What we're looking forward to this Xmas
- 62% spending time with family & friends
- 8% holiday dinners & parties
- 7% finding & giving presents
- 4% holiday music and TV shows
- 3% putting up & taking down decorations
- 2% getting presents
Since it sounds like most of us hate the trappings, why not just skip them this year? Go ahead, buck convention. Break out the Xbox and have some simple merry down time. (source: Harris Poll, 12/15/09)

Unusual holiday gift
Sponsor a sutra at http://www.bl.uk/supportus/idp.html . The Dunhuang Project is an international effort to conserve and make available online a cache of tens of thousands of manuscripts, textiles, and paintings from between 100 BC and 1200 AD discovered in a cave in China along the Silk Road. The document at left is a 9th century apology to his host from a sloppy-drunk guest who is "ready to sink into the earth with shame." Rice wine or Jaeger shots, nothing really changes.

Plug ‘n' power
Lowes now sells DIY solar panels. So far 21 stores in CA. (source: Fast Company, 12/14/09)

O as in optional
According to a new study, in 2009 there was no growth in the number of Americans who bought organic food and beauty products. (source: Marketing Daily, 12/10/09)

Not talking about your brand
63% of Americans have never promoted a brand on their social networking page. 9% are doing it more often than last year. 4% follow a brand on Twitter. (source: Synovate/Center for Media Research, 12/17/09)

Crowd sourcing, Indian style
The rupee has long been a currency in search of a symbol (currently Rs). We have the $, England has the ₤, India has the TBD. The final symbol will be announced soon, after a yearlong contest open to all Indian citizens. (source: The Economic Times, 12/18/09)

No paper
After more than 300 years, the UK is doing away with paper checks. Starting 11/1/18, only plastic, electronic transfers, or cash will be legal tender. (source: Slate, 12/17/09)

Clunker sticker
A tad belated, but I love this bit of bumper humor from Mini.

Tweets in the hood
Gangs use Twitter to plan and boast about attacks. (source: NY Post)

DD USA
High schooler Patrick Streckert of Portland, OR, believes it's important for him to take the responsibility to study civics and learn how the government works because not enough other people do. Says Patrick: "It's like being the designated driver for a country." Sigh. After 40 years of moldering, civics is making a comeback in curricula. BTW: 68% of Americans think "most Americans do not live up to their responsibilities" as citizens. (sources: Christian Science Monitor, 12/10/09 & Harper's Index, 1/10)

Wrinkles and all
If you could zoom in on this display, you'd see Brooke Shields' crow's feet. How cool is that? Not that she has crow's feet, but that the company selling age-fighting, skin-repairing product didn't feel the need to Photoshop them out. Nice job Schering-Plough.

Move yer stinkin' cart
49% of Americans want nothing more from their supermarket than to get in and out as quickly as possible. 50% would grocery shop online if they were sure it was secure and the quality would be ok. (source: Quirk's, 12/09)

I am so great
Among social media users ages 30 and older, 29% of males and 45% of females believe "most people are interested in what I have to say." The survey didn't cover what "most people" really think. (source: eMarketer)

Ad Age spots of the decade
I still don't get the gorilla http://adage.com/brightcove/lineup.php?lineup=56282081001&title=56340414001

Ad Age non-TV campaigns of the decade
http://adage.com/article?article_id=141011

Robo-elves
How your holiday orders from Gilt, Zappos, and other e-tailers get filled http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI_YQp3zoo8&feature=related
The ‘bots wish you a Merry Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdmtya8emMw

Plastique
This is what happens when two Parisian designers get bored with their kitchen - 20K Lego blocks covering an Ikea island. Notice the matching Lego-head cookie jar. They also built chairs. (source: Inhabitat)

We ROC the arts
Rochester is #7 in the US for people who contribute money to arts and cultural organizations. (source: Scarborough)

How about some reflective, winged cuff grips for your favorite 2-wheeler? http://aplusrstore.com/

We go
A spirograph of flight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ystkKXzt9Wk . Now imagine this as a the giant museum installation it is. Maybe a little William Orbit on the iPod. Ooooooo.

From Craftsman to Rimmel
Sears is adding beauty departments to their stores. (source: Instoremarketer, 12/8/09)

Buying indulgences
According to Iconoculture, we still crave indulgent purchases, but we need an excuse to make buying them ok. Whether it's good for the planet, will benefit the whole family, or provide water to villages in Sudan, there has to be more to it than just "me."

She's back
The Chiquita chica is reemerging after a 20-year sabbatical. But you can't beat the 1944 original.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFDOI24RRAE&feature=player_embedded . Hard to image a time when Americans didn't know what to do with bananas.

