The holy debit card of Antioch

Tranquility, brought to you by Hyundai
Hyundai bought all the advertising space for 3 years in the new subway station and several other stations near their HQ in Seoul. Did they plaster all that square footage with credit card, banking, car, and other ads for the many products and services the mega-company offers? Nope. Just a few subtle icons. At the entrances and exits of the stations, the giant white panels have a pink eraser in the lower-right corner and a two-sentence explanation: "The world is flooded with too many ads. For a short while, we want to leave it empty for you." Aaaaah. (source: The Wall Street Journal, 9/14/09)

Yer out
Unilever has fired Lowe and turned their Peperami brand over to the creative community as a whole. They'll give $10K to the person who comes up with the best TV and print ideas for the kids' meat snack. Although anybody could win, their intent is to get the brief in front of as many creatives as possible to improve the quality of the work. A sort of creative jump ball at http://www.ideabounty.com/ . Unilever says this is possible because Lowe did such a great job of setting the brand up. No respect. No respect at all. (source: Ad Age, 9/14/09)

Forget virgins, Pele wants a snack
Who knew VW makes a pickup? And a low-rider at that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3G-MsqO0HI
BTW, the results I got checking VW US for the Saveiro: "Hmm, your search for saveiro has no results.
We're not saying it doesn't exist, but you may want to check the spelling. Not that you're a bad speller. Just try a similar topic." Sorry, available in South America only.

Helping Grandma shop
By 2030 20% of Americans, including me, will be 65 or older. Retailers and brands are starting to make changes to their stores and packaging now to make sure we codgers can keep spending. Things like putting help buttons next to heavy items, installing better lighting, and changing package colors. Some tips http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB125288402995807243-lMyQjAxMDI5NTEyNDgxODQ0Wj.html

Can't beat ‘em, cover 'em
Shiner bock was priced out of a music festival by Heineken, so they made specially fitted can cozies instead. Cheers. (source: Ad Age, 9/14/09)

An open bag is an empty bag
Why is it so hard to stop eating ice cream and other high-fat foods once you start? A new study says it's because the fat orders your brain to keep on eating. Fatty acids block the hormones that normally tell you you're full, for up to 3 days after you ingest the sneaky little slimeballs. The type of fats in beef and dairy are the most effective of the overindulgence cheerleaders. (source: Reuters, 9/15/09)

Adapt or no papaya
http://creativity-online.com/work/tck-tck-tck-adaptation/17282

iGoogle
People who use Google do more than twice as many searches per month as people who use other engines. (source: Reuters)

Low-impact on Friday
Wegmans' new fish fry container is derived from sugar cane. Not only is it not Styrofoam, it's a waste product that's no longer going to waste. (source: Supermarket News, 9/7/09)

Stealth solar
Solar panels are useful, but they're also just plain ugly. Not these. Made of sturdy plastic with embedded solar technology they blend with US Tile's standard clay roofing tiles. So, cover the whole roof or just a smidge. More colors coming soon. (source: Springwise, 9/17/09) http://www.srsenergy.com/Home.aspx

Makin' bacon
A Mason jar, the junk drawer, the dark recesses of your purse. Most of us have a penny oubliette. But so many people are now spending that formerly "useless" change that the US Mint struck 30% less coinage this year, a 10-year low. T Rowe Price says more piggies are also entering American homes for future saving. (source: The Denver Post/Iconoculture)

Better late than never
After 41 years, The Newlywed Game is hosting its first gay couple. George Takei (Sulu) and his husband Brad have been married for one year, but together for 22. Somehow I think they'll win. (source: AP, 9/16/09)

Sorry I spend so much time having fun
Clever approach to selling parkas. The cross-promo items are real. (source: NYTimes, 9/15/09)
http://www.cloudveil.com/priorities/Really,%20I%20Mean%20It/fresh-powder-made-me-miss-lunch-with-your-parents+bouquet--FLWR/
http://www.cloudveil.com/priorities/I%27m%20Sorry/sorry-i-went-climbing-again-instead-of-taking-you-for-a-walk+dog+treats--BONE/
http://www.cloudveil.com/priorities/It%20Won%27t%20Happen%20Again/sorry-i-missed-the-meeting-because-of-the-stonefly-hatch+mug--CMUG/

Black-letter day
Facebook became profitable 9/15/09. Only took 5 years and 300 million users. (source: Ad Age, 9/15/09)

Classical cash
Da Vinci, Michelangelo, conspiracy theories galore. As if you needed more reasons to visit the Vatican. Enter Latin ATMs. What do you suppose is the Pope's PIN? Perhaps Brother Maynard knows. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOrgLj9lOwk

Snack stats
Progressive Grocer says snacking is way up-nearly 19% overall. 23% in the a.m., 20% in the afternoon, and 15% in the evening. Refrigerated snacks up 19%; homemade up 15%. (source: Iconoculture)