AdHurl: May 2006 Archives

Know More: Agencies

There’s a piece in today’s AdWeek that mystifies me… It would seem that Publicis Groupe's Saatchi & Saatchi has eliminated about 15 jobs at its 500-person New York headquarters The 3 percent staff cut was achieved via layoffs and closing out vacant jobs, said sources. The move is designed to bring costs in line with revenue and Saatchi plans to use some of savings to reinvest in new service offerings, according to sources. My question is… Why on earth would you publicize this? 15 out of 500 is nothing. They probably lose more than that in Manhattan traffic accidents every week.

Saatchi transferred me to the Kabul office instead of laying me off... Thanks guys!

Posted at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

In common with a great many other companies of late, it would seem Computer Associates is having to restate its most recent results. Something about expecting a loss rather than the forecast profit. This is a company that has been... Continue Reading

Posted at 6:05 PM | Permalink | Comments

In today’s New York Times, the Ad Column is all about product placement and how a new comedy on the Lifetime Channel is based on a dysfunctional online California dating service. Apparently, every few minutes viewers will be bombarded with... Continue Reading

Posted at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments

BrandWeek, which is always a good read, and excellently written, has an interesting piece on an online survey dealing with, “Metrosexuals.” That’s right the guys who are somewhat obsessed by their appearance. So now with Father’s Day gift-giving looming, the... Continue Reading

Posted at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments

Who on earth would want to be in the newspaper business right now? With the Merrill Lynch analysts' report "Deep Depressing Dive," released before the weekend, saying they have taken an "increasingly sober" outlook for the newspaper industry in lowering... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:53 PM | Permalink | Comments

Isn’t advertising wonderful? AdRants has a piece on how Advertising Week is about to take over New York City with Sixth Avenue festooned with banners featuring famous advertising icons from Tony the Tiger to Juan Valdez to the Geico Gecko.... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:43 PM | Permalink | Comments

Seems like the online video sites can do no wrong with visits to the top 10 ten increasing 164 percent in the past three months (from week ended February 25 to week ended May 20), with YouTube alone accounting for... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

An update on my post of May 25th regarding the pathetic state of affairs at the Interpublic Groups shareholder meeting. Apparently the idiots dumb enough to own stock in this fiasco voted down a proposal that would have pushed the... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

Interesting that Dell has ditched Microsoft in favor of Google as the pre-installed search engine on all its machines. Eric Schmidt (Google CEO) told an investor conference yesterday that Dell PCs are to be Googled, with the search giant's desktop,... Continue Reading

Posted at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

Isn’t it great to know that Omni hotels has embarked on an ad campaign to increase customer satisfaction with the help of lemon grass and green tea scents, lavender pillow spray and a calming CD to lull guests to sleep.... Continue Reading

Posted at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments

Is it just me, or are all the accounts being moved around recently, incredibly boring. Hot on the heels of Kimberly-Clark putting a ton of diapers, sanitary pads and various other things you use on your nether parts into JWT.... Continue Reading

Posted at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments

I have to laugh at HP’s attempt at a marketing blog. Obviously someone pointed out to them that one of the best business blogs around is Robert Scoble’s on behalf of Microsoft. So HP jumped in with “The Marketing Excellence... Continue Reading

Posted at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments

Interesting piece in Der Spiegel today about a rerun of the famous 1976 blind taste test between French and Californian wines. It would appear that the Californians have won. You can read the whole piece here. But, having done a... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments

I can’t wait to see the ads on this… Nike and Apple have partnered to create a line of Nike+iPod products, the first of which is the Sport Kit, a wireless system that allows communication between Nike+ footwear and iPods... Continue Reading

Posted at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

Apparently, in a great promotional coup, Alaska Airlines is claiming that it is the first airline in the world to add the Red Bull Energy Drink to its regular in-flight beverage selection. Now having done some work with these folks... Continue Reading

Posted at 8:33 PM | Permalink | Comments

In my upcoming book, MadScam, I describe advertising as the world’s second oldest profession. Prostitution beating it to the post by a nose! That’s why today’s news that Interpublic Group shareholders soundly rejected two activist proposals that the holding company... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments

When it comes to beer advertising, why do I always get that Yogi Berra feeling? You know… “It feels like déjà vu all over again.” With the news that the New York office of Mother, a London-based agency for Milwaukee's... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

I sometimes think the stupidity of politicians is only matched by marketers. General Motors announced today that it will start an ad campaign offering $1.99-a-gallon fuel for buyers of certain vehicles in California and Florida. Those customers must also enroll... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

Why does today’s news that Amanda Walsh, president of WPP Group's United agency network (formerly Red Cell), is stepping down from the position, not surprise me? Well, when you downsize from a 55-office group to a nine-office network run by... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments

With the news today that Ogilvy & Mather has landed pan-European creative duties on EasyJet's ad account, I was reminded how bad most airline advertising is these days. Perhaps it’s a reflection of how bad flying is these days. Even... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

Nice bit on AlwaysOn’s Web site about a Venture Capitalist round table discussing the future of technology. You can read the whole thing here… But, I just loved these two comments from John Doerr: a venture capitalist with Kleiner Perkins... Continue Reading