Food for promo
85% of women would rather win a $5K room makeover than $5K diamond earrings. Men would take the garage or deck improvement over a fancy watch (source: Iconoculture)

China is rebranding
"Made in China" has come to mean off-shoring of US jobs and "cheap crap" or, more recently, "cheap toxic crap," so the country has hired a Mad Ave PR firm to change that perception. The new concept is "Made with China," the notion being Chinese manufacturing makes it efficient to produce items that were designed or invented elsewhere. Globalization as hero. The campaign is targeted to US consumers, but also Chinese workers who aren't so sure what they make is worthwhile. (source: American Public Media Marketplace, 12/8/09)

Hit me
Terrance Watanabe clearly doesn't know when to fold ‘em. In 2007, he blew $127 million in Las Vegas. His losses accounted for nearly 6% of Harrah's total gambling revenue that year. Now he's suing, claiming workers at his favorite casinos gave him booze and pain pills to keep him playing. They're countersuing, saying he still owes them $16 million in IOUs. In case you're wondering, Wantanabe made all that money from Oriental Trading Co, a party favor and novelties import business in Omaha-plastic spider rings 144 for $4.99. After selling in 2000, he said he was going to devote himself to having fun. (source: Wall Street Journal, 12/5/09)

ROI?
What's the point of spending big bucks on celebrities if nobody can tell who they are? Even after finding out that Kate Beckinsale and Zooey Deschannel are the new Absolut girls, I still can't see them in these photos. (source: MediaPost, 12/8/09)
http://www.mediapost.com/media/?f=otlAbsolutTonicBeckinsale.jpg
http://www.mediapost.com/media/?f=otlAbsolutDeschannel.jpg

Make it stop!
I'm including this little number in an attempt to exorcise it from my brain. It's been pinging around up there for months. So freakin' sticky -- although it hasn't convinced me buy Pop Tarts yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ZXtRGlegE

No Pop Tarts for you
Now available, a bathroom scale that auto-tweets. Weight, % fat, BMI -- it's out there for all to judge. (source: Iconoculture)

LoJack your kids
iCurfew iPhone app combines GPS and Google maps to show you where your little darlings (or at least their phones, if they're clever) are at all times.

Face up
82% of consumers believe that, to be successful, corporations of the future will need to show a more "human" face by caring about people (employees, customers, suppliers) and taking a more active role in community and social causes. 74% believe businesses bear as much responsibility as government for driving positive social change. Are you ready to face scrutiny? (source: Euro RSCG/Ad Age, 12/8/09)

$53 trillion
= The current combined net worth of all Americans (up slightly from last year)
= The total financial liability of the US government

Brown pedals for you
This holiday season, 45 UPS routes in northern CA are being covered by bike. It's not a green initiative, but a financial one. The move is expected to save UPS up to $50K in fuel and the cost of renting about 25 Budget trucks usually needed to handle the gift ordering rush. The bike-trailer set plus helmet and reflective vest runs about $700 each. You get to ride around all day AND get paid $10 per hour for it. This guy says he's become a local celebrity. People run out of their houses to take pictures with him. (source: Mercury News, 12/10)

The new blue
Scientists at Oregon State U accidentally discovered a new way to make the color blue. While trying to create compounds that had unusual electrical properties, they stumbled across a very bright, durable, non-toxic substance. They're now figuring out how to replace one of the components to make it cheap enough for mass market. Big whoop? Indeed. Blue is America's favorite. (source: NY Times, 11/25/09)

Who's using Facebook best?
According to Slate, the top 10 are:
Coke, Starbucks, Disney, Victoria's Secret, iTunes, Vitaminwater, YouTube, Chick-fil-A, Red Bull, and TGI Friday's. The rest of the top 50 here along with Slate's thinking http://www.thebigmoney.com/ . They also have a Twitter 12.

There's money in germophobia
Americans are clean freaks. We'll take the 2nd package in a display of batteries because it may have been touched less than the first. According to Martin Lindstrom, marketing guru, long before H1N1, our need for sterility started permeating every product category, and affects how we spend our dollars. So, even if you're not selling food, it's smart to keep sanitation in mind. (source: Fast Company, 11/25/09)

Champagne of beers
All of The Bruery's brews are packaged in 750ml champagne bottles, with a traditional metal beer cap. Pop and share.

