Around Valentines Day each year it seems everything turns a shade of pink and Apple is no exception. It was announced yesterday they will launch a pink iPod Nano in time for the 14th of February. It will cost the same as a normal Nano (£129) and is described as a “gorgeous” new shade, available on …

Brands becoming more than just a brand is nothing new. Lifestyle brands have been changing the way consumers interact with product for years. Technology brands are continuing the trend at a rapid pace. Apple is developing product after product to cater to fans and platform-switchers alike. Zune brought us The Social. Our tech gadgets are beginning to orchestrate our lifestyles, and many are becoming truly dependent on technology. Today, everywhere we look, we see tech gadgets and their advertising.
Apple certainly doesn’t need any help making their presence felt any more this week with the release of the Macbook Air and their banner ads that have been making a very large presence on many website front pages. But companies with as many fans as Apple has seems to attract attention no matter what they do. Browsing through Gizmodo this morning, I ran across a trailer for an actual documentary in production: MacHeads. It’s bizarre, fascinating, and almost frightening. But it shows what can happen with a brand becomes much more than just a name and logo. And how the consumer mind can react when brands begin to transcend traditional messaging. I’m definitely curious to see what comes of MacHeads, and what it might mean for Apple.

Technorati Tags: Apple, computer, documentary, movie, beyond madison avenue

By Ben Fritz January 22, 2008

Record revenue and profits and a very healthy first holiday for the iPhone weren’t enough to soothe Apple investors, as lower-than-expected guidance sent the computer and media device maker’s shares plunging 11% in after-hours trading Tuesday.Revenue rose 35% during the holiday quarter, the first on Apple’s fiscal calendar, to $9.6 billion. Net income rose 58% to $1.58 billion.Revenue growth was highest for the computer division, but iPod devices and services provided the majority of Apple’s coin — more than $5 billion during the quarter. IPod unit sales were up 5% to 22.1 million, but revenue rose 17% to almost $4 billion, indicating that consumers were buying more expensive models like the new iPod Touch.

Company sold 2.3 million iPhones, generating $241 million in revenue from unit sales and its cut of service fees from partner AT&T. Strong perf indicates that after a somewhat sluggish debut for the device, the $200 price cut this fall has paid off.

In the current quarter, Apple predicted revenue of $6.8 billion and earnings per diluted share of 94¢. That’s up significantly from $5.26 billion and 87¢ last year but well below the expectations investors had built into high-flying Apple shares.

Apple recently launched movie rentals from all the major Hollywood studios on iTunes, partly in hopes of boosting its underperforming Apple TV. Company hasn’t released sales data for the device, which brings iTunes content into the living room, but it’s not nearly as successful as the iPod or iPhone.

Apple stock fell 4% to $155.64 before earnings were announced.

Renault – Nissan will build the cars, Project Better Place of Palo Alto, Calif., will provide the lithium-ion batteries and will build the infrastructure, which may eventually consist of 500,000 charging points and up to 200 battery-exchange stations. The Israeli government has already drastically r…

Have you had a chance to dine on bison at Ted’s Montana Grill? I was in Omaha earlier this month, where I had the Kansas City Strip prepared medium. What an outstanding dish.

I liked the bison steak so much, in fact, I want to buy some of Ted’s National Bison Association-certified meats for preparation at home. And I’d like to send some bison steaks to friends and clients.

Here’s the free idea: An Omaha Steaks-like mail order business for bison (and grass fed beef, for that matter).

Presently, there are small operators that market bison and grass fed beef online and through the mail. What I’m suggesting here is taking this business to the next level by backing it with Ted’s branding and operational know-how.

When dogs eat well, they dream well.

Advertising Agency: TBWA\RAAD, Dubai, UAE
Creative Director: Nirmal Diwadkar
Art Directors: Sakib Afridi, Rishi Chanana, Amritraj Gupta
Copywriters: Sakib Afridi, Sandeep Fernandes
Additional credits: Mohammad Yahia
Published: January 2008

An AdFreak reader points us to this odd Election 2008-themed Budweiser ad, in which the “Lager Lessons” spokesman seems to offer a cryptic metaphor involving presidential candidates and beer. When it comes time to choose, he advises a young female voter, you don’t want anything too dark (or, as he more diplomatically puts it, too “heavy”), and you don’t want anything too light. You want something in the middle— i.e., Budweiser. The way it’s set up, you have to figure the dark, imported beer is a reference to Barack Obama (who isn’t technically an import, though his father was Kenyan). Which would make the light beer, perhaps, Hillary Clinton. It’s unclear who the Bud bottle is—some unsung candidate with a huge neck. By that point in the ad, though, the Lager Lessons guy is already backing away from his metaphor. He’s only talking about “flavor and refreshment,” he insists, adding: “What did you think I was talking about?”

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Jun Group Productions is helping CoverGirl launch an online show. It’ll be available on CoverGirl.com. This spot promises the show will divulge the secret of the hottest looks (flawless skin?) while lavishing audiences in the glamour of NYC.

Even though radio gets little to no editorial coverage here on Adrants or anywhere else for that matter unless you read FMQB, we like the medium.

In an effort to push Havaianas’ floral-print flip-flops, flower-bed installations were planted in locations where they were sold. They also served to remind people of Havaianas’ unique aesthetic of color, design, and the brand’s connection to nature and the outdoors.

Advertising Agency: BBDO New York, USA