Subway Files Lawsuit Because Some Soapbox Racers Threw Sandwiches At Each Other

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According to The New York Times, Subway is inexplicably (as in pending lawsuit) pissed at Quiznos because of some "derogatory" user-generated videos that depict Subway unfavorably. Must see to believe (scroll down to view the big offender).

Some actual Quiznos ads, depicting people on the street choosing between the two brands, also made it into the lawsuit, but the big stars are the UGC entries from some contest Quiznos ran. Subway is also suing iFilm for running the contest.

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by Angela Natividad    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Bad, Brands, Consumer Created, Online, Video



'Wall Street Journal' to Cover...Sports?

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What the hell is going on with the Wall Street Journal? Pity the poor media planner who once was able to make a media buy that pretty much insured they'd reach some financially savvy folks who were reading the Journal for its razor-focused coverage of financial matter. But, then came the Weekend edition with its fluffy entertainment news. And then there was the Personal Journal which covered...who knows...fixing your kitchen sink? Now, thanks to Rupert Murdoch, the paper is getting a sports section.

WTF? The Wall Street Journal writing about sports? WTF? Sure the paper's readers interests beyond financial but how much blandification can a media property take on before it becomes just another daily newspaper that's so broad it appeals to no one and suffers dramatic circulation declines like every other paper in the nation? It makes no sense. But, hey, we're not Rupert Murdoch so we could be wrong.

by Steve Hall    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Bad, Newspaper, Opinion, Strange



Because You Know You Love Yourself Some 'American Gladiators'

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Tomorrow WhittmanHart Interactive launches American Gladiators, an online homage to the original series, to promote MGM's new American Gladiators.

Old-school fans can find out where their favorite original Gladiators are today. (The revelations will probably be depressing.) Video of best hits and stunts will also be hosted.

American Gladiators did something to our perception of adulthood as kids. We knew if there was even a small chance of wearing leotards and beating the crap out of people with giant batons on TV, there was nothing to fear about growing up.

by Angela Natividad    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Online, Promotions



Bacardi Sells Rum by Hocking Mystery Suitcase

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First Bacardi told us about the mysterious travellers of Murmansk Route. Then it said the mysterious travellers of Murmansk Route have something that will change our lives.

To get it, all we have to do is bid for a locked suitcase on eBay.

Not sold? Watch the video, which actually still won't win you unless you speak Spanish, and even then, odds remain 50/50.

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by Angela Natividad    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Guerilla, Online



Lingerie Site Features Hot Models, Blog About Models' Demoralizing Effect

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So here's an intriguing campaign for you transparency lovers. Strawberry Frog crafted a website for Brazilian lingerie company Universo Intimo, filled it with images of impossibly hot models...then added a blog on which a woman writes about how young girls can be demoralizing and create impossible to achieve expectations.Um, nice but huh?

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by Steve Hall    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Online, Racy, Strange, Trends and Culture, Weblogs



Supermarket Campaign Offers Booty, Boobs, Package to Boys

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While we think we've seen this campaign before, the onslaught (yes, even we are subjected to that poor girl's plight) of campaign after campaign after campaign has dulled even our heightened sense of advertising awareness. Then again, you all know, when it comes to a certain style of advertising, our senses are always peaked.

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by Steve Hall    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Campaigns, Magazine, Strange



Geriatric Egg, Sausage Snail, Bacon Caterpillar Shill Pancakes in A Can

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Who doesn't like a nice stack of pancakes everyone in a while? But does anyone really like the messy prep work that goes into making the batter for that nice stack? OK, it's not that bad but since we live in a world on its way to Idiocracy, it's no surprise someone's come up with a better pancake idea.

The Batter Blaster, which, in a nutshell, is pancake batter in a spray can is, as the tagline explains, the "Breakfaster. Organic Pancakes in an instant." We like simplicity. We like organic. We're just not sure pancakes from a can are going to rival those made in the bowl.

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by Steve Hall    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Campaigns, Good, Magazine, Strange



HappySlip Promotes Manila Meet & Greet

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As part of her trip to the Philippines courtesy of the Philippine Tourism Department, HappySlip is advertising news of her Meet & Greet in Manila at the Mag:net Cafe this February 7. Get on the guest list at happyslip.yehey.com (Yehey! is the Philippine Yahoo!, kind of). The fun and games go down from 11am-3pm.

Seeing as how this is for Philippine tourism and we want to put our best foot forward, it might be a good idea to filter the ads appearing at the end of the videos. Unless FilipinaHeart.com is a proud sponsor...?

by Angela Natividad    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Celebrity, Events, Online, Promotions



Adidas Boost Auckland Marathon Runners With Giant Fan

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Here's an interesting extension of Adidas' Impossible is Nothing mantra. During the Aukland Marathon at the 17 km mark, runners could choose to run through lane which was outfitted with what was called the adiBOOST, a giant fan that would put a 50 knot wind at their backs insuring the impossibility of finishing the marathon would be nothing to be concerned with. Nice idea.

by Steve Hall    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Events, Good, Guerilla, Outdoor



Prediction: Firebrand Will Not Exist in 18 (Maybe Even 12) Months

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You can look at this Firebrand video promoting its Road to Monday Super Bowl program this week as being somewhat comical in its efforts to portray the insanity in which we all engage regarding Super Bowl ads. Or you can look at it as a lame effort, cheesily produced with the unattainable goal of getting people to actually care about advertising. Of course, if there were any time of year the average Joe would care about advertising, it would be surrounding the Super Bowl.

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by Steve Hall    Jan-29-08    
Topic: Cable, Online, Opinion, Super Bowl 2008