Category: apparel
ConAgra Foods’ frozen meals brand Marie Callender’s is presenting mealtime as a respite from the day's worries in a campaign themed "Time to Savor" that portrays the brand's products as comfort food. Adweek 8/29/10
Asian models have been added to represent the brands of Estee Lauder and Maybelline to appeal to the fastest-growing market in the world. SifyNews 8/28/10
A study of YouTube videos for tobacco brands including Marlboro, Benson and Hedges and Winston, says most had pro-tobacco content, using themes like celebrities and movies, sports, music or archival footage (such as an ad using the Flintstones smoking Winston cigarettes), and noted that some videos seemed to be professionally made. A World Health Organization treaty requires participating countries to ban all forms of tobacco advertisements and sponsorships but YouTube is a user-generated site that is not regulated for content control. Pagingdrgupta.com 8/27/10
Federal regulators are looking at Google Inc.'s plans to buy travel technology company ITA Software Inc., which could position Google to compete with travel brands Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz. Huffingtonpost.com 8/27/10
Two teenagers are suing Facebook, claiming their names and images were sold to advertisers without parental permission as part of a Facebook feature that allows members to ‘like’ a service or product. Facebook broadcasts likes to the user's friends. Huffingtonpost.com 8/27/10
Apple has set the date of its next "big announcement" for Sept. 1. Speculation is that the company will unveil a cloud-based music service. Brandweek 8/27/10
Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand plans to launch its first performance sub-brand in December, a version of its G coupe, to compete with BMW's M-series, Cadillac's V-series and Mercedes-Benz's AMG. Detroit Free Press 8/26/10
Japanese fast-fashion brand Uniqlo has named Charlize Theron and Orlando Bloom global brand ambassadors for its new “Made For All” philosophy. The company’s new tagline, emphasizes its commitment to provide clothing for everyone, regardless of nationality, age, occupation or gender People 8/26/10
Google has rolled out the “Call Phone” feature to all US Gmail users enabling them to call people directly on their phones. The service is free for calls in the US and Canada for the remainder of 2010. Gmailblog 8/26/10
RIM falls to 17-month low as India plans to ban BlackBerry messaging services Aug. 31 unless RIM resolves concerns the smart phones could be used for terrorist attacks or other illegal activities. Bloomberg 8/26/10
Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Co. are recalling 1.3 million 2005-2008 model vehicles because of engine stalling complaints. Autonews.com 8/26/10
Tiffany & Co. is launching a collection of handbags in a dozen U.S. stores on Sept. 1. The move will help Tiffany to drive sales through accessibly priced goods while maintaining the brand’s luxury image. WSJ.com 8/26/10
GM is launching the Chevrolet Cruze in September. As part of GM’s effort to achieve long term profitability the Cruze will be priced higher than previous compacts. WSJ 8/26/10
Four Points by Sheraton has reached a milestone of 150 properties in 24 countries.The Four Points’ brand positioning of “uncomplicated comfort” and value has helped the brand become one of the fastest growing brands within the Starwood portfolio. MarketWatch 8/25/10
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. plans store closings and layoffs in the wake of weaker margins, higher overhead and losses related to its failed Martin + Osa chain. The company points to inconsistent business trends and unpredictable consumer behavior as contributors to losses. WSJ 8/25/10
McDonald’s has named Steve Easterbrook evp, global chief brand officer, a new position at the fast-food giant. Reuters 8/24/10
Sweet ‘N Low is introducing a new campaign to relaunch the brand to consumers and differentiate it in an increasingly crowded category. NYTimes 8/23/10
Ford says it may expand its upscale Lincoln brand outside North America, for the first time, to markets around the world. wsj.com 8/21/10
AT&T is rebranding its homepage as YP.com with the tagline "Click Less. Live More." YP.com is focused on helping users "eat, play, and live" locally. webpronews 8/20/10
