bare as much sweet fruit as this one did.

British Airways To Run Ads on Boarding Passes

British Airways plans to be the first European airline to run ads on its boarding passes. It also is selling ad space on its website.

And, why not.

It seems that airlines have sold every inch of space in the past--from advertising-wrapped planes, to the placemats under your prepared-food meals to airline seat-backs. Why not advertise on boarding passes?

Whilst sitting in the airport boarding area, who amongst us hasn't stared down at our boarding pass and examined it, once, twice, or three times--simply out of boredom. It is a captive, well defined target audience.

"We're seeking brands with a strong heritage and parity to British Airways' own brand values," said Abigail Comber, BA's manager for brand, proposition and insight. "Our customers would expect us to bring them brands that they trust and respect."

"We had received approaches from brands wishing to advertise through us and, in these current economic times, all companies look to maximize partnerships to help manage costs, so this seemed like a good opportunity," added Coomber. "We hope it will be a positive revenue stream for BA."

Luxury auto maker Jaguar was the first company to advertise on BA's Web site -- the first advertisement since the site's launch in the mid-1990s. More than 500,000 people a day visit ba.com, and over 12 million boarding passes are issued per year.

More at The Wall Street Journal, and Guardian UK. Photograph: AFP/Adrian Dennis

"Born In The U.S.A" Doesn't Translate To Desire for "American Made"

Off-shoring may be taking its toll on American consumer's perception of the value of a product being "American Made."

A recent AdweekMedia/Harris Poll indicates young adults are less motivated by appeals to patriotism than older Americans.

Only 39% of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they would be likely to respond to a made-in-America pitch compared to 60% of 35- to 44-year-olds, 68% of 45- to 54-year-olds and 74% of those are at least 55

Fox News is Losing Advertisers In Glenn Beck Boycott

You won't see the likes of GEICO, Lawyers.com, Procter & Gamble, Progressive, S.C. Johnson, Men's Wearhouse, and Sargento cheese running ads on FOX News' Glenn Beck show.

All of these advertisers have reportedly pulled their ads off of the schedule to protest the content of commentator Beck's show.

A group called Color of Change has led an effort to drive advertisers from the broadcast.

James Rucker, executive director of Color of Change, is quoted as saying. "Beck’s rhetoric is dangerous to the fabric of our democracy, and we are heartened that so many big companies feel the same way. We won’t stop here — we’re going to continue our fight to see that as many of Beck’s advertisers pull their support as possible."

On-air, Beck has reportedly called President Obama a racist who "has a deep-seated hatred for white people, or the white culture." and created a mock-poisoning of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

A spokesman for Sargento said the company told its media buyer not to put any of its ads in Beck's show: "We market our products to people regardless of their political affiliations," she said. "Yet we do not want to be associated with hateful speech used by either liberal or conservative television hosts."

MarketWatch reports that Color of Change is using a 600,000-member electronic mailing list to urge people to sign a petition that is then forwarded to Beck's sponsors. The group was founded in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster to promote "racial progress," said James Rucker, its executive director, adding that this was the first time the group had been involved in an action of this kind.

KFC Has A "Long Lost Sister" and She's A "Sweaty Granny"

A chain of fried chicken restaurants in China has a logo that may look familiar.

The logo for  Ji'a'po seems strikingly similar to the KFC's Colonel Sander's brand.

The similarities are so close that Chinese consumers apparently have nicknamed the fast-food look-alike he "long-lost sister" of the KFC Colonel.

Here's how WalletPop compared the two designs:

The woman's navy blue, pink and white image appears on signs that are, indeed, the same shade of red as KFC's iconic signs; she too is shaded on the left, as if the light source is coming from the chain's name. She even has an identical Southern "welcome-home" smile as Colonel Sanders. Her glasses are the same style; her hair swoops up and to the left, like the Colonel's. Maybe she's a long lost sister? In the U.S., it's fairly certain Granny would have been fined and forced to change her looks.

The Sun reports that "KFC chiefs had called for the takeaway to be closed down but Chinese trade authorities have given the green light to the chain."

But apparently, China's State Administration for Industry & Commerce in China told KFC Ji'a'po isn't infringing on the American chain's intellectual property.

