Word of Mouth Marketing Standards Released

The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA), the official organization for the word of mouth marketing industry has released the first set of standards for tracking and quantifying word of mouth (WOM) marketing. The standards will be be called "Measuring Word of Mouth, Volume 1."

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Trade Show Tips Make For Better ad:tech Experience

On the gaspedal weblog, there's a few tips for ad:tech conference attendees to take to heart to improve the conference going experience. While the obvious tips like show your badge to how to meet people to travel tips are there, some less obvious but more helpful tips are listed as well. While we might not agree with this one because it takes the fun out of crowded exhibit hall floors, gaspedal suggests booth babes are for idiots calling the practice one which would appeal to 14 year old morons living in the un-PC 70's. Other gems include the "boob alert" which states a mid-chest placed conference name tag on a woman isn't an invitation for a full body visual exam and the "rude alert" which claims answering a cell phone in the middle of a conversation is very bad form.

Creatives Kick Ass, Pat Backs, Toss Fluff

Preconceived notions the session entitled "Kick Ass Creative" would be drenched in self-congratulatory praise for pet creative work and new age strategies were clearly confirmed. The session, led by Ad Age Publishing VP and Editorial Director David Klein, included panelists Carat Interactive EVP Creative Director Mike Yapp, Agency.com Creative Director Dorian Sweet, Avenue A/Razorfish ECD Brooke Nanberg and Organic Inc. ECD Colleen DeCourcy.

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Monday Night Party Plans For ad:tech Chicago 2005

Either, sadly, there's not much in the way of social events going on Monday night at ad:tech Chicago 2005 or we just haven't been informed of all events. We do know Tribal Fusion is hosting an invite-only networking event from 8P to midnight aboard Chicago's First Lady. The boat is docked near Michigan Avenue at Wacker Drive. The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association, along with Leapfrog Online, is hosting a party at the Rock Bottom Brewery Gold Room and Rooftop (One West Grand) from 6:30P to 1:30A. The first 300 guests will get open bar and a free buffet.

UPDATE: Commission Junction is hosting an early party at Sushi Samba's Rooftop Lounge at 504 North Wells Street beginning at 6PM. Open bar until 7:30P but it's invite only so stop by their booth for an invite. Be nice. They can't invite everyone.

Blonds and Redheads Attract Booth Traffic

Each conference requires the ubiquitous booth babe coverage if only to reinforce the notion that ad:tech is about advertising and, in advertising, it's well known sex does sell. As before, SEO Inc. hired several beautiful women to attract attendees to its booth so its search engine optimization services could be described. From the throngs of people swarming the booth, the strategy, once again, has paid off.

Bikini Contest Promotes Hanes

While it's safe to say this isn't a sanctioned Hanes promotion, we're quite sure this visual, and the others that go with it, will be seen by far more people and get much more mileage than your typical Hanes ad.

Spoof Introduces iPod Flea

Among all the iPod spoofs circulating, this one's fairly humorous poking fun at the ever increasing size of the unit and the endless proliferation of accessories made for it. The spoof promotes the iPod Flea, an MP3 player so small it can play just one song over and over for an hour.

Pink Panty Poker Promotes Victoria's Secret

Why we didn't find this first is beyond us but we thank Adland for pointing to it. Ad agency poster child Crispin Porter Bogusky has created Pink Panty Poker, a strip poker game that's easy to play and quick to reward with hot models tearing their clothes off for your viewing pleasure. An admirable effort. CPB copywriter and VP Creative Director Scott Linnen explains the project to Adverblog here.

Toronto Tests Trash Can Advertising

A year and a half ago, we reported Bridgeport Connecticut had introduced ad sponsored trash cans throughout its city. Now, Toronto is stepping into the trash ad business with a three month test several 7 X 5 X 2 foot combination garbage/recycling bins. More than 3,000, half of which will carry ads, will be placed city-wide if survey is found to deem them acceptable

Nike Brings Kobe Bryant Back to Ad Campaign

For the first time in two years, following his arrest for alleged rape, Kobe Bryant will appear in ads for Nike which will appear in Sports Illustrated. "There is no change in Kobe Bryant's contractual status with Nike. Kobe's inclusion in promotional material for the Huarache 2K5 footwear product is consistent with such Nike endorsement agreements. Nike agrees with most NBA observers that Kobe ranks among the very best players in the NBA, and his training and preparation are key elements of his game," said Nike spokesman Rodney Knox.