Posted at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

Interesting to read that not satisfied with its domination of the $8 billion global search advertising business, Google is now vying for a portion of the brand advertising business as well. Today, the company began offering members of its AdSense... Continue Reading

Posted at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

A couple of days ago I posted about the special $10 stogie being put out for the Indianapolis 500 car race taking place this Sunday. That was the one with the tasteful picture of the redneck with the hairy back…... Continue Reading

Posted at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments

My post of yesterday about blindingly obvious reports has just been reinforced with the news out of London of the 'Magic and Logic' paper, published by the three leading associations for agencies, advertisers and purchasing -- the IPA, ISBA and the... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:02 AM | Permalink | Comments

When I posted the other day about the ubiquity of the cell phone, I may have jumped the gun a bit with today’s news that Microsoft will announce a plan to lower the cost of personal computers for developing nations... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

Considering how the Big Dumb Agencies in all the conglomerates never stop going on about their “Integrated Marketing Capabilities,” I just love the news in another survey out today… The 4th Annual PRWeek/MS&L Marketing Management Survey conducted by Millward Brown,... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

Do you ever read Industry research or news that is so blindingly obvious you wonder why anyone bothers to do it? Today’s Direct Marketing News has this gem for you… “Google's search page is its most popular, accounting for 79.90... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:28 PM | Permalink | Comments

Came across an interesting piece in the Boston Globe the other day… What device do you think has changed the average person's life the most in the past 25 years? If you say the computer you would be wrong. It's... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments

I know this is all stuff that we bloggers know!!! But there were a couple of interesting bits in two recent reports… Even though the "blogosphere doubles in size every six months. It’s now 60 times bigger than it was... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments

Apropos my recent post about the 419ers – The lads from Nigeria that want your bank info – Reminds me of a great site you should visit at the J-Walk Blog which features the hilarious programme for "The 3rd Annual... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments

I have to admit having been a bit skeptical about all the fuss going about advertising potential in the gaming world. You know car chases that pass in-game billboards for Pepsi and so on. I assumed that the players of... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

Interesting to read in BrandWeek that this coming Memorial Day will see the launch of the official “Indianapolis 500 Cigar,” from Emprise Cigars of Louisville, Ky., For ten dollars a pop you get “a premium cigar handmade in the Dominican... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments

Remember when I posted a couple of weeks ago about the 419’ers? These are the guys from Nigeria that want your bank information so they can transfer millions into your account! It now seems they’ve moved into the property rental... Continue Reading

Posted at 5:47 PM | Permalink | Comments

For some strange reason British actor Clive Owen, star of the recent Spike Lee film 'Inside Man', has been named as the new advertising face of L'Oreal-owned luxury cosmetic brand Lancome. 'Kill Bill' star Uma Thurman was dropped as the... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

Did you know that the US is only the 19th ranked nation in household broadband connectivity rate, just ahead of Slovenia. Why? Because, contends telecom analyst Bruce Kushnick, the Bell Companies never delivered symmetrical fiber-optic connectivity to millions of Americans... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Could someone explain to me what all this indecency on TV baloney is all about? The news that the U.S. Senate voted to increase fines for broadcast indecency tenfold, to $325,000, was announced yesterday. But, that only covers the networks,... Continue Reading

Posted at 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

British drinkers are being challenged to change their ways and take time with their beer because 'the pub is not on fire' in a tongue-in-cheek poster campaign for Amstel beer. The outdoor ads are the first major campaign for Amstel... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

Is anyone buying into this new warm and fuzzy image of Wal-Mart? I see the ads; I’ve even read the CEO's manifesto. What they are saying sounds promising… Problem is… Go to a Wal-Mart, look at the stuff on the... Continue Reading

Posted at 6:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

With the news today that online travel service Expedia.com was placing its ad account in review. I have to say… That’s bad news… and good news. The bad is that Deutsch, which has handled Expedia since the client's inception seven... Continue Reading

Posted at 5:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

In the past I’ve commented on the dumb things that happen in the name of “Gorilla Marketing.” Idiots walking around Chicago wearing giant dinosaur mask to promote Microsoft Office as part of the dreadful campaign from McCann. Midgets dressed as... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

Apparently the breathless news out of the cosmetics industry is that Revlon is gearing up to launch its new Star Style line of cosmetics, supported by five actress endorsers: Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Julianne Moore, Eva Mendes and Kate Bosworth.... Continue Reading

Posted at 5:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

I know we are in the “spin” business, but sometimes when it’s “us” talking to “us,” wouldn’t you think people would have more sense? Like today when Yahoo executives painted a very rosy picture of future growth for its Internet... Continue Reading

Posted at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Comments

Interesting to read on Madison+Vine today that Chris Monaco, director of entertainment marketing at Pernod Ricard, says creating content allows the spirits maker control its own destiny, rather than wait for a marketing opportunity to come along. Actually, I have... Continue Reading

Posted at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

I’m not quite sure why most International sporting events seem to have to have a “Mascot.” But maybe that’ll change with the news out of Germany via Der Spiegel that "Goleo", the official mascot of the 2006 World Cup, has... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

