In 2005, the pharmaceutical industry spent more than $4 billion on direct-to-consumer advertising. But according to a study out today from Harvard Medical School researchers, the ads have no impact on sales. So, can we let the doctors prescribe the pills? And how about passing the money saved on advertising back to the consumer? I know it's a lot to ask. [via Marketplace] …
The Creative Way To Say, “Keep Your Kids Under Control”
This image reminds patrons at Northeast Portland coffee shop and bakery, Jim & Patty's, who's boss. But it does so in a playful, smart, memorable manner. I love good copy, wherever it's found. …
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In A World…Without Don LaFontaine
Damn... 'King of Voiceovers' Don LaFontaine Dies at 68 If I smoked 2 packs a day I could sound like that, too...VO work is such a cushy gig. …
Now, With New Services To Sell, The Google Wants Our Help
The Google is cozying up to ad agencies, according to The New York Times. During the last year, Google has built a 40-person group that is charged with courting agencies, trying to persuade them that their clients should buy ads on Google sites and use the search engine’s tools. Google could avoid ad agencies when it sold only search advertising, where it is dominant. But now that it has a wider set of products in …
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Selling America To The Foreigners
The New York Sun takes a look at former DDB CEO Keith Reinhard's efforts to promote America overseas: Though some of the worldwide antipathy toward America stems from unpopular policies, Mr. Reinhard says it is not a matter of simply a feel-good issue — Businesses are being hurt by our sagging reputation. In an increasingly competitive world, he says we need all the help we can get. Having managed a company with …
Eco-Friendly “Mini Tanks” Ready To Roll
I enjoyed meeting Andy Woehl, President of MÁS Wine Company, at our "Welcome to Oregon" party on Saturday night (which Mike and Keli graciously hosted on their Brownsville farm). Andy's Cloverdale, CA-based company makes wine from grapes grown in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. On top of making wine, Andy and his partners have figured out a new way to package wine, and it's here that MÁS Wine Company may be …
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St. Paul Turns Purple
Campbell Mithun and Hungry Man Productions invite their fellow Minnesotans to roll out the red carpet next week as thousands of Republicans visit their traditionally Democratic state. According to the campaign's web site, The UnConvention is a non-partisan collective of citizens who have come together to create a forum in which to promote the democratic and free exchange of ideas on important issues. But don't take …
When Opportunity Knocks, Get The Door
Burgerville's customers are hooked on the regional chain's veggie burger. When Kellogg's, which owns Gardenburger, issued a voluntary recall, Burgerville customers were bumming. But thanks to the ingenuity of Chez Gourmet, a small Oregon-based outfit that went from making 3,000 veggie patties a week to producing over ten times that amount, things in Veggie Burgerville are copacetic. According to Marketplace, Marie …
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