Facebook blows technicolor chunks. Let's count off a few of the leading reasons for the giant suck. Facebook lies about its traffic, inflating their numbers by 900% in some cases. Facebook allows politicians (and Russian agents) to run paid lies on its platform. Facebook is the world's largest excuses factory. The San Jose Mercury News has a good overview of the legal case against Facebook that was …
In the Hospitality Business, The Personal Is Increasingly Political
A chain of high-end boutique hotels with locations in Portland, Seattle, Palm Springs, New Orleans, Boston, and other American cities is facing increased consumer scrutiny for one reason and one reason only. “Anyone who cares about America should not do any business or stay at any of Gordon Sondland’s hotels,” U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer said. “Not until he fulfills his duty as a citizen to testify and …
Continue Reading about In the Hospitality Business, The Personal Is Increasingly Political →
Dick’s Sporting Goods Destroyed Its Inventory of AR-15s
Assault weapons are for soldiers. This is not another decision being handed down by a hapless and corrupt government. And it's not a debate. It's action being taken by conscious CEOs like Ed Stack of Dick's Sporting Goods. According to the local CBS station in Pittsburgh, it was just after the Sandy Hook attack that Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Ed Stack made the decision to pull AR-15 assault rifles off the …
Continue Reading about Dick’s Sporting Goods Destroyed Its Inventory of AR-15s →
Houston Rockets GM Tweets His Support for Student Protestors in Hong Kong (BIG MISTAKE)
According to Foreign Policy, "an American business with a global footprint, one that prides itself on supporting freedom of speech in America, recently became an arm of Chinese censorship." Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, tweeted his way into a shitstorm—by supporting democracy. Morey has since deleted the Tweet proclaiming to “stand with Hong Kong,” which prompted a massive assault …
Sports Illustrated Not Going to the Bloggers
Meredith Corporation unloaded Sports Illustrated for a mere $110 million last May. Marketing and brand development company Authentic Brands Group was the buyer. Authentic Brands, which owns licensing rights to companies like Juicy Couture and celebrities like Muhammad Ali, has zero experience running a media company. Given their need for help, the new owner of this classic title inked a deal with Maven in …
Continue Reading about Sports Illustrated Not Going to the Bloggers →
The Glenlivet Introduces Scotch-Infused Edibles at London Cocktail Week
Edibles. They're not just for stoners anymore. Thanks to this new product innovation from The Glenlivet, whisky drinkers are now able to nibble their way toward a more blissful state. https://youtu.be/fQHC9FrDUuI Described as a first of its kind for a spirit brand, the edible capsules are 23ml in size, fully biodegradable and provide the “perfect flavour-explosion” experience. Miriam Eceolaza, director of …
Continue Reading about The Glenlivet Introduces Scotch-Infused Edibles at London Cocktail Week →
Democrats Need “A Competent Communications Strategist” (And A Kick in the Ass)
Jodi Jacobson is the editor-in-chief of Rewire.News. She has some advice for the Democratic Party. Message to @HouseDemocrats & @SenateDems: Please get a competent communications strategist. You have before you the SIMPLEST to explain of innumerable crimes committed by this president & this administration and yet STILL you are screwing it up. It is astounding. Some tips: — Jodi Jacobson …
“We Speak Fleet” Is Circle K’s Way to the Weekday Warrior
I like to see business-to-business advertising that appeals to the person who will make the purchasing decision in decidedly human ways. Humor, for instance, is an underused approach in B2B. Circle K is helping to change the score with this campaign from Taylor, Nick Spooner director and Brooklyn-based production company. “My main marching orders were to make standout spots that were funny and …
Continue Reading about “We Speak Fleet” Is Circle K’s Way to the Weekday Warrior →
This Is Definitive Lipstick on the Pig
Yesterday, I published an article on LinkedIn called, "The Pursuit of Brand Truth Is The Real Work of Advertising Professionals." This is how the article starts: Advertisers want to place their products and services in the best possible light. It's a natural desire and a legitimate business concept. The problems start when brand managers think that "the best possible light" has anything at all to do with …
Continue Reading about This Is Definitive Lipstick on the Pig →
This Land Is for Johnnie Walker Drinkers
Where do brands fit into the larger cultural landscape today? It's a question that some brand managers and ad agency partners would rather not answer. At the other end of the pole, there is Diageo's Johnnie Walker, which has a definitive answer to the non-rhetorical question. Let's watch and listen... https://youtu.be/xlrtPtxIB5k The spot was created by Anomaly and directed by Chris Sargent of Anonymous …
Continue Reading about This Land Is for Johnnie Walker Drinkers →