One of the great advertising lines of all time was David Ogilvy’s “The consumer isn’t stupid, she’s your wife.” Reading today’s news that PowerBar Pria kicked off a "Sparkle and Shine" online sweepstakes to herald the redesigned Pria Web site... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments

Why am I not surprised to read in today’s AdAge that in a new study, only one in four 12- to 34-year-olds can name all four major broadcast networks: ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. I mean these are the people... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

The only thing worse than a Big Dumb Agency (see previous post) is a Big Dumb Agency Network. The news today about Omnicom Group's Rapp Collins shifting several senior managers around is no big deal, until you read the details... Continue Reading

Posted at 5:07 PM | Permalink | Comments

It always amuses me to read almost on a weekly basis how agency executives are really concerned about the future of their Big Dumb Agencies (BDA’s) And by God, one of these days, they’re going to do something about it!... Continue Reading

Posted at 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments

In the “Now I’ve heard everything column” check off BabyFirstTV, launched on DirecTV yesterday and aimed at toddlers and parents. This channel will be carrying programming aimed at children under the age of three!!! Apparently programs are color coded to... Continue Reading

Posted at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments

Please excuse my continuing interest in the NSA/Qwest/Nacchio story… It’s not strictly advertising, but having done all Qwest’s brand advertising for four years, dealing with Nacchio on a regular basis (The best client I ever worked with, by the way)... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

I haven’t yet seen the new TV campaign urging Americans to buy American cars, but based on the track record of other campaigns to convince Americans to buy American stuff, it will very likely be a flop. The $1 million... Continue Reading

Posted at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

Following up on the NSA phone records fiasco, it was interesting to read today that Joe Nacchio, the ex-CEO of Qwest who is currently facing 42 counts of insider trading accusing him of illegally selling $101 million in company stock... Continue Reading

Posted at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments

Interesting to read that Japanese company, Softbank, is working with Apple Computer to develop mobile telephones with built-in iPod music players. Apparently, the music-playing phones can download songs from Apple's iTunes Music Store. The rumors are that Apple is actually... Continue Reading

Posted at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments

Loved that bit on Forbes.com today talking about if the National Security Agency is indeed amassing a colossal database of Americans' phone records, one way to use all that information is in "social network analysis," a data-mining method that exposes... Continue Reading

Posted at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

With the news today that anyone whose phone service is provided by AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp., is now considered a member of al-Qaida. And these three companies are actively engaged in letting the government know every... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Google wealth engine is chugging along nicely, thank you. California collected a record $11.3 billion in personal income tax receipts in April -- $4.3 billion more than it collected last April -- thanks in large part to insider stock... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well, the somewhat unsurprising news of the day is that Interpublic Group reported a $182.1 million net loss for the first quarter of 2006—compared to a $151.4 million loss in the same period last year—on flat revenue of $1.33 billion.... Continue Reading

Posted at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

Does anyone out there actually subscribe to AdAge’s “Madison + Vine?” I mean, c’mon guys, there is nothing in it that would interest anyone with half a brain. I keep getting these emails about the next big Hip Hop Artiste’s... Continue Reading

Posted at 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

BrandWeek has a piece on so called “HEALTHY BEER.” Apparently, by taking the best of the all-natural food movement in this country, combining it with one of the most popular adult beverages, you get organic beer. Or, so seems to... Continue Reading

Posted at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments

I’ve been waiting to comment on the new Apple campaign ‘til it sank in a bit… I’ve decided they are “so-so” not bad, but not that good. Usual Apple understatement, but rather flat. The PC guy is obviously positioned as... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments

Couldn’t help laughing when I read in AdWeek that UberScam consultancy Pile and Co. and its Communications Collaborative freelance staffing division have launched the “In-House Agency Forum, a professional membership organization that supports the directors and managers of in-house marketing... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

I commented a couple of hours ago on an HP “Scoble Wannabe” blog that goes by the rather unassuming name of “The Marketing Excellence Blog” by Eric Kintz. This guy is obviously an HP “bought and paid for” PR flack... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:01 PM | Permalink | Comments

There’s a very funny article on Der Spiegel online about how so many Germans seem to be stuck in a 1980’s time warp, fashion wise in terms of clothing and hair styles etc. I will take issue with one comment... Continue Reading

Posted at 6:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

There’s a funny piece in BrandWeek… Which is one of the better written ad blurbs, in my opinion! Talking about a recent poll which rated cities by how diligent they are when it comes to picking up dog-doo. Anyway, without... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

I have to own up that after working on most of the major Business Consulting accounts over the last twenty years or so, I am somewhat under whelmed by what they actually bring to the table to justify their enormous... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

I have to admit that being a Brit I am somewhat prejudiced when it comes to finding the "Spitfire Ale” ads coming out of Britain very funny… But with the upcoming World Cup in Germany, I can understand the UK... Continue Reading

Posted at 6:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

If I was one of the dynamic duo over at Google with the news that Microsoft has now officially launched its self-serve adCenter service, I’d be starting to look over my shoulder. Yes, I know Google basically created the market,... Continue Reading

Posted at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments

Following up on my earlier post about all the German advertising during the World Cup, it would seem England has gone equally “barmy” with huge amounts of cash being blown on massive campaigns for everything from soap to beer. There’s... Continue Reading

