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.

A must for tea drinkers

I'm addicted to YOGI tea - very fabulous and so many different kinds to enjoy!! I stopped buying other teas a long time ago.

My long-time favorite is the Egyptian Licorice Mint. Don't add a sweetener before you taste. You'll love it!

Do you think he should be charged?

Man Caught Making Coffee Naked in His Home Faces Indecent Exposure Charges

Simply put....we all better start closing our blinds!

Mascara: Fake or Real? Does it make a difference?

Every time I see a TV commercial for mascara I can't help but shake my head. If the product really works the way it says it does, why use models with fake lashes to get the point across?

What triggers you to buy a particular mascara? Does the use of fake lashes in ads sway you at all?

Here are a couple of comments I received on Facebook when I posted the question there.

"my brand loyality is to the old school maybelline mascara. years ago on a shoot a make up artist told me that's the best one and i've used it ever since. i will try other brands if given a freebie but honestly i agree that the maybelline is the best and i've noticed that most professional make up artists use it too. i have naturally long lashes so no the ads don't sway me at all. i like to use the mascara to enhance what i already have but i do have a lot of friends who spend BIG bucks on false lashes" - SS

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"No because I know they're fake. Its pretty much a brand thing for me. I like covergirl mascara because I like covergirl make up and Queen Latifah. :-D" - SL

Post a comment and tell me your thoughts?

Cheating with Social Networks

Wouldn't this leave a bigger trail than paper?

Married people are increasingly using social networking sites to cheat.

10 mind-blowing microsites - VW Polo and Golf - iMediaConnection.com

"Sometimes you just have to keep track of recognized work. Hence the blog post."

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I heart Brandcenter - The documentary

Two years ago I made a decision to return to school and earn a Masters in advertising specializing in Creative Brand Management. Now it is September 2009. I have my Masters and out of the blue I am reminded that I shall be a part of the Brandcenter's architectural documentary for as long as Clive Wilkinson and YouTube remain in the forefront of their industries. You can see me at the beginning and the end of the video attached below.

As one of my former classmates said, "I heart Brandcenter." :-D

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

Shark Tank Commentary

If you would like to see comments I posted to the Shark Tank discussion board click here.

Shark Tank - LOVE IT!

Watching Shark Tank on ABC. Love it! Gives viewers an idea of what they need to know when starting a new business, seeking loans or investors as well as shows different presentation styles.

Favorite Quote (aired August 23, 2009)
Kevin O'Leary: "sold my company for $3.2 Billion & it was all licenses"
Seller: "Did you say $3.2 with a 'b' ?"

New fav (aired August 23, 2009)
Kevin O'Leary: "You're dead to me, you're gone. I don't even know who you are...you're a vapor."

Let's hope none of us ever get on his bad side!

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Updated August 30, 2009: If you would like to see comments I posted to the Shark Tank discussion board click here. Then search for 1epiphanee.

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!

the Boyfriend - Mr. Laptop

I joke constantly about waking up with Mr. Laptop by my side, but evidently there are many others with romances of their own...

Read NY Times article

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.

How To Look Good Naked | myLifetime.com

While surfing the Internet for something to watch during a sleepless night, I decided to check out Army Wives a TV show my sister recommended, but while scrolling the list of all full episodes available online How To Look Good Naked | myLifetime.com won my attention. I watched the first episode from the first season (see below) and was amazed at how engaged I had become. "How To Look Good Naked" made me think of the Dove 'Real Beauty' campaign and how this TV program has simply taken that idea several steps further.

"How To Look Good Naked" selects women of all shapes and sizes not just those some may be perceived as overweight. This is GREAT for me as a person who could be perceived as underweight by societal standards. It brings home the fact that women of any size can have issues with their image by seeing things others don't.

No matter your size, shape or skin color it is important for you to learn to love yourself from the inside out. It is not the easiest thing to do. However when you do, it will illuminate through each and everything you wear....even if the only thing "on" is your skin.

