Mitchum Uses Dry Cleaning Hangers to Remind Us Why We Had to Go in the First Place

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Antiperspirant company Mitchum is using space on dry cleaner hangers to offer $1 coupons to potential customers.

Considering the brand has soiled at least 10 my blouses with virtually-irremovable white shadows, I wouldn't feel very receptive to a Mitchum message so soon after paying the dry cleaning bill.

But one lonely experience isn't enough to sway the hordes of women that haven't yet found a dream deodorant. (I wonder, do you ever?) Mitchum says the campaign, which launched early this month, has already boosted purchase intent by 30 percent.

by Angela Natividad    Jul-21-08    




Oh Look! Gum is Romantic!

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AMV BBDO, those apparently horrible people who Bob Garfield hates for making a Snicker's commercial that, OMFG, is homophobic, or so he says, have created two commercials for Wrigley's Extra gum.

In the spots, produced by Biscuit@Independent, couples in love do what couples in love do. They roll down grassy hills while embracing each other and they share a jacket while waiting for the bus. What's not to love? Bob? Bob?

by Steve Hall    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Commercials, Good



Gossip Girl: Every Parent's Nightmare

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From the look of these new Gossip Girl promotional posters, you'd think all they do on the show is have sex. Oddly (or not), that's not the case. The show is entertaining, witty and juicy. And who doesn't like to watch pretty people prance around the screen and whine about their difficult lives...even if they all come from multi-millionaire households? Besides, sex sells so the more we can show Blake Lively and Leighton Meester get it on with their boy toys, the better.

September 1, people.

by Steve Hall    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Good, Racy, Television



Plaid Nation Tour '08 Rolls Heavy on the West Side

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Plaid sent over an envelope loaded with swag (which Heehaw Marketing took a picture of so we wouldn't have to) to remind us the Plaid Nation 2008 West Coast Tour is CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS.

The Plaid van's current location: Vancouver. It'll be creeping its way south toward Los Angeles as the weeks progress.

Now that you know, hit the website -- less of a site, really, than a social media orgy -- and try getting the Plaid crew to pay your ailing agency (or your best friend's engagement-impaired company) a visit. Also check out the Van Cam tab where you can play van voyeur from the driver's seat, or the passenger's seat, or roadside, if that's the way you roll.

by Angela Natividad    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Agencies, Brands, Campaigns, Events, Social



Enough With the Stupid, Obviously Fake Video Stunts!

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The creators of this Mini John Cooper video must have been watching all those fake Nike videos while concepting. This joke is so lame and so stupid, it's amazing those charged with approving it didn't simultaneously barf and yawn at the same time. Even stupid people know the physics of this would kill the guy (and/or break the board) before anyone got off the ground.

Stupid trick videos are funny. But they have to be at least a tiny bit believable to work. And can we stop with the psuedo-amateurish, wobbly camera stuff? Even a five year old with a Flip video can hold a camera more steadily than the idiot who filmed this disaster.

by Steve Hall    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Brands, Video, Worst



Violet Blue Turns to Metafilter Commenters For Answers

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In her quest to figure out just why, why, why Boing Boing did what it did, Violet Blue has turned to Metafilter commenters for answers with a video in which she reads all the comments left on a Metafilter post about the debacle.

more »

by Steve Hall    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Opinion, Weblogs



Make Your Own Fear Photo.

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Cheaper than a trip to Disney's Haunted Mansion -- and the souvenir is free.

Here's mine! (For such an emotionally unrewarding effect, it takes bloody days to load.)

To note: some of your creations will probably appear in PointRoll banner ads for the DVD release of Fox's Shutter, an objectively crappy movie. If you'd prefer to avoid being associated with it ALL OVER THE INTERNET!, I'd suggest using a picture you're not featured in.

by Angela Natividad    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Campaigns, Online, Promotions



Rob A McDonald's, Get Featured in A Promotion

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Some people are more dedicated than others. Or more stupid, depending upon how you look at it. If all it takes to appear in a McDonald's promotion is to rob one at gun point and then spend 12 year in prison, then Tamien Bain is one smart man.

After having held up a McDonald's in 1994 when he was a teenager 14 years ago, Bain spent 12 years in prison. Now he's among five finalists in a MySpace BigMacChant jingle competition for the Big Mac. While he was in prison, he took a liking to music and now, at 29, he just may see some glory after his 12 years of hard work.

Now that's dedication.

by Steve Hall    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Consumer Created, Promotions, Social, Strange



Viral Marketing: What Works, What Doesn't and Why

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Fletcher Martin VP PR & Social Media Strategy and author of SpeakMediaBlog Jennifer Jones has written a contributing article on the topic of viral marketing in which she takes a look at four viral marketing campaigns and tells us what's right and what's wrong with them.

These days one cannot go two clicks without reading about viral marketing. Some say it's the greatest notion since the four P's (product, pricing, promotion and placement). Others say it's an over-hyped waste of time that will burn itself out.

The bottom line is viral marketing can only be as good or bad as the campaign around it. Many would-be viral marketers seem to think calling something viral automatically makes it so. They fail to understand that viral marketing requires strategic planning at the start and ongoing promotion throughout the campaign. With this in mind, I have compiled a short list of what I feel are some of the best and worst viral marketing campaigns so far this year.

Viral Video With a Soft Touch: Stride Chewing Gum's Dancing Video
One of the greatest challenges with viral videos is deciding when and how to incorporate the brand. If the brand name is too present, your overt marketing will upset the viewer. If you don't include it enough, you risk being called out for deceptive practices.

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by Steve Hall    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Opinion, Viral, Word of Mouth



Dear Rance Crain: It's Time to Fire Bob Garfield

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Last week, we were sent a funny ad from AMV BBDO in which Mr. T guns down a speedwalker because it's just too goofy for Mr. T's style and, seemingly, for Snickers. Bob Garfield just reviewed it, gave it zero stars and called the thing...huh...homophobic? What a minute. What the fuck? Homophobic?? I'll be the first one to crap on an ad that is overtly homophobic but, seriously, WTF?? This is the furthest thing from homophobic. Homophobia NEVER crossed my mind when I reviewed this.

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by Steve Hall    Jul-21-08    
Topic: Commercials, Opinion, Worst