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February 29, 2008

Too Ann Quiet

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This ad is so subtle, it gets lost. Created by TDA Advertising & Design out of Boulder for Hillel Colorado, the ad promotes Holocaust Awareness Week and features a copy of The Diary of Anne Frank. Very small, at the bottom, it’s marked "Fiction." And there’s an equally tiny headline: "Millions of Americans don't believe there was a Holocaust."

It’s good stuff in an age of historical revisionism. But then again, it’s so quiet, it’s not really heard. Pity. Silence isn’t good in these types of matters.


Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:41 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 28, 2008

Just Peachy

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My feminist values tell me this is bad – proposing a woman’s skin is edible. But my ballsy marketing hat says “Whoa. This is an amazing example of outdoor marketing!”

BMF Sydney has created ‘Ella’, a giant, naked woman in the center of Sydney, whose skin is made up entirely of peaches (approximately 24,000). Now, I’m supposed to say something like, “Juicy,” huh?  In any event, it’s eye-catching.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 07:30 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 27, 2008

Wicked Marketing

 

I just plunked down a grand – yes, a grand – to buy 10 tickets for the show Wicked in Los Angeles. As I wracked my brain trying to think of a Wicked song (yes, yes, Western sky, etc.), I had to wonder if one show could truly be worth so much.

Apparently, marketers see a goldmine in theater. After all, you’ve corralled some of the wealthiest (or damn craziest) people into a confined space. According to USA Today, the following companies are already mining the stage community through a number of strategies:

  • Live commercials. Tourist group Visit London produced four-minute preshow skits for theaters in New York and Pittsburgh that encouraged people to visit the British capital. The payoff: Visit London promoted the participating theaters on its website.
  • Product integration. Sprint tied in with the off-Broadway production Burleigh Grime$, about scheming stockbrokers. In a barter deal, Sprint provided cellphones and PDAs as props, while one scene was rewritten to say "No e-mails on this one. Go Sprint-to-Sprint" instead of "Go cell-to-cell."
  • Jose Cuervo paid to have 2005's Broadway revival of Sweet Charity promote Gran Centenario tequila. Playwright Neil Simon approved a script change that has a character drink the tequila instead of scotch.
  • Theater naming rights. Snapple made its off-Broadway debut with the Snapple Theater Center in Times Square.
  • Special products. QVC created a Scoundrel Collection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.


Yeah, well I thought of a few more:

  • Put familiar ad characters in the script. Think about it, Apple’s “Mac and PC” could perform a Shakespearean duel.
  • Sell backs of seat space for corporate logo usage. Hey, my 10 tickets are for row “Z.”  I’ll be looking at a lot of seatbacks that night.
  • Texting. Have the audience text in their preferred endings…using their Sprint phones, of course.
  • Provide free reading material on the ladies’ bathroom line. Ever have to go during intermission? If you’re a woman, it’s torture. I think everyone “queing for the loo” would appreciate something to pass the time.
  • And at the end of the play, encourage theater goers to “visit our Web site” for more…


Bravo, huh?
 

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 07:13 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 26, 2008

Getting Smart About Communications

    I was in San Antonio for four days, attending the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)’s Leadership Institute.

IABC is a trade association of 14,000 communicators from around the globe. That’s a whole lot of communication going on!

One part of IABC that many communicators don’t know about is the Research Foundation (disclosure, I’m on the RF board). Working with academics, the RF publishes a number of important studies on communications efforts in small and large companies, ethics, generational differences in communications and an annual salary survey. It’s good stuff. Check out their Web site.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 01:29 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 22, 2008

Don't Just Read Something, Write It!

The latest report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project is called "A Portrait of Early Adopters: Why People First Went Online --and Why They Stayed.” It reveals some truths about Net users. They aren’t passive users anymore. They’re creators…like say, bloggers.  In the future, I predict (a la Warhol), everyone will own a blog. Here’s and exerpt.


 Our canvassing of longtime internet users shows that the things that first brought them online are still going strong on the internet today. Then, it was bulletin boards; now, it's social networking sites. Then, it was the adventure of exploring the new cyberworld; now, it's upgrading to broadband and wireless connections to explore even more aggressively. Yet there are changes in their activities and motives. In the early days, most internet users consumed material from websites. These days they are just as likely to produce material. One common refrain is that they think more change lies ahead and they are eager to watch and participate...

