(TrendHunter.com) Upon looking at these ridiculous photos from the Kentucky Derby 2009, I have to ask: What were they thinking? Didn’t somebody have the grace and goodwill to tell these celebrities that their Kentucky Derby…
(TrendHunter.com) Due to the recent outbreak of H1N1 aka swine flu, surgical masks may have gone from being pieces of medical paraphernalia worn by health professionals and Michael Jackson to bona fide fashion accessories…
If you’re wearing white socks or a leather wallet around your belt, you’re dead with women!
Women will focus on these killing details and won’t give you any cred…
So men, keep in touch with the fashion and read fashion magazine!
“Remember, women notice the […]
Is it good business practice to reduce or eliminate marketing expenditures during a recession? The logical answer would be “yes,” as the revenue stream reduces to a trickle. History, however, has shown this practice to be counterproductive, even detrimental, to long-term success. Weathering the storm is certainly a priority, but the objective is to get back to port safely after the storm abates. History, with nothing but facts on her side, has never been proven incorrect. One thing is certain: Making decisions based upon awareness is good practice; basing them on fear is not.
In the early twenties, both Kellogg and Post Cereals were not sure that they would overcome cream of wheat or oatmeal to the popular breakfast foods of the day: a hearty cooked breakfast, cream of wheat, or oatmeal. The two companies fought one another for market share dominance until the depression hit.
Each company took a different path. One braced for the economic storm, cutting marketing budgets, reining in expenses, and laying off workers. The other stepped into the storm, doubled advertising expenditures, aggressively took advantage of radio advertising, and focused all their strength behind a single product. By the early 1930s, the economy had fallen to it’s lowest point, yet one company showed a 30% rise in profits. Which cereal company came out ahead?
The answer: Kellogg Cereal, with their top-selling product, Rice Krispies. A bold decision made during crisis defined Kellogg Cereal’s future, and they’ve maintained industry dominance for the past seventy-five years.
Okay, so that’s a single success story. A fluke. An anomaly. Fortunately, there are numerous examples: In February 1930, four months after the historic market crash, Henry Luce launched an expensive, “irreverent, and vibrantly-colored arsenal of human interest stories.” At $1.00 per copy, it was more than many could afford, and it kicked off with 30,000 subscribers. Seven years later, Fortune’s circulation was at a half million, and the company was in the black. Kraft Foods is another example. Kraft realized that consumers were downtrodden and needed something to help them through the depression, not to mention that Kraft’s mayonnaise sales were plummeting. So, Kraft decided to launch a new product called Miracle Whip (a dressing/mayonnaise) at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. “A sandwich just isn’t a sandwich with out the TANGY ZIP of Miracle Whip,” was the tagline for the new product, and six months after launch, Miracle Whip was outselling every single brand of dressing and mayonnaise available.
Innovation is the key. Kellogg Cereal focused on one product and doubled their marketing expenditures. Fortune filled a niche that was missing from The Wall Street Journal. Kraft introduced a new product. Other examples: Revlon,a start-up cosmetic company, introduced a classy polish for fingernails. Within years, they were the most well-known cosmetic company in the world. Two brothers began a company that marketed the first car radio successfully, and began a company later named Motorola. In England, a man came up with books that were affordable for the masses by making them entirely out of paper (no hardcovers). The man became the founder of became Penguin books, and “paperbacks” sold exclusively through Woolworths. Texas Instruments, Hewlett-Packard, basketball, The Pittsburgh Steelers, Allstate Insurance: all rooted in the depression. Studies completed during recessionary periods show that this was not a fluke; the same results are seen for companies that innovate and stay on course through the tough times: they emerge stronger and more profitable than those that remained static.
In a study of 600 business-to-business companies, McGraw-Hill Research found that businesses that maintained or increased their advertising expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession, averaged higher sales growth during the recession and in the three years following. By 1985, sales of aggressive recession advertisers (those that either maintained or increased spending) had risen 256% over those that cut-back on advertising. (Innovating Through Recession)
A few years ago, a small book came out; “Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite,” written by a former Saatchi and Saatchi Creative Director named Paul Arden. The book is a guide that points out that one of the most dangerous practices in life is playing it safe.
The first page is emblazoned with this quote: “It’s the wrong way to think, but the right way to win.” That leaves two paths from which to choose: the safe, well-traveled path, or the road less taken. The latter may be treacherous, but it will certainly be more fun: afterall, how often does a company get a chance to reinvent themselves?