Some institutional shareholders have protested Target’s and Best Buy’s donations to a conservative Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate who opposes gay marriages saying the donations are inconsistent with corporate values and could harm the companies' brands. Huffingtonpost.com 8/20/10
Cadillac is launching a CTS Coupe that will compete against vehicles like the BMW 335i Coupe, Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe, and Audi A5. Media Post 8/20/10
Whole Foods Market is launching an iPad/iPhone/iPod touch app designed to help people live healthier lifestyles. "Mission App," offers 70 challenges/missions that involve users engaging in a series of steps to earn "badges and bragging rights." MediaPost 8/20/10
Anheuser-Busch Budweiser share of the U.S. market in 1988 was 26 percent, but was 9.3 percent last year. Some observers say the Budweiser brand risks being forgotten by an entire generation; four out of 10 people in their mid-20s have never tried Budweiser. stltoday 8/20/10
Levi Strauss & Co has launched dENIZEN, a new global brand aimed at young consumers in emerging markets starting in China, Singapore and South Korea. Associated Press 8/19/10
Facebook has announced new location-based capabilities that will allow its 150 million mobile users to check in when they arrive at bars, restaurants, and clothing shops through its new Places platform. Facebook advertising partners Foursquare, Gowalla, Yelp, and Booyah could get a boost in campaign distribution to Facebook's 500 million users. Clickz.com 8/19/10
Fashion espionage is allegedly to blame for the new Gucci bag seen on the shoulder of Jersey Shore star Snooki in recent photos. Sources claim that a Gucci rival gave Snooki the bag in a counter-branding move to damage the brand’s image. Seriously. GraziaDaily.com 8/19/10
Hearst Magazines has established The App Lab to address the explosion of consumer usage of mobile devices and related platforms and applications. The App Lab will offer educational sessions and previews of emerging mobile content, applications and platforms, including iPad and other tablets; advertiser and agency roundtables on new ad formats and models; and consumer insight panels, among other programming. webwire.com 8/19/10
The Old Spice advertising campaign featuring Isaiah Mustafa as a towel-draped ladies man has boosted sales for Old Spice body wash by 55% says Wieden + Kennedy. AgencySpy 8/19/10
Starbucks Corp's (SBUX.O) announcement of $100 million in global sales of Via brand instant coffee is being questioned by reports that numbers are inflated by free drinks and crediting non Via sales to Via. The company says the instances were limited and had no impact sales. Reuters 8/18/10
Volvo says no longer being tied to a major manufacturer will enable it to react quickly to market demands and enter "the top league of premium brands.” autospies.com 8/18/10
Haim Saban has purchased Paul Frank Industries, the company that owns brands including Julius the Monkey, Lip Smackers lip balm, and about 150 characters, which are licensed for use in toys, apparel, and accessories. Thewrap.com 8/17/10
BMW has branded its new concept car the Megacity Vehicle or MCV, an all-electric car--similar to the Nissan Leaf or the Chevy Volt. Fastcodesign.com 8/16/10
MAC has cancelled the MAC Rodarte limited edition makeup collection, which was inspired by the impoverished Mexican town of Juarez, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world with many victims young women and children. Elle 8/17/10
Controversial urban hipster brand American Apparel is close to bankruptcy after numerous woes including a 66% share drop in 12 months, the exit of auditor Deloitte and a federal subpoena investigating the change from Deloitte to Marcum. NYTimes.com 8/17/10
McDonald’s is the current winner of the quick-service breakfast wars, attracting 37 percent of adult consumers who have eaten breakfast at a quick-service chain in the past month. McDonald’s and other quick service chains have attracted breakfast customers with wireless Internet access at their stores, coupons and online offers says Scarborough Research. nrn.com 8/16/10
Levi’s has launched a new lined called Levi's Curve ID that offers women jeans that complement their body type. Freep.com 8/14/2010
