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Posts Tagged “

Promotions

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marketing

Public Slogan-Writing Promo: What Could Go Wrong?

New York Life has a foolproof plan for its new online promotion: they let any member of the internet riff-raff go on their website and submit three-word slogans, which are displayed in the company's trademark blue box. Looks just like the real thing. I can see why they want some new ideas, considering what they have now. Jeez. [via Afreak]

12:47 PM on Fri Jul 18 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
1,788 views, 56 comments

Latest by The Fake Santa Claus: Sweet. I should make my own t-shirt, no way they'll choose mine. SEX FEELS GOOD KEEP ON LIVING NEW YORK LIFE more »

marketing

"Indie" Musicians Smile While Running Horrific Corporate Gauntlet

Dude, it is so refreshing to listen to "indie" musicians because "indie" musicians are "independent" from corporate control. Ha. We should pretty much eradicate the word "indie," which has become a total, depressing farce. In order to sell a single freaking song in today's environment, musicians must rush around bootlicking every monster corporation of any type willing to give away some airplay and free promotion. It's only a matter of time before Lockheed Martin is making bombs that play Pearl Jam songs on the way down. Witness what one single up-and-coming "indie" singer named Greg Laswell subjected himself to in the quest for publicity: More »

12:17 PM on Wed Jul 2 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
3,113 views, 67 comments

Latest by slimceagirl: @bunnywith: Yeah Bunnywith! I have ALWAYS wondered what's so bad about being able to freaking eat and live somewhere and be slightly healthy so that you can keep creating... People who cry "sell out" have NO idea what it's like to more »

uniqlo

The Future Of Advertising: 'Brand Presence,' Robot Dancing

Let's say up front that the super-prestigious Cannes advertising awards are, like most awards, a bit of a scam. They're a for-profit operation that charges ad agencies a lot of money to enter, and in return bestows something that the agencies can use in their own marketing materials. Plus they gave an award to those crazy sexist beer ads this year, so their judgment is obviously fallible. Still, the ad industry considers them a big deal, and they're a good guide to what's considered important in the field. So it was extremely groundbreaking when an online campaign (rather than a TV campaign) won the Titanium Grand Prix at Cannes this year. On the other hand, maybe it was just because people love Japanese dancers? More »

2:08 PM on Wed Jun 25 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
1,334 views, 9 comments

Latest by Hamilton Nolan: @parish: To be fair, when I put this up yesterday the Portfolio article didn't link to anything, because the link was broken. I switched out the link to Uniqlock now, thanks. more »

Worthwhile Gizmos Here's a useful thing: Mike's Hard Lemonade has a neato promotional toy on its website that will let you insert your own name and picture into a news clip, then send that clip to your boss as evidence of why you can't come in to work today. In unrelated news, Julia Allison won't make it to work today; she's been stuck on a spinning carnival ride! Watch this breaking news now! [via Adrants]

12 comments

marketing

Vanity Fair's Guide To The Summer

Vanity Fair is a national publication, but it's gone to a lot of trouble to market itself to the tastemakers of New York City. The magazine has produced a 40-page guide to the summer in NYC, with lists and quick critiques of everything from the best outdoor bars with roof decks to the hottest summer concerts. It's a smart (if labor-intensive) promotional move: making the in-crowd know you went to a lot of effort on their behalf. Populists that we are, we're bringing the entire document to the public—you can view the whole thing here. Below, a sample page of VF's editorial comments on summer bars: More »

3:13 PM on Wed Jun 4 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
5,292 views, 30 comments

Latest by n/a: @mississippigypsy: Of course. My bad. more »

advertising

Celebrity Supergroup Redeems Racist Taco Bell Ads

Taco Bell's Value Menu slogan is "Why Pay More?" But if a rapper were to say it, they would say, "Why Pay Mo'?" Because black people can't talk right, ha! Cannily tapping into urban culture, the fast food chain is running a "Why Pay Mo'?"online promotion, complete with a Rap Name Generator (mine is Super Fly H. Nach!). Taco Bell's beef tastes like dog food, and their ad agency is making them look like a bunch of tone-deaf racists. But I can almost forgive them for all that, because their site's "Why Pay Mo' Rhyme Generator" allowed me to create a hip hop supergroup featuring evil columnist Andrea Peyser, Spitzer hooker Ashley Alexandra Dupre, drunk Post editor Col Allan, and author of the year Keith Gessen, all kicking rhymes about the fat value menu. Action photos below!: More »