According to The Sun, Ji'a'po translates to "Sweaty Granny" in english. No, not "Sweety" Granny, "Sweaty" Granny. Perhaps she's sweating over a possible infringement lawsuit.

John Hughes was a Leo Burnett adman before becoming a Legendary Film Director

Many filmmakers started out as commercial directors, and a few, like John Hughes, started off on the agency-side.

As a Leo Burnett Advertising copywriter on the Kentucky Fried Chicken account in the 1970s, filmmaker John Hughes, who died earlier this month, "was always coming up with some wild, offbeat ways to creatively promote the Colonel's chicken," former agency partner Robert Birkenes recalls in Advertising Age.

The Resurrgence of Vibe

Only two months ago I posted on "The Shuttering of Vibe"--the Quincy Jones-founded urban-music magazine.

Now comes word that Vibe will be revived as a largely online publication (with quarterly print editions) that emphasizes the the magazine's broader musical roots.

A group led by the private-equity firm InterMedia Partners and InterMedia's luxury magazine publisher, Uptown Media, is buying Vibe and plans on relaunching Vibe.com in the next two weeks, according to The Wall Street Journal.

WSJ reports that Vibe and Vibe.com will be sold to advertisers as part of a package with similarly themed publications. Uptown publishes an eponymous magazine targeting affluent African-Americans. Blackrock Digital, a Web sales and marketing company that is working with Uptown and InterMedia in the acquisition, sells ad space for Web properties of media outlets.

Corporate Sponsorships go from Showy to Stealth

Financial institutions, Pharmaceutical companies and Energy concerns have spent millions and millions of dollars entertaining valued clients at sporting events and other entertainment venues. In private tents, sky boxes and other elite environments, clients are wined and dined.

The companies plastered their names and logos on everything they could--large posters, town cars, polo shirts, name tags and tote bags. But now, as The New York Times reports, the logos are gone, but the events remain.

One of the basics of corporate sponsorship is to get your name out there, in any way you can. But now, in the days of TARP bailouts, health care reform, lawsuits and criminal prosecutions, corporations are being a little more stealth in the way they promote their brands.

From The New York Times:

Those who plan corporate events call the new practice “stealth spending.” In some cases, a corporate gathering is so well disguised that the event planners may not even know whose event they are working on. The subdued approach — no greeters at airports with corporate signs, no large banners — stems from worries that anything too lavish will suggest the companies are out of touch with the painful financial circumstances of many Americans. But it does not mean the parties have stopped.

The biggest trend “is having an event, but no one knowing whose it is,” said David Beahm, a Manhattan event planner.

The NYT goes on to report that "Even entire conferences now lack the name of the company sponsoring them — especially if they are being run by a financial services company, now in the cross hairs, or a pharmaceutical company, in the spotlight because of health care reform. Typical is a large banner at a conference saying “Reaching Forward 2009,” with the company’s name in fine print, if at all."

“Symbolism matters,” Joseph L. Goode, a spokesman for Bank of America is quoted as saying, adding that the bank’s decision not to promote its brand at the (U.S. Open) tournament was deliberate. “We are right-sizing our hospitality for the current environment and tone and mood of the country, with fewer bells and whistles.”

Macy's Effort To Feed The Hungry, and To Stay Relevant

Let's face it. department stores have been battered over the last couple of years. Between the "demise of the Malls" the economic downturn, and the rise of online shopping, stores like Macy's have had to struggle not to become obsolete.

Most have used price-slashing efforts to keep customers coming into the stores.

But in its most recent marketing effort, Macy's steps away from the "One-day Sale" strategy and tries to generate brand awareness (i.e. reminder-messaging) with a positive, feel-good spin with a message that hits home to many American's these days--hunger relief.

Macy's new "Come Together" campaign with Feeding America is designed to encourage customers to invite their friends to dinner and have attendees make a contribution to hunger relief, which will be matched by Macy's until a total of 10 million meals are provided. The campaign will feature Jessica Simpson, Queen Latifah, Tommy Hilfiger and other celebrities and will run across TV, print, in-store and social-media outlets.

Adweek reports that to get the word out, Macy’s is hosting the "World’s Largest Dinner Party" event at all of its 650 U.S. stores on Sept. 15. (Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse will be present at the Herald Square New York flagship location.) A microsite, Macys.com/cometogether, will feature “recipes, dinner party fashions, invitations, themes, music and other content to create the perfect gathering,” the retailer said.