Posted at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments

The new Viagra campaign from McCann Erickson, New York starts this week and focuses not only on the product’s efficacy, but also goes on with a fake doctor about alternative treatment. One of the spots has a couple sitting by... Continue Reading

Posted at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

Just like all the advertising that surrounds any major sporting event, it seems like the 2006 World Cup, for what America calls soccer and the rest of the world calls football, ‘Cos you play it with your feet, is generating... Continue Reading

Posted at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments

Seems like my post of May 1st talking about the Tennessee Tourism campaign featuring two of Tennessee’s finest “Elvis & Dolly” upset Duane Gordon who is apparently the BlogMeister of a site called DollyMania! Check it out, it’s a hoot!... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

I know this has been on several news sites and blogs already, but I think it’s funny as hell… The exploding LA Times newspaper vending machines. The ones that some real clever dick decided to put a small electronic sound... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:19 PM | Permalink | Comments

I posted on Monday about the new Miller Lite campaign that launched this week with television spots from Crispin Porter + Bogusky. Based on the incredibly stupid “Man Laws” theme, as part on the current mantra of “totally integrated marketing”... Continue Reading

Posted at 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments

After spending $4 billion to turn itself into the best known name in the telecom industry, the Cingular brand is heading for the dumpster. Further proof that not only are a great many ad agencies stupid, some clients are... Continue Reading

Posted at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments

Miller is giving up babes… Well, when it comes to beer advertising. Now, the brewery that brought the world the "Catfight" ad with semi-naked chicks wrestling in wet cement is breaking an ad campaign that features a bunch of “Manly... Continue Reading