11:07 AM on Tue May 20 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,208 views, 34 comments

Latest by Hythloday: I told it I was a fattie and got "Momma 1/2lb. D." more »

obsessives

Disney Struggles To Appease Scary Adult Fans

To help promote the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, Disney launched a free "Virtual Magic Kingdom" website, where fans could make little avatars and walk around the virtual theme park doing little virtual activities. The VMK was originally scheduled to run for 18 months. But now, three years after it launched, the site is still going. Why? Because creepy Disney-obsessed adults who scare everyone have staked their claim to the site, and they're not about to let the company shut down this free temporary children's amusement. Their very identities depend upon it! The company says it makes no money on the site, and it needs to shutter it and move on. The fans say: we are creepy obsessed adults, and we are picketing your theme parks. As well as making slick protest websites, which showcase their virtual "Save VMK" protest videos. Like this one, in which a virtual boy in a feathered head dress persuades the multibillion-dollar corporation to listen to reason: More »

10:18 AM on Tue May 20 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,525 views, 31 comments

Latest by friendslikeJimRome: @FitnessMadeSimple: You say that like there is something wrong with fanny packs. more »

ripoff?

Did PepsiCo Steal Ad From Tumblr Blogger?

Is Tumblr now fertile ground for stealing ideas? Sierra Mist has a new ad—a cross promotion with The Office on NBC—showing a bunch of office workers flying toy helicopters around their workspace as Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" plays in the background. "Is your office this much fun?" the voice-over asks. The Sierra Mist spot is amazingly similar to a promo video that the young blog wizards at Tumblr released seven months ago. The same helicopters buzzing around the office; the same background music. Tumblr founder David Karp tells us he came up with the idea on a lark, to show off life in the office of the young company, and that the musical idea was "the result of being raised by a composer with an appreciation for theme music." He also tells us he wasn't contacted by Sierra Mist's ad agency before their ad went up. Scandal? We've emailed PepsiCo. for a response. It could be an uncredited rip off—or just a case of both being inspired by Apocalypse Now. Click to watch the clip above juxtaposing the two ads, and decide for yourself. [Full original Tumblr spot here. Full Sierra Mist ad here.]

4:28 PM on Mon May 19 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,673 views, 21 comments

Latest by VoxPopuli: I just hope this doesn't mess up Wagner's endorsement deal with Snapple. more »

advertising

Mentos Wants You To Smooch Your Computer. Literally

Mentos ads started out very friendly. "The freshmaker!" the man with the vaguely foreign accent would proclaim. They were cheesy and fun. Their newest project, though, is far, far, darker. We're not quite sure how it's supposed to make us feel, but we would describe the experience as awkward and terrifying. If you choose to visit MentosKissCam.com [via Adrants], be prepared for some virtual sexual harassment. More »

2:23 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,298 views, 29 comments

marketing

Starbucks Reaches Out To The Simple People

Are you the type of consumer who's always been interested in trying that "Starbucks" that you've heard so much about, but are intimidated by its mysterious ways? In other words, are you a half-bright mole person? Well the company has a new website just for you! "What the online experience does is mimic the experience [consumers] would have in the store, if they went to the barista and said, 'I want to try Starbucks, but I don't know where to start,'" says one exec [Ad Age]. With StarbucksCoffeeAtHome.com, all the frightening guesswork is taken out of the coffee-going experience. What's your "flavor profile?" More »

3:52 PM on Tue Apr 29 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
6,408 views, 53 comments