It's what's for dinner tonight
Think you know who uses food assistance? Wrong. Even 4% of The OC needs help these days. Stats by county
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/28/us/20091128-foodstamps.html?hp

Who wants to be a billionaire?
I've been wondering why all the fuss about Oprah leaving daytime network TV. She still has her own cable channel and magazine after all. Then Stuart Elliott of the NY Times asked this question: "When will they figure out that "Oprah" is not really a talk show but rather a reality show about Ms. Winfrey?" From local chat show to international fame and fortune, for 25 years she's been a one-woman "Truman Show" and her fans, including a lot of the uncabled, are heavily invested and want to see how it turns out.

Coke is out
Costco has kicked all Coca-Cola products off its shelves. Something about pricing. Power to the retailer. (source: Ad Age, 11/30/09)

Cleverly designed interactive healthcare graphic
Click away to follow the money http://www.ge.com/visualization/health_costs/index.html

Wanna buy a brewery?
Pabst is looking for a new owner by the end of the year. In fact, about 60 million owners. The brewery is currently held by a not-for-profit that, according to US tax law, isn't eligible to own it. Two ad agencies have set up a campaign to get 60 million Pabst fans to buy $5 each in shares toward the $300 million goal. So far they have $11 million pledged http://www.buyabeercompany.com/ (source: Springwise, 12/3/09)

Shoes are a girl's best friend
Sales of shoes are up 8% for October over last year. Some say they're easier to rationalize than a new purse. Others say it's a sign of "frugal fatigue." Then there's the shoes-are-more-fun-than-clothes-because-they-don't-make-you-feel-fat camp. Zappos has been selling a lot of bright colors. And JC Penney says boots, not just single pairs, but "boot wardrobes" are hot. If anybody sees Santa, I want these, silver, size 4. (source: NY Times, 11/5/09)

$$off.com
Online searches for coupons and offers increased a whopping 58% this year. (source: IPG/e-Commerce Times, 12/4/09)

Million dollar baby
A new Australian study says the current "how much does it cost to raise a child" figure is waaaay off because it doesn't take into account things like adult offspring living with their parents (the old number assumes financial independence at 18), the consumer sophistication of tweens, and all the optionals like digital gizmos, college, and vacations. By their reckoning, a kid born today will leave the nest when she's 24, requiring just over a million Aussie dollars to fledge (that's about $917,000 in current US dollars). (source: Reuters, 11/27/09)

We download
Movies that is. Rochester is #3 in the nation after the Brownsville, TX area and Honolulu. The rest of the top-10 are also warm locales, so it's not the weather. No wonder Time Warner tried to get feisty on us. (source: Scarborough Research)

May the dunk be with you
Adidas storm trooper sneakers coming soon. This is the back of the shoe. (source: Fast Company, 11/25/09)

Wouldn't be Thanksgiving without you
Dorcas Reilly invented the green bean casserole in Campbell's kitchens for a magazine article in 1955.

Global warming goes thud
Horrible, but sure makes its point. (source Creativity) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Ae__MHG-U

They're ba-ack
Direct mail credit card offers. Up 34% in October vs. September. The 29.99% question: Are we going to accept them? (source: Mintel/Marketing Daily, 11/23/09)

Most interesting old man in the world
The Dos Equis guy is 71, and his name is Jonathan Goldsmith. When he's not convincingly playing a hot-and-cool Latino, he's had bit parts on Matlock, MacGuyver, Murder She Wrote, and a host of other series nobody ever noticed him on. TMIMITW: clearly also his most interesting character. (source: IMDb & MediaPost, 11/23/09)

There's another life
Selling products and keeping people in jobs is an admirable goal, but imagine talking terrorists into defecting? That's what marketers at Lowe Columbia do. They spend weeks hanging out with former members of FARC and other militant groups to understand the lives they lead in the jungles and their motivators for breaking free. The radio and TV spots, which usually feature testimonials from former guerrillas, run during soccer matches and have been quite successful. (source: Ad Age, 11/16/09)

New mindset
Iconoculture sees, emerging from the recession, a desire by consumers to work collectively. Not for the common good, but because working together will gain the most benefit for ME. It's still every man for himself, but all together.

