By Katie Earley, Copywriter
Some spaces don’t require you to write something clever. They barely require you to write anything at all. Finding clever copy in a space that doesn’t necessitate much of anything is always a fun for surprise for me.
I found this article, and thought it would be a good follow up to my blog about World Cup marketing. In this article, Barry Finkelstein (Vice President/Director of Public Relations of Erwin-Penland in Greenville, SC), talks about some valuable marketing lessons that we can learn from the World Cup.
Like the Olympics, the World Cup is about bringing the World together to show national pride, athleticism and sportsmanship. In my opinion as a soccer (football) fan, the World Cup is more intimate at bringing the world together because cheering on our home team is our common goal. Trust me, that pun was intended.
by Susan Gosselin
Vest Director of PR
Used to be, when you put out television advertising, the only thing you ever had to worry about was cutting through the clutter and sales results. But in today’s world of mashups, youtube, fan art/fiction and media creation programs nearly anyone can use your intellectual property for their own. It’s something brand managers should really be thinking about as they create their campaigns.
Exhibit A: Esurance. Most of you recognize the perky pink haired cartoon spokesmodel for esurance, right? Well, apparently, the face that launched thousands of new insurance accounts launched something else the company didn’t intend: an army of amateur artists, film makers and cartoonists making x-rated art with her image. (the illustration above is a very, very tame rendition.) The problem was becoming so bad that Erin’s many doppelgangers were completely drowning out the company’s legitimate presence in the search results, and hijacking the company’s presence on the Internet. Who would have thought something like this could have happened even a few years ago? But, there are plenty of perverts out there with photoshop, animation software and video editing suites and plenty of time on their hands. I suppose no one should be surprised.
From a crisis management perspective, this is a classic example of when to cut bait. Happily, this is what Esurance has decided to do. No amount of indignant press releases or targeted lawsuits would have ever stamped out this brand infestation. It would have only served to bring more attention and search results to the cause. Since it’s just a brand character and not the company’s core product, they can afford to do this.
Poor Erin. Now that she’s been fired from her day job, she’ll have to go out onto the mean streets on her own. Sounds like the beginning of a comic book series, to me.
I found this article on www.penn-olson.com. Thought it was interesting and wanted to share. Hope you like it! If not, well shame on you. Just kidding.
Anyone that knows me knows how much I love music. I basically watch TV so that I can find cool new artist or songs. I also think my dream job would be a music supervisor - the people that place music in TV and movies. I think I could totally rock that, but that is beside the point. I really love when music can be incorporated into all facets of life. In the words of Chelsea Handler, “it makes me want to get naked and high-five myself”. I don’t think she was referring to music excitement, but still it is the perfect explanation.
So to make a very wordy introduction short, I stumbled upon this awesome blog today about the 5 things Depeche Mode can teach you about effective online marketing. Enjoy and until then Free the Music (a little One Horse Records plug). If you want to check out One Horse Records, you know the drill…FREE THE MUSIC.
5 Things Depeche Mode Can Teach You About Effective Online Marketing
By Katie Earley, Copywriter
Lego has just made this amazing video to celebrate great ideas (Lego calls them “Cl!ck moments”.) and send you to their new idea center www.legoclick.com.
You should know the real reason I’m sharing this video today is because Legos (and Nerf guns) are one of those things that my husband will never outgrow. It’s actually pretty cute until he tries to pass off his Lego tower as something that ought to be prominently displayed in the home. Perhaps Lego should start making Pottery Barn-esque vase kits. That’s my great idea for today.
via Adverblog
By Katie Earley, Copywriter
It takes a lot of creative talent to re-envision an old idea. In advertising, writers and designers have the added challenge to maintain consistency between the old and new ideas so consumers continue to recognize the brand.
By Katie Earley, Copywriter
Peppermint mochas at Starbucks. Charlie Brown Christmas specials. Extra candy in the break room. Long lines at the mall. The holidays are here! And one of my favorite traditions of the season is the end-of-year list. Perhaps it has to do with my love of lists in general. But of special note today, is Advertising Age’s America’s Hottest Brands of the Year.
My personal favorite from their list? Honestly? The Snuggie.