BMW Hopes To Make a "Big Splash" With The Launch of Clean Diesel Vehicles

There is one thing automotive advertisers are really good at, and that's the big-tent launch of a new car,

BMW is the latest example of a pull-out-all-the-stops campaign as it launches its new diesel engine vehicles.

The car company is following the lead of Mercedes and VW by launching new "clean diesel" cars that run on cleaner-burning, eco-friendly fuel that doesn’t get in the way of performance.

Clean diesel, for many Americans who remember the black-smoke and deafening engine sounds of the diesel cars of the 1970's is going to be a hard sell.

BMW knows it needs to make a big splash to kick start an educational campaign that will shift consumer perception.

So, on August 16, BMW will introduce a new campaign for its 335d sedan and X5 xDrive35d crossover during the season three premiere of AMC's "Mad Men." As Brandweek describes the media buy: "As the exclusive sponsor of the show’s 10 p.m. premiere, BMW will enjoy an uncluttered commercial environment, while reaping the benefits of its association with one of television’s must buzz-worthy series."

BMW will also be featured in a vignette, which will juxtapose the Bakelite dial telephones and mimeograph machines of 1964 with the smart phones and laser printers used in today’s office environment.

The spots will subsequently run on other cable series on such networks as Bravo, TNT, the Travel Channel, Discovery and Syfy.

“This is the big push,” said Patrick McKenna, manager of marketing communications at BMW. “Because these are our first diesels in 25 years, we did some messaging back in January and February when the vehicles first started to arrive. But this is our big splash.”

Family Sues Over Permissions To Market Duke Ellington XO Cognac

Duke Ellington XO Cognac was launched back in 2006. The Harbrew Imports brand used Duke Ellington's name, likeness and signature to promote the brand.

Now the estate of the late performer wants to see the money.

According to a federal lawsuit, the company did not get proper permission from the family. The Ellington estate says that a negotiation was attempted but never completed and they want all profits earned on the $150-per-bottle liquor.

Sources: Luxist and TMZ

Hispanic Market Continues To Flourish, Despite the Recession

In the U.S., there has been a 4 percent drop in overall marketing spend between 2007 and 2008. The drop in spend for 2009 is no doubt going to be even higher.

However, marketing spend against the U.S. Hispanic population has not seen such declines. Spend against this target is down only slightly (.08 percent) from the 2007 figure.

It is an interesting dynamic, considering that the recession has hit Hispanics especially hard. Unemployment among U.S. Hispanics is higher than that in the overall population, measuring in at 12.2 percent in June compared to 9.5 percent for the total labor force.

But the number of Hispanics and their marketing clout continue to rise -- and that keeps advertisers interested and invested.

Viva Spanish-language media.

The Hispanic market is attracting an increasing number of CPG and financial-services advertisers, including Sega, Kellogg and others. State Farm last year reportedly doubled its spending on Spanish-language media to almost $58 million, compared to 2007. This year, the insurance giant is earmarking more marketing dollars for community event sponsorships and debuting an online novela on Univision.com.

More than $5 billion was aimed at the Hispanic market in 2008, according to TNS Market Intelligence, an advertising market research firm.

More at the Miami Herald.

Tim Hortons Case Study: Be Conscious of Who You Sponsor

Being a sponsor of an event has its obligations.

Often, marketers look to the exposure they'll reap from having their brand associated with an event. But sometimes they'll forget that "being associated" with an event holds other responsibilities.

You see, if you're a sponsor, it is presumed that you endorse the product!

Take, for example, the association between the "National Organization for Marriage" and coffee and doughnut proprietor Tim Hortons.

Tim Hortons is the largest food service operator in Canada (exceeding McDonald's) and has outlets in the northeast U.S.

The National Organization for Marriage is fighting against marriage equality, currently targeting Rhode Island.

NOM is throwing Rhode Island’s "Celebrate Marriage & Family Day" to try to fight against several bills which are pending before the Rhode Island General Assembly which would provide for same-sex marriage and civil unions under Rhode Island law. Rhode Island is the only state in New England to have not recognized all same-sex marriages.

And, apparently, Tim Hortons has decided to join the fight--by sponsoring the event.

Never mind that Tim Hortons is headquartered in a country that allows gay marriage.