Latest by n/a: @Isabelle15: Shoulda punched her. Ppl like that need to remember that the world does not revolve around them and seeing stars can often help that. ;) more »

marketing

James Frey Is Trying Too Hard

If just buying James Frey's new novel isn't enough for you, you can purchase the "companion volume" called Wives, Wheels, and Weapons for just $150, hardcover. But it has a bunch of Terry Richardson photos of MILFs, gangsters, and rad cars. The three things that symbolize L.A.! I don't really understand the market for any of this. Particularly for Frey's heavy metal/ Hell's Angels book promotional tour, which gets a prize for Most Apparent Conscious Contrivance Of Coolness: More »

5:18 PM on Mon Apr 28 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,732 views, 33 comments

Latest by n/a: hee, the guy with the unreadable book that was a lie, who was bitch-slapped on afternoon tv in front of 30 million unemployed women, reads at slim's, the dentist-riding-a-harley club founded by bozz scaggs. while local metal bands play. i want more »

classic ads

The Pinnacle Of Sitcom Rap

From a long list of the most excruciating old school commercials that painfully integrated rapping comes this winner: The "Perfect Strangers" and "Head of the Class" hip hop promotional collaboration dance and musical extravaganza. I always thought Balki would make a promising rap star, and Larry, of course, is a great hype man. But spectacles like this surely prompted the sitcom stars of today to specifically write "No rapping promo appearances" language into their contracts. So many lost opportunities: More »

3:44 PM on Fri Apr 18 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,670 views, 50 comments

Latest by jasonelias: My favorite sitcom rap was when Sam Malone did it when he had the sportscasting job. Totally unexpected and hilarious. more »

magazines

Cosmo's Stupid Sexy Bikini Sex Record Sexy Stunt

Cosmo, the sassy, sexy source of sex secrets he's too scared to tell you, is going to an incredible amount of effort to promote its August issue: the magazine is trying to break the Guinness World Record for "most people photographed on a beach in a bikini." The old record? 1,010 girls on a beach in Australia, set last year by... Cosmo! Good to see they have a hobby. They need 1,200 "chicks 18-34" to show up on Miami's South Beach next Friday, so start hitchhiking now! You'll get a free Old Navy bikini, "style to depend on available quantity and selection." Unfortunately swimsuit photos appeal primarily to straight men, who don't buy Cosmo anyways, so this is all a big waste of time. After the jump, photos of the last record, which is still perfectly good and pointless if you ask us: More »

12:36 PM on Fri Apr 11 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
6,717 views, 45 comments

Latest by Lycosidae: @hamburgerhotdog: Tertiary record: world's largest unintended, recurring wedgie assemblage. more »

advertising

Texas Oddly Expects You To Visit

Houston: what's the point? The Texas city is most famous for the Bush family, big hair, and sippin on the sizzurp. At least that's the stereotype, and as a non-Houstonite, I don't care enough about the city to put in the effort to dispel that stereotype. But the city has anticipated this; they're rolling out an ad campaign designed to boost the city's reputation [NYT]. It's called "My Houston," and it features celebrities talking about what they like about the city. Unoriginal idea, Houston! Really now, are tourists going to flock to a hot, sprawling, asphalt-covered outpost in Texas just because racer A.J. Foyt fondly reminisces about speeding around its traffic-choked outer loop roads? In any major city, no matter how forlorn it is, you can find a handful of prominent citizens who will talk it up. They're called the rich. They'd get along pretty well anywhere—even Houston. Besides, why did the city go and spend a bunch of money on a new ad campaign when they could have just gone to YouTube and pulled off this perfectly adequate "Great Day Houston" rapping promo for free? More »

10:08 AM on Wed Apr 2 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
3,633 views, 129 comments

Latest by n/a: @gawkimo: A parking lot where the homeless dudes will spit on your windshields and wipe it off for a dollar! Fondest college memory: Being too drunk to take the West Campus bus home and calling a dormmate for a ride. She more »

whippersnappers

Josh Millrod Wants To Maniacally Work For YOU!

