from Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks will begin printing quotes from various contributors -- be they actors, economists, philosophers or kings -- on all of its coffee cups in North America, beginning early next year. The company said it hopes to generate discussions among its customers and baristas with the comment-bearing coffee cups. The mega-coffee retailer declined to specify the kinds of statements it …
Mehlman Puts Geopolitical “Red Vs. Blue State Thing” To Bed
"We did what Visa did," Ken Mehlman, Bush/Cheney's 2004 campaign manager said. "We acquired a lot of consumer data. What magazine do you subscribe to? Do you own a gun? How often do the folks go to church? Where do you send your kids to school? Are you married? Based on that, we were able to develop an exact kind of consumer model that corporate America does every day to predict how people vote - not based on where …
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Retail Cat Killers Take Teamwork Too Far
from Chicago Tribune: EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Two Wal-Mart employees who police say followed a manager's orders to shoot and kill a stray cat have been charged with federal animal cruelty. The men, both assistant managers at the Supercenter, were arrested and released after a court appearance Wednesday. Christopher Anderson, 29, and Jeffrey Hardin, 21, told police the store's manager ordered them to get rid of the animal …
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Mercury Rising On Strength Of Webisodes
from NY Times: If ads that chase consumers are achieving fewer results, the thinking goes, make the consumers come to the ads, particularly by infusing them with generous helpings of entertainment as would be found in television programs and movies or at concerts. In sponsoring "Meet the Lucky Ones," which unfolded over the course of five weekly episodes like a TV series, Mercury is following other marketers like …
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Promotional Game Offends Staten Islanders
from Chicago Tribune: Beverage-maker Snapple has apologized for a joke about Staten Island on its Web site, but the company's mea culpa didn't stop a lawmaker from the borough from holding his own miniature version of the Boston Tea Party on Wednesday. The tempest in an iced tea bottle was sparked by the Real Facts Game on the company's Web site, snapple.com, which asked: "What is the most recognized smell in the …
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“Corporate Raider” Holds His Holding Company
from Adweek: Groupe Bollore, the principal company of corporate raider Vincent Bollore, said it has used about 55 million Havas shares to borrow more than $270 million from an unnamed French financial firm, fueling speculation that Bollore will raise his 22 percent stake in the holding company. Paris-based Havas is the parent of the Arnold, Euro RSCG and Media Planning Group agency networks. Two key Havas …
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Fortune Gets Religion When It Comes To Blogs
from Fortune: Blogs are challenging the media and changing how people in advertising, marketing, and public relations do their jobs. A few companies like Microsoft are finding ways to work with the blogging world …
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Danny G. Doing Valuable Work
Cleveland copywriter, Danny G., is at it again in his latest piece for Talent Zoo. He offers the industry new terms for 2005, once more providing valuable direction served with scathing satire. My favorite two follow. Creative Diaper …