Posted at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Comments

May31	My life is a wreck... No Dude, it's your car! George Parker May 31, 2006 Know More: Agencies There’s a piece in today’s AdWeek that mystifies me… It would seem that Publicis Groupe's Saatchi & Saatchi has eliminated about 15 jobs at its 500-person New York headquarters The 3 percent staff cut was achieved via layoffs and closing out vacant jobs, said sources. The move is designed to bring costs in line with revenue and Saatchi plans to use some of savings to reinvest in new service offerings, according to sources. My question is… Why on earth would you publicize this? 15 out of 500 is nothing. They probably lose more than that in Manhattan traffic accidents every week. Saatchi transferred me to the Kabul office instead of laying me off... Thanks guys! Posted at 6:22 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May31	Bad ads will get you hard time!!! George Parker May 31, 2006 In common with a great many other companies of late, it would seem Computer Associates is having to restate its most recent results. Something about expecting a loss rather than the forecast profit. This is a company that has been... Continue Reading Posted at 6:05 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Of course I use your product... You pay me to!!! George Parker May 31, 2006 In today’s New York Times, the Ad Column is all about product placement and how a new comedy on the Lifetime Channel is based on a dysfunctional online California dating service. Apparently, every few minutes viewers will be bombarded with... Continue Reading Posted at 5:37 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May30	Metrosexualexpialidotious! George Parker May 30, 2006 BrandWeek, which is always a good read, and excellently written, has an interesting piece on an online survey dealing with, “Metrosexuals.” That’s right the guys who are somewhat obsessed by their appearance. So now with Father’s Day gift-giving looming, the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:17 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Why newspapers are not in Kansas any more ToTo! George Parker May 30, 2006 Who on earth would want to be in the newspaper business right now? With the Merrill Lynch analysts' report "Deep Depressing Dive," released before the weekend, saying they have taken an "increasingly sober" outlook for the newspaper industry in lowering... Continue Reading Posted at 9:53 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Welcome to "The Big A." That's A as in Advertising, not Apple! George Parker May 30, 2006 Isn’t advertising wonderful? AdRants has a piece on how Advertising Week is about to take over New York City with Sixth Avenue festooned with banners featuring famous advertising icons from Tony the Tiger to Juan Valdez to the Geico Gecko.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:43 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May28	YouTube is Everybody's Tube! George Parker May 28, 2006 Seems like the online video sites can do no wrong with visits to the top 10 ten increasing 164 percent in the past three months (from week ended February 25 to week ended May 20), with YouTube alone accounting for... Continue Reading Posted at 9:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Interpublic's management comes up smelling like a rose... Again! George Parker May 28, 2006 An update on my post of May 25th regarding the pathetic state of affairs at the Interpublic Groups shareholder meeting. Apparently the idiots dumb enough to own stock in this fiasco voted down a proposal that would have pushed the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:09 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May27	For who the bell Dell's??? George Parker May 27, 2006 Interesting that Dell has ditched Microsoft in favor of Google as the pre-installed search engine on all its machines. Eric Schmidt (Google CEO) told an investor conference yesterday that Dell PCs are to be Googled, with the search giant's desktop,... Continue Reading Posted at 8:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Omni Hotels wants to make you happy... 'Til it's time to pay the bill!!! George Parker May 27, 2006 Isn’t it great to know that Omni hotels has embarked on an ad campaign to increase customer satisfaction with the help of lemon grass and green tea scents, lavender pillow spray and a calming CD to lull guests to sleep.... Continue Reading Posted at 8:23 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May26	Creative breakthroughs needed... Please!!! George Parker May 26, 2006 Is it just me, or are all the accounts being moved around recently, incredibly boring. Hot on the heels of Kimberly-Clark putting a ton of diapers, sanitary pads and various other things you use on your nether parts into JWT.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:39 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Good business blogging... Is regular business blogging! George Parker May 26, 2006 I have to laugh at HP’s attempt at a marketing blog. Obviously someone pointed out to them that one of the best business blogs around is Robert Scoble’s on behalf of Microsoft. So HP jumped in with “The Marketing Excellence... Continue Reading Posted at 11:23 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May25	What do you mean I'm supposed to spit it out??? George Parker May 25, 2006 Interesting piece in Der Spiegel today about a rerun of the famous 1976 blind taste test between French and Californian wines. It would appear that the Californians have won. You can read the whole piece here. But, having done a... Continue Reading Posted at 9:24 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Nike wants to talk to you... Actually, it's their shoes that want to talk to you? George Parker May 25, 2006 I can’t wait to see the ads on this… Nike and Apple have partnered to create a line of Nike+iPod products, the first of which is the Sport Kit, a wireless system that allows communication between Nike+ footwear and iPods... Continue Reading Posted at 8:54 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Red alert... Red Bull on board!!! George Parker May 25, 2006 Apparently, in a great promotional coup, Alaska Airlines is claiming that it is the first airline in the world to add the Red Bull Energy Drink to its regular in-flight beverage selection. Now having done some work with these folks... Continue Reading Posted at 8:33 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	What is that smell from Interpublic... Decay... Rot... Corruption? George Parker May 25, 2006 In my upcoming book, MadScam, I describe advertising as the world’s second oldest profession. Prostitution beating it to the post by a nose! That’s why today’s news that Interpublic Group shareholders soundly rejected two activist proposals that the holding company... Continue Reading Posted at 7:23 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May24	Men are men and beer is beer. Unless it's light beer, then it's not really beer at all! George Parker May 24, 2006 When it comes to beer advertising, why do I always get that Yogi Berra feeling? You know… “It feels like déjà vu all over again.” With the news that the New York office of Mother, a London-based agency for Milwaukee's... Continue Reading Posted at 10:40 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Out of gas, or out of ideas? George Parker May 24, 2006 I sometimes think the stupidity of politicians is only matched by marketers. General Motors announced today that it will start an ad campaign offering $1.99-a-gallon fuel for buyers of