Cities are encouraging citizens to drive hybrid vehicles with offers of free parking. Thus far, Bekeley, Los Angeles, San Jose, New Haven and Albuquerque are offering such perks. According to WTNH, New Haven's Mayor said, "This isn't about parking, it's about public health. Eighteen percent of our kids suffer from asthma, and statewide the number is 10%. This ordinance sends a powerful message to not only New Haven …
Will The MBA Babble Never Cease?
Ad Age is running a piece on Speedo's new campaign. Stephanie Thompson, the Ad Age writer uses the term "banana hammock" to describe Speedo's product. And while there is humor in that, how do you explain the following client gibberish about the brand's line extension? “We want to layer the cool factor over [Speedo’s] more rational equities,” said Craig Brommers, VP-marketing for Speedo. The reasoning is clear: While …
AT&T’s Outdoor Smarter Than Web Site
AT&T says it brings its customers "Blogging" in a current outdoor execution. But this Flickr user says otherwise, and here's his proof: [via Adrants] …
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Let Your Brand Flag Fly
If you're a forum user with a passion for a certain brand, UserBars.com might be able to hook you up. [via Adverlab] …
People Don’t Talk Like That
Stiff formality: Another press release no-no. "We're delighted to be expanding our presence at Sundance, as we know that the Stella Artois drinker is one who appreciates creative risk-taking, diversity, and aesthetic innovation characteristic of the films debuted at the Festival," said Victor Melendez, director of marketing of European Brands, InBev USA. …
Search Morphs
NYT: Google said yesterday that it would spend up to $1.24 billion to buy dMarc Broadcasting, whose software can allow marketers to send advertisements directly to local radio stations. It is the most tangible indication yet of Google's stated ambition to extend its Web-based network, which sells advertisements on thousands of online sites, to other forms of media as well. Google agreed to pay $102 million in cash …
Getting The Choir To Sing
Digital and direct marketing powerhouse, Digitas, recently conducted a study of online behavior. Marianne Oglo posted some of the findings on Digital Hive, the blog from the agency's brand planning department. One of the more polarizing observations gleaned from our mini-ethnographies involves consumers perceptions of blogs. We witnessed a pervasive “blogs are for liberals” attitude among consumers residing in …
Hecho En Mexico
Cultural anthropologist, Grant McCracken, on Hispanic American's preference for Coca-Cola made in Mexico: You might think that The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) would embrace this development. After all, Classic sales are down %10 (since 2000) and the TCCC's share of the industry is at an eight-year low. Consumers are so passionate about "hecho en Mexico" Coke that they are prepared to pay a premium, as much as $.25 a …