Hasta La Creative!

Recession may be upon us but that doesn’t seem like it will affect the mobile internet industry as survey in the European and U.S. market. In fact, a dramatic growth is seen to occur, as the consumers intend to dramatically increase use of mobile data services over the next two years — with a significant ramp-up in the next 12 months.

The Tellabs-commissioned survey shows that up to 71% of consumers anticipate daily use of services such as mobile Internet. Yet mobile users continue to raise concerns about cost, speed and quality of service.

“More significantly, according to the research more than a quarter of the millions of consumers who do not use mobile data services today intend to start using them shortly,” said Jesse Goranson, senior vice president of Mobile Media, The Nielsen Company. “By delving deeper into consumer intent, the Tellabs survey comes just in time as the industry debates demand for services and capital requirements at MWC.”

(Source) Press

Another company made a voluntary recall in the midst of this salmonella crisis and that is SuperValu Inc. SuperValu has voluntarily recalled trail mix and fruit and nut trail mix products sold under the ACME, Albertsons, Jewel, and Shaw’s brands because they may contain peanut products that have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The precautionary move follows a nationwide recall issued by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) of all products produced in its Plainview, Texas processing facility.

The products were sold at SUPERVALU-owned stores Albertsons, ACME, Jewel-Osco, and Shaw’s in all of the states where they operate. The identified items have not been directly linked to the salmonella outbreak and there have been no reported cases of the illness.

However, because the safety of customers is a top priority and out of an abundance of caution, SUPERVALU has voluntarily recalled the products.

(Source) Business Wire

Much of the news and attention these days are coming from the New York Toy Fair and Style Paige, LLC will be launching Shailie, a fashion design toy primarily for girls ages 5-12, at the Toy Industry Association’s Toy Fair 2009, February 15-18, 2009 in New York City.

“Typical dress-ups give a girl no choice other than which dress to wear. Shailie™ goes beyond traditional dress-ups and is surprising to others in the toy industry because there’s really nothing like it,” said Kari Kawa, founder of Style Paige. “Because Shailie™ lets girls become fashion designers and models all in one, some have even compared it to a play-version of Project Runway™.”

To get started, the Shailie™ Starter Kit includes a life-size dress form (girl’s size medium). Offered in pink polka dot, the dress form doubles as a darling accent to any girl’s room décor. The Starter Kit also includes the base dress (a slip-like top and skirt that’s the foundation for attaching the outfit pieces–compatible with all Shailie™ fashion kits, products, and accessories) as well as the pieces necessary to create a shimmery crystal satin and sequined dress.

(Source) Press

For kids slowly being exposed to the Internet, here is a great site they can check out. Toy innovator Techno Source, and Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc., a wholly owned company of Internet powerhouse IAC, have partnered to create a new creativity Web site and line of affordable Internet-connected toys under the new Smiley Central Studio™ brand that will allow kids to express themselves with smileys.

The toys will unlock special content at SmileyCentralStudio.com, a free online art studio that allows kids to create, personalize and share their expressions in unprecedented ways.

The new web site and Smiley Central Studio toys will make their debut at the American International Toy Fair February 15-18 (booth #3149). Kids will be able to make and share their own unique smileys and experience the complete online art studio at SmileyCentralStudio.com beginning in June 2009.

In fall of 2009, kids will be able to collect their favorite Smiley Central Studio characters in the form of plush, collectibles and activity kits. Each of these will include a code to unlock premium content online and enhance the creative experience. Smiley Central Studio toys are appropriate for children ages 6 and up and will retail for under $10.

(Source) Press

Disney Interactive Media introduced Disney XD, the online and mobile Web destination for the new Disney entertainment brand designed to appeal to kids and tween boys. An abundance of action-based games, full-length video and customizable community features populate the site focused heavily on themes of adventure, accomplishment, gaming, music and sports.

The dynamic gaming content on DisneyXD.com is the latest addition to Disney Online’s growing portfolio of casual game offerings, which include a unique mixture of original content and licensed games, designed for kids, tweens and their parents. The constantly evolving and relevant portfolio of high-quality, compelling casual games allow fans to more deeply engage and interact with their favorite Disney characters and shows.

