The New York Times: To reintroduce a struggling brand, the Campbell Soup Company is giving consumers a song and dance - literally. A campaign that began this week for the Campbell's Select line of higher-priced soups features the actor John Lithgow singing and dancing in commercials that offer humorous tributes to the brand. The campaign, carrying the theme "Why settle when you can Select," is being created by BBDO …
“We Goin’ To Sizzler, We Goin’ To Sizzler…”
The Los Angeles Times reports today on Sizzler's attempts to make a comeback in the minds of consumers. Every change has been focus-grouped to within an inch of its life. And scarcely for nought: When the company brightened the color scheme and decor of a prototype restaurant outside Sacramento, visitors remarked on the sudden improvement in the food, which actually had been upgraded the year before. Sizzler's …
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New Beetle Vs. Banana Hammock
VW is going with a decidedly retro/dayglo/superhero pitch to sell the new Beetle. Here's some "Force of Good" copy from a print execution: Who will champion snooze buttons, clouds that look like furry animals, and all-you-can-eat buffets? Who will step into the ring and become A Force of Good? The print and online components encourage interaction, as the user/consumer selects an everyday foe which will "do battle" …
Introducing Hard Core Casual Dining
Luxist: Hot on the heels of Hooters’ announced foray into the hotel and casino business, Larry Flynt, whose Hustler empire already includes casinos and retail outlets, has announced plans to move into the restaurant business. Hustler Bar & Grille, a casual themed restaurant with a menu featuring steaks, fish, rotisserie chicken, baby back pork ribs, specialty salads and wood-fired pizza and decor including Hustler …
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Dial Up Is A Dead End
USA Today: America Online is laying off more than 700 employees, mainly in call centers, as its base of dial-up subscribers continues to slump. AOL is closing its Orlando call center and laying off the 450 employees that work there, spokesman Nicholas Graham said Wednesday. It is also cutting positions in centers in Jacksonville, Fla., Tucson, and at its headquarters in Dulles, in northern Virginia. Graham attributed …
Mosslessness
Gawker takes a look at H&M's print work sans Kate Moss. As found in the latest issue of Paper, the interim ad in all of its empty, purple glory. It’s amazing how they perfectly articulated that “fuck, Kate’s on coke and we gotta pull her at the last minute” sensibility. …
Please No Nintendo At The Counter
The New York Times: Nintendo of America will offer free wireless Internet access for its Nintendo DS portable game system at McDonald's restaurants. Customers will be able to play select DS games with other players around the world. McDonald's offers wireless Internet, or Wi-Fi, access to laptop users for a fee in 6,000 restaurants nationwide, but the free Nintendo arrangement will permit the DS machines to play …
Online Ad Sales Red Hot
USA Today: Internet giant Yahoo — locked in battle with Google and Microsoft over who will dominate the Web — said Tuesday that the red-hot online advertising market helped boost its quarterly revenue 47% over last year. "The results highlight the power of our brand," Yahoo CEO Terry Semel said in a conference call with analysts. The company reported earnings of $253.8 million, or 17 cents a share, on revenue of …