Sun Times advertising columnist, Lewis Lazare, tends to see the industry he's charged with covering on a daily basis, as one full of posers and hacks. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Lazare finds Steve Karmen's new book a good read. In his colum today, Lazare writes, "Karmen had us in his grip right from his book's blunt introduction, when he admits he was stunned to find everyone he interviewed almost …
Madison Road Strikes Back
Adweek reports that entertainment marketing firm Madison Road, which was sued last week by Mark Burnett Productions for allegedly misrepresenting its relationship with Burnett to clients, has countersued Burnett for $40 million for defamation and trade libel. The suit, filed in Superior Court in Santa Monica, Calif., charges that after Burnett's success with placements in the second season of The Apprentice, the …
Doctor Tom Seeks Remedy
from New York Times: A resolution asking the National Collegiate Athletic Association to end alcohol advertising on radio and television broadcasts during college athletic events will be introduced today in the House of Representatives. Representative Tom Osborne, Republican of Nebraska, the former football coach at the University of Nebraska, is the author of the resolution. He introduced a similar one last year, …
Recycled Chewing Gum
CNN reports that The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is bringing back their iconic Doublemint twins. The move is the company's biggest investment in its Spearmint and Doublemint brands since they were introduced in 1893 and 1914, respectively. Wrigley's longtime agency, BBDO Chicago, has penned a new jingle to support the campaign. We're Back Jingle We're the Doublemint Twins And we're back to say You didn't double your …
Forbes Digs Up Some Poop
Forbes is running a feature on the top corporate hate sites. "To honor these quixotic champions, we spent hours trawling the Web looking for the very best corporate hate sites." I must say, this seems an odd thing to do for a magazine which regularly covers these very corporations in a positive light. At any rate, here's the …
Trade Group Transparency
from New York Times: The trade organization for the liquor industry is for the first time offering the public a look behind the scenes at how it handles complaints about advertising, like the one for a vodka that declared, "Remember: Tonight is only a success if it ends with breakfast." Three Olives Cherry Vodka giving 'em something to complain about. The organization, known as the Distilled Spirits Council of the …
Um…You’re Fired
from New York Post: Reality TV kingpin, Mark Burnett, claims a Hollywood product placement firm lied to him and the makers of Crest toothpaste, Levi's and Mars candy bars to get their products onto "The Apprentice" …
Luddites Won’t Be Reading This
AdAge is running a "Special Report" on marketing to Luddites. The report seeks to prove that Luddites are not only found among the old and poor. Nearly half of cellphone-less adults are age 18 to 44, and one-fifth of Net-less adults have household income of at least $50,000, according to NOP World's Roper Reports. 28% of American adults -- 60 million people -- have no wireless phone, while 21% -- 45 million people -- …