Finance your pants
In India, Levi's jeans are an aspirational product. Something that shows you've made it. To help more Indians realized their denim dreams, Levi's is working with a number of banks to make interest-free microcredit available. Choose your 501s today, pay in 3 installments. (source: The Hindu Business Line, 11/24/09)

I know what you're watching
Researchers at a meeting of the Society for Neuroscience showed they could create a crude reproduction of a movie clip that someone was watching just by viewing their brain activity. Unless, of course, they're watching a SyFy original movie and there is no brain activity. (source: Iconoculture/New Scientist, 10/28/09)

Gobble
Would you like fries with that? Atlanta, you're #3 in the US for eating fast food-behind Birmingham, AL and Lexington, KY. Interestingly, every city on the top-10 is southern. (source: Scarborough Research)

Rube Guinness
Not saying I like this ad, but it's fun to think about what went into producing it. (source: Creativity) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHURiTjidrI

Dirty little bubbles
Method ad, sorta. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_g2vTFert4 (source: don't recall)

Snackreka!
Ok, the likelihood of me ever not finishing a chocolate bar is minute, but this resealable wrap is a great idea all the same. (source: Iconoculture)

Penguins can't swim backwards
That is all.

We bounce
According to Men's Health magazine (October 2009 issue), Rochester is the least accident prone large city in the US. The pub looked at everything from car crashes to workplace mishaps to Band-Aid sales.

High chair
Toshiba mounted an HD camera to a balloon tethered to a chair and sent the whole thing soaring 98K feet above Nevada where the atmospheric pressure blew it up. Fun job, huh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6PSbUl_68k (source: Creativity)

How awkward
Porsche is suing Crocs over their use of the name "Cayman." Can't wait to see how the court rules, since it seems like such a stretch. Sexy high-performance auto vs. ugly practical foam shoes. How are they competitive for anyone's share of mind? But legal curiosity aside, if I was a Porsche marketing or PR exec, I might have to clock the lawyer who brought that suit. Porsche in the same press clip as Crocs - an association to be avoided at all costs. (source: Ad Age, 11/16/09)

Facebook flopping?
The love affair may be over for the 18-24 set. In September, usage by this group fell for the third straight month. Maybe they're tired of getting friended by Aunt Edna. (source: Mediaweek, 11/15/09)

Glass half full
43% of US adults believes the recession has had a positive impact on their lives. Number's the same no matter what kind of financial or other difficulties (or not) the downturn has caused them. So, there may be fewer gifts under the tree, menorah, what have you, but a lot of us will be merrier. (source: Marketwire, 11/10/09)

When the competition sues
Flip ‘em off. Verizon cranks it up with help from the Misfit Toys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JgrBtn8XdU (source: network TV, sometime 11/14/09 PM)

Influencer moms
Recommendations:
- 94% of moms give advice to other moms in at least one product category
- The average mom gives and gets advice in more than 8 product categories
- 69% recommend specific brands by name to other moms
- 54% have rated or reviewed a brand online
- 37% have posted their opinions about a product in an online forum or blog

Moms are most likely to talk about brands that they feel are:
- A good value
- Trustworthy
- Responsive to moms' needs
- High-quality
- A money-saver
- A time-saver

Where do they get their info, apart from other moms?
- 81% have visited a brand's web site for more information
- 65% have signed up to receive a newsletter from a brand
- 36% have posted a link or joined a fan group on Facebook
(source: MomConnection/Center for Media Research, 11/16/09)

Real men don't...
At least not in Canada http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKBbgH2AU0Q . 213% sales increase in October alone. (source: Ad Age, 11/117/09)

Hot flavors for 2010
Sweet potato, cardamom, hibiscus, cupaucu (it's a superfruit), rose water, Latin herbs & spices like cilantro. (source: Mintel, 11/18/09)

eHarmony: the wine edition

Answer some non-wine preference questions and 94Wines will pick your magic numbers. No descriptions, no clues. What UPS will deliver is a surprise www.94wines.com (source: Springwise, 11/18/09)

Oh to be a Hobbit
Or just to live in a home built by Roald Gundersen, an architect who specializes in structures that incorporate whole trees. More here http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/11/04/garden/20091105-tree-slideshow_index.html

Smokin' marketing
A sushi chain in Colorado is making the most of the new federal policy that bows to states' rights in medical marijuana. The restaurant's ads show maps of Denver and Boulder featuring its own locations as well as those of registered pot dispensaries. Hapa Sushi figures, if you're gonna get the munchies, you may as well eat something healthy. (source: NY Times, 11/4/09)

Twitter squatters
Just a few of the big names whose"@"s have been swiped: Comcast, Hyundai, Disney, VW, GM, Mastercard, BK, Diageo, Nike. Don't feel too bad if yours has, too. Even Walmart can't get Twitter to call them back. (source: Ad Age, 11/9/09)

How to sell Pampers
Don't run your ad during "CSI" or "Cougar Town." A new ANA study shows that commercials are up to 30% more effective if they match the tone and content of the program they're running on. 10.7% of viewers changed their opinion about purchasing a product based on the show. Brand equity attribute summary scores tanked when viewed in adult content. Even though these are adults watching, crime and Pop Tarts simply don't mix. Another great reason to bring "Chuck" back. As if we needed more. (source: Ad Age, 11/4/09)