Kellogg Co.has debuted Pop-Tart World, a pop up store in Times Square, where customers can eat Pop-Tart “sushi,” order a customized pastry, create a custom box filled with a mix of their favorite flavors, suggest new types of Pop-Tarts, select a Pop-Tart T-shirt made by specialty artists or get “frosted” and “wrapped in foil” by a light show. The State.com 8/14/2010
Jaguar Cars has created the XJ75 Platinum Concept a demonstration of the design customization potential of the XJ luxury sedan, as part of their year long celebration of the Jaguar brand’s 75th anniversary. PRNewswire 8/14/2010
Kroger Co. has doubled its number of store-brand beauty products this summer and plans to continue to launch more products this fall and next year. Their Mirra brand beauty line contains natural ingredients and is priced below brands such as L’Oreal, Aveeno and Olay. Associated Press 8/13/10
Walgreens (WAG) is rolling out its DR Delish private brand line of snacks and beverages nationally; they acquired the line as part of their purchase of Duane Reade Drugstores. Marketwatch.com 8/13/10
The East India Company, world’s first multinational trading company, known for bringing exotic foods from the east to the west, beginning in 1600, has been relaunched as a luxury brand. The company ceased operating in 1874; intellectual property rights to the company were purchased by an Indian-born importer and entrepreneur in 2005. CNN.com 8/13/10
An advocacy group claims that Ben & Jerry's All Natural ice cream and frozen yogurt contains ingredients that either don’t exist in nature or have been chemically modified such as alkalized cocoa and corn syrup. The company says it abides by federal guidelines in using the term natural. Boston.com 8/13/10
Hyundai has replaced Nissan to become one of the top five most considered automotive brands among new-car shoppers, according to the Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Brand Watch Study. NYTimes.com 8/12/10
David Lauren, son of fashion brand founder Ralph Lauren, tells Blogher conference attendees that his father was born in the Bronx as Ralph Lifshitz and was a salesman, not a trained fashion designer. But his idea was to dress for the life you wanted, and who you wanted to be: "It's not about fabric. It's about dreams." The Recessionista 8/12/10
In July sales versus a year ago GM's four core brands were up 25%, Ford (F) was up 3%, Toyota (TM) was down 3%. Washington Post 8/8/10
A former executive with the company that owns the Thomas' English Muffins brand has been barred from working for rival Hostess Brands. His former employer says the executive is one of seven people in the world who know the step-by-step process of putting the "nooks and crannies" or air pockets in Thomas' English muffins. UPI.com 8/7/10
Sambazon, a San Clemente, Calif., firm that makes products based on acai, has launched a brand positioning featuring “Sambazon Warriors,” “ ‘everyday warriors’ in which consumers can join and feel they are part of a movement. A Facebook app that lets consumers add a headdress to their photo is part of the campaign. Brandweek 8/6/10
Is an Apple (AAPL) iBike in the works? PatentlyApple.com says a patent application from Apple was published by the US Patent & Trademark Office on August 5, 2010 that reveals various concepts behind a newly advanced Smart Bicycle System for individuals as well as teams of cyclists. The Bicycle system monitors speed, distance, time, altitude, elevation, incline, decline, heart rate, power, derailleur setting, cadence, wind speed, path completed, expected future path, heart rate, power, and pace. The system could utilize various sensors built-into the iPhone in addition to working with sensors already built-into the bike itself.” PatentlyApple.com 8/5/2010.
Liz Claiborne Inc (LIZ.N) which has not seen a profit in about three years has posted a much smaller-than-expected loss and says it will turn profitable on an adjusted basis in the fourth quarter. It has closed underperforming stores, worked on underperforming brands and signed an exclusive deal with J.C. Penney Co Inc (JCP.N) to sell its namesake line. Reuters 8/5/10
GM will return to the Super Bowl in 2011; an ad campaign will break next month for the Chevy Camaro; and there's a new tagline coming for Cadillac, "The new standard for the world.” AdAge 8/5/2010
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) and the WNBA are partnering to promote Coca-Cola’s "Live Positively" initiative and WNBA Cares.