certain vehicles in California and Florida. Those customers must also enroll... Continue Reading Posted at 9:42 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Red Cell... Going in the red! George Parker May 24, 2006 Why does today’s news that Amanda Walsh, president of WPP Group's United agency network (formerly Red Cell), is stepping down from the position, not surprise me? Well, when you downsize from a 55-office group to a nine-office network run by... Continue Reading Posted at 9:27 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Hey O&M, wanna bet EasyJet ain't gonna be easy? George Parker May 24, 2006 With the news today that Ogilvy & Mather has landed pan-European creative duties on EasyJet's ad account, I was reminded how bad most airline advertising is these days. Perhaps it’s a reflection of how bad flying is these days. Even... Continue Reading Posted at 7:42 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May23	The next big thing will be the next big thing! George Parker May 23, 2006 Nice bit on AlwaysOn’s Web site about a Venture Capitalist round table discussing the future of technology. You can read the whole thing here… But, I just loved these two comments from John Doerr: a venture capitalist with Kleiner Perkins... Continue Reading Posted at 11:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Google needs a few more billion! George Parker May 23, 2006 Interesting to read that not satisfied with its domination of the $8 billion global search advertising business, Google is now vying for a portion of the brand advertising business as well. Today, the company began offering members of its AdSense... Continue Reading Posted at 11:09 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	My RV is bigger than your RV... And you should see my cigar! George Parker May 23, 2006 A couple of days ago I posted about the special $10 stogie being put out for the Indianapolis 500 car race taking place this Sunday. That was the one with the tasteful picture of the redneck with the hairy back…... Continue Reading Posted at 11:02 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Where the ad biz is going... Where it's always been going... Nowhere! George Parker May 23, 2006 My post of yesterday about blindingly obvious reports has just been reinforced with the news out of London of the 'Magic and Logic' paper, published by the three leading associations for agencies, advertisers and purchasing -- the IPA, ISBA and the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:02 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
May22	Even more ubiquity... Courtesy of Microsoft! George Parker May 22, 2006 When I posted the other day about the ubiquity of the cell phone, I may have jumped the gun a bit with today’s news that Microsoft will announce a plan to lower the cost of personal computers for developing nations... Continue Reading Posted at 9:59 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	"Big Dumb Agencies" keep on being dumb! George Parker May 22, 2006 Considering how the Big Dumb Agencies in all the conglomerates never stop going on about their “Integrated Marketing Capabilities,” I just love the news in another survey out today… The 4th Annual PRWeek/MS&L Marketing Management Survey conducted by Millward Brown,... Continue Reading Posted at 9:48 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Google... Whoda thunk it? George Parker May 22, 2006 Do you ever read Industry research or news that is so blindingly obvious you wonder why anyone bothers to do it? Today’s Direct Marketing News has this gem for you… “Google's search page is its most popular, accounting for 79.90... Continue Reading Posted at 9:28 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May21	The Ubiquitous cell phone! Is it taking over civilization as we know it? George Parker May 21, 2006 Came across an interesting piece in the Boston Globe the other day… What device do you think has changed the average person's life the most in the past 25 years? If you say the computer you would be wrong. It's... Continue Reading Posted at 10:37 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	KMM... Japanese & Chinese editions? George Parker May 21, 2006 I know this is all stuff that we bloggers know!!! But there were a couple of interesting bits in two recent reports… Even though the "blogosphere doubles in size every six months. It’s now 60 times bigger than it was... Continue Reading Posted at 10:02 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	This post is 100% risk free!!! George Parker May 21, 2006 Apropos my recent post about the 419ers – The lads from Nigeria that want your bank info – Reminds me of a great site you should visit at the J-Walk Blog which features the hilarious programme for "The 3rd Annual... Continue Reading Posted at 9:18 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May20	When Bill Gates buys something... Take note! George Parker May 20, 2006 I have to admit having been a bit skeptical about all the fuss going about advertising potential in the gaming world. You know car chases that pass in-game billboards for Pepsi and so on. I assumed that the players of... Continue Reading Posted at 9:45 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Is that your cigar, or burning gasoline? George Parker May 20, 2006 Interesting to read in BrandWeek that this coming Memorial Day will see the launch of the official “Indianapolis 500 Cigar,” from Emprise Cigars of Louisville, Ky., For ten dollars a pop you get “a premium cigar handmade in the Dominican... Continue Reading Posted at 9:17 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Luxury London flat... Just send me your bank information! George Parker May 20, 2006 Remember when I posted a couple of weeks ago about the 419’ers? These are the guys from Nigeria that want your bank information so they can transfer millions into your account! It now seems they’ve moved into the property rental... Continue Reading Posted at 5:47 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May19	Clive Owen is now Mr. Lancome!!! George Parker May 19, 2006 For some strange reason British actor Clive Owen, star of the recent Spike Lee film 'Inside Man', has been named as the new advertising face of L'Oreal-owned luxury cosmetic brand Lancome. 'Kill Bill' star Uma Thurman was dropped as the... Continue Reading Posted at 10:38 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Before the phone company gives my records to the NSA, could they give me that fast Internet connection they promised ten years ago? George Parker May 19, 2006 Did you know that the US is only the 19th ranked nation in household broadband connectivity rate, just ahead of Slovenia. Why? Because, contends telecom analyst Bruce Kushnick, the Bell Companies never delivered symmetrical fiber-optic connectivity to millions of Americans... Continue Reading Posted at 7:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The only indecent thing about network TV is the rubbish they put on there! George Parker May 19, 2006 Could someone explain to me what all this indecency on TV baloney is all about? The news that the U.S. Senate voted to increase fines for broadcast indecency tenfold, to $325,000, was announced yesterday. But, that only covers the networks,... Continue Reading Posted at 6:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May18	It's called happy hour, 'cos you're supposed to get happy! George Parker May 18, 2006 British drinkers are being challenged to change their ways and take time with their beer because 'the pub is not on fire' in a tongue-in-cheek poster campaign for Amstel beer. The outdoor