Etch my banana
I never thought about those fruit and veggie labels not being green, but these folks have. Done with low-energy carbon dioxide laser. Can marketing messages be far off? (source: Inhabitat, 11/4/09)

True
Nearly ½ of food & beverage shoppers are still buying their favorite brands, even when cheaper alternatives are available. They're just using coupons and promotions to justify the cost. (source: Grocery Manufacturers Assn/Progressive Grocer, 11/4/09)

Efficient retail
It never looks like people at Apple stores are buying anything, yet the stores reap about $4,300 per sq. ft. in sales. Compare that to $872 for Best Buy. Overall, sales at both companies are about the same per year per location ($26 million). Geniuses kick Blue Shirt butt. (source: Gizmodo via Aaron, 11/12/09)

Need a favor? Reach for the Windex
People are unconsciously fairer and more generous in a clean smelling environment. (source: Brigham Young U/Christian Science Monitor, 11/10/09)

Blood and karma
Finding that fear and guilt don't motivate like they used to, the Blood Center of Central TX went with humor to spur donation. (source: MediaDailyNews, 11/12/09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSUfW1gekS4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF6ZJj7QKH4&NR=1

Accidental footlong
The big idea that rocketed Subway to the top of the fast-food heap started as a way to increase weekend traffic at 2 Miami-area shops. It was huge. The clever franchisee pushed the concept until more franchisees, and finally corporate, got it. And starting next week, Subway will surpass McDonald's for worldwide locations. Full story here http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_46/b4155058815908.htm?campaign_id=rss_innovate (source: Business Week, 11/5/09)

Santa brought me ink cartridges
36% of consumers say they'll be shopping for more practical gifts this year. Whole Foods is promoting organic cotton socks -- 3 pairs for $20 -- as excellent stocking stuffers. (source: National Retail Federation/Marketing Daily, 11/11/09)

Hyperbole
I don't care how much you wear them, those shoes do not equal that butt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDVB4881c2I . (Seen during America's Next Top Model. C'mon, it's hilarious.)

Turning weapons into waffles
10% of US electric power is generated using the radioactive material from decommissioned US and Soviet nuclear warheads. Russian nuke cores make up 45% of the fuel in US reactors. Another 5% comes from our bombs. The energy industry is anxiously awaiting the outcome of new disarmament negotiations. As should consumers be. This recycling project has kept the price of kilowatt hours down vs. new mining and refining. So next time you're groovin' on your favorite tune, remember, it's brought to you by assured mutual destruction. (source: NY Times, 11/9/09)

Shopper seeks older marketers
According to Harris Poll, 71% of consumers think ads that mention a company's longevity make them seem solid and reliable. Women 9% more so than men. 3% said it sounded like the company is trying to hide problems, and 2% thought they seemed old or out of touch. 24% didn't know how to interpret that language. (source: Adweek, 11/9/09)

Are you feelin' lucky?
You should. Interactive unemployment-by-demo tracking tool. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/06/business/economy/unemployment-lines.html?hp

Hmmmm
Limited-edition Corona Lime ice cream. Summer events only. Not available at retail. Bloggers say it's good. (source: MediaBistro, 11/12/09)

Final bout of 2009
Roc City Roller Derby double head-header. Saturday night, 6:00 (5:00 doors) at the Dome. Roll on over to support Safe Journey and Day Star, not to mention our girls, Katie and Tanya. Where else can you have so much fun, and do so much good, for only 12 bucks?

Wisk-it
Do something stupid last weekend? Your "friend" put the proof on Facebook? The detergent, Wisk, has an app for that. It won't scrub the offending photo from the internet, but it will make it easy for your friend to remove it from the social net. (source: NY Times, 11/1/09) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/technology/internet/02wisk.html?_r=1&ref=technology

A spritz of sweetness
Looks like Glade, tastes like whatever Splenda tastes like. It's Splenda Mist. A little larger than a lipstick, I guess the idea is to carry it in your purse so you're never without. Comes in several designs. Doubles as a breath freshener? (source: MarketingDaily, 11/2/09)

Ad folk beware
Spammers and hackers have started using ad networks to spread malware. Gawker Media was recently sold a fake Suzuki banner by a team posing as employees of Spark SMG. The ad didn't infect every computer, so Gawker's testing didn't show any issues. NYTimes.com had a similar problem when a purportedly legitimate Vonage ad took over the Sunday Times with urgent, scary messages about viruses and the need to purchase software to clean them up RIGHT NOW. More info here http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=140121 (source: Ad Age, 11/2/09 and my Macbook, one Sunday, a month or so ago.)