Here's the response to the sponsorship from the Providence Daily Dose:

What in the world are they doing sponsoring something like this? Their site says that they support “local initiatives that make a difference” — such as little leagues, Halloween safety, and the like. And that they sponsor community initiatives with a focus on “helping children and supporting fundraising events for non-profit organizations and registered charities.” But not “those representing religious groups [or] political affiliates,” such as.. well, how would you characterize a group like NOM?

It will be interesting to see if Tom Hortons backs out of the sponsorship after the press they are getting, or how they will spin this story. Or will they own-up to their sponsorship and admit they are against marriage equality?

Pepsi Launches Diet Mountain Dew UltraViolet

PepsiCo's Mountain Dew line of drinks is launching its first-ever Diet Dew-only brand extention.

Mixed berry-flavored Diet Mountain Dew UltraViolet launches today, and will be test=marketed for three months.

Yes, that's purple, carbonated, diet soda.

Going against the "natural" drink trend has been good to Dew. Its Diest Dew line has been the best performing Top 10 carbonated soft drink brand in the first quarter of the year, according to Beverage Digest. Its sales volume was up 7 percent while Regular Dew's volume was off 2.9 percent. The rest of the category shrank 3.1 percent.

Brandweek reports that UltraViolet will be supported via TV and radio advertising developed by BBDO, New York. The tagline is: "We're on your wavelength.  Try new Diet Mtn Dew UltraViolet, the new Diet Dew made for you." A "First Taste" party was held, on Monday in Brooklyn, N.Y., for Mountain Dew followers on Facebook and Twitter, as well as select fans.

Another Pop Culture Fad From Japan: Body-Pillow Girlfriend Replacements

I take pride in my ability to understand the nuances of culture and audience behaviors. Afterall, that's what my clients pay me to do.

However, I've always struggled to appreciate the eccentricities of Japanese pop culture. Now, don't get me wrong, I can identify and understand their behavior, I just don't necessarily...appreciate it, if you know what I mean.

Example One: Hello Kitty.

Enough said on that one.

Example Two: Body-pillow girlfriends

Yes, apparently a new craze in Japan is body-sized pillow cases with the image of prepubescent female characters from an X-rated video game as stand-ins for real life girlfriends.

The Sunday New York Times profiled some devotees of these replacement girlfriends, who rarely talk back, or reject the advances of their real-life boyfriends.

From The New York Times:

Nisan (the real person) didn’t mean to fall in love with Nemutan (the body pillow). Their first encounter — at a comic-book convention that Nisan’s gaming friends dragged him to in Tokyo — was serendipitous. Nisan was wandering aimlessly around the crowded exhibition hall when he suddenly found himself staring into Nemutan’s bright blue eyes. In the beginning, they were just friends. Then, when Nisan got his driver’s license a few months later, he invited Nemutan for a ride around town in his beat-up Toyota. They went to a beach, not far from the home he shares with his parents in a suburb of Tokyo. It was the first of many road trips they would take together. As they got to know each other, they traveled hundreds of miles west — to Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, sleeping in his car or crashing on friends’ couches to save money. They took touristy pictures under cherry trees, frolicked like children on merry-go-rounds and slurped noodles on street corners. Now, after three years together, they are virtually inseparable. “I’ve experienced so many amazing things because of her,” Nisan told me, rubbing Nemutan’s leg warmly. “She has really changed my life.”

Ben Stein Stripped of NYT Column Over Product Endorsement

Apparently, endorsing a credit monitoring company and writing a Sunday New York Times business column do not mix.

The Associated Press is reporting that comedian and political commentator Ben Stein has been stripped of column because of his work as a pitchman for FreeScore.com.

New York Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis released a statement Friday that said the newspaper decided it would not be appropriate for Stein to pitch for the company while writing his column.

Psycho Donuts: In The Land of Fruit and Nuts

Psycho Donuts opened up several months ago with a rather irreverent theme, that's getting a lot of publicity.

From the bakery's website:

Psycho Donuts has taken donuts to the next demented level. We bid a fond farewell to the tired, round ring of lameness, and the drab, time-weathered environment of donut past. Psycho Donuts has taken the neighborhood donut and put it on medication, and given it shock treatment.

They bakery's the namesake "psycho" donut has vanilla, chocolate and pretzel icing. Their "bipolar" donut is half smothered in nuts and half with coconut.