ads are the first major campaign for Amstel... Continue Reading Posted at 7:55 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Wecome to Wall-Mart. Please leave your Chinese made shotguns in the truck! George Parker May 18, 2006 Is anyone buying into this new warm and fuzzy image of Wal-Mart? I see the ads; I’ve even read the CEO's manifesto. What they are saying sounds promising… Problem is… Go to a Wal-Mart, look at the stuff on the... Continue Reading Posted at 6:45 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Expedia hits the road! George Parker May 18, 2006 With the news today that online travel service Expedia.com was placing its ad account in review. I have to say… That’s bad news… and good news. The bad is that Deutsch, which has handled Expedia since the client's inception seven... Continue Reading Posted at 5:04 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May17	Hey, Cuervo... Stupid is as stupid does! George Parker May 17, 2006 In the past I’ve commented on the dumb things that happen in the name of “Gorilla Marketing.” Idiots walking around Chicago wearing giant dinosaur mask to promote Microsoft Office as part of the dreadful campaign from McCann. Midgets dressed as... Continue Reading Posted at 9:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Why In-house advertising is always inbred! George Parker May 17, 2006 Apparently the breathless news out of the cosmetics industry is that Revlon is gearing up to launch its new Star Style line of cosmetics, supported by five actress endorsers: Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Julianne Moore, Eva Mendes and Kate Bosworth.... Continue Reading Posted at 5:42 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Yahooooooooooooooohhhh!!! George Parker May 17, 2006 I know we are in the “spin” business, but sometimes when it’s “us” talking to “us,” wouldn’t you think people would have more sense? Like today when Yahoo executives painted a very rosy picture of future growth for its Internet... Continue Reading Posted at 4:52 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Further proof Madison + Vine is a load of old rubbish! George Parker May 17, 2006 Interesting to read on Madison+Vine today that Chris Monaco, director of entertainment marketing at Pernod Ricard, says creating content allows the spirits maker control its own destiny, rather than wait for a marketing opportunity to come along. Actually, I have... Continue Reading Posted at 3:42 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May16	"Goleo" scores own goal in Germany! George Parker May 16, 2006 I’m not quite sure why most International sporting events seem to have to have a “Mascot.” But maybe that’ll change with the news out of Germany via Der Spiegel that "Goleo", the official mascot of the 2006 World Cup, has... Continue Reading Posted at 10:58 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	David Ogilvy must be spinning like a top! George Parker May 16, 2006 One of the great advertising lines of all time was David Ogilvy’s “The consumer isn’t stupid, she’s your wife.” Reading today’s news that PowerBar Pria kicked off a "Sparkle and Shine" online sweepstakes to herald the redesigned Pria Web site... Continue Reading Posted at 10:18 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Network TV is no longer childs play! George Parker May 16, 2006 Why am I not surprised to read in today’s AdAge that in a new study, only one in four 12- to 34-year-olds can name all four major broadcast networks: ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. I mean these are the people... Continue Reading Posted at 9:57 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May15	If it's Monday, I must be in Burundi, or is it Boise? George Parker May 15, 2006 The only thing worse than a Big Dumb Agency (see previous post) is a Big Dumb Agency Network. The news today about Omnicom Group's Rapp Collins shifting several senior managers around is no big deal, until you read the details... Continue Reading Posted at 5:07 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	When will Big Dumb Agencies stop being Big Dumb Agencies? George Parker May 15, 2006 It always amuses me to read almost on a weekly basis how agency executives are really concerned about the future of their Big Dumb Agencies (BDA’s) And by God, one of these days, they’re going to do something about it!... Continue Reading Posted at 4:53 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Supersize the formula and give me extra apple sauce! George Parker May 15, 2006 In the “Now I’ve heard everything column” check off BabyFirstTV, launched on DirecTV yesterday and aimed at toddlers and parents. This channel will be carrying programming aimed at children under the age of three!!! Apparently programs are color coded to... Continue Reading Posted at 4:20 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May13	Joe Nacchio for President in 2008!!! George Parker May 13, 2006 Please excuse my continuing interest in the NSA/Qwest/Nacchio story… It’s not strictly advertising, but having done all Qwest’s brand advertising for four years, dealing with Nacchio on a regular basis (The best client I ever worked with, by the way)... Continue Reading Posted at 7:48 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May12	Buy American. Stop shopping at Wal-Mart! George Parker May 12, 2006 I haven’t yet seen the new TV campaign urging Americans to buy American cars, but based on the track record of other campaigns to convince Americans to buy American stuff, it will very likely be a flop. The $1 million... Continue Reading Posted at 4:44 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Qwest... Wherefore art thou? George Parker May 12, 2006 Following up on the NSA phone records fiasco, it was interesting to read today that Joe Nacchio, the ex-CEO of Qwest who is currently facing 42 counts of insider trading accusing him of illegally selling $101 million in company stock... Continue Reading Posted at 3:49 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	What's next for Steve Jobs... iBillions? George Parker May 12, 2006 Interesting to read that Japanese company, Softbank, is working with Apple Computer to develop mobile telephones with built-in iPod music players. Apparently, the music-playing phones can download songs from Apple's iTunes Music Store. The rumors are that Apple is actually... Continue Reading Posted at 2:18 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May11	Hey NSA... Purleeze, don't squeeze my records! George Parker May 11, 2006 Loved that bit on Forbes.com today talking about if the National Security Agency is indeed amassing a colossal database of Americans' phone records, one way to use all that information is in "social network analysis," a data-mining method that exposes... Continue Reading Posted at 4:36 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Qwest is best!!! AT&T, Verizon & BellSouth should be ashamed! George Parker May 11, 2006 With the news today that anyone whose phone service is provided by AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp., is now considered a member of al-Qaida. And these three companies are actively engaged in letting the government know every... Continue Reading Posted at 10:03 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