Becoming Human
Clever trailer for new PBS series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP1erM1v5NA (source: WXXI)

Would you like some fresh ground B12 with that?
Don't like veggies, just sprinkle some Vitamin Spice cinnamon on your buttered toast. One Tbsp has the nutrient equivalent of ½ a multivitamin pill. Why is it that the more obsessed we become with eating healthy, the more ingenious we become at avoiding actually eating healthy. http://vitaminspice.net/cart/index.php?main_page=index

Green Apple
25% of consumers point to Apple as the most environmentally friendly tech company. At the very top of the heap. How is this Nugget-worthy? Greenpeace ranks them 11 out of 17, and the company's on most green advocates' naughty list for their lack of transparency. Another case of pretty = good. Data not available nor required. (source: Ipsos/Center for Media Research, 11/3/09)

Colbert on ice
The Colbert Nation took pity on the US speed skating team after their sponsor, DSB, a Dutch bank, went belly up. Colbert, whose show is also soliciting fan donations for the team, explained his sponsorship decision thusly: "We must ensure that it is America's 38-inch thighs on that medal platform!" I can picture the telethon: Give or Stephen will don tights! (source: MediaDaily, 11/3/09)

A match made in St. Louis
Made me look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXXgBU_bS7A (source: NFL Live on ESPN)

Ho ching ching
Moms with kids at home expect to spend an average of $672 on gifts this holiday season, or about the same as last year. However, moms with older children plan to spend more than last year. (source: Moms Coalition/MediaPost Engage:Moms, 11/4/09)

Want to save more money?
Ask your bank to remind you. In a new study, when banks sent customers text messages reminding them to save so their goals could be achieved, the average amount saved rose 6%. A little nagging goes a long way. (source: WSJ, 11/4/09)

Stalker mail
An unsolicited birthday card/offer from a bar I've never been to. Just because I know how this works doesn't make it any less creepy. Bad direct mail, bad. (source: my mailbox. Weak photoshopping

courtesy MC Nugget)

Freaky beefy
2,100 calories. 5 inches of meat. For a limited time only in Japan. Could you eat it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCHhWX205bY
(source: Christian Science Monitor, 10/23/09)

Advocate
Anthony Toth loves Pan Am so much he's spent the last 20 years tracking down authentic bits and pieces to recreate a first-class cabin in his garage http://tinyurl.com/yfme7y8 . (source: Wall Street Journal, 10/27/09)

Badvocate
Those are people who say negative things about a brand online. They're about 20% of the world adult population and reach an average of 14 people with their opinions. (source: Weber Schandwick/Forbes, 10/2309)

It's cheap, but is it a good value?
According to a new grocery study, consumers don't care as much about price as about usefulness. "Works well, tastes good." and "Will it be consumed in its entirety by my family?" were criteria #1 and 2 for purchase. Price was #6. They found that people aren't really spending less at grocery, just being more careful about buying things that won't go to waste. For example people thought a multipack of chips where their family would only eat ½ the flavors and wouldn't touch the other ½ wasn't a good value, even though the multipack was really cheap. Waste equals expensive whether it really is expensive or not. (source: MediaPost, 10/23/09)

Show me the shelf talker
A new survey from Miller Zell shows instore marketing kicking ads' butts.
- 32% said instore marketing is very effective; 27% said the same about ads outside of stores
- 69% called the instore experience "make or break"
- 65% make lists, but 60% are still making brand decisions instore
- The most engaging materials? End-aisle (70%), merchandisers (62%), department signs (58%). Ceiling banners and mobiles were least impactful.
- Gen X & Y particularly like shelf strips and blades with lots of info
- Gen Y women were most influenced by instore marketing
(source: ManageSmarter. Com, 10/20/09)

The short list
According to Mintel, the food trend to watch in 2010 will be simplicity. Doesn't matter so much if the ingredients add up to healthy, but the list better not be too long. Items like Häagen-Dazs "Five," which has 5 ingredients, or Starbucks smoothies, now with a mere 4 ingredients. Also hot are more detailed descriptors. Take Triscuits which once were made with "wheat," but now contain "soft white winter wheat." (source: USA Today, 10/28/09)