The simultaneous rollout of the Disney XD channel on Feb. 13 will include a cross-platform on-air, online and mobile broadcast of the new original series, “Aaron Stone,” and will feature a special online challenge where players can earn points to unlock the “Aaron Stone” battle suit for their avatar’s wardrobe.

(Source) Press

As if their initial round of job layoffs and cost cutting measures were not enough, Japan car manufacturer Toyota has even pushed itself more as far as its North America channel is concerned. The new actions are consistent with the company’s philosophy of making every effort to protect jobs during the sales downturn.

“We’ve taken responsible, step-by-step actions to address this issue in recent months, and we hope the new measures will help us adjust while protecting jobs,” said Jim Wiseman, vice president of external affairs for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA). “This philosophy of shared sacrifice is the best approach for us, and hopefully will make us a stronger company in the long term.”

The additional steps were the following:

(Source) Press

If you happen to be a sucker for online fantasy manager games today, you may be rewarded lucratively if you use your lucky stars and manage online properly. You can win as much as $100 Million if you pick a “perfect bracket” during the annual men’s college hoops tournament in March.

To enter the free contest, basketball fans can visit any website that has the official Game of the Century logo. To play, simply fill out the bracket of the 64 teams competing in the 2009 Men’s Division I college basketball championship. The person who correctly picks all of the winners—with a perfect bracket—will win the $100 million ultimate prize.

In addition to the $100 million ultimate prize, PickManager.com is giving away many other prizes beginning the week of February 9, 2009. There are eight La-Z-Boy recliners up for grabs, one per week. Participants can qualify for the weekly random drawing by answering poll questions and selecting one out of four recliners to win if chosen. The grand prize is an extravagant sports den, featuring Lay-Z-Boy seating, a flat screen TV and a surround sound stereo system. It will be awarded to the person with the highest-scoring, “non-perfect” bracket.

(Source) Press

Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, made a $100,000 donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation. But that was not all. A sidelight was also granting the wish of a couple of teenagers to watch the upcoming NBA All-Star game in Phoenix.

Jordan Brand teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant two deserving teenagers their fondest wishes; the chance to attend the All-Star game and its weekend of festivities as well as meet Michael Jordan and All-Star Team Jordan athlete Chris Paul.

Jordan, the newly appointed Chief Wish Ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, enhanced the teens’ wishes with a surprise appearance during a special luncheon where Jordan Brand executives presented the Foundation with a check for $100,000.

“These kids are incredibly brave and their stories are beyond inspiring,” said Michael Jordan. “On behalf of the Jordan Brand, our Team Jordan athletes and myself, we’d like to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation for providing us with the opportunity to make wishes come true for these amazing children and their supportive families.”

(Source) Press

The move by P&G to cut back on ad spending has raised a lot of eyebrows especially since their declaration that they would not budge on modifying their marketing strategy for 2009. But like most companies, it is apparent that these declarations are cover ups to avoid causing a panic and tarnishing their brand image. And while they may look sheepish, the bottom line is corporate survival.

According to one top-tier cable network executive, P&G has begun “canceling all second-quarter options, across the board,” a development that appears to contradict what A.G. Lafley told investors on Jan. 30, when he said the CPG giant would “absolutely not” cut into its ad spend. “We have held our marketing spending and advertising spending,” Lafley said in P&G’s latest earnings call. “In fact, what is really going on is the advertising markets are softening and for the same dollar we are buying more delivery.”

(Source) Media Week

The salmonella issue continues as another company has issued a recall on its products, Simply Enjoy Sweet and Salty Mixed Nuts by Stop & Shop Supermarket. The item was removed from store shelves because the product contains peanuts supplied by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Customers who have purchased this product should not consume it and may return any unused portions or bring their purchase receipt to any Stop & Shop for a full refund. To date, Stop & Shop has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

(Source) Press