Jeff Louis: Strategic Media Planner, Project Manager, and New Business Coordinator. His passion is writing, contributing to BMA as well as freelancing. He’d love to hear from you: linkedin.com/in/jefflouis or twitter.com/jlo0312.
A T-Mobile, há cerca de uma semana, convocou as pessoas para comparecem no dia 30 de abril em Trafalgar Square, em Londres. O que aconteceria não foi revelado, se sabia apenas que seria mais um dos famosos flashmobs realizados pela marca.
Hoje a T-Mobile publicou um vídeo mostrando o que aconteceu na praça: 13.500 pessoas reunidas para cantar “Hey Jude” dos Beatles. Distribuíram microfones para as pessoas e exibiram a letra em um telão.
Lá pelos 45 segundos do vídeo você pode ver a cantora Pink no meio da multidão. E o porque de tudo isso? Simples: “Life’s For Sharing”. Propaganda feita pelas pessoas, em um tipo de acontecimento que nenhuma campanha milionária veiculada em massa pode fazer.
Post originalmente publicado no Brainstorm #9
Twitter | Contato | Anuncie
(TrendHunter.com) To make it in the fashion industry, you need to be able to diversify your look, and Elyse Saunders has mastered the art of being a Chameleon (and looking good doing it).
She started at the age of 17,…
(TrendHunter.com) As companies downsize their ranks due to the recession, there is more talent out on the streets in search of a job than ever before. Cardsofchange is an initiative that aims to collect as many business…
LONDON – Campaign.tv takes a look behind the scenes at Saatchi and Saatchi’s latest T-Moblie ad, which features a mass karaoke in Trafalgar Square, involving rock star Pink.
For the first time the advertising has found a way to make people (espacially males) loving the rain…
On this outdoor megasite, the girl on the poster in wearing a real T-shirt that becomes transparent when it’s raining and shows her bra.
Clever ad that relies on the weather.
[…]
Après Audi Shark et à l’occasion du concours “From Dream to Reality” en Iran, voici ce concept-car doté d’un moteur électrique placé à l’avant ainsi que des phares en forme de néons futuristes, facilement reconnaisable en pleine nuit. Plus d’images dans la suite.
Some people never learn. They’re in hot water today for the same reasons that earned them a seat in principals office every week as kids: Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Most have erred at one time or another, but this is post-1984, significant only because George Orwell miscalculated: “Big Brother” is not the government, but is, “We The People.”
Americans seem relatively tense, and there is not much forgiveness for calculated or accidental misstep, most likely due to several coinciding events: big business mistrust (banking, housing, automotive), scam artists (Bernie Madoff), and a struggling economy. Today, the slightest of mistakes could spark a ruckus. Just ask Carrie Prejean, the “I missed it by that much” Ms. America contestant. Ms. Prejean learned a brutal lesson on the world stage; sometimes it’s better to lie if you want to win…at least that’s what we want to teach America’s children (heavy sarcasm implied). She made a choice based on her personal morals and First Amendment rights, and took a beating.
Polar opposites using the First Amendment for profit, such as Howard Stern and Jay Severin, have also stated controversial things in public. However, they do it for ratings and money. Both radio personalities are actually very different in message, methodology, and delivery; yet one common element binds them: when they go on-air listeners either tune in or turn off. This week, Jay Severin was suspended from WTKK in Boston for making racially biased comments regarding Mexicans, stating that the major imports from Mexico were venereal disease, women with mustaches, and the swine flu. He then went on to state that Mexicans were “primitives.”
Boston's Jay Severin
From there, the plot is as easy to follow as a daytime television drama:
A. DJ offends a person, or group of persons, publicly
B. Offended group calls radio station in “flood of protest”
C. DJ is suspended or fired; station backs DJ or backs off
D. The First Amendment is mentioned several million times
E. “Oppressed“ groups rehash incident for weeks
F. DJ fades away or returns in a different market
The usually talkative Severin was silent when questioned by reporters, directing them to his attorney, who stated, “It would certainly be unfortunate if someone was suspended because some people didn’t like what he said.” Sounds like Mr. Severin needs a new attorney.
