Is limestone vegan?

Vicarious goal fulfillment
That's what researchers at Duke U call it when people who are given a choice between salad or fries with that choose fries. Even people with good self-control usually do it. You feel so virtuous having considered the healthy option that you reward yourself with the unhealthy one. (source: The Globe and Mail, 5/9/09)

When C-SPAN just isn't enough
Arlen Specter: every vote you take, every tweet you make, I'll be watching you. Updated every 20 seconds. http://legistalker.org/ (source: Springwise, 5/14)

Recession-proof ink
Tattoo parlors are reporting steady to increased business. Why? According to a psychologist at Golden State U, "Tattoos resonate with how consumers are shopping now. They look for something that reflects their values, a sense of belonging, and permanence." The same professor says after decades of superficial, handbag-of-the-month consumerism, people are interested in commitment. About 40% of Americans 18 to 40 have tattoos. (source: The Christian Science Monitor, 5/12/09)

Rock, paper, no scissors
Paper made of limestone waste. No water, no trees, no toxins. Can be substituted for regular paper. Check it out http://www.naturalsourceprinting.com/fiberstone.html (source: POP Design, 5/11/09)

New Intel "rock star" ad now available
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqLPHrCQr2I
(source: ad seen on PBS's News Hour)

Hands off my bow tie
Quick, what pattern's embossed in your paper towels? Who knows? Who cares? Well, turns out the brands care, deeply. And apparently think you do, too. P&G is suing GP (Georgia Pacific) for infringing on the "goodwill and reputation" of their product by stealing their bow-tie pattern. GP sued Kimberly-Clark this spring for allegedly copying their premium TP diamond pattern. (source: Ad Age, 5/13/09)

Sip your B12
Consumer problem: giant multivitamin pills are hard to swallow
Consumer problem solved: One A Day Women's 2O
Fruity crystals + water = supplements you won't choke on
(source: ad seen on Hallmark Channel during "MASH" rerun)

You'll never look at "stuff" the same
This doc-cartoon-umentary is 20 minutes long, so you may want to watch at home or our system will come to a grinding halt. Worth the time tho. http://storyofstuff.com/ (source: Kurt Jaeckel)

What's your rep?
Bad news for brands trying to attract Millennials. If you "haven't been good for a long time," the majority of them don't want to do business with you. They want quality, but it's very important that a brand has a positive history they can trust. (source: MTV Networks International/Center for Media Research, 5/13/09)

Where the moms are
Even though we're all madly marketing at them, 60% of moms think marketers ignore their needs and 73% think we don't understand what it's like being a mom. Must do better. Here's some info to help. (source: Center for Media Research, 5/1109).

Getcher CLIOS here
http://www.clioawards.com/winners/

BAS
I'm not sure if this ad is trying to say that texting while driving is bad or it's ok to text while driving so long as you own a Mercedes-Benz with Brake Assist (BAS), but I like the way it's made. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSXNgI1VfEM (source: Very Short List, 5/13/09)

Pinkapalooza
6 stories, 40,000 sq ft, the Barbie worldwide flagship store now open in Shanghai. Spa, design center, fashion show. I know where Smithers is spending his summer vacation. (source: Shopper Marketing, May 2009) http://www.barbieshanghai.com/en/lobby.html

I feel pretty
The average American woman spends about $100 a month on cosmetics and other beauty products (source: Ideal Bite, 5/12/09)

No Pluto
I can't help but think the product is why they're all so round and listless, but the ad's sweet all the same. (source: ad seen on TV somewhere) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvHj0vovQHI

Twitter topic of the week
#aporkalypsenow

Express dress
A laundry service in Germany has signed DHL to pick up and deliver customers' clothes. Sturdy plastic boxes come in 3 sizes. You buy credits in advance. And turnaround, including folding and ironing, is 2 to 5 days. Currently available in Europe only. Sigh. (source: Springwise, 5/14/09)

Safety, the ultimate luxury
Sexy, high-performance, impress your neighbors - all out the window. Even ultra-high-income-targeted ads are looking at value these days. This one was printed in the May/June '09 issue of Departures.