The bakery has a padded-cell shrine and has decorated the walls with paintings of silly and goofy faces as well as a neon sign reading, "Bates Motel."

The staff wears lab coats and nurse outfits.

Well, apparently the branding concept hasn't gone over to well with local mental health organizations.

From AOL Small Business:

Kipp Berdiansky, the owner of Psycho Donuts, appeared on a local TV station with Oscar Wright, CEO of United Advocates for Children and Families for a televised debate about the bakery. And now a San Francisco chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness is planning a Sunday morning march at the corner streets of the store this Sunday at 11 a.m., PST. Mental health critics claim that bakeries like Psycho Donuts are hurting people who are mentally ill and feel burdened by the stigma that goes along with it.

Psycho Donuts is located in the Northern California town of Campbell...you know, in the state that's been dubbed "the land of fruit and nuts."

"President Obama's daughters get healthy school lunches. Why don't I?"

Remember when a doll company created the "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia" dolls?

Michelle Obama reportedly said it was "inappropriate to use young, private citizens for marketing purposes."

Well, now a Washington nonprofit is making the first daughters the subject of a new advertising campaign.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is running an ad with the President's daughters at the core of its message.

Lobbying to reform the Child Nutrition Act (which is up for reauthorization this year), the ad attempts to urge lawmakers to increase the number of vegan, vegetarian and nondairy food options in public schools.

Will the campaign be effective?

From Politico:

“The best way to get something done is not to anger a popular president,” said George Washington University media professor Steven Roberts. “If I were that group, I would fire my advertising adviser.”

Lorenzo Lamas Cycles...and a Reality TV Show

Impeccably timed to coincide with the launch of his new reality TV series, The Lamas Life, suave actor and Hollywood celebrity spawn Lorenzo Lamas has announced a new motorcycle company.

The company is imaginatively named Lorenzo Lamas Cycles.

Ralph Randolph of Knockout Motorcycles, will engineer and assemble the cycles for customers who want to feel like a Renegade.

From LLC's website:

Since building my first chopper back in '79, I've wanted to put my stamp on custom motorcycle designs. The rubber has finally met the road with Lorenzo Lamas Cycles. While filming all over the country for my show "Renegade", I rapped with a lot of folks from all walks of life. Everyone loves the spirit of the open road and embraces individuality. My motorcycle company will embody this ideal. We will combine unique but timeless designs with a 'wild west vibe' and the reliability and workmanship that only my partner, master builder Ralph Randolph, can deliver. I've waited a long time for this perfect storm of creative forces to come together and I've seen a lot of styles and fads come and go. What's here to stay is “build quality” and timeless design and I'm stoked to be able to share that with all of you on our rides and at our events.  Till then, keep the shiny side up!”

Image source: LLC Facebook page

Micro Post: Forbes Interviews Jeff Gaspin, New Chief of NBC Universal

Last month I posted about Ben Silverman's departure from NBC Universal.

Now Forbes' Lacey Rose sits down with Silverman's replacement, Jeff Gaspin, as he takes the reins as the #2 guy at NBCU, reporting directly to Chief Executive Jeff Zucker.

Go to her interview here.

PETA Distributing Chicken McCruelty Unhappy Meals at McDonald's

Last month I posted about PETA's McCruelty wild postings campaign objecting to fast food chain McDonald's treatment of chickens.

Now comes word that the animal rights organization has been distributing Chicken McCruelty Unhappy Meals to McDonald's customers outside about a dozen restaurants around the country.

"McDonald's markets its food to children by packaging it in brightly colored boxes with toys," Lindsay Rajt, a spokeswoman for PETA, tells Slashfood. "But most kids really love animals, and if they knew that McDonald's suppliers were breaking the wings and legs of gentle animals like chickens, I think that you'd have to drag kids into McDonald's kicking and screaming."

PETA's Unhappy Meal comes "stained with blood" and containing a bloody rubber chicken, a cutout of a knife-wielding Ronald McDonald, photos of mutilated animals and a Chicken McCruelty T-shirt.

Gisele Bündchen for London Fog: The Airbrush Ate My Baby-bump.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen is the new "face" of London Fog.

She appears in a new fall ad campaign featuring her barely covered body in classic khaki.

