In the Hospitality Business, The Personal Is Increasingly Political

A chain of high-end boutique hotels with locations in Portland, Seattle, Palm Springs, New Orleans, Boston, and other American cities is facing increased consumer scrutiny for one reason and one reason only. “Anyone who cares about America should not do any business or stay at any of Gordon Sondland’s hotels,” U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer said. […]

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Tame Beer Drinkers Asked to Return to the Wild with Rainier

Once upon a time in Pacific Northwest advertising, an anthropomorphic creature known as Wild Rainier roamed the deep woods around Seattle. In order to get a glimpse of the beer in the wild and experience the refreshment, beer drinkers had to leave the comforts of their couch or bar stool and go outside. Seattle agency, […]

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Brilliant of Reckless? Nordstrom Local Is A Store With No Clothes.

Retail is the point of decision in consumer marketing. When a person stands before a product in the store, it’s decision time. The same holds true for people placing products in an online Shopping Cart. Will the shopper abandon or will she purchase? These are fundamental questions for the country’s greatest retailers to address on […]

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When You’re Drinking Budweiser, America Is In Your Hands

Can Budweiser out hipster, PBR? The show is on. Let’s find out… Nong Poonsukwattana, Portland’s master of one dish—Khao Man Gai—has been discovered. She’s a hard working lady who makes amazing food in a humble setting. I’m happy to see her get the acclaim she clearly earns every day. Thank you @budweiser for having me. […]

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Juan & Juan Wax On About Wine

Seattle agency, Copacino+Fujikado, has created a light-hearted content series for Columbia Crest that aims to demystify wine. The series features Juan Munoz-Oca, head winemaker, and Juan Uribe, estate vineyard manager. I like the down-to-Earth approach here. Wine is an agricultural product. There’s nothing for anyone to get snooty about. Plus, Columbia Crest is often on […]

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Leatherman Makes Tough Tools For Adventurous People

Portland client. Portland agency. This is how good things grow. Portland, Oregon’s multi-tool pioneer, Leatherman, has a lot of fans, also known as brand loyalists eager to share their testimonials of how their Leatherman saved the day – and sometimes even their lives. Over 34 years, Leatherman has received more than 4,000 such stories from […]

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Just In Time for the 4th, Tillamook Claims “American Cheese” Is Un-American

Tillamook is a quiet town of dairy farmers near the Oregon coast. Or it was, before ad agency 72andsunny in Los Angeles won creative duties on the local farmer’s co-op. Now, Tillamook (the dairy) is asking Americans to revolt against inferior cheese-like products by signing a White House petition that will remove America’s name from […]

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Seattle’s Big Ideas Belong On Big Napkins

The world knows about Amazon and Microsoft, but the startup scene in Seattle has also gotten quite a boost from all the talent the big boys are luring to town. As part of the new Bezos Center For Innovation at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry, several of these startups have gotten a big – oversized, you might say – spotlight thanks to an innovative idea from local agency Copacino + Fujikado.

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Often, when you meet someone involved with a startup, you come away thinking, “So what the hell do they really do?” So ten startups, chosen in conjunction with local online pub Geekwire, were given giant six-foot “napkins” to sketch an idea that represents their business in its simplest form.

One startup, SNUPI Technologies, used their napkin to outline the genesis of their new product Wally – which uses a home’s electrical wiring as a giant antenna connected to sensor that can collect data and track condensation from water or appliance leaks. The idea grew from a series of events, outlined on the napkin, that began with noise overheard emanating from a wireless keyboard.

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The other startups also have equally compelling ideas—and napkins. If you’re going to promote a museum as interactive and innovative as MOHAI, the idea makes sense. For Copacino + Fujikado, the idea represents a way to “own the moment of innovation,” according to Mike Hayward, C+F’s Creative Director. And to generate some public participation, people were invited to sketch their ideas as well.

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Of course, any creative in advertising knows the best ideas sometimes come from napkin sketches. In the world of startups, that adage applies as well.

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Spotlight On NW Brands: Bunnyjuice Spices Up Hospitality

Hood River, Oregon is known for lots of things: Beautiful scenery, kitesailing and kayaking, and a charming downtown. It’s also home to a quirky little company called Bunnyjuice that’s making a splash in Las Vegas hotels. The company offers “Lovekits” available for purchase in-room. You know, a little something for when you and your sweetie polish off those bottles in the minibar.

LoveKits

As CEO Tod Guenther explains it, Bunnyjuice was born from a simple observation: “While traveling for work, I stayed at a hotel that offered condoms as part of their in-room amenities. Upon returning home I kept thinking, obviously the hotel has acknowledged that people are having sex, but what if there was an offering that could add to the experience of love making? Something for couples that was fun or whimsical?”

Seems like a natural idea. Of course, getting hotel rooms to offer up precious counter space to a startup isn’t easy. So why has Bunnyjuice succeeded? “It’s not so much about having more but rather replacing current items that aren’t performing,” Guenther says. “In-room items are designed to enhance the guest’s experience which helps us a ton. Once we have placement our Bunnyjuice kits always seem to place in the top 3 revenue producing items.”

And why Hood River, Oregon? As Guenther puts it, “There’s a lot of great creative talent in this small town. I’m always amazed at how much work for huge Fortune 500 companies comes out of this place. It’s nice to be a part of that, plus I have to admit – it feels also pretty good to relax and recharge with a cold microbrew in hand and your toes in the river after a long day. Hood River is special that way.”

Bunnyjuice is expanding to new venues, including international markets and retail outlets. The audience for tastefully packaged intimate products is certainly a large one. Bunnyjuice a great example of Pacific Northwest thinking: Living in a place as dreamy as the Columbia River Gorge can definitely lead to big business dreams.

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