Brands

Martha Stewart's handling of her prison term is working wonders for the Martha Stewart brand. Forbes reports that subscription renewals to her namesake magazine, Martha Stewart Living are 17% better than the magazine industry average. (thanks to Les at Trylon Communications for the tip) Kmart has also noted increased loyalty to the Martha Stewart brand sold in their retail locations. But my best source on this …

Continue Reading about Women Call Bullshit And Reach For Their Checkbooks To Support Martha →

Woodford Reserve, a super-premium small batch bourbon is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. According to Adweek, a new campaign from Arnold will tout this relationship. But what's more exciting is this spirit's bond with its best customers, a relationship fed by premium event marketing. The Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy For the third year in a row, we are excited to offer our friends the opportunity to …

Continue Reading about Kentucky’s Calling →

Have you seen the new Hummer ad where the mom drives her boy to his first day at his new school? Mom is worried, but the kid is not. He jumps out and casually walks past all the gawking students. He even manages a "Whazzup?" But the kids barely notice him. They are all drooling over his mom's truck. So, if you want your kid to be safeguarded from bullies drive a Hummer. It creates instant respect, or street cred, and …

Continue Reading about This Time Modernista Is Way Off The Mark →

from the Washington Post: Brandon Singleton was 8 when he first saw the movie "Clueless," and it changed his life. He was entranced by the paradise of teenage consumption that the 1995 film portrayed, a Hollywood world of valet parking and designer duds. So when he entered Suitland High School in Prince George's County four years ago, he was determined to make it his reality. Now 17, he wears Armani sunglasses inside …

Continue Reading about Today’s Teens Are Totally “Clueless” →

from USA TODAY: Billionaires Bill and Nancy Laurie angered University of Missouri fans, students and alumni by naming the new sports arena on campus after their daughter Paige, who did not attend Mizzou. The couple were given the naming rights after donating $25 million toward the $75 million athletic complex. Nancy Laurie is the daughter of the late Bud Walton, co-founder of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Then, last week, …

Continue Reading about Another Wal-Fart →

New York Daily News reports that German supermodel, Heidi Klum is McDonald's newest celebrity spokesperson. Klum joins Justin Timberlake and Beyonce as corporate mouthpieces for the fast-food giant. Klum is also the spokeswoman for Target stores and Birkenstock shoes. "Heidi is the best partner. She's a young mother and represents modern lifestyle," said McDonald's spokesman Alexander Schramm. Klum, who gave birth …

Continue Reading about I’ll Have Whatever Heidi’s Having →

"Candidly, our advertising has not been as consistently effective as it needs to be." -Chuck Fruit, Coca-Cola's Chief Marketing Officer Coca-Cola issued a manifesto for change earlier this month. Admitting that they have under-invested in some of their core brands, the soft drink giant is prepared to spend an additional $400 million on advertising in the coming year. "Through innovation, leadership and execution, …

Continue Reading about Once You’re The Real Thing It’s Hard To Pretend →

USA TODAY reports on the amazing turnaround engineered by internet search firm Jeeves. For its recent third quarter, Jeeves reported $75.7 million in revenue, up 178% from the same quarter a year ago, similar to Google's third-quarter results, which were up 105%, and Yahoo's 157% revenue growth. This is a case where better product, not better marketing, has paid dividends. Jeeves chose to invest $4 million in a tiny …

Continue Reading about Jeeves Finds Profits From Search →