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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
Sony (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
The Weatherproof Garment Company is running a controversial billboard showing President Obama wearing one of their coats on his visit to the Great Wall of China last November. The company also promoted “The Obama Jacket” on its website. New York Times 1/6/09. UPDATE: Billboard Featuring Obama is Coming Down
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
This great street promo attracts passersby with a display of the discarded box, wrapping paper and ribbon of a Mini Cooper given as a Christmas gift. Marketing Profs points out that the promotion is effective, not only because it’s eye-catching, but because it also reinforces key Mini Cooper brand attributes of small size, fun, uniqueness, cleverness, etc. Affordability is reinforced with the price sticker conveniently left on the box.
Can you make the world a better place by making it fun for people to do the right thing? That’s the idea behind The Fun Theory , an Initiative of Volkswagon. This viral video, showing how people are encouraged to take stairs designed as piano keys, instead of the escalator, was one of the top ten viral videos in October.
Carl's Jr. has launched the Big Carl, a double burger with cheese and a Thousand Island-style sauce, with an ad campaign talking smack about the Big Mac. LATimes 8/19/09
A federal lawsuit accuses Wells Fargo & Co. of slashing borrowers' home equity lines of credit based on flawed automated software that exaggerated how much the value of their properties had fallen. LATimes 8/19/09
Sears and Kmart have introduced Christmas Club cards, reminiscent of banks' Christmas accounts, to encourage savings for holiday purchases. LATimes 8/18/09
Reader's Digest plans to file for Chapter 11 protection from creditors amid declining circulation, an industry wide advertising slump and large debts. Huffingtonpost, 8/17/09
GMAC Financial Services joins a list of advertisers who have stopped advertising on Glen Beck's television show, reportedly because of Beck’s accusations that President Obama is a racist. Other advertisers include ConAgra, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, RadioShack, Men’s Wearhouse, State Farm Sargento, LexisNexis-owned Lawyers.com, Procter & Gamble, and Progressive Insurance. Media Matters 8/17/09
“Teen apparel chain Abercrombie & Fitch has suffered after refusing to cut prices, yet it resists big discounts. The retailer hopes to win back customers by emphasizing edgier fashions.” LATimes 8/15/09
Target, which had outsourced much of its e-commerce technology and fulfillment services to Seattle-based Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), will launch and manage its own Target.com platform beginning with the holiday season in 2011. Atlanta Business Chronicle 8/7/09
Nissan Motor Co.'s environmentally friendly electric automobile, the Leaf, will go on sale in Japan, the U.S. and Europe next year. Designed to avoid a “stereotypical futuristic design,” the blue hatchback has a sporty design and a recharging opening in the front. Huffingtonpost.com 8/3/09
Apple reportedly offered a refund to the family of a child whose iPod music player exploded after being dropped, only if they would sign an agreement that threatened legal action if they ever disclosed what had happened. The Times 8/3/09
An anonymous hacker broke into the personal accounts of some Twitter employees and was able to obtain confidential information on Twitter. The hacker distributed the information to sources including tech blog TechCrunch, who published portions of the information.
In a blog post, Twitter cofounder Biz Stone reassured Twitter users that the theft resulted in stolen documents, not compromised accounts. He added, “We are in touch with our legal counsel about what this theft means for Twitter, the hacker, and anyone who accepts and subsequently shares or publishes these stolen documents." Twitter, 7/15/2009
At the Microsoft WorldWide Partner Conference, Microsoft COO Kevin Turner commented that Microsoft (MSFT) knew the Laptop Hunters ad campaign was successful when the Apple (AAPL) legal department called and told Microsoft to stop running the ads because Apple had lowered their prices. PC World 7/16/09
Also at the conference, Turner announced that Microsoft will open their own retail stores “right next door to Apple this fall.” Apple’s success in the retail channel has helped them to gain significant mindshare. Gizmodo 7/15/09.
Starbucks (SBUX) is testing community-inspired names for its stores in the Seattle area to reflect the neighborhood’s personality. For example, one store will be renamed 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea and will serve wine and beer, host live music and poetry readings, and sell espresso from a manual machine versus the automated machines seen in most stores. Seattle Times 7/16/09 via Huffington Post.
A man who allegedly set off a small bomb on Memorial Day at a New York City Upper East Side Starbucks was arrested after he bragged about it to friends. The suspect is reportedly a fan of the 1999 movie "Fight Club” which includes a scene where a Starbucks is destroyed. CNN 7/15/09
Mercedes Benz has released a statement explaining that a malfunctioning warning light mistakenly appeared in a television spot for their E Class vehicle and “is in no way a reflection on the quality or durability of the E-Class.” It was an embarrassing error for a vehicle touted as the “most advanced” automobile on the market. The spot appeared briefly on YouTube before being yanked by Mercedes Benz. Autoblog 07/13/09 via mediabistro.com.
