MarCom Maven

Not So Pretty

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:04:54 +0000

Now I’m confused. Wouldn’t you think that car companies want to come out with something completely different when introducing a new hybrid? Yet, this shot (courtesy of Brendy Priddy) of the new Honda hybrid shows a car exactly like the Prius.

I’ve waxed prolific before on how much I love my “Pri.” Yet, the one thing I wish they would have improved on is the look. It looks like a big old bathtub to me. And now Honda has created a bathtub of its own.

Seems to me if I could design the coolest hybrid to hit town, I’d make it like one of those British sports cars from the 1960s. You know, the kind Austin Powers used to drive – but without the requirement of bad teeth for the driver.

Something Special

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:30:10 +0000

I am what you call a nervous flyer. Mind you, I’ve flown all over the world in some very dilapidated jets. I’ve had engines blow out, landing gear not deploy and something that was described as “a hydraulic problem.”

So, you can see why I’m always nervous when that big overblown aluminum can takes off.

A news story today makes me even jittery. It seems US Airways is pressuring pilots to use less fuel.

Huh? Since when is a full tank merely a suggestion? And what’s the matter with having a bit left over when you land? Can’t it be used for another flight?

Honestly, air travel is such a horrendous affair. Now, do they have to scare us with the thought of running out of gas? I pity the airline marketers. When they say “there’s something special in the air,” I think they’re now talking about a plane that just might make it to its destination.

Happy Birthday, "E"

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:54:01 +0000

In our family, we have good birthdays and “Eeyore birthdays.” In exactly two hours, it will be my birthday … and I can feel an Eeyore coming on.

These are not so good. With this birthday I feel a sense of having not accomplished what I should have in the previous year. I came sooo close to publishing my book, but now there is utter silence from my agent (cue the crickets). Other proposals seem to have been shelved as well. Drat.

OK, not to make this an entire pity party, I will try my best to put my b-day ‘tude on and get through the day. Besides, Cirque du Soleil just sent me a “Happy Birthday” email. Who could ask for much more?

Greetings from Walm Art

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:01:51 +0000

So what do you think of the re-branded Wal-Mart logo? Or is that just Walmart? The sunny thingy is kind of, well, bright.

But help me stop reading it as Walm-art. I'm just not sure what kind of art that is.

Zipping Around

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:51:38 +0000

Japan Smart has a very cute site inviting visitors to design their own Smart Cars (in very cute ways). Then you can drive the thing for a lot less cash than any car I know. Have fun with the game and think of all the energy you’ll save sitting in your chair while you do it.

Blog with the Olympians

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:37:25 +0000

Got Olympic fever? I know plenty of people who do ... even me. I keep watching clips of old gymnasts on Youtube (Nadia! Olga! Mary Lou! and of course Kerri-of-the-Tiny-Voice!). Check out this site from Lenovo that features Olympians blogging. Too cool.

I may be out of commission for a few days. Going to Washington, DC ... future home of Barack.

Tall Tales

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:26:22 +0000

My family and I are weighing an interesting problem. The doctors say my 11-year-old four foot three inch daughter MUST go on growth hormones immediately if she wants to reach at least five feet at adulthood.

“Tall is important,” says the doctor, who is all of about five foot four himself.

So, what’s the difference between four foot eleven (her predicted height) and five feet, possibly five feet two (her hormone-enhanced height)? Either way, she’s no Giselle Bunchen.

My daughter’s skittish about shots. I’m skittish about pumping a healthy kid with hormones. What to do? Give into some ideal she’ll never reach or just let a short kid be a short adult?

Perhaps that Dove “Real Beauty” campaign was right. Standards of beauty are just too unattainable to really care about.

Down in the Slumps

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:51:13 +0000

I’m sorry, but I haven’t been in a marketing mindset for the past week. First, there was the trip to New York and a whole lot of restaurants (NY always makes me hungry). Then, there was the eye surgery which knocked me out (isn’t it weird to forget a full day??). And now there’s the slump. I just don’t feel so inspired right now.

I figure these are the options for overcoming slump:

Grind it out – Just do it, work through it and carry on.
Do something totally different – Go left instead of right. Be a fire-starter.
Look for the muse – A good run in the morning usually clears my head, although it hasn’t lately (dang that anesthesia)
Write something – I’m still trying to be sanguine about my fiction writing, although that’s a big slumpy, too
Fuhgetaboutit – Figure that sooner or later I’ll get that bonk on the head and be back to normal

Any ideas? How do you unslump yourself?

