january 27, 2006
Cingular Wants to Patent Emoticons
Cingular has applied to the U.S. Patent Office for the exclusive right to permit the use of emoticons on mobile phones. Will teenage girls all over America lose the right to use smiley faces in IM? L 2006-01-26 Cellular News
Critics Say Google Betrayed Corporate Mantra
Human Rights organizations say Google is abetting Internet censorship and mocking their own corporate mantra of “Don’t be Evil.” The company has acceded to the demands of the Chinese government to restrict access to politically sensitive terms and websites. Google says "While removing search results is inconsistent with Google's mission, providing no information (or a heavily degraded user experience that amounts to no information) is more inconsistent with our mission.” 2006-01-27 Variety
Consumer Interest in Whole Grains Puts Pressure on White Bread Brands
Iconic brand Wonder bread is hoping a new ad campaign and product innovation will help them reverse a sales slide driven by changing consumer tastes. Adage 2006-01-27
Sephora Brand is About Fun & Experimentation
Sephora has successfully built sales by providing customers with an experience where they are encouraged to try products---the opposite of the typical cosmetics purchase experience---and not stalked by salespeople. 2006-01-26 BusinessWeek
Mass Market Cosmetics Brands Encroach on Luxury Brands’ Turf
As mass market cosmetic and beauty manufacturers become more adept at incorporating the innovative ideas of luxury brands, luxury manufacturers continually push innovation envelope, introducing exotic ingredients and slick packaging to maintain their luxury positioning. 2006-01-26 Cosmetics Design-Europe via AgendaInc
La Popcorn Prognosticates
The February issue of The Futurist, published by the World Future Society, includes these predictions from Faith Popcorn:
· Reality TV series a la American idol where contestants compete for transplants or other procedures (A similar program, “Miracle Worker,” launched this week on ABC).
· Brain trainers to help you exercise your memory and sharpen your wit
· ‘Hugging booths’ to help make up for the increase in virtual relationships, and resultant loss of face-to-face relationships.
2006-02 The Futurist
january 26, 2006
BB&T Won’t Loan to Developers Who Invoke Eminent Domain
BB&T, the nation’s 9th largest bank, announced yesterday that they would deny loans to developers who obtained land through the Supreme Court’s June 2005 ruling favoring the practice of eminent domain. The bank stated that their decision to reject these loan applications would have little practical consequence for the bank, but was decided as a “matter of principle.” 2006-01-26
By BB&T’s own admission, this announcement is largely symbolic. Nonetheless, it is remarkable that BB&T, in an industry that is known for its conservatism and dislike of controversy, chose to make this public statement against the Supreme Court ruling, and to emphasize that this is a brand value. They’ve even thrown down the gauntlet, challenging other banks to adopt similar policies. So many bank brands talk about supporting communities. It’s great to see a brand practice what they preach.
GM Encourages Prospective Customers to Google Pontiac Reviews
GM is leveraging the power of online as a source of testimonials about the new Pontiac. Current advertising challenges car shoppers to go online to hear what other car buyers have to say. The company displays a screenshot of Google with Pontiac typed in to make sure you understand what they want you to do.
2006-01-26 MediaPost
Requiem for a Brand
Once a promising brand, MCI, battered by its association with Worldcom, will gradually be phased out as Verizon takes over MCI’s Fortune 500 clients. 2006-01-22 Washington Post
25% of College Women Experience Sexual Harrassment Despite the attention focused on unwanted contact and sexual harassment, significant numbers of college women experience sexual harassment, resulting in lowered self-confidence and self-esteem. Especially troubling is that many women now regard it as inevitable. Men also experience sexual harassment, although in lower numbers. 2006-01-26 New York Times
january 25, 2006
Two Struggling Networks Band Together
CBS and Warner Brothers (the Entertainment unit of Time Warner) plan to join ratings-challenged networks UPN and WB into a new entity they’ve named CW. While some applaud the move, for others the jury is still out.
2006-01-24 New York Times
McDonald’s Launches Online Debate
McDonald’s has launched a blog entitled, “Open for Discussion” described as “Perspectives on McDonald’s aspirations, activities, and challenges as we work to make a difference on corporate social responsibility issues that matter.” The surprisingly earnest first entry focuses on the influence of animal behavioral scientist, Dr. Temple Gandin, on McDonald’s animal welfare program, “Life Lessons from a Cow Whisperer.” Good for them.
2006-01-24 via MicroPersuasion
Despite Media Noise, Public Decides What’s Important
It’s not surprising that Presidential popularity, Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq war were among the top issues occupying the public during 2005. Additional concerns, such as Schiavo backlash, rising isolationist sentiment, concern about domestic issues and deteriorating views of the legislative and executive branches of government will continue to shape the public’s focus during 2006. Despite the media noise, the public was largely unconcerned with possible avian flu outbreaks, backlash bombings inspired by the London attack, or the alleged partisanship of media outlets.
2005-12-27 Pew Research Center
B-to-B Marketers Plan Robust Increases in 2006 Budgets
BtoB's "2006 Marketing Priorities and Plans" survey elicited responses from 366 senior marketing executives via an online poll conducted during the last week of November and the first week of December. While most report increased spending, the majority will focus on customer acquisition rather than branding. Not surprisingly, 57% of respondents rate their relationship with their agency as just “OK”. Ouch.
2005-12-09 BtoB
january 24, 2006
january 23, 2006
Gap Hopes Redesigned Stores and Merchandise will Stem Declines
Facing declining sales from the 2005 holiday season, the company is launching an ambitious effort to revitalize the brand by redesigning store locations and merchandise.
2006-01-23 San Francisco Chronicle
More Marketers Find Public Relations can be an Effective Tool
But you still have to have a story to tell.
2006-01-23 The Economist (Paid subscription required)
Technology Brands Wise Up to “Wife Acceptance Factor”
While men are focused on features of technology, women are more concerned with how gadgetry will accommodate their décor and lifestyle. Technology brands are incorporating WAF-friendly (Wife Acceptance Factor) features, such as attractive colors and designs, ability to hide speakers in walls, etc., to raise their WAF scores.
2006-01-23 Washington Times
Struggle to Define Miss America Brand May Be out of Time
From its genesis as a “bathing beauty” contest designed solely to attract tourists to Atlantic City, the Miss America Pageant struggles for relevance and tries to please everybody.
2006-01-20 Atlanta Journal Constitution
More Men Trying Manicures, Botox, Cosmetics
Men as young as 30 are opting for manicures, Botox, cosmetics and surgery to maintain a youthful look---and women are reacting positively believing that it sends a positive message about how these men manage their lives.
2006-01-20 Atlanta Journal Constitution
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