Despite the recession, 22% of Americans are still uncomfortable using coupons. Another 57% say they’re self-conscious, but have gotten over it because they need the dollars off. In general, there’s been a 43% upswing in coupon use in the last 6 months. By age group, 57% of those 35 and under have stepped up their coupon use, as have 40% of those between 35 and 54, 36% of those between 55 and 64, and 25% of those 65 and older. (source: ICOM/Marketing Daily, 2/18/09)
I raise my glass
A tiny, blurry shot of this in
Davey Jones nation
The UN estimates there are more than 3 million shipwrecks on the ocean floor. (source: Ideal Bite, 2/17/09)
Make lemonade
When copywriter Erik Proulx got laid off, he decided finding a new job for himself wasn’t good enough. He’s now turning his blog, http://www.pleasefeedtheanimals.com/ , into a free “matchmaking site for out-of-work advertising talent and hiring agencies.” Erik, who’s been laid off three times now, started the blog as a way to vent without making his wife nuts. If he earns any money off his venture, he’s giving it to the web developer and others who’ve given their time to the cause. (source: Ad Age, 2/19/09)
Friend you later
New trend: giving up Facebook for lent. (source: Wall Street Journal, 2/19/09)
A nanosecond saved is a nanosecond earned
The greatest thing since butter in sticks--half-sticks. Instead of 4 big ones you get 8 little ones. Same price. The Land O’Lakes insight: cutting and rewrapping a whole stick when you’re making a recipe that only requires half simply takes too long. Hey, give them a break. How much can you innovate with butter? (source: Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2/16/09)
They all did it
Considering best-selling author James Patterson pumped out seven thrillers in 2008, there’s a good chance he’s already leaning on the talents of ghost writers, but his next novel will make it official. He will write the first and last chapters and 28 contest winners will each provide a chapter in the middle. The book will be published in classic serial format, one chapter at a time, online. The only people to receive complete, printed books will be contest participants. (source: Springwise, 2/19/09)
Masterpiece of the day
The Prado has opened its galleries to Google Earth. Now everyone can view their priceless works, up close, without making the trek to
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http://pradomuseum.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/themasterpieces.xml&utm_campaign=en_GB&utm_medium=lp&utm_source=en_GB-lp-emea-gb-gns-mp&utm_term=prado
Zapping criminals
Before Tony Hsieh became a very successful shoe guy, he was a very successful tech guy. So when the FBI asked to borrow Zappos’ exhaustive file of shoe photos for a case (seven shots of every style ever in inventory), he built them the most comprehensive database of soles in the world. Helping the feds get their (wo)man, one more reason to keep on shopping. (source: Fast Company, 3/09)
Lego clicks in ‘08
While other toy makers where crying in their soup, Lego recorded a 38% increase in
Inaction Alley
More details of Walmart’s Project Impact are coming to light, including turning “action alley,” the normally display-packed main aisles into no-stuff zones. Shudder. The company believes this policy will draw shoppers deeper into the stores. Details remain sketchy. (source: In-store Marketer, 2/09)
We’re Stepping Up
Who exercises at least twice a week? We do! Doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment, but that puts
And now for something dull
Just what the world needs, a tenth kind of Cheerios. Word from the Consumer Analyst Group of
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