With CP+B’s Help, Microsoft Plays To Its Masses

Dave Knox, a brand manager at P&G, says, “I think the ‘I’m a PC’ campaign is a brilliant move by Microsoft to shore up Middle America…The new Microsoft ads work because they focus on what brings us together instead of what sets us apart.”

That’s an interesting take, especially at a time when politicians are scrambling to do the same. Again, I’ll ask (rhetorically) why more political campaigns don’t employ general market agencies.

Minister Burnham questions need for further alcohol restrictions

MANCHESTER – Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has questioned the need for further restrictions on alcohol ads.

Sleep Standing Up – The Vertical Bed

(TrendHunter.com) Polyphasic sleep is the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period rather than laying down for 8 straight hours.

How do you practice polyphasic sleep patterns while you’re at work? You…

Adify Rocks MIXX With Party in Jay Z’s House

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After the MIXX Conference and MIXX Awards, Adify hosted a party at Jay Z’s 40/40 club which is a seriously cool place and rocked.

MindShare Paid For A Bunch Of BS

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Like we said yesterday, MindShare has released its new logo. Apparently, it was made with the the help of design agency, Moving Brands.

One UK agency leader told Brand Republic today that: “I am really struggling to see the point of this. If there were significant changes then you could justify the expense of commissioning the design agency, not to mention rolling out new stationery and office insignia around the world.”

In a press release issued from MindShare this morning:

“The symbol has been created to reflect the structure and form of Mindshare’s business. It shows two forms coming together to create a new, strong form reflecting Mindshare’s partnerships with clients, suppliers and other agencies.”

Did you get all that from the logo? Did Mindshare’s strong partnerships with all of their business partners translate? Sure. Sure they did.

“The flow of colour symbolises the flow of creativity across the business and the segmentation mirrors the bringing together of specialist expertise within Mindshare’s “open source” approach to client business which enhances a platform neutral approach.”

All the lingo… give it a rest. Now, you, dear reader, can’t see the flow of color because the image above is static, not animated, but if you must – go to the Mindshare site and watch their “open source” logo in action.

“When written in prose Mindshare no longer has the upper case “S” previously used – hence the company’s name will now be written Mindshare and not MindShare. In visual form on the printed page, this will represent the agency’s new simplified approach.”

Dear heavens MindShare, oops – Mindshare. You bought this hoopla off of Moving Brands? How much did it cost you? Quarter of a million? More? You’ve been had.

More: Carat’s Email Scandal Makes Us Want To Hurl

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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media

MIXX Conference Happens, Nissan Wins MIXX Best of Show

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On Monday and Tuesday during Advertising Week, the IAB held its MIXX Conference and Awards.

‘Broken Shadow’ Fashions – Helena Horstedt’s Latest for Fall 2008 (GALLERY)

(TrendHunter.com) The latest collection by Swedish designer Helena Hörstedt for Fall 2008, “Broken Shadow” takes basic black fabric to an epic level of structural fashion. The folds and pleats of the gorgeous handcrafted…

Using Cash To Find Quality

One of the reasons people enter consumer generated content contests is for the recognition. Now, thanks to a new Super Bowl promotion, would be directors can enter for the money.

According to The Wall Street Journal, PepsiCo is offering $1 million to anyone who can create a Super Bowl commercial for its Doritos tortilla chip brand that trumps all other ads in viewer rankings during the annual gridiron matchup.

PepsiCo’s consumer-generated ad would have to outperform the King of Beers, which has won the top spot for the past 10 years in a row.

Even if none of five finalists topples Bud, each will still receive $25,000 and a trip to the Super Bowl.

There’s a line in the article about consumer generated ads, that I need to call attention to:

…a new trend that shook up Madison Avenue by proving some ordinary folks, too, can create ads that can measure up to what highly paid creative executives produce.

Incorrect! The vast majority of these contests produce no on-brand marketing materials of any kind. But, this PepsiCo cash offering will likely draw out the film school students. For a cool mil, minus taxes, (plus airtime on the Super Bowl) might be enough to make that indie film they’ve been shopping to Parker Posey.

Samsung reviews digital ad business

LONDON – Samsung has called a review of the digital advertising arrangements for its mobile phone handsets.

1960s Fever – From Vintage Burlesque to the Robert Wagner Barbara Stanwyck Affair (CLUSTER)

(TrendHunter.com) From the Robert Wagner Barbara Stanwyck affair to the cult show Mad Men, everything 1960s has become hot again.

The world has always been fascinated with retro, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that old…

Drinking Rocket Fuel – U.S. Won’t Limit Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water (VIDEO)

(TrendHunter.com) In an explosive announcement, the U.S. EPA has decided to allow rocket fuel in the drinking water of all Americans. The U.S. economy has been sputtering and the Bush Administration concluded this is just…

The Appeal of Country Artists When the Chips Are Down


As we become more strapped for cash, musicians who cultivate working-class, scrappy brands will be more and more attractive to mainstream marketers.

79 Uber Hip Phones – Celebrating the Google G1 Phone (CLUSTER)

(TrendHunter.com) The much anticipated Google G1 phone has been released, creating a lot of buzz.  However, the Google G1 Phone is not the only hip phone in the world…

This cluster celebrates some of the hottest new phones,…

Samsung and Vodafone join with Elizabeth Arden to launch handset

LONDON – Samsung has appointed new creative agency MWorks to devise a campaign backing its Elizabeth Arden giveaway promoting the Soul Pink handset.

100 Inspiring Innovations To Excite You About Life (CLUSTER)

(TrendHunter.com) What I love most about writing for Trend Hunter is that I have the opportunity to shed light on the incredible things that make life worthwhile. Far more than there are tragedies, there are miracles happening,…

ShortList celebrates its first birthday

LONDON – ShortList, the free men’s weekly magazine, reaches its first year anniversary this week, publishing its 50th edition tomorrow (Thursday).

16 Things You Didn’t Know About Iran – Fashion, Pop Culture, and Banning Kenny G (CLUSTER)

(TrendHunter.com) Iran always seems to be in the headlines, usually as the next war candidate.  However, this article explores 16 things about Iran that you never knew, including articles about Iranian fashion, Iranian…

That other bread is tasty, but it will kill you

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High-fructose corn syrup, which we’re somewhat obsessed with, just can’t get any love from Rudi’s Organic Bakery, which all but portrays the sweetener as poison in its first work from TDA Advertising & Design. The industrial drums in the spot lack only the skull and crossbones. What we’ve got here is the old ad-within-an-ad routine. The Prarie Morning Bread Company (“Baked with love. And other things”) doesn’t exist. It’s supposed to symbolize healthy-looking and healthy-sounding supermarket breads which, unlike Rudi’s, are filled with stuff that’ll kill you. Slowly. Over time. Maybe. I dunno, those Prarie loaves look pretty darn tasty. And the can-do bakery crew is so up, I might just try a teaspoon of azodicarbonamide to help get me through another dreary morning at work.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Giant Cheese Concert Hall – Czech’s Honor Famous Composer Antonin Dvorak (VIDEO)

(TrendHunter.com) Antonin Dvorak is the Czech Republic’s most beloved composer. To honor his contribution, a concert hall and convention center is being build near Pargue. The design firm of Future Systems has hit upon…

Independent revamp offers advertisers prime position

LONDON – The Independent newspaper has revealed the commercial strategy behind its full-colour redesign, which launched yesterday.