Does your company need a jolt? Have you frequently said to yourself, "We could get back on track if only we could find a young, overconfident marketing assistant who backs it all up with a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and Certificate in Journalism from Indiana University!" Well brother, I think I have just the young man for you. Didn't think you could find someone with all that and a history of performing "psychedelic folk with a twist of Indian classical" music? Meet Josh Millrod, your future entry-level employee extraordinaire! More »

2:49 PM on Wed Mar 26 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
3,271 views, 30 comments

Latest by famousauthor: Ronn Torrosiann would like to get in touch with him about the opening his firm has for human relations director. Please list his address, telephone number, Social Security number, and any odd credit card numbers you may have for more »

music

Scarlett Johansson Vs. Tom Waits

Uncut magazine in the UK got an advance listen to the new and unnecessary Scarlett Johansson album of Tom Waits cover songs, "Anywhere I Lay My Head." According to the scattered preview, ScarJo sounds at various times like Marianne Faithfull, Liz Frazer, Marilyn Monroe, and Joy Division [Uncut]. So there's that. They do point out the asinine spectacle of 24-year-old ScarJo crooning "I Don't Want To Grow Up." You're not, yet, so stop singing about it! The question about this album remains: why must it exist? Certainly not because the blonde it-girl actress is poised to improve on the music of Waits, America's coolest living man. Could it be...the promo photos? It must be the promo photos. After the jump, the plump-lipped ScarJo's recently released contemplative pictures for the album—she enjoys sitting and gazing into the distance, you'll see—along with some of Tom Waits, for comparison's sake. More »

9:29 AM on Tue Mar 25 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
12,346 views, 66 comments

Latest by n/a: @lionel-mandrake: Or her actual appeal? She's a blonde that isn't a complete idiot and isn't another bobble-head attached to a stick. She looks like a real woman and she isn't terribly upsetting, so that makes her threatening which therefore makes her more »

publicity

Strip Club Tour Is VERY INTERESTING To Journalists

A brilliant way to get reporters' attention: Invite them to a strip club. On assignment, of course! Unlikely crunk crossover rap group Three Six Mafia is promoting its new single with a "Strip Club Tour," and the media is encouraged to attend. "Please reply to this email by 3PM today (3/12/08) if your site has correspondents in the following markets and you would like to cover them at the strip club," says the pitch. Reporters across the South and Midwest are stumbling over each other to find the relevant angle on this one. On a professional level. After the jump, a full tour schedule, and a video of 3-6-M's new single "I'd Rather" Set to a montage of Eliot Spitzer photos. This may prove to be the most successful music marketing strategy of all time. More »

1:43 PM on Wed Mar 12 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,086 views, 21 comments

Latest by Reggie Cameron: @Hamilton Nolan: There is a vague possibility this is a relevant venue for a listening party. Ok I didn't even buy that. I've been to more titty bars than any heterosexual I've ever encountered. (All work related I assure you) I'd happily more »

marketing

The Black Lips Can't Afford Fliers

The great thing about the idea of "guerilla marketing" is that everything qualifies! Did you tell your friend a movie is good? Guerilla marketing. Put a sticker up? Guerilla marketing. Wear a certain kind of shoe? Total guerilla marketing. Now, it appears that the simple act of scrawling on posters on the street with a black marker qualifies as a sophisticated guerilla marketing campaign. The Black Lips probably paid thousands to an underground marketing firm so secret that you have to find its phone number written on the wall of the Alife bathroom to get this kind of street-level PR for their upcoming show. Or they just did it themselves when they were drunk one night. After the jump, photo evidence [via Copyranter] of this three-is-a-trend strategic marker-based promo campaign currently invading the streets of the East Village. (Ha, the "lips" thing is kinda clever though). More »

3:04 PM on Fri Mar 7 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
2,481 views, 28 comments

Latest by sidemouse: @soybomb: I've seen both bands - BL reminded me very much of the DM - but then again I was drunk. - and you have to admit the Black Lips guitarist could be Joe Jack Talcum's twin. my photos of both more »

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