Novel solution to traffic chaos
In La Paz, Bolivia, there are rules of the road, but there may as well not be for all drivers pay attention to them. Scary place for pedestrians. That's why you're likely to be helped across the street by a zebra. The 100 costumed, at risk youth, who are paid a solid hourly wage plus health insurance, are trained not only in traffic safety but also crowd dynamics and street performance. They've been at it for 8 years, and apparently are far more effective than the fines and coercion police had been plying to get motorists to heed crosswalks. (source: Christian Science Monitor, 10/28/09)

Duracell bunny
You read that right. Duracell had a bunny before Energizer, and he's ba-ack, in Europe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OHY-2bv0vk . (source: MediaPost's Out to Launch, 10/28/09)

Frosty upside your jack-o-lantern
When's it ok to break out holiday-themed ads? Consumers say:
- After Halloween (42%)
- After Labor Day (8%)
- After Thanksgiving (35%)
- Never (12%)
(source: AdweekMedia, 10/23/09)

Do-re-mi-fa...
Swedes make taking the stairs fun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw . (source: Cori. Hi, Cori!)

Godzilla vs. the hummer
Yup, that's a mantis sucking a hummingbird dry at a sugar-water feeder. The feeder's owner says once the mantis learned the trick, he did it over and over. Smart bug. (source: National Geographic, November 2009)

Consumer finance
If you owe $1K on your credit card at 20%, compounded annually, providing you pay nothing off, how long will it take for your debt to double? If you figured five years, you're one of only 46% of men and a frightening 26% of women who got it right. (source: Harvard Business Review, November 2009)

Happy 15th, banner ads
The first one appeared this week in 1994 on Hotwired.com, the first commercial e-zine, and a division of Wired magazine. (source: Ad Age, 10/27/09)

Novel crowdsourcing
CAPTCHA: Those funny-looking words you have to type in online to prove you're a person. Turns out they have a dual role. 1) Nixing spam. 2) Helping Carnegie Mellon U decipher words from old books that have stumped optical scanners. So far 10 million words have been figured out. That's about 150,000 books-without the need to hire tens of thousands of human workers. Sneaky. (source: Harvard Business Review, October 2009)

Oo-oo that smell...
In a new twist on their annual holiday-time Times Square pop-up potty, Charmin is recruiting bloggers. Applicants "must really, really enjoy going to the bathroom." http://www.charmin.com/en_US/enjoy-the-go/index.php

Are you a total wuss?
You could drink more milk, or buy yourself a pair of chair pants. BC Canada's take on the power of dairy http://www.theweakshop.com/ (source: Creativity)

A different approach to ED from the UK
Not cheesy. Not sleazy. Not clinical. Part of a larger series from problem through, yippee, problem solved. A sampling. (source: Creativity)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpoRnLfWyT8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKXQIlUS51s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IbM-Z5hP6A&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5LVx3TmXQE

Food value
The Affordable Nutrition Index made its debut this week at the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. The ANI evaluates foods based on their nutritional bang for the buck. Some of the best values they've found are basics like broccoli and apples, as well as Campbell's low-sodium vegetable soups. This could be a huge help for people trying to build a balanced diet on a tight budget. Mayonnaise and sugary need not apply. (source: Progressive Grocer, 10/19/09)

TAFN
5% of Americans have been dumped via text message. (source: Synovate Mobile Phone Survey, October 2009)

Online, coupons matter
30% of adults won't make a purchase at an e-tailer if there's no coupon. 22% will go to a different store that does have a coupon. 8% will wait for a coupon to pop up. 38% don't look for coupons for online stores. (source: HarrisInteractive, 10.19.09)

Peatle
Kia's using doctored animal images to illustrate the traits of its vehicles. In this case the turtle-peacock stands for "safe and stylish." Interesting idea, but I know I've seen this ad and at least one of the others, but I didn't notice there was anything odd about the animals until I saw an article in MediaPost telling me that the animals were odd. And I look for this stuff. Too subtle?

Too lazy to be vegan
Cheese, leather, honey. All easy to identify and avoid. But to be truly vegan, you have to put some serious research time into every product you use. Example: Atayne's sports apparel is pretty green. It's all made from waste cotton and recycled polyester. To keep their green-wear unstinky, however, instead of silver nanoparticles, it's coated in chitosan, a chemical derived from another waste product -- shrimp and other crustacean shells. D'oh. In case you're looking for a planet friendly alternative to Patagonia, and you're not opposed to animal products in your shorts, go here http://www.atayne.com/

Go go, GTO
Volkswagen is introducing its new GTO model via an iPhone app. That is all. There's a car giveaway overlay for people who play the game-app. The game is a modified, licensed, existing game. Est. cost: $500K. Last GTO intro: $60 million. If you're interested in the details http://adage.com/article?article_id=139862 (source: Ad Age, 10/23/09)