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:06 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 21, 2008

Subtle? Who Needs It?

absolut-ad.jpgOk, sometimes the Maven has to say, “What the hey is this?” These print ads for Absolut Vodka are supposed to promote all-natural ingredients and giving a hint to “natural childbirth.” Yeah, right.  And the Washington Monument doesn’t look like a you-know-what. Some things don’t hint. They’re just blatant.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:11 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 20, 2008

Jump In

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Anything you want, you can surmount it -- that's a good philosophy and the basis of this cool Web site from K-Swiss. Type in a phrase and watch the athlete jump over the letters. Simple fun. I said fun.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:48 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 19, 2008

Red is the Color of a Marketer

 

A long time ago, when I decided that mousey brown just wouldn’t cut it, I decided to change my hair color. Bombshell blonde?  Alluring brunette? Roaring redhead?

There simply wasn’t even any question. I’m not a blonde. I’m an anxiety-prone Jewess. That doesn’t exude the confidence needed to go blonde. Besides, just about everyone goes blonde at one point in their lives (I live in So Cal). I wasn’t everyone, and I certainly wasn’t blonde.

Brunette? Yeah, that’s fine. However, it’s not for me. Brunette can be completely boring unless highlighted by something else unusual. I didn’t have all that much unusual going for me (Star shaped pupils? Domineering personality? Eyelashes out to the heavens? Nah….)

So, the choice was red. Yesirree, I became a redhead long ago and never looked back. Red is the color of just enough difference to stand out … and isn’t that what good marketing is all about? It’s not Anna Nicole or Paris or Gwen. It says, “Look at me” but not “I’m weird” (as in green hair) or “I’m beggin’ for attention” (as in pink hair).” Nope, red asks for you to notice and then make a decision. It's different, but sensible a la the wonderful Brenda Starr.

So I decided that red is the color of a marketer. Agree?
 

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:51 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 15, 2008

I Vant to Be Alone

A while ago, I wrote that marketers shouldn’t be in cubicles because they need “thinking” time. Well, here are some good tips you can apply from Poynter about finding a place to write and think. They’re actually tips for journalists (above the food chain when compared to marketers, at least in the eyes of journalists). But, yes, we lowly marketers can benefit from them as well.

I don’t know about you, but my best ideas come from two “spaces” in my life: my early morning jog and my shower. If you get up at 5:45 and find yourself in Long Beach, you are welcome to join me on one of my jogs. We’ll “bstorm” on some good ideas. The shower, however, will always stay sacred “alone” time.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:48 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 14, 2008

Green is the Color of My True Love's Heart

If you ran out to Conroy’s this evening to order your true love a dozen red long-stems, this message is too late. But next year, don’t think red for Valentine’s Day. Think green.

Go to Local Harvest and check out the flowers and candies that didn’t have to ride fuel-guzzling jumbo jets to get to your sweet-heart’s door. Also, consider an e-card instead of that Hallmark extravaganza that felled a tree or two.

Want to do something fun for Valentine’s evening? Well, there are plenty of ways to “go natural” in this department. But if you need me to spell it out, you’re kind of hopeless case.

Happy Valentine’s everyone!

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 07:08 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 13, 2008

Unscrew You

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This is not a slogan for Barak Obama or Hillary Clinton, although it could be. It’s a pro bono campaign called "Unscrew America,” promoting replacing traditional light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones.

Apparently, If we all switch to CFLs and LEDs, it will have the same effect as taking millions of cars off the road. Except, I drive a Prius, so I’m above all that…

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 07:09 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 12, 2008

Want Fries With That?

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Boingboing reports that Men's Health has awarded the Outback Steakhouse with the Worst Food in America, for its "Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing."  A dish of this will yield 2,900 calories and 240 carbs. Blimey. That's enough to make any Sheila cringe.

 
Only trouble is, I was always under the belief that the worst menu item was the Outback's "bloomin' onion." So, if the frys trump the onion, guess you can always order the bloomin' thing as a side. Ha! Americans laugh in the face of obesity, indeed.


Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:42 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 11, 2008

Button Magic

newegg-not-largest.jpgInteresting article on Call to Action Buttons on the Get Elastic blog.

Which of the buttons do you think was most effective? My “gut” would go with first column, third button down. It’s red, big and says “cart,” not “bag.” (I don’t like the word bag, maybe it’s a personal thing or something.)

But alas, I was wrong. The one that worked the best was the yellow button in the last column. Ok, that makes sense, too. After all, red is the universal color for “stop,” so I’m less likely to “go” to the checkout if I see it.  Yellow grabs attention, but in a nice way. And I like the little graphic of a cart. So, now you know….

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:49 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

February 08, 2008

Ick Factor

gum_by_numberssmall.jpgI suppose that I am just too much of a mom to appreciate this bit of guerilla marketing from Oz. Hubba Bubba's campaign to "keep Australia beautiful" encourages people to do something nice with their used gum rather than just spit it out on the street. They have implemented this  poster campaign with "paint by numbers," asking chompers to stick their used globs on the painting instead.

Ick. Nuf said.


Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 04:51 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 07, 2008

Magic of Video, Indeed

knickerpicker.jpgThis entry is not meant to titillate (no pun in intended), but take a look at the use of video in displaying Knicker Picker’s products. It makes so much sense – you can see what the product truly looks like on a three-dimensional person (and, yes, the models aren’t bad looking…).

Of course, you can try video on something less interesting than bras and panties. For example, imagine how intriguing a video of a bunch of tractor models might be. On second thought, the underwear probably drives a bit more traffic.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:40 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 06, 2008

Sweet Wins

 Attention, American women... ankles are IT!

 Of course, I'm referring to the recent victories of my gal, Hillary C. Yeah, I'm fine with Barak if he takes it to Denver, but for right now, victory is cool.

 So, are big ankles in?   Just sayin', could be a trend!
 

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:37 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 05, 2008

All A-Twitter

Hillary gets my vote tomorrow. To me, she’s just the one I believe can lead best. 

evertheless, you have to give kudos to the Obama campaign for brilliant mobile marketing. The Obama campaign has taken the idea of mobile connectedness into the Twitter community. Twitter is mini-blogging that’s great for status updates. Check out the campaign’s Twitter profile. By signing up to "follow" Obama on Twitter, you receive SMS updates of the candidate’s whereabouts. It's a great way for supporters to feel like they’re in with the campaign.

So, may the best woman (or man) win tomorrow. I’m with either one in November. It’s exciting enough to be all-a-Twitter.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:17 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 04, 2008

In the Kitchen with Alice

I made a vegetable lasagne tonight. Now, the fact that I’ve cooked something actually does merit an entry on this blog for ‘tis an unusual event. More unusual was the fact that the recipe came from Alice Waters’ book, The Art of Simple Food.

For those of you who have never traveled to the Great State of Berkeley,  CA, Alice Waters is a chef credited with single-handedly creating a culinary revolution in the United States. She is the founder and co-owner of Chez Panisse, the original "California Cuisine" restaurant located in Berkeley. Waters champions fresh ingredient, local foods and lighter eating.

In fact, my lasagne was different in that it didn’t have that heavy, cheesy taste of most veggie lasagnas. It was light – and fresh, almost as Alice would have wanted it (I am slightly cooking impaired).

What a wonderful thing – to be the author of a revolution that is both good for people and good tasting. At the end of our lives, how many of us can say that – we did something great for people and we made them happy. Man, that’s the life!

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:50 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 01, 2008

Talk to the Doll?

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Yeah, yeah, yeah...we've heard the Seth Godin walking, talking "new marketing" guru preach about stuff like customer service, product developement, et. al. In fact, ad naseum.

 But I'm not 100% converted. Organizations that don't do enough self-promotion lose touch with the cutting edge. The "we don't need to do traditional marketing" approach is not only arrogant, it slows growth and makes the company stagnant.

 Imagine a company with great service, better products and a fast-forward messaging approach. Now, isn't that a whole lot better? Don't believe me? Well, you could talk to the doll...

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 04:30 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)


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