Do the Potty Dance!

Remember when you were a kid and you loved to sing along with TV commercial jingles? And remember when you would dance along with the commercial too?  Do you remember why you did that?  Well let me remind you....because you were a kid and didn't know any better.

We're all adults now and even if we still have childish tendencies it doesn't mean we want to be advertised to as if we were a child.  Huggies Pull-Ups is the culprit that prompted these thoughts to surface.  See the long-version of the TV ad below.

Am I wrong to think what the marketing strategy is: target young or first-time mothers by grabbing the attention of the child through song & dance?  Perhaps I'm missing something; however, I don't see kids running to mom or dad asking for Huggie Pull-Ups.  Then again if a parent saw her child doing the "Potty Dance" perhaps that would serve a reminder to go out and replenish the diaper or pull-up supply before it's too late.

For all the parents, guardians, and childcare providers: What is you consumer perspective?  Does this the video win you over or turn you off?

In the spirit of the holidays

 A Charlie Brown Ad Agency:

Rubber Cement Has More Uses Than You Know

Reposted the original November 24th post again today due to technical difficulties with the embedded video. Hope you enjoy!

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Does anyone know the agency of this clever commercial for a European maker of rubber cement?

Les-nonnes

The Truth or A Myth?

It's funny since there is some truth; however, disheartening because some people may believe all of it to be true.

Tell me your thoughts: Pepsi Amp

Snippet from one of my October Facebook posts. Share your thoughts...

Do you think this app is alienating to women? Do you believe this is acceptable for the Amp brand? For Pepsi as the parent brand? If you are agree with the article, do you feel the same about Dove and AXE their parent company Unilever?

http://mashable.com/2009/10/12/amp-before-you-score/?awesm=fbshare.me_Dov

JM: A man associated with the use of this application should be embarassed. If a man does not have a sister or niece he should at least think of his mother and grandmother before using it. This can potentially ruin reputations of women as users post of their exploits through this application. Those who support this childish and immature application should be shamed.

CF: Marketing at Pepsi has lost it's mind. But given the other markers in our culture, and here I mean American culture at large, it falls in line with the anything goes mentality. Won't be very cute in the hands of middle school and high school students.

What to do in NYC: September 16 & 18th

While I am seeking full-time employment, I have been identifying projects I can work on to enhance my marketing craft. One such opportunity came to me while perusing facebook last month.

A rising star and personal friend, Adina Nyree, posted on facebook that she thought it was time for her to get a publicist. Although I have only done PR work for not-for-profits, I told Adina that I was up for the challenge and the experience if she was willing to try me out.

The plan is to share with you the new experiences I gain from this project and any others that seem blog worthy. Below you will find an image of the news release I wrote for Adina Nyree's live performances later this month. Click here to see the news release on PRWeb.


Note: A five song EP is available for purchase at live performances only. Certified Organic, the debut album, will be available for sale on iTunes, cdbaby.com, adinanyree.com and at all live shows after October 24, 2009. Also don't forget to check out Adina Nyree's official website and become a fan on facebook.

Adina Nyree

The Gratitude Campaign

The campaign is absolutely right. I haven't agreed with many of the wars the U.S. has entered, but I definitely support the people who serve us with their lives. Much love to my military family (active duty, retired, and deceased). You are always in my prayers and I so respect what you do for me and our country.

THANK YOU!

Ads I found interesting or liked....

I am going to make a better effort to start posting the types of advertisement I come across and like. Like from primarily the consumer perspective, but sometimes there may be a little marketing commentary thrown in for good measure.

Here are a couple I came across recently:

When I saw the short version (:30) I didn't care for the ad and thought the copy was incomplete and out of place. Evidently I needed the long version (:60) or simply to see the ad twice to better understand it. Once I did, I thought the concept (maybe not the execution - styling of the eras could have been better as it led to some of my confusion) of the main character walking through time to 1862 was interesting.

Bacardi Rum - Daylight (Agency: Y&R New York)

Here is another ad. This once just gave me a chuckle and that is always a good thing.

