Tim Nudd of Adfreak points to Zippo's response to a recent ruling by the Transportation Security Administration banning lighters from commercial flights, including checked luggage. "We strongly oppose the interpretation by the Department of Transportation (DOT) that prohibits packing lighters in checked luggage. In testing performed by Zippo engineers, as well as investigations done by the Lighter Association, Inc., …
“Don’t Be Blah” A Bit Blas
from New York Times: After 18 years, the National Pork Board is taking "the other white meat" in another direction. The organization, seeking to promote pork as a more contemporary choice at mealtime is tripling its advertising spending and playing down the theme it has used since 1987 of pork as "the other white meat." A multimedia campaign by the Richards Group in Dallas - hired last year to help increase pork …
AB IV Thinking About Getting His Drink On
from Ad Age: The president of beer giant Anheuser-Busch said at an industry conference the company has contemplated buying its way into the spirits business. In response to a question, August Busch IV said there has been a lot of internal dialogue about making an acquisition outside of beer. An executive who attended the conference said Mr. Busch did not identify any potential targets and that no deal is imminent. …
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Making Something Savory With Spam
We received an e-mail this moring from Rich Siegel, author of Tuesdays With Mantu, a "nonfictional work of fiction" that chronicles the e-mail correspondence between Siegel and the Nigerian spammers famous for promising millions of dollars to millions of Americans. "It isn …
The Punk Rock Of Product Placement
Former Talking Heads star David Byrne has a new book, available to people who stay in hotels and motels across America - for free. His tome, The New Sins, has been distributed to cheap roadside hotels, where it will be placed in bedside drawers next to Gideon's Bible. Byrne admits he was surprised how easy it was to get the book placed in hotel rooms. He says, "You just ask them. You don't ask them to pay for it. …
Sugar No Longer Sweet
from Brandweek: PepsiCo revealed today that the company has enacted self-imposed advertising restrictions "in response to rising levels of obesity in the U.S. and Europe." Among other moves, PepsiCo will no longer place advertising for its flagship cola brand in outlets that directly reach children under 12. The Purchase, N.Y.-based company has also placed limits on the portion sizes of products such as Doritos sold …
Free Don’t Come For Free
from Promo Magazine: Direct mail promising "free" products could be outlawed under radical new European Union legislation, according to wire service reports. The move, which follows intense lobbying by consumers' groups, is set to be confirmed by the European Parliament (EP) next month, after months of deliberation by Brussels officials. Most likely, the EP would establish a general prohibition within its Unfair …
Letting The Actors Act
from Lewis Lazare: A new campaign for Sierra Mist from BBDO/New York that broke Sunday night on the Academy Awards telecast is refreshingly different for several reasons. For one thing, the campaign employs a different approach, using an ensemble of sketch comedians in a series of improvised commercials that are positioned as "sitcommercials." And it's great to note the work is -- for the most part -- intelligent in …