Clinics will teach fitness skills and nutrition to kids and holding camps in local parks will encourage people to visit neighborhood parks and be more active. BrandWeek 8/3/2010
Zappos eschews the industry approach of treating vendors as adversaries, and instead treats them as partners.The $1 billion company says their vendor relationships are “one of the most valuable parts of our business,” and “Without those friendships and their belief in us, there might not be a Zappos today.” HBR – The Conversation 6/4/10
Apple (AAPL) has sold more than two million iPad tablet computers since its launch on April 3rd. Techcrunch 5/31/10
Wal-Mart (WMT) is cutting prices an average of 30 percent on 22 foods and other essentials, restoring brands it previously dropped, and replacing trendy clothing with basic styles to reinforce their brand positioning and fight competition from dollar stores, local grocery chains and other big box retailers. Huffingtonpost.com 5/29/10
Ford Motor Company (F) says it’s reviewing its portfolio of brands and specific nameplates but won’t confirm it plans to kill the Mercury brand. LAtimes.com 5/29/10
A key attraction of Procter & Gamble’s (PG) purchase of Natura Pet Products is thought to be access to Natura’s distribution channel of independent pet stores. But pet supply retailers have taken to social media to protest that the buy will adversely affect them. Advertising Age 5/29/10
Heineken has launched "Your Heineken", enabling European consumers to personalize Heineken sleeves with provided photography/images, see 3D visualization of their creation and order the six-pack of Heineken. Mediabistro 5/28/10
When guests check in at Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) brands – Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Staybridge Suites or Candlewood Suites – on the Gowalla mobile social network via their mobile phone between now and Aug. 31, they receive “Hit it Big” rewards including loyalty points, double air miles, retail gift cards, etc., to promote IHG’s loyalty programs. Mobile Marketer 5/28/10
Time Warner and NBC Universal do not plan to convert their existing Flash-authored videos to HTML5 format so they can be viewed on Apple’s new iPad. PCMag.com 5/28/10
Ann Taylor (ANN) apologizes for altering images of models on their web site to make them appear perfectly shaped and unnaturally slender. Jezebel via BrandFreak 5/28/10
Kraft (KFT) is targeting women 35-54 with their recently launched Sandwich Shop brand of flavored, restaurant-inspired mayonnaises. Brandweek 5/27/10
Procter & Gamble (PG) has relaunched the Pantene brand with a new campaign and a contest that announced the “First Reality TV Hair Star,” during NBC's season finale of The Biggest Loser: Couples. Brandweek 5/27/10
Pabst Brewing Co., the maker of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz, will be sold to food investor C. Dean Metropoulos. Pabst Blue Ribbon is seeing a resurgence in popularity 20-somethings. HuffingtonPost.com 5/26/10
Over 90% of Black consumers aged 12 years and over listen to the radio each week—a higher penetration than television, magazines, newspapers or the Internet. Download Black Radio Today 2009: How America Listens to Radio. Arbitron 5/31/10.
“Men might be embarrassed to ask for it, but they want it” - men’s “shapewear” that is. Equmen, Spanx and other makers of men’s ‘foundation’ garments that enhance male physiques are selling briskly in upscale department stores and online. NYTimes 5/28/10
73 percent of car buyers will stay loyal to the brand they now drive when they shop for a new vehicle says a survey by Consumer Reports magazine. Fuel economy, quality and price would be the prime factors that would influence their decision if the buyers decided to switch brands BusinessWeek 5/26/10
In spite of overall growth, McDonald’s and Burger King are seeing their breakfast business decline as unemployment climbs and fewer workers purchase breakfast on their way to work. Washington Post 2/21/10
Tiger Woods’ apology statement on Friday, 2/19, has reignited the debate over whether he will ever be able to revive his “once-unstoppable endorsement career, which had topped $90 million annually.” Woods’ ranking of endorsement attractiveness has sunk to 2,250 from a pre-scandal ranking of 11 according to Davie-Brown Entertainment, a company that tracks the appeal of celebrities using online polls of U.S. consumers. Wall Street Journal Online. 2/20/10