May10	Ahhh Google... It's tough at the top! George Parker May 10, 2006 The Google wealth engine is chugging along nicely, thank you. California collected a record $11.3 billion in personal income tax receipts in April -- $4.3 billion more than it collected last April -- thanks in large part to insider stock... Continue Reading Posted at 9:59 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Organically speaking... Interpublic is in the toilet! George Parker May 10, 2006 Well, the somewhat unsurprising news of the day is that Interpublic Group reported a $182.1 million net loss for the first quarter of 2006—compared to a $151.4 million loss in the same period last year—on flat revenue of $1.33 billion.... Continue Reading Posted at 4:09 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Hey, my main man... Putney Swope wants a word with you! George Parker May 10, 2006 Does anyone out there actually subscribe to AdAge’s “Madison + Vine?” I mean, c’mon guys, there is nothing in it that would interest anyone with half a brain. I keep getting these emails about the next big Hip Hop Artiste’s... Continue Reading Posted at 3:21 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Good Health! No, Good Beer! No, Good Grief, is that what it costs for a pint? George Parker May 10, 2006 BrandWeek has a piece on so called “HEALTHY BEER.” Apparently, by taking the best of the all-natural food movement in this country, combining it with one of the most popular adult beverages, you get organic beer. Or, so seems to... Continue Reading Posted at 2:53 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 9	The new Apple TV campaign... Nothing to get excited about! George Parker May 9, 2006 I’ve been waiting to comment on the new Apple campaign ‘til it sank in a bit… I’ve decided they are “so-so” not bad, but not that good. Usual Apple understatement, but rather flat. The PC guy is obviously positioned as... Continue Reading Posted at 10:07 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	If you can't get a real job... Go In-House!!! George Parker May 9, 2006 Couldn’t help laughing when I read in AdWeek that UberScam consultancy Pile and Co. and its Communications Collaborative freelance staffing division have launched the “In-House Agency Forum, a professional membership organization that supports the directors and managers of in-house marketing... Continue Reading Posted at 9:38 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	When I said PC, I meant politically correct, not personal computer! George Parker May 9, 2006 I commented a couple of hours ago on an HP “Scoble Wannabe” blog that goes by the rather unassuming name of “The Marketing Excellence Blog” by Eric Kintz. This guy is obviously an HP “bought and paid for” PR flack... Continue Reading Posted at 9:01 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 8	Cool is as cool does! George Parker May 8, 2006 There’s a very funny article on Der Spiegel online about how so many Germans seem to be stuck in a 1980’s time warp, fashion wise in terms of clothing and hair styles etc. I will take issue with one comment... Continue Reading Posted at 6:55 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 7	Big Dog by the Bay! George Parker May 7, 2006 There’s a funny piece in BrandWeek… Which is one of the better written ad blurbs, in my opinion! Talking about a recent poll which rated cities by how diligent they are when it comes to picking up dog-doo. Anyway, without... Continue Reading Posted at 10:40 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 6	Management Consultants...The expensively obvious way to blow lots of cash! George Parker May 6, 2006 I have to own up that after working on most of the major Business Consulting accounts over the last twenty years or so, I am somewhat under whelmed by what they actually bring to the table to justify their enormous... Continue Reading Posted at 7:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	I'll have a pint. No... make it swie!!! George Parker May 6, 2006 I have to admit that being a Brit I am somewhat prejudiced when it comes to finding the "Spitfire Ale” ads coming out of Britain very funny… But with the upcoming World Cup in Germany, I can understand the UK... Continue Reading Posted at 6:12 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 5	The 800 pound gorilla just entered the Google room! George Parker May 5, 2006 If I was one of the dynamic duo over at Google with the news that Microsoft has now officially launched its self-serve adCenter service, I’d be starting to look over my shoulder. Yes, I know Google basically created the market,... Continue Reading Posted at 5:33 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 4	Let's run very, very expensive ads that look like everyone else's very, very expensive ads! George Parker May 4, 2006 Following up on my earlier post about all the German advertising during the World Cup, it would seem England has gone equally “barmy” with huge amounts of cash being blown on massive campaigns for everything from soap to beer. There’s... Continue Reading Posted at 8:37 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	America's favorite pastime? George Parker May 4, 2006 The new Viagra campaign from McCann Erickson, New York starts this week and focuses not only on the product’s efficacy, but also goes on with a fake doctor about alternative treatment. One of the spots has a couple sitting by... Continue Reading Posted at 8:21 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	World Cup 2006... Goooooooal!!! George Parker May 4, 2006 Just like all the advertising that surrounds any major sporting event, it seems like the 2006 World Cup, for what America calls soccer and the rest of the world calls football, ‘Cos you play it with your feet, is generating... Continue Reading Posted at 10:52 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 3	The "Undead" are living in Tennessee! George Parker May 3, 2006 Seems like my post of May 1st talking about the Tennessee Tourism campaign featuring two of Tennessee’s finest “Elvis & Dolly” upset Duane Gordon who is apparently the BlogMeister of a site called DollyMania! Check it out, it’s a hoot!... Continue Reading Posted at 7:44 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Is the LA Times the most impactfull paper in the US? George Parker May 3, 2006 I know this has been on several news sites and blogs already, but I think it’s funny as hell… The exploding LA Times newspaper vending machines. The ones that some real clever dick decided to put a small electronic sound... Continue Reading Posted at 7:19 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Miller Lite "Man Laws" campaign. Because integration means getting it together! George Parker May 3, 2006 I posted on Monday about the new Miller Lite campaign that launched this week with television spots from Crispin Porter + Bogusky. Based on the incredibly stupid “Man Laws” theme, as part on the current mantra of “totally integrated marketing”... Continue Reading Posted at 3:47 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Big Dumb Agencies deserve Big Dumb Clients! George Parker May 3, 2006 After spending $4 billion to turn itself into the best known name in the telecom industry, the Cingular brand is heading for the dumpster. Further proof that not only are a great many ad agencies stupid, some clients are... Continue Reading Posted at 9:38 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
May 1	Crispin Porter & Bogusky... Truly a bunch of "Manly Men!" George Parker May 1, 2006 Miller is giving up babes… Well, when it comes to beer advertising. Now, the brewery that brought the world the "Catfight" ad with semi-naked chicks wrestling in wet cement is breaking an ad campaign that features a bunch of “Manly... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	How can dead personalities help a dying brand? George Parker May 1, 2006

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