From the AP: Actors will take the stage in Dublin, Ireland, next week, but don't expect to see anything by Brian Friel or Sean O'Casey. It's a commercial, a live commercial, by the city of London, in a bid to attract more visitors. Pauline McLynn, who starred as the housekeeper, Mrs. Doyle, in the TV comedy series "Father Ted," will appear in the three-minute production on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre on May …
Lay Your Vibrators On The Table
Bullshit Observer observed some bullshit first hand earlier this week. I'm sitting in a meeting today with the director of marketing, VP of marketing, and GM - all with their wireless handheld devices sitting on the table. For an hour it was one buzzing or beeping noise after another with those things. It was fun to watch whoever was talking when something made noise because they would pause and lose their train of …
Goodyear’s Consumer Generated Names Smack Of Corporate Meddling
Goodyear received over 21,000 names in its Name The Blimp promotion. Given the quantity, it's too bad they've chosen to narrow it down to 10 lame names: American Dream, Freedom, Liberty, Patriot, Patriot of Peace, Pride of America, Spirit of Endurance, Spirit of Ingenuity, Spirit of Innovation and The Spirit of Peace. I do like the grand prize however; a blimp for a day. What would you do with a blimp for the day? …
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Capture And Deliver Content On The Fly
CNET reports on a new way to deliver content to YouTube. YouTube launched on Wednesday a service that allows users to upload homemade clips via their mobile phones or PDAs. A growing number of handheld devices are capable of recording video. YouTube wants to disconnect users from their Web cams and computers, said Steve Chen, one of the company's founders and its chief technology officer. The new mobile offering …
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Natural Foods Marketer Plays Price Game
According to the New York Times, Austin-based Whole Foods is embarking on a mission to change a fundemental consumer perception—that the store is exceedingly expensive. For the next 10 weeks, Whole Foods is running print advertisements in New York City emphasizing "value" and "deals" — two words not generally associated with the chain that inspired the quip "Whole Foods, Whole Paycheck." Portraying itself as …
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Now Reading
I've been paying attention to several new ad blogs, of late: The Diary of Putney Swope Scamp Why Advertising Sucks Make the Logo Bigger The Ranch Wrightoff Adverb Advergirl Brand Architect and Bullshit Observer It's a robust category filled with professional communicators, each of whom bring their own unique stories and slants on the business. Good stuff. …
Lying, Cheating Brands
Well, Hugh said it very succinctly (see post below), but over at Fast Company, Karen Post takes a closer look at "Lying, Cheating Brands": Deception in promotional programs, communications, advertising, and customer service pollutes the entire market. Consistent integrity, not shady tactics, is the glue that bonds a brand to a consumer. If you are employing any of these deceptive practices, you may have an integrity …
Desegregation Now!
Talking honestly about race is rarely easy in America, but almost always necessary. From Ad Age: Advertising agencies remain segregated remnants of the 1950s, in effect casting multicultural agencies aside in virtual "Negro leagues," said Richard Wayner, CEO of the True Agency, during a heated question-and-answer session after a panel discussion at the Los Angeles Association of Advertising Agencies on May 6. Mr. …