Have you dreamed of being an Old Navy ‘supermodelquin’? Now’s your chance – the apparel brand is offering one lucky winner the chance to have their likeness turned into a supermodelquin that will be paid $100K to appear in a TV ad. AdFreak 2/19/10
Consumer package-goods companies, including Kraft, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Hershey and Heinz are vowing to make bigger investments in advertising, in-store promotion, shelf signage, coupons and packaging to fight off encroaching private labels. AdAge 2/18/10
Odwalla has signed a deal to become the first brand to have a presence in all 50 state parks, according to the National Association of State Park Directors. The NASPD hopes to sign more branding programs, but they say only brands in certain categories will be considered and that in-park signage will be subtle. Brandweek 2/18/10
“U.S. retailers continue to make progress in offering store brand products with health claims relevant to shoppers looking for healthier food choices…Store brands now comprise almost 40 percent of products with preservative claims, one-fourth of organic product sales, and nearly one-fifth of all products with natural and fat claims in food/drug/mass merchandise retailers.” Progressive Grocer, 2/18/10
Nielsen says Facebook usage is growing; the average U.S. visitor spent seven hours, one minute and 41 seconds on Facebook in January, 2010, compared with four hours and 39 minutes in June, 2009. Wall Street Journal Blog 2/17/10
Burger King plans to replace its BKJoe coffee brands with Starbuck’s Seattle’s Best Coffee, and add a line of coffee drinks to improve their breakfast business. Washington Post 2/16/10
Burger King Corp. plans to open a Whopper Bar in the South Beach area of Miami this month, catering to Miami's night life. Whopperistas will be able to indulge their “flame-broiled passion in a crisp, modern, über-chic bar setting.” The Whopper Bar will offer American beer and Whopper sandwiches with 22 toppings and sauces 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CNNMoney.com 1/23/10
Kraft (KFT) seeks to reinforce the ‘fun’ positioning of its Ritz brand to appeal to a younger audience with a new spot entitled “Tailgate,” to run prior to the Super Bowl. BrandWeek 1/9/09
S
ony (SNE) produces "Make Dot Believe," a :90 cinema spot that positions the brand as having the ability to make anything you can imagine real. See spot at AdFreak 1/8/09
Imaging brand Polaroid has signed a “multi-year strategic partnership...[that] brings together one of the world's most iconic brands with today's fastest rising musical artist and cultural trendsetter." The company says they will be partnering with Lady Gaga to “bring new and exciting products to the next generation." AdWeek 1/7/09
Nestle Hot Pockets have signed a multi-year sponsorship and product integration deal with Professional videogame organization Major League Gaming. AdWeek 1/7/09
Despite opting out of the Super Bowl for a second year, FedEx (FDX) says that sports has “paid some significant dividends over the years.” The company participates in several sports via the Orange Bowl, NFL, the NBA, PGA Tour, FedExCup and Nascar. AdWeek 1/7/09
A new brand campaign for Procter & Gamble’s (PG) Tide detergent communicates how “Tide enables its loyal users to dress for success, to impress or just for fun.” The strategy attempts to differentiate Tide from lower-priced alternatives in a commoditized category. New York Times 1/7/09. It has been reported that P&G introduce 30% more new products this year than last to avoid price-cutting. Promotion of the company’s premium brands, including Olay skin cream, as well as Tide, is planned as a way to “smooth the way for new products.” Wall Street Journal 1/7/09 (requires subscription.)
Expedia (EXPE) is positioning its brand as the site that offers "more choices" and "more savings." A debut spot uses shows multi-dimensional building blocks being used to create the “perfect girl’s weekend.” BrandWeek 1/7/09
Apple (AAPL) has purchased Quattro Wireless, a mobile advertising company. Most analysts believe that Apple is less interested in profiting from ads than in providing a way for developers who build applications for the iPhone, or a future Apple tablet, make money. New York Times 1/5/09
The Saab and Saturn brands could be headed for oblivion; GM put them up for sale as part of its bankruptcy reorganization in early 2009, but has been unable to find buyers. MSNBC.com 12/30/09
For the first time in 23 years, Pepsi (PEP) ads won’t appear during the Super Bowl. The company plans to place more emphasis on online marketing. Associated Press 12/18/09
