Hasta La Creative!

Dunnhumby, the analytics and direct-marketing firm behind loyalty programs at Tesco and Kroger among others, is launching a venture fund to back startups in retail data, analytics and marketing technology — including some that potentially challenge its own business or that of its clients.

Continue reading at AdAge.com

We actually had no idea this was being turned into a series of sorts, but since we’ve already broached the topic today, why not keep the party going. A month after Atlanta-based agency Ames Scullin O’Hare unveiled its short parody film, “The Merger,” which of course happened to take aim at you know what, the agency returns with part two. In the second installment, we jump ahead four months post-merger of fictitious agency network, Uniglobal Advercom, and see how an agency-client relationship has evolved (or devolved in this case). Obviously, subtlety has no place in ASO expressing their thoughts on the actual Omnicom-Publicis merger. But hey, we don’t really mind when the frustrated little guy wants to throw a few stones and take the piss.

ASO managing partner/creative Patrick Scullin says, “We want to show how this “Bigger is Better’ relationship withers, and we suspect this scene will be played in many corporate offices in the  upcoming months. This ad agency network merger is going to entail a lot of growing pains and we’ll be there to document it and offer a better solution.” We’ll see what that solution is when the time comes, but in the meantime, you can expect at least one more installment in this series. Hooray?

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Google was recently awarded a patent enabling the search giant to sell advertising on Google Glass. The rates would be set according to the number and intensity of ad views in the virtual reality-like world Glass has created, and Google would measure levels of engagement through the device’s ability to detect pupil dilation. Bigger pupils = stronger interest.

Imagine the future “Gaze-fraud” industry! Firms would ensure that the looks our ads get are real and not augmented by crafty ad-fraudsters secretly shining penlights in users’ eyes. Apparently, “pay-per-gaze” will revolutionize the advertising world.

Seriously, marketers — can’t we do better than this?

Continue reading at AdAge.com

Burger King is releasing new French fries today that it says have about 20% fewer calories and 25% less fat than its regular French fries.

Dubbed “Satisfries,” the crinkle-cut product is lighter because the batter used absorbs less oil than typical French-fry batter. The new fries are being marketed as having 30% fewer calories and 40% less fat than McDonald’s fries. The smallest portion of the fries clock in at about 190 calories and will retail for about $1.29. Burger King’s regular fries will still be offered.

“One out of every two Burger King guests orders our classic French fries, and we know our guests are hungry for options that are better for them but don’t want to compromise on taste,” said Alex Macedo, president North America, Burger King Worldwide, adding that the chain sees the new fries as “one of the biggest fast-food launches.”

Continue reading at AdAge.com

“BMW Premium Selection. The best used cars selected by BMW, with full coverage included.”

Advertising Agency: BCube, Milan, Italy
Executive Creative Director: Sergio Spaccavento
Associate Creative Directors: Aureliano Fontana, Bruno Vohwinkel
Art Director: Matteo Fabi
Copywriter: Andrea Bomentre
Photographer: Francois Chevalier
3D Illustrator: Finishizer

Alex Solis est un illustrateur américain qui a pu déjà dessiner de nombreux visuels. Avec un trait simple, sympathique et reconnaissable, ce dernier nous propose de découvrir ses mises en scène d’objets de la vie quotidienne, prenant une autre dimension avec son trait. De bonnes idées à découvrir dans la suite.

At least one of Taco Bell’s biggest marketing pushes of the year won’t be for one of its Doritos Locos Tacos — it will be for Sony’s Playstation 4, just as the game-console battle heats up.

The chain is partnering with Sony Computer Entertainment for a six-week promotion, “Play the future first,” for the upcoming PlayStation 4 console that will be available Nov. 15. The campaign launches Sept. 26 and will run through Nov. 10. Created by Interpublic’s Deutsch, it will include TV, radio, digital, social and in-store marketing. The PlayStation 4 will retail for around $399.

“We strive to give our customers extraordinary opportunities that generate excitement, and one of the ways we do this is through innovative and complimentary partnerships,” said Chris Brandt, CMO at Taco Bell. “Our fans love gaming and with brands like Sony PlayStation, whose fans enjoy Taco Bell, we can help them Live Ms — and play ms — through great food and unique experiences.”

Continue reading at AdAge.com

The latest Adobe Systems spot, from Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, brings up a valid issue: companies that rely on digital marketing may not understand if their ad tactics are working properly. Traffic, as we all know, can be misleading. But Abode won’t mislead. They’ll presumably cut through the smoke and tell a company how to effectively increase exposure. At least, that’s what one is led to believe after watching “Click, Baby, Click.”

The one-minute spot is enjoyable enough. There’s some frenetic action, frenetic music, and an easy punchline at the end. That formula generally works, and any viewer with three ounces of common sense understands the commercial is a flashy exaggeration. But, part of me would like to see at least a hint of what Adobe Marketing Cloud can do for a business rather than focusing on what it won’t do. Still, we’ve seen much worse.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

EBay has partnered with Argos to launch a trial click-and-collect service in 150 physical stores as it follows in the footsteps of Amazon.