The New York Times examines the revival of "a racially charged advertising character." The character is Uncle Ben, the symbol for more than 60 years of the Uncle Ben’s line of rices and side dishes now sold by the food giant Mars. Uncle Ben, who first appeared in ads in 1946, is being reborn as Ben, an accomplished businessman with an opulent office, a busy schedule, an extensive travel itinerary and a penchant for …
Success Is Overrated
Clay Parker Jones has an interesting "lo-fi blog" series going on his exitcreative site. Here's an example of his pen-to-paper approach: …
Viral Hunters Find Their Trophy Buck
Where's My Jetpack sees too close a connection between this viral video made by a young man in Montana and the above spot for Altoids made by Leo Burnett. George Parker would call this an "homage." I call it a hosejob. …
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A Namesake Departure
Adweek reports that Rick Colby said he is leaving Dentsu's Colby & Partners. He declined to detail the reasons for his departure, which leaves the Santa Monica, Calif., agency without its chief creative officer. Colby plans to open a new shop focused on Internet advertising and local clients. Colby launched a shop called Larsen Colby in 1984. He soon partnered with New York-based creative director George Lois and …
Ad Age Pedals Impending Doom
Bob Garfield is trying to scare us with his "Chronicles of the Media Revolution" series in which he explores ongoing technological upheaval across the media and marketing industries. Perhaps you believe that vast structures on which vast societies and vast economies depend do not easily lose their primacy. Perhaps you believe that the TV commercial and magazine spread -- and radio spot and newspaper classified -- are …
Fostering Employee Loyalty 101
San Jose Mercury News looks at one company's progressive work culture and how it produces results for them. When it comes to vacation, Netflix has a simple policy: take as much as you'd like. Just make sure your work is done. Employees at the online movie retailer often leave for three, four, even five weeks at a time and never clock in or out. Vacation limits and face-time requirements, says Netflix Chief Executive …
Look, A New Fiefdom!
Fuse Sports & Entertainment Group is Omnicom's latest foray into sports and entertainment marketing, according to The Wall Street Journal (paid sub. req.). "Sports and entertainment are two areas that people are passionate about," Ceo Steve Grubbs says. "Our clients are looking to attach themselves to passion points." Fuse will oversee four Omnicom-owned companies, including Full-Circle Entertainment, a …
Onion News Network Ups The Fakery
USA Today looks at The Onion's foray into web video. Having already blossomed as a newspaper, website and book publisher, The Onion — perhaps the most dominant provider of fake news anywhere — is bringing its brand of humor to the hot medium of the moment: Online video. The dispatches on the Onion News Network, which goes live Tuesday, aren't likely to be causing much missed sleep over at CNN and Fox News Channel, …