Inspiration Comes From The Weirdest of Places

Today I read a MediaPost article on how social media can negatively impact small & medium businesses. Unfortunately, I felt the article was mediocre at best. Luckily, I did gain value from comments specifically the one written by Karen Renner. In summary, Ms. Renner questioned people's reluctance to communicate positive feedback as quickly as negative.

Ms. Renner has a point. I am definitely guilty of letting people know of a not-so-good situation with a brand. And although I do make a point of letting companies know the good and bad service an particular employee may have given, I rarely do the same with my social network. Therefore I have decided to change my way of doing things starting today. When a brand or company does something favorable for me, I will be certain to share it with my network, on- and off-line, because negative feedback should have all the glory.

A Positive Feedback Award goes to Layton Insurance LLC of Richmond, VA. I spoke with Ms. Summer Layton who answered each and every question I had (and there were many) with such grace and warmth. She looked up the answers that she did know off the top of her head and provided extra, valuable information so I could make the best decision for me as the consumer even if it meant she wouldn't get the sale. Ms. Layton even offered to pass on my information to a competitor insurance provider because she knew the other provider also did its best to give the most competitive rates available.

I will continue my hunt for the best insurance rate and to educate myself on the different type of policies out there. I will say GREAT customer service is something for which I am willing to pay a reasonable premium. However with Layton Insurance, it is offered free of charge AND the insurance rates quoted (home, landlord and auto policies) were the best I got so far!

Layton Insurance LLC

1308 W Main St
Richmond, VA 23220-4827

(804) 355-7444‎

Cold Feet

Early this week I was on twitter and came across a tweet from "Sandwiched" asking for LinkedIn help and talking about the agony of updating a resume. Sandwiched included a link to a blog post as well.

I read the post and realized cold feet was getting in the way of a great opportunity and decided to leave a comment to hopefully warm things up. Here is the advice I offered based on my own job hunting experiences:

Before you call: Look up the contact person and company on LinkedIn.com. See what you can learn about the person’s background that you could potentially comment on during future conversations. By searching for the company, you may be able to identify other people you could contact / get to know and it may give you a feel for your future co-workers.

Call! You have the inside scoop and should take advantage of it before someone else does it for you.

When you call introduce yourself, mention who referred you (if appropriate) and ask for more details regarding the position. Once you get the details (even if you think you know them), offer tidbits about your professional experience and skill sets that tailor fit to the roles & responsibilities provided in the details.

Close the deal by saying you would love to come in to put a face to a name and have a more detailed conversation on how you can add value.

Be prepared to send your resume before your in-person interview. If you call in the morning, let the person know you will send it to them later in the day when you have access to your files. This will give you time to finish updating it if not yet complete.

Would you do anything differently? If so, what?

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.

Seize the Day

I was never a big Michael Jackson fan. I remember being in elementary school and while my one sister had posters of MJ in her bedroom, I loved me some Prince. Even so, I am deeply saddened by Michael’s death. Michael is an icon of my youth similar to how the Jackson 5 was for my parents, who are between 6 and 10 years older than Michael. It brings to the forefront how life can vanish away unexpectedly at any age. It makes me acknowledge my own age and all that is still left to accomplish.

I pray for the Jackson family especially Michael’s children. I hope he planned for the unexpected so there will not be any bitter family feuds during a time they should be rejoicing his memory. In this time, all I can do is think “Seize the Day”. Yes, seize it while you still can.

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

American Mania: When More Is Not Enough

If you have about 25 minutes to spare, I recommend you watch/listen to the video below. The speaker shed some interesting facts on human behavior in a way that is easy to understand. One thing for certain is now I know WHY visualization is encouraged before doing something and I now know WHY I feel like I'm getting a cold many mornings when I wake up. Watch the video. You will probably learn something too.

Caption: Leading neuropsychiatrist Peter Whybrow, author of "American Mania: When More Is Not Enough," takes a neurobiological look at the instinctual and social behaviors that drive decision making.

Found at: www.The FrontierProject.com
Original Source: Unknown