Andy Azula, the actor in the UPS (UPS) Whiteboard commercials, and the creative director at the Martin Agency, posted on his blog about a delayed Delta Air Lines (DAL) flight that kept him and his family waiting at the airport for 13 hours. Azula’s original post was removed but can be viewed here. Advertising Age 7/16/09
“Chik-Fil-A's giveaways, stunts -- and well-played grass-roots strategy -- succeed without big marketing push.” The company’s “back-to-basics strategy” combined with heavy word of mouth and community outreach has resulted a 10% increase in system wide sales year to date, “even as competitors with bigger ad budgets struggle with how much food they can offer for a dollar.” AdAge 7/9/09
“Johnson & Johnson's quick reaction to the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommendation for limits on acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol and some rival medications, furthered the company's reputation for savvy crisis management. But the going is likely to get tougher in the months ahead. Wall Street Journal 7/9/09
“General Mills Inc.’s Betty Crocker brand is carving out a niche in gluten-free food after realizing it could reach eager customers without costly ad campaigns.” Wall Street Journal 7/2/09
Ritz Camera Centers Inc. says it no longer has enough capital to continue operations and will try to sell its roughly 400 stores. Columbus Business First 7/9/09
Univisión seemed like a gold mine three years ago; since then the advertising industry has shrunk and they’re mired in a costly legal battle with their primary programming partner. Miami Herald 7/9/09 via MultiCultClassics
Panda Express has launched its Wok Smart concept to educate guests about the wide variety of healthy eating options available on their menu. Wok Smart identifies the 18 sides, entrees and appetizers that are 250 calories or less per serving. Each of Panda Express' 1263 units nationwide will feature the Wok Smart™ symbol on menu slats alongside the entrees, nutritional brochures and on the website. Panda Express 7/9/2009
The Mini, as in the car that was produced by the British Motor Corporation(BMC) from 1959 to 2000, celebrated its 50th birthday this past weekend. BMW is the current owner of the brand which is now spelled in all caps as in MINI. Ads of the World, 7/9/2009, Wikipedia
Kentucky Fried Chicken is promoting the launch of their grilled chicken by inviting customers to enjoy a free piece of “unfried” chicken at participating KFC restaurants on Monday, April 27.
General Motors (GM) plans to discontinue the Pontiac car brand, once marketed as GM's "Excitement division.” Once known as GM’s performance brand, the demise of the Pontiac has been attributed to its lack of focus. CNNMoney 4/24/09
The Dannon Co. has reached a tentative nationwide class-action settlement of complaints filed by consumers questioning the health-benefit claims made on behalf of its Activia and DanActive yogurts, that they are “clinically proven” to regulate the digestive system. AdWeek 4/6/09
Since it was launched early in 2009, 30,000 consumers have taken advantage of the Hyundai Assurance Plus program, which promises to make payments for three months for customers who buy or lease a new Hyundai before the end of April, and subsequently lose their jobs. Sales increased 14% in January 2009 versus a year ago, and were down just 1.5% in February 2009 versus a year ago. Adweek 4/6/09
Nissan (NSANY) plans to rollout the Cube in May, “a cute, smallish car” targeted to younger driviers, that “can be customized and personalized as easily as a cellphone ring tone or Facebook page." New York Times 4/6/09. The Nissan Cube follows on the introduction of the cube-y Kia Soul, and the commercial featuring four cruising hamsters.
In August, Hearst Magazines’ Country Living will launch a new line of home goods in Kmart and Sears (SHLD) stores that emphasizes coziness and affordability. The 700-SKU line will include bedding, bath, tabletop and furniture items in four different styles: Modern Countryside, Blue & White, Red & White and Faded Antique and be priced from $3.99 to $349. Mediaweek 4/6/09
J.C. Penney (JCP) plans to launch a line of home goods by supermodel Cindy Crawford. Chain Store Age. 4/3/09.
Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc. hopes to entice people to serve more cocktails at home with the May launch of Sauza Margarita-in-a-Box, 15 servings of pre-made margaritas containing Sauza tequila. Brown-Forman (BF-B) is launching ready-to-drink cocktails in bottles this summer, including Southern Comfort Sweet Tea, and Diageo PLC is offering several prepared cocktails, including Captain Morgan Long Island Iced Tea. Wall Street Journal 4/1/09
A just released survey from Deloitte, "Connecting with Gen Y: Making Cars Cool Again,” sheds insight into what captures the automotive imagination of Gen Yers.
The majority of respondents felt a vehicle reflects a person's style, status and values, and the factors named most often as among the top three reasons that a vehicle is cool were exterior styling, affordability and being environmentally friendly. Forty four percent said exterior styling was the most important factor in selecting a vehicle, 40 percent said affordability and 35 percent said environmentally friendly. The survey results offer an opportunity for auto manufacturers and suppliers to be creative and turn their new business models into customized programs tailored to reach this diverse market.
The survey also found that roughly 70 percent of this age group would not consider working in the automotive industry, a challenge that automotive employers will need to resolve if they wish to recruit and retain the best Gen Y workers. Source: Deloitte 01/10/09
ony (SNE)
Expedia (EXPE)
A just released survey from Deloitte, "Connecting with 