But there's something missing in the photographs--her pregnant belly.

You see, Gisele was pregnant when she was photographed for London Fog, but she appears sans baby bump in the final shots.

According to Dari Marder, London Fog's chief marketing officer (as quoted in Styleist), "Although Gisele was photographed while pregnant, most of the shots have been retouched to respect her privacy during this wonderful and personal time in her life."

Nickelodeon Says Bye, Bye "Splat"

I had a client tell me once: "No company has ever made any money by changing its logo"

It is clear this client should never be in charge of marketing.

One of the most significant reasons to change a company logo is to signify change in the marketplace. A logo can shift consumer perception, and, at minimum, the change can draw attention to changes at the brand.

Nickelodeon is undergoing such a change,

The kid's cable network is unveiling a new logo to replace its "splat" identity--which has been associated with kids programing since 1984.

The goal of the re-brand is to expand beyond the current one-channel strategy, and interlink all of MTV Network's kids brands under a common umbrella.

The logo is deigned to connect Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. (formerly Noggin) and TeenNick (formerly the N), all of which will use similar-looking lower-case logos.

From Variety: Cyma Zarghami, head of Nick and MTV Networks' Kids and Family Group, says the decision to streamline the network identities came after they started putting all of the channels' logos on the same business card -- and decided that it looked like a mess.

"We wanted to clean it up and allow Nick to be the stamp on all of these channels," she said.

That ultimately meant jettisoning the familiar Nickelodeon "splat."

For Sale: Microsoft's Razorfish

In 2007, Microsoft acquired digital ad agency Razorfish as part of its $6 billion acquisition of aQuantive.

Now it wants to sell it off.

Razorfish is one of the country's largest digital ad firms, with about 2,000 employees and had about $400 million in revenue in 2008. Clients include Levi Strauss, Mercedes-Benz and MillerCoors.

Two large international ad holding companies have expressed interest in the agency, with Publicis Groupe reportedly offering between $500 million and $600 million and Japan's Dentsu also making a bid.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Starbucks Tries Some "Lean Thinking"

Starbucks is working hard to re-invent itself. It is a necessary survival technique for the coffee giant.

They're being attacked by competitors like McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts, and they're being pummeled by the results of the economic downturn. The recession has resulted in a new thrift among consumers.

So, one of the ways Starbucks is fighting back is through the philosophy of "lean thinking"-- a manufacturing philosophy perfected by the folks at Toyota, where efficiencies are examined and implemented with the goal of maintaining the delivery of a high quality product to consumers, at a cheaper cost of manpower.

It is reported that one of Starbucks's biggest expenses is store labor,--accounting for 24% of revenue. So for Starbucks, lean thinking is designed to reduce waste and free up time for baristas to interact with customers.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Starubucks has a new initiative being put into practice at its more than 11,000 U.S. stores. "... there will be no more bending over to scoop coffee from below the counter, no more idle moments waiting for expired coffee to drain and no more dillydallying at the pastry case."

Pushing Starbucks's drive is Scott Heydon, the company's "vice president of lean thinking," and a student of the Toyota production system, where lean manufacturing got its start. He and a 10-person "lean team" have been going from region to region armed with a stopwatch and a Mr. Potato Head toy that they challenge managers to put together and re-box in less than 45 seconds.

Mr. Heydon says reducing waste will free up time for baristas -- or "partners," as the company calls them -- to interact with customers and improve the Starbucks experience. "Motion and work are two different things. Thirty percent of the partners' time is motion; the walking, reaching, bending," he says. He wants to lower that.

Vanity Fair: "AMC’s Mad Men is the most stylish—and perhaps best—show on television"

For those obsessed with everything Mad Men, and for those thinking maybe they should be, Bruce Handy digs deep into Sterlling Cooper--and the folks who imagined it in an article for Vanity Fair.

Entering its third season on a fresh wave of Emmy nominations, AMC’s Mad Men is the most stylish—and perhaps best—show on television. Inside its meticulous reconstruction of the precipice that was New York advertising circa 1960, where the men and women of Sterling Cooper smoke, drink, love, and lie, the author learns about the struggle of Mad Men creator (and former Sopranos writer) Matthew Weiner, the casting of Jon Hamm and January Jones as Don and Betty Draper, and the obsession that fuels each episode.