Lost His Dog, His Wife, & His Freedom
The radio business has been volatile in the past week as San Antonio-based radio giant Clear Channel announced further staff reductions (1950 were cut in January) that would include on-air personalities. Additionally, a popular Florida DJ for Clear Channel was arrested for shooting his dog…unfortunately the bullet ricocheted off his dog, hitting his wife in the head. Both the wife and dog are expected to recover, and the DJ is expected to go to jail.
<strong>Jeff Louis</strong> is a Strategic Media Planner, Project Manager, and New Business Coordinator. His passion is writing, contributing to BMA as well as freelancing. He’d love to hear from you: linkedin.com/in/jefflouis or twitter.com/jlo0312
(TrendHunter.com) Famed Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf rebels against society’s obsession with youth in his photography series, ‘Mature.’
The provocative series features models in their seventies wearing scandalously racy…
(TrendHunter.com) At first glance these images look like a normal ‘run of the mill’ naughty editorial, with the beautiful model Viktoria, who at the age of just 21 is already designing outfits for Torture Garden and makes…
(TrendHunter.com) This gallery of constellation and astrology body painting will amaze you—it combines the beauty of the human body and the incredible imagination of the artists who created the designs.
The artists made…
(TrendHunter.com) Pierre dal Corso never fails to deliver awesome images – these photos of a glittery blue mermaid model are some of the most striking in his portfolio.
It has a really ‘glam rock’ vibe and works brilliant.…
(TrendHunter.com) I only recently discovered artist Hajime Sorayama. His pictures fascinate me as they manage to be both fabulously modern and super retro at the same time with more than a sniff of the 70s about them. These…
For many, there is nothing quite as powerful as a friend or relative talking up a product. How does one generate informal, unofficial testimonials? I like offering targeted free samples to audiences likely to be enthusiastic. Try it, it’s usually money well spent.
Paul Hirsch has been practicing communications since 1983. He now owns his own marketing/pr firm in Northern California. Paul specializes in media relations, marketing collateral, website copy development and ad design. You can learn more about him on Facebook or by visiting www.nowville.com/paulhirsch.
I’m part of a great movement, a swelling tide of humanity that Like-it-or-Not has become un-engaged with that thing called work. Another unwashed, unkempt food line patron, or the bearded man begging for change. I’ve been labeled by the media: UN-EM-PLOYED.
I am not complaining, rather, explaining an “awakening” (whatev!).
Unemployment is humbling and life altering, one day a contributor, the next, not so much. In between panhandling, emailing resumes that no one sees, calling people that cannot help you, and begging those that will not, there is actually some time to think. What could I have done better, how should I have positioned myself, and why didn’t I take that job last year at that other agency? I have also started reading more.
Occasionally, a book will come along and floor me with it’s brilliance, shake me out of my stupor. Like icy water. Well, guess what? That book has not come out yet. However, I did read a fantastic article on how to brand yourself so that you can avoid getting laid off…a little too late for me. The article is short; the writer part of my LinkedIn “circle.” From brief “run-ins” with him via email or in seedy chatrooms, he seems to walk the walk. His name is Dan Scwabel, and you can follow him on LinkedIn, Twitter, VisualCV, and JobFox (I am actually proud of myself—I am part of all four, although only two have been finalized).
Here are Dan’s Top Ten Suggestions:
1. Become an invaluable asset to your colleagues, professional
network & clients
2. Position yourself as the go-to-person for a specific skill
3. Gain self-confidence and rise to the occasion
4. Focus on social equity, not just monetary equity
5. Build contact lists before you need them
6. Go on a branding spree by advertising it everywhere
7. Make your brand so visible that people can’t avoid seeing you
8. Become so remarkable that complete strangers talk about you
my favorite
9. Be a content producer, not just a consumer
10. Have an “endorsement mindset”Last but not least, and possibly one of the most important things to keep in mind, is the power of positive endorsements. Collect endorsements throughout your life like you would collect baseball cards. You are the chief marketing officer for the brand called you, but what others say about your brand is more impactful than what you say about yourself.
I am better for reading it…additionally, now I know who I am going to pester all week…
Jeff Louis is a Strategic Media Planner, Project Manager, and New Business Coordinator. His passion is writing, contributing to BMA as well as freelancing. He’d love to hear from you: linkedin.com/in/jefflouis, or twitter.com/jlo0312.
– Russian inet firms + football clubs = 4eva.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