Captain Morgan Rum - Captain Icebreaker (Agency: Grey Worldwide)

Thanks to @adland for the links that brought these to my attention via Twitter.

A Change in Guard: it's not always a bad thing

As you may or may not know, it was announced a couple of days ago that Publicis picked up the Corona Light account. I'm excited for the agency as Corona Light is it's opportunity to reenter the beer category. One AdvertisingAge article I read about the account move was similar to others; however, the comments to the article also caught my attention.

The first comment was promoting a 16 year-old campaign for another beer.
The second comment focused on the article and the good that could come from the change.
The third and fourth comments both couldn't understand why the change was needed.

It were these last two comments that encourage me to write a comment of my own. Here is what it said:

There is more than one way demonstrate the perks of a light beer and definitely more than one scene to place Corona Light in. The change in agency is the brand taking an optimistic stance on how far Corona Light can go. Thinking the brand's continued growth is directly correlated to keeping along the same path of the prior agency's work is, in my opinion, a leap in logic. Corona Light has a higher possibility to grow, if it breaks away and stands out on its own. It is more difficult to do so under the shadow of the historically more prominent (by revenue and recognition) brand - Corona Extra.

Do you agree or disagree? Let's start a conversation.

ADCOLOR Awards 2009

I want my company to sponsor my attendance at the ADCOLOR Awards. Is it too early to start planning...especially when you don't have a job? Guess that means I had better get on it!

2009 ADCOLOR® Awards in Phoenix, Arizona on October 4, 2009

Long Live Direct Marketing

Just yesterday someone said direct marketing isn't very interesting and nothing is really happening. Well, I disagree. Direct Marketing will always be around, but like all media channels it will have to reinvent itself or evolve to continually engage the consumer. What are your thoughts?

I've also attached an article that may spark some comments as well.

DMA: 'We Are All Direct Marketers Now'
(a subscription may be needed to access)

what the freakin' fly?

Don't have much to say other than...."what the freakin' fly?" No really. I read an article today about Campbell's Swanson broth advertisement in a LGBT magazine that the American Family Association (AFA) has taken issue against.


My question is why? Why does the AFA believe Campbell's is "pushing the gay agenda?" Do they believe the soup manufacturer now wants to convince people to change their chosen lifestyle?

Note: The above is a rhetorical question. However, I would be interested in knowing your opinion on advertisements such as Campbell's, which is targeted to a certain audience based on media channel and creative execution. Do you believe it's offensive? Why or why not?

Top 10 TV Ads

Top 10 TV Ads - Time Magazine

A flawless campaign...brands should take note

Out of the seven elected presidents during my life time so far, I am old enough to remember all of the campaigns beginning with Reagan's first election. You have to admit no matter what your political beliefs may be, Obama has been running a rather impressive & progressive campaign.

Most recently Obama can even be found campaigning on Xbox 360.
Is Obama's campaign persuasive enough to influence the vote? Well at least one person thinks so...

"The Obama campaign is just incredible… Who would have thought of this? I am a registered Republican BUT what the heck… I’ll vote for Obama. If he runs the country the way he’s run his campaign, things will only get better." - Terry Andersen, posted on Gigaom

Great Idea!

Some people think watching grass grow has no merits. Others see it as pre-game entertainment.


As found on Creativity....Note: The ECD is a VCU Brandcenter Alum.

While you wait for next week's Monday Night Football, watch the grass grow.

With an enclosed sponge, grass seed packet and paper cut-out ref, goal posts and football, Monday Night Football fans get grow-it-yourself mini-fields for their desks.

Full Credits

Client: ESPN
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, New York
Executive Creative Director: Kevin Proudfoot,
Todd Waterbury
Creative Director: Derek Barnes,
John Parker
Copywriter: Eric Steele
Art Director: Stuart Jennings
Print Producer: Paul Rattoballi,
Stacey Moorehead

I don't get it....

