That's How They Roll...The Bourbon Life

Woodstock Bourbon is allowing the folks in its hometown, Woodstock Kentucky to clearly illustrate, "how they roll."

The ad, while pretty funny, gets the point across that good, barrel-aged, bourbon should be rolled on a consistent basis. Although a bit exaggerated, what better way to illustrate this tradition than by having real, authentic Kentucky folks integrated into the way the product comes to life.

Ikea Does Big Things with Small Spaces

Ikea continues to demonstrate they get it. They really get it.

They've come up with a clever ad that reinforces their entire business model - making the most of small spaces.

German ad agency "Thjnk" and "Production Studio I" teamed up to create Ikea's RGB Billboard, which makes the most of limited space. It's all in German, so look at the sub titles.

Pretty clever. Check it out!

Coke Says...Don't Like It, Love It!

Life that is...

After two clever commercials that send a message of "Anti Social Media," well, sort of, Coke is challenging us to live life and essentially stay away from Social Media!

Last week I posted Coke's video that provided a human "dog collar" solution for staying off Social Media. This week, it's all about not settling for "liking" your life but loving it.

I think the ads are clever, but if you're going to go down the road of living life authentically, I'm not sure that includes having a Coke!. Just saying.

Can't wait to see what they've planned for next week.

Great Song and Singing Cats - That's Advertising!

Every now and then we need an ad that really isn't an ad. Does that make sense?

The British mobile network has the most fun-loving advertising slogan around: "We all need silly stuff." And Wieden + Kennedy in London makes the most of that promisingly vague positioning. 

Now, it's time for the singing cat.

Check out the video and when you're done, you can upload your own picture and start in your own music video.

Work Space Evolution

As the Ad World pushes to become more collaborative, work spaces continue to shed big offices for management and siloed cubes for other team members.

The Barbarian Group has created probably one of the coolest spaces and a desk is at the center of it all.

The "Superdesk," as they call it, is a 4,400 square foot desk that is literally shared by everyone in the company.

Take a look at how it all came together for them. It's all about Collaboration!

Coke's On a Mission to Save the World from Social Media Overload

Coke is using the one thing they want to keep us from to spread the message that we all could use a bit more time away from Social Media and our mobile devices.

They've come up with this clever ad that highlights a fake product (for now) called the "Social Media Guard." It's a human-sized, Coke-red, dog collar that keeps you from checking your phone every few seconds. But of course you can still drink a Coke!

Great concept and catchy. I predict they will start selling the "Social Media Guard" soon.

 

I'm All for Inspiration

Thanks to Lacoste We Can "Live Beautifully"

With the hectic lives we lead today, who doesn't need a bit more inspiration. