Don’t be surprised if you see Google being endorsed through a similar sitcom as the Family Guy. It has been reported that a deal was struck between Family Guy creator Seth Macfarlane and Google executives. According to the deal, a new 2-minute cartoon spill will be made but can be seen only through the Internet via the adsense network.

A total of 50 episodes shall be produced by Macfarlane who will also get a marginal profit from the ads taken from it.

The idea here seems to be that Google wants to build up a library of content that people will be able to take and host on their sites.

From there, they will be able to embed advertisements in the videos, helping both the owner of the site, the creator of the content, and Google to earn revenue off of it.

It has been noted that this is one of the biggest deals yet to help push Google AdSense.

(Source) DBTechno.com

Technorati Tags: advertising, adsense, the family guy, seth macfarlane, google, embed advertising, revenue

The Beijing Olympics is fast approaching and this early, most companies who want to place their ads and endorsements in this monumental event are trying strategically to place themselves and capture a piece of the market. For Germany based Adidas, there is a battle at hand and that of which is to give rival company Nike a run for their money.

Nike is a known brand in China and surely they have the obvious advantage as far as branding and marketing is concerned. But while that is a given, do not discount Adidas just yet. They are pulling out the stops and are surely focusing on getting a bigger piece of the Olympics exposure.

The investment is risky but in business, you have to take it. Exposure is everything especially when you talk about the Olympics where the whole world is watching.

“Every brand is taking a calculated risk at the Games,” says Kevin Adler, chief solutions officer at Engage Marketing, a sports-marketing firm in New York. “Is there a risk that Adidas faces more of a backlash than other marketers because of its China-centric marketing? Yes.”

The larger mission of the ad campaign is to help Adidas in its battle with Nike for the Chinese consumer market. Adidas executives say that the company will surpass Nike in market share by the end of this year. Adidas plans to have 6,300 stores in more than 650 cities in China including a 10,000 square-foot superstore in Beijing — and expects to have about €1 billion ($1.58 billion) in sales.

(Source) The Wall Street Journal

Technorati Tags: adidas, Beijing, Branding, Marketing, nationalism, nike, olympics, sports

Nuveen Investments teamed up with Fallon to bring you some pretty neat billboards that are currently appearing in Wrigley Field in support of the Cubs. Now, while the ads are extremely regionalized, there are a couple that, I think, speak to any baseball fan - all you would have to do it switch out the team name. But for a campaign that is running only regionally, it’s good. I think the “vintage” sorta look to it and as a baseball fan myself, I can appreciate the headlines that speak to true fans (even if I’m not a Cubs fan).

See the other four ads here, here, here and here.

Technorati Tags: baseball, sports, Chicago, endorsement, Cubs, financial services, billboards, outdoor, advertising

 

Axe has been known for its advertising for awhile now and here’s another spot that I like just as much as the rest. Done by BBH to advertise a new shower tool  (it’s what I call the “poof” for girls). Simple - a car wash for guys where hot chicks do the detailing. I get it, I like it, I want a shower with hot boys. Bring it on.

Technorati Tags: Axe, body wash, shower, soap, girls, shower tool, poof, washing, bathing, advertising, marketing

I have never felt worse for a DD than I do after watching this commercial. Although, at the same time, I really wish I could find a way to do this to someone. A new spot for Captain Morgan from Grey NY shows a pretty clever way of finding a ride home after having a little too much, you know, as opposed to hopping behind the wheel yourself. Heck, I’d almost like to to do this to someone while I’m dead sober. HA.

Technorati Tags: Captain Morgan, rum, alcohol, drinking, designated drivers, bars, girls, text messages, TV, commercials, advertising, drink responsibly

With Wimbledon well underway, Nike has released a bizarrely awesome new TV spot featuring tennis phenom Roger Federer. While slightly reminiscent of a bit with Cato a la Pink Panther, the twist of revealing Federer’s “Coach,” played by none other than New Zealand comedian Rhys Darby (who you may recognize from Flight of the Conchords), brings everything together - as much as possible, at least.

I’m all for product endorsements. I have no problem that there’s an official cracker of Nascar or an official cheese of the Tour De France (as odd as it may be), but for some reason, Baseball goes hand-in-hand with American pastimes. And peanuts and Cracker Jack go hand-in-hand with the ballpark. Thus, I’m slightly taken aback that KozyShack has become the official pudding of the New York Mets. Not that I despise pudding, nor do I oppose a variety of sponsors, but there’s just something about Pudding that doesn’t really strike a chord with me at the ballpark.

According to a Kozy Shack statement, “Now, Every Day is Pudding Day at Shea.” I understand the publicity opportunity and promotional possibilities of a New York-based pudding company endorsing the Mets, but it just seems like a choice that’s interesting at best. Mets fan Erin Bolstad from New Jersey is quoted in a New York Times article, saying:

“We walked by where they were giving out free samples. I said, ‘Why would I want pudding right now?’ … Walking into a game, that’s the last thing I would want.”

Maybe eating pudding at Shea is an experiential moment bordering a transcendental experience that i just have to go through to understand. Next time I’m out that way, I’ll have to venture forth and check it out. I just hope there’s some pudding-related event when I go - like a Kozy Shack mascot race.

[via NYT, image from KozyShack]

Coca Cola doesn’t really need to put much effort in marketing its product considering that it is a global brand. But a slight change in logo and design would never hurt. We are familiar with the standard red background and white ribbon like design in front of it. But just the same, putting in something different in the ribbon area would never hurt.

The new trademark is called the VIS (Visual Identity System) which incidentally won the Design Grand Prix at the Cannes Lion International Advertising Festival. This new design has evidently been used as early as last year and now with the aid of advertising, Coca Cola is determined to put their brand into full blast around the world.

“Our efforts are being recognised by one of the most prestigious festivals in the advertising industry,” Mildenhall added.

The new design keeps the “Coke Red” brand colour but changes the brand’s white ribbon, contour bottle and scripted logo. The VIS, debuted last year in advertising, packaging, vending machines, coolers and retail elements in North America, followed by Asia and Eurasia, and will continue to roll-out around the globe throughout 2008.

(Source) Business Daily

Technorati Tags: advertising, coca cola, cannes lion international advertising festival, VIS

In honor of the year being halfway done (and to my complete horror that six months have come and gone), here’s an awesome promotional idea that came out of Jung von Matt in Germany. For the launch of a fancy new battery-operated lawnmower from Bosch, they sent out this calendar.

Slowly, the lawn is mowed as you pull away the days. In the end, you have a perfectly cut lawn. Now, this may seem like it will take FOREVER to get the benefit, but I think the idea is there even with the lawn. Apparently, this little guy became quite the collector’s item out there in Germany and the lawnmowers have bode well from it. So… if anyone out there reading this has the calendar - congrats! You are halfway to a well-manicured lawn. And if you don’t have it… enjoy anyway.

See the full-size here to read more. 

Technorati Tags: lawn, grass, calendars, advertising, promotion, marketing, Germany, mowing

Yesterday, we hit the year’s halfway mark. And for those of you who are just as stunned and confused as I am, wondering, “Okay, what have I been doing for the past six months and where did they go?” here’s a nice throwback spot for you. Yesterday also was the birthday of Jamie Farr - you know, of M*A*S*H fame - and one of the radio stations around me played the audio of an old Mars Bar commercial he was in. Who wouldn’t get a kick out of Jamie Farr talking about all those nuts? So enjoy, a lighthearted laugh and try not to cry that 2008 is half over.

 

Technorati Tags: Mars Bar, Jamie Farr, M*A*S*H, candy, commercials, 1984, throwback, funny, humor, chocolate, celebrity endorsement

The key towards prying away our children and the youth from the vices such as alcohol and cigarette really depends on the level of exposure that they are getting. Apparently, this was what the Codes on Alcohol Advertising is aiming to achieve as set forth by the Department of Health.

Advertising has been long known to be a good medium towards making marketing plans and strategies work. But while the business aspect may be satisfied, it remains that the people who see them cannot be controlled. Hopefully though with these efforts, some level of control and sanity will be enforced.

New restrictions aimed at reducing the exposure of children to alcohol advertising come into effect from today.

The Codes on Alcohol Advertising, Placement and Sponsorship have been agreed between the drinks industry and the Department of Health.

Print and digital media, including social networking sites, come under the codes for the first time.

(Source) RTE News

Technorati Tags: advertising, alcohol, youth, children, code of alcohol advertising, marketing, promotion, cigarette

Ok, its a little late and a little graphic and sophomoric jocular humor but DAMN IT”S FUNNY! Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert “yeah I did that and her too.” Downey Jr are Hilarious in this paid placement with in the MTV awards.

Sleep apnea and sleep disorders are fast becoming the dreaded problems of most people today and while many of us are aching to get at least six hours of sleep, mattress maker Sealy has launched a new ad campaign using “If you can only get six, then why not get a better six?”

Catchy and sensible is what you may want to call it. Sealy beds has done its homework and was able to conceptualize what people direly need today. With the crisis not sparing the bed manufacturing industry, it would be wise to think how the wise spender would pay attention to any company and the promotional gimmicks that they are resorting to as of today.