I watched the new spot for Microsoft and just don't get it. Other than the last fraction of a second at the end the spot doesn't mention, reference or have anything to do with the brand. If it weren't for Bill Gates, I wouldn't have any made the assumption that Microsoft had anything to do with the spot.

If the strategy is to keep people guessing, confused or puzzled, it was right on target. If the strategy was anything but that....I need a little help figuring it out.

Does anyone know if there are other ads that will complement this one to make it all understandable?

A Twist on Education...

Now that I have finally gotten my laptop back, I am taking the time to catch up on emails specifically from the ad trades. I had been saving the Ad Council Creative emails since the beginning of the year because I really wanted to take the time and absorb the content. As time permits, I will share with you my thoughts on the various campaigns I come across. So this will be the first of many.





I like the concept of the campaign as well as the "Tough" and "Foreign Languages" executions. "Algebra II" was humorous, but seemed to confirm a kid's fear that the topic is too hard. So I saw the intent of the commercial and the message communicated in conflict. "Biology" made me focus more on the twins' costumes and distracting echoing voices than the message.

To learn more about the campaign concept, watch the interview with Eric Cosper, Shawn Gauthier and James Rothwell of Publicis New York.

Dunkin' Gets Dunked

This is one of those things I just do not understand the importance of. Call it ignorance, naivete, or whatever, but why should a company have to pull an advertisement because of a piece of clothing worn by the spokesperson?

Per Advertising Age, Dunkin' Donuts has decided to pull its online ad with Rachel Ray wearing a scarf that left-wing conservatives say symbolize the Arab men associated with the jihad. Granted I believe the scarf is a hideous accessory, but saying it promotes a warfare? That's a little too much. What do you think?

PS...as a sidebar: Just came back from a trip to Barcelona (or Bar-tha-lohna) where Dunkin' Donuts goes by Dunkin' Coffee. I always find it interesting to learn of company or brand name changes because of the country or culture.

It's all about the Benjamins...Baby!

Nothing should be surprising in the world of marketing, yet it still is. While doing my daily Googling I came across a wedding blog sponsored by Matrimony, Inc.

http://www.matrimonyinc.com/blog/?p=269

Nail polish that is used specifically for when a person gets engaged up through the wedding date. I know you want to show off the ring and all, but really...do you need event specific nail polish to do it?

CreateAthon: 31 Hrs Without Sleep & Loved It!

It was one heck of a ride participating in the first ever CreateAthon onCampus event with fellow Brandcenter students & VCU Mass Communication undergrad students.

WHAT IT IS
CreateAthon onCampus (CoC) is a unique opportunity for students to put their skills and talents to use helping local nonprofit organizations. In a 24-hour, work-around the clock creative blitz, students generate advertising services for local nonprofits that have little or no marketing budget.

CoC is an expansion of CreateAthon, a nationwide 24-hour, work-around the clock creative blitz begun in 1998 by RIGGS Advertising in Columbia, SC. As of 2007, CreateAthon has benefited 1,008 nonprofit organizations with 2,143 projects valued at $8.4 million.

MY TEAM
Alexis B. - Brandcenter Communications Strategist
Ted S. - VCU MassComm undergrad
Nick W. - VCU MassComm undergrad

MY CLIENT
Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE)

MY OBJECTIVE
Develop a brand identity

MY TASK
Re-brand the organization and provide a positioning statement and tagline
Design a new logo, business cards, letterhead, and newsletter template
Write a donation request letter

CLIENT RESPONSE
Clients were extremely pleased that we captured the essence of the brand with our brand platform and branding materials that will help create a buzz and expand awareness within the community.

WHAT'S NEXT
The client now has time to review the materials and will let us know any changes that need to be made. On April 18th, there will be a wrap up event that will showcase all the work of all teams and present the final printed materials to the non-profit organizations. Not to keep you waiting, but I'll unveil my team's designs and branding efforts at that time.

For recap of the entire event and pictures, go to VCU CreateAthon onCampus blog.