Me, when nobody's looking
#7 viral video of the week http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o (source: Ad Age, 10/20/09)

I feel pretty
I really like this ad. Not the whole campaign, but this ad. It's been showing up for a few months in my various subscriptions, and I like it every time I see it. Maybe it's his expression. Most people don't really get much money back from Discover, but enough for a nice new shirt and tie. And sometimes, that's all you need to get back out there, feeling good about yourself. (source: National Geographic, November 2009)

The dog couldn't see my homework
Not having electricity is a major hurdle for many kids in the developing world. You just can't study in the dark. IKEA to the rescue. Buy one of these solar-charged desk lamps ($20) and one goes to a student, gratis. (source: Metropolitan Home, November 2009)

What mommies pay attention to
A new survey from Prospectiv says mommy-bloggers may be overrated. Of the moms surveyed, only 1% thought blogs are the most effective way to promote a brand. 47% said product samples offered online and 40% said coupons. (source: eMarketer, 10/12/09)

Say goodbye to the average American
That's what demographic experts are predicting the 2010 census will confirm. We're 309 million individuals without a definition. In 10 of the country's largest cities, no racial or ethic group is the majority. And only 22% of households fit the old-school married-with-children mold. The census will offer 14 household relationship types to choose from. Data to be released spring 2011. (source: Ad Age, 10/12/09)

The North Face is suing
But 18-year-old entrepreneur Jimmy Winklemann of Missouri is sticking to his counter-culture clothier guns. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NKz5XiaMXE (source: Iconoculture)

Merry Christmas, Denver
Colorado's minimum wage is tied to the cost of living, so the state will be lowering it by 4 cents to $7.24 per hour. Before the reduction, assuming a 40-hour week, that's a whopping $291.20. Yes, those folks will miss that extra $1.60. (source: Rochester Business Journal Daily Report, 1013/09)

How to sell work boots
Help workers find jobs so they can afford new boots. Check out the spots and the site http://creativity-online.com/work/timberland-pro-hammer/17568 (source: Creativity)

Tough market
I think this is Romanian duct tape. I sure hope they're joking. (source: Failblog)

ROI
Mint.com, the 2-year-old online personal finance management tool, was just purchased by Intuit for $170 million. Mint says it spent a mere $2 million on marketing from start-up to sale, including the marketing staff's salaries. (source: Brandweek, 10/10/09)

ROC trivia
Did you know that the oldest business in Rochester is Alling & Cory (currently Xpedx). Founded in 1819, the company was the first paper merchant in the US. (source: Rochester Business Journal, 10/9/09)

To recession or not to recession?
Most consumers don't want hear about it anymore, at least not in advertising. 23% said it made the ads seem more realistic, but...
- 12% found it "depressing"
- 25% "manipulative"
- 39% had "no opinion"
(source: Harris Poll/Adweek, 10/12/09)

Sidebar: I saw a spot for a local GM dealer that pointed out that we, the consumer/tax payer, are their owner now, so they'll be sure to treat us right. They also mentioned that they were confident GM would be able to pay us all back soon. Didn't make me feel warm & fuzzy. You? (source: probably YNN, 10/13/09)

Banned in China
Liu Bolin's photos are crazy. Please excuse all the other non-artistic junk on this site. (source: Very Short List, 1014/09) http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/meet-the-real-life-invisible-man.html

Site graffiti
For good or ill, Google Sidewiki is up and running. I'm sure all comments will be as cheery and helpful as these ladies' at left.

iAm
A U.S. teen's average daily media consumption consists of 200 minutes of television, 52 minutes of computer use, 6 minutes of mobile voice activity, 96 text messages (sent or received), and 25 minutes of console gaming. (source: Nielsen/Iconoculture)

Can you say "mesothelioma"?
It's the most expensive keyword on both Google ($99.44 per click) and Yahoo! (source: MediaPost, 10/14/09)

Counterfeit Corn Flakes
To fight fakes, and the perception that Kellogg's makes cereal for store brands, the company will laser cut their logo into their flakes. Accept no substitutes; inspect your spoon. (source: Brand Republic, 10/14/09)

New product name of the week
Minute Maid Pulpy Super Milky. OJ, milk powder, coconut bits. (source: Shanghai Daily, 10/13/09)

For my next trick...
I will make it louder. You don't have to be Hermione to magically change channels. This wand can be programmed to control anything that uses IR technology-TV, stereo, the Jumbotron in our conference room. Oooooooo. 50₤. http://www.thewandcompany.com/ (source: Springwise, 10/15/09)