Hasta La Creative!

If you thought that the failed talks between the potential merger between Yahoo and Microsoft are over then guess again. Apparently while the last meeting did not turn out well, it seems that Microsoft is planning to make an alternative offer to possibly make the merger push through.

Google has long been dominating the online advertising binge and apparently Microsoft knows it can give Google some form of competition with this merger from Yahoo. There are discussions going on at the moment but though they may not show anything potent at this point, you can just imagine how determined Microsoft Corp. is as far as balancing competition for a larger share of the market saturation for online advertising today.

Microsoft Corp. is once again trying to team up with Yahoo Inc. to challenge Internet search and advertising leader Google Inc., although at this point the renewed talks haven’t escalated to another attempt to take over Yahoo.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker disclosed the revived discussions Sunday without providing any specifics about the nature of the deal being explored except to say it involved bolstering the companies’ position in the online search and advertising markets.

“There of course can be no assurance that any transaction will result from these discussions,” the statement said.

(Source) Associated Press

Technorati Tags: advertising, yahoo, microsoft, merger, google, online advertising

There are a lot of things left unanswered as far as our future is concerned and a lot of it has to do with where we will find ourselves in the course of time. One thing we have to note is that global warming and eco-friendly issues will be beside us all the way and with that in mind, we cannot help but think what companies such as Sony will have for us by that time.

Sony can help us get a glimpse of things to come and they are showing this to us with this video that gives us highlights of the future. Take a look at this video so that you will have an idea on whether to look forward to the future or simply keep on wondering what we have in a couple of years ahead of us.

Technorati Tags: sony, technology, highlights, future, advertising, video, eco-friendly, global warming

We are quite familiar with the integration of the movie the Transformers into most car advertising today and while some may like them, others use them as a point of reference to show other people why it would be best to use known brands.

There are two ways to which this type of advertising approach can be used. Positive in the sense that it gives life into the cars that are being sold today and negative for people who want to avoid a complicated and techie automobile when all they want is convenient transportation.

Whichever way you look at it, it all boils down to one thing; getting the eye of most car enthusiasts whether they will buy a car or not.

Technorati Tags: advertising, chevrolet, transformers, commercials, brands

We are all aware that billboard advertising is a good way to get attention. For soap operas like Secret Diary of a Call Girl, added exposure to inform viewers of this TV series will really help them in terms of ratings and all.

But what is controversial about this billboard ad for this soap series is its changing design which has caused some drivers to stop to this unique style of design and change in billboard advertising approach today.

Apparently, the change is from decent to salacious and with that in mind, the public are sure to react towards this different advertising approach.

A spokeswoman for Prime Television, Lisa Franklin, said back-lighting on the boards came up after dark to reveal sexy lingerie on the “call girl”.

Franklin said she was not sure whether the changeover occurred before the “watershed” time of 8:30pm, when adult content is allowed to appear on television.

“That depends on what time it gets dark in Christchurch these days,” Franklin said.

Another billboard, on the corner of Christchurch’s Tuam and Madras streets, features a skirt that blows up in the wind to reveal the legs of a “call girl” clad in suspenders.

(Source) Stuff.co.nz

Technorati Tags: billboard, call girl, advertising, television, soap opera, lingerie, salacious

If you haven’t heard it yet, Facebook is the latest hit social networking site that has been the cause of all the commotion these days and a lot of the people endorsing this are the youth. Now with that said, this is a wide area of opportunity in getting ads across which apparently are being abused by some sectors, most notably the credit firms.

It has also set up a Facebook group, called ‘Debt can seriously cramp your style,’ to warn people of the dangers of getting into debt.

A spokesman for the charity said: “It is such a popular method because they can target young people, with whom the site is so popular.”

(Source) Telegraph.co.uk

Facebook has its share of aggressive advertising campaigns due to its immense exposure. But if it fails to double check the companies seeking ad spots, it may just hurt them in the end.

Technorati Tags: facebook, advertising, credit, opportunity, ads

One thing you will notice in advertising these days is that many companies look at the available talent in the market to cast in commercial productions. But the real question is, do you really need to pay high costing ads to make sure that they get the right mix in producing these ads?

There are various ways to get through commercial advertising and this can be done through creative wizardry. You just have to think outside the box, use resources like technology and representation in other forms such as this one which makes use of balloon dolls that can capture the whole essence of the product being advertised.

Technorati Tags: advertising, levis, jeans, pants, dolls, commercial, technology, balloon

If there is one thing that will really help you get our political aspirations towards better heights, television advertising is a best bet to get the job done. Not all people can afford television advertising due to the cost of having one. Secondly, it is not merely a matter of producing the ad itself. It also includes being able to get the desired time slot that will surely be hitting the proper voters who will know that you are running for public office.

Such is an issue that many call as dirty but advantageous. But if you have the funds to support your ad campaign and likewise avoiding any potential discrepancies on election requirements, then by all means use advertising to boost your political campaign!

Federal rules requiring candidates to have access to similar television audiences forced stations to bump some advertising from their traditional clients. In some cases, it was purchased months in advance and in a highly sought-after spot.

(Source) Business Weekly

Technorati Tags: television, political, voters, advertising, campaign

Contract disputes can be a pain especially for chosen endorsers and in this case, actress Uma Thurman sued Lancome regarding an advertising dispute. Apparently, the French cosmetic giant has made quite a profit from using her name and likeness despite the lapse of the contract between the two.

Many people would care less if such a boom would be evident. But in this case, Lancome continues its advertising ways despite the end of the contract with Thurman which the latter resented. In the world of showbiz, you have to honor your contract. If not, expect heads to roll. Such is a familiar face in the world of advertising and promotions.

The “Kill Bill” star said in her lawsuit that Lancome Parfums et Beaute & Cie boosted its worldwide sales and enhanced its “prestige, stature and bargaining power” by helping retailers and others use her name and likeness in advertising and promotions after her contract expired.

The suit seeks $15 million in damages.

(Source) The Associated Press

Technorati Tags: uma thurman, advertising, promotions, lancome, cosmetics

One thing that advertising needs to accomplish is the message should be loud and clear. Making promotions and supportive marketing aids are evident these days but unless the whole logistics of proper delivery of the message that the whole campaign should do, chances are the whole advertising effort will go for naught.

Clarity and short messages. That is the best way to describe effective advertising these days. People have no time for long and boring ads. Get to the point but make sure that it is understood loud and clear! That is what advertising is all about.

Technorati Tags: advertising, logistics, clarity, messages, loud and clear

There was an article in yesterday’s WSJ regarding the new marketing and branding campaign for Citi appearing in the midst of credit-market turmoil and economic uncertainty. The answer to branding problems? Head back to 1978 and dig up a retired slogan. After researching, Citi determined that the best course of action would be to “revitalize” their classic slogan, “The Citi Never Sleeps,” although cleverly dropping “the” off the tag. From the WSJ article:

The ad push comes as the New York company has been on a cost-cutting drive, even slashing its dividend. Citi, which declined to say how much it is spending on the new ads, says it went to great lengths to save money on the campaign. It says it used leftover footage from a previous shoot instead of opting for an expensive new commercial shoot, which often involves extensive travel to far-off places. It also used a piece of music the company owns and has used in commercials before.

So one has to wonder – is Citi “never sleeping” out of a cognizant branding choice? Or rather struggling to find a new voice without the proper means to develop one? Either way, we’ll be seeing more of the Citi that doesn’t sleep in the coming weeks. Will the nostalgia prove comforting or merely confusing?