Shaaa-ron, There's a Bleedin' Politician on the Telly

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:49:34 +0000

MTV Networks will now take political ads. Well, there are some restrictions. They’ll only accept ads from political candidates and party political committees, not from third parties.

Even during the presidential primaries, MTV had refused all political ads. But things have changed. And yup, this certainly benefits Obama. Come on now, can you even conceive of the McCain team coming up with anything youth-invigorating? It might – oh heaven forbid – force the candidate to work weekends.

Good for MTV to allow some political marketing. Should get very interesting…

Fountain of Information

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:47:43 +0000

There are so many things in life that I still want – good health for my family, happy children, a published book (note to my agent) and oh yes, a new president not like the old one.

But the one thing I never wanted, coveted or even considered was a fountain. Yes, a fountain. So, when Lamps Plus sent me an email today announcing a sale on fountains, I had to laugh. Who the heck runs a fountain in their back yard? Isn’t that kind of anti-ecological, anyway?

Seems to me if you’re going to send out a mass email, you kind of want to focus on products that are in peoples’ realm of, “Ooooh, I want that.” I looked at the fountains and just thought, hmm, guess those lamps aren’t moving much at Lamps Plus.

Floor It!

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:14:33 +0000

Obviously, these folks didn’t hear about Al Gore III busting up the road at 100 mph in his Prius earlier this year. However, this campaign is cute.

To announce that "Ryska Posten" delivery services has changed cars to a hybrid Toyota fleet, they attached hamster photos to the hubcaps. When the car moves the hamster stays 'running' at the bottom of the wheel. Cool, but come on, I drive a Prius and I’m no lil’ ol’ lady from Pasadena.

A Comment on Comments

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:30:30 +0000

Is there an art to commenting on someone else's blog? Why yes, excellent question!

First, ask yourself why you're commenting. Are you trying to raise your own visibility, get others to know your expertise or simply make a connection? All of these are good reasons for commenting on a blog, but you need a plan of attack. Most importantly, you want the blogger to answer back so you can begin a true conversation.

For example, here's how to show your expertise (with grace):

Your post reminds me of what _______wrote. You may want to check out her article at (provide Web site). She argues ________; if you haven’t already read her, you may find it interesting. I'm eager to hear what you think.

This type of comment could be a triple header for you. First, you compliment the blogger (always a good idea). Then, you provide some potentially new material for the blogger to explore (note the “if you haven’t already read,” which is important because it does not assume the blogger doesn’t already know this information). And finally, you ask for a continuation of the conversation. Cool, huh?

Yup, there is an art to commenting!

Coulda Put Yer Eye Out

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:22:30 +0000

How we got to be here today is a miracle. This site on 80s toys that probably should have killed you is pretty funny. The pogo ball was pretty strange – and dangerous. Suffice it to say, it was unmarketable. There were very few kids who could actually master the contraption.

I don’t know about you, but I still marvel at the fact that most of us 70s kids survived “klackers” with our eyes intact. Remember those things – big marbles that you clanged together on flimsy strings? Yikes.

Happy Birthday, Shira

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:35:13 +0000

Eleven years ago, at exactly 3:35 p.m., my daughter, Shira was born. I know it was 3:35 because at 3:30 my mother -in-law called to ask if I was "done yet."

We named her "Shira," Hebrew for song, so that she would be upbeat and happy the rest of her life. And so far, it's worked. Shira is my Tigger (see below). She's bouncy fun and rarely lets "the bad stuff" (as she puts it) get her down.

Tomorrow, more on marketing. But today, happy birthday, Shira. Keep singing your happy song. It's too cool for words.

Bouncy Fun

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:31:37 +0000

Would you rather be a Tigger or an Eeyore? Chances are you’d like to be a Tigger – a bouncy, bouncy one.

Maybe that’s why I bought my kids a trampoline. It’s “bouncy bouncy fun,” as Tigger might say. (Of course I got the protective net so don’t freak.)

What’s cooler about trampolines, though, is that they’re great for meditating. I’m not one for standing still, so don’t tell me to chant in a corner to open my mind. I used to go for a jog, which was fine until I found the bouncer.

Jumping up and down on a trampoline must release endorphins because it makes me feel giddy. I also tend to think more creatively. Maybe there’s something here.
I looked up “benefits of trampolines” and found that they are good for the old CV system and help posture and lung capacity. What’s more, the G force exerted is supposed to release toxins.

Whoopeee! OK, marketers, get creative and bounce. I wish I could “do” Tigger’s laugh as a close. It’s so much better than Eeyore’s groan.