“If you can only get six, then why not get a better six?” the ads ask, referring to the fact that most Americans no longer get the traditional eight hours of sleep per night.

The light-hearted campaign supports two major project introductions by the Trinity-based manufacturer, according to an announcement from Sealy (NYSE: ZZ). In January, the company debuted its new Posturepedic Innerspring line, designed for back support and pressure relief. Sealy also recently brought out a specialty latex product it calls PurEmbrace.

(Source) The Business Journal

Technorati Tags: sealy, beds, mattresses, marketing, ad campaign, sleep apnea, sleep disorder, promotion, advertising, ad campaign

Recently controversial artist Nas has recently signed a one-year deal with Fila, coming as a bit of a surprise to many fans of the previously heavily anti-marketing rapper. Fila will support Nas’ print and TV ad campaign as well as his upcoming tour in trade for Nas sporting Fila products and co-creating an apparel line hearkening back to fashions of the late ’80s.

Almost more interesting then the actual story are a few quotes from Fila president John Epstein quoted in a Billboard.com article. Epstein said:

“Nas isn’t interested in selling out. He’s interested in being true, and that fits with our brand.”

I’m not even sure I really know what that means… or if it means anything at all. Are there brands that are interested in being fake? Epstein continues to say:

“I had some trepidation, and then I started talking to 16- to 20-year-old kids in focus groups… They looked at me like I was crazy for not understanding his message of positive change. Nas is relevant to his followers and I don’t have to understand it as long as they do.”

Admittedly, I’m not a president or ceo of a company, but personally, I’d like to have at least some understanding of the issues and ideals of high-profile spokespeople. Regardless, Nas finally pairing up with a company for marketing purposes could work out beautifully well for both parties, assuming all goes according to plan.

After being one of the tech hungry masses to fall in love with first iteration of the iPhone TV spots simple delivery. We are now offered up a knock off piece of creative that could very well be cut together from any number of 007 reels from the past 20 years. (Click to see the new work) http://www.apple.com/iphone/gallery/ads/hallway/ Come on Apple, you screwed us on the price, made a bajillion (technical term) dollars on the units and then made them paper weights in less that a year. The least you can do is give me a decent spot. Who’s with me !?! In the mean time, I’ll be at the apple store if anyone needs me on the 11th

I recently saw the new spot for Orbit Gum, done by Energy BBDO in Chicago, boasting their new ADA approval and how it can not only clean a dirty mouth but can make it stronger. I haven’t made an official decision on this ad yet - so I’ve marked it as both. While Orbit’s ads are generally bizarre there is something that is slightly disturbing about a woman tearing things apart with her teeth. I think, perhaps, my favorite spots will still be the dirty/clean ones, but this has potential.

 

Technorati Tags: Orbit, gum, dirty mouths, clean mouths, strong teeth, TV, commercials, advertising, marketing, smiles, teeth, American Dental Association, i hate the dentist

One thing you have to consider when you are in different countries, there are certain cultures and things you have to consider. Courier services offered by Fedex are one thing but being able to deliver it exactly to the person to which the package was sent to is another. In short, be specific as possible, state the whole name and don’t go simply by the last name.

Last names in some countries may be common. In China for example, Zhang is a common name and if you holler that one, you may get a group coming up to claim that package.

Try to be complete and specific. Otherwise it can become a problem and entirely waste of time.

Technorati Tags: fedex, china, commercial, ad, funny, zhang

Converse and Anomoly recently launched a series of microsites, all intertwined with the help of a StumbleUpon-esque navigation. Each site contains some form of animation/video/etc., and they can all be accessed via the appropriately named This Is The Index Page. Each mini page has an independent URL, which makes digging, facebooking, and other direct link sharing much easier. Certainly an interesting take on the microsite, and on branded content in general - one that I got lost in for a good while.

So our fine French friends are pulling together the indivial media powerhouses Starcom, Mediavest, Zenith Omnimedia and Digitas to create one hell of a media buying outlet. Lead by a collective braintrust that rivals the any in corporate America this unit is going to hell on wheels. As a Google shareholder lets just say I am very afraid. VivaKi could in their quest for efficiency eliminate the taking names portion of the equation and just kick ass. Wonder what the folks in D.C. have to say about this?

One ought not to mess with vampires–or their fans. That’s why fans of the ill-fated CBS show Moonlight are slated to have this ad up in Burbank on a billboard this week, and on several taxi cabs throughout New York City. CBS called it quits on the show, which garnered approximately 8 million viewers. The buzz has been that SciFi, CW, TNT and other cable networks will pick up the show, but no one has bitten yet. The fan-supported campaign continues and you can get more details at www.moonlight-united.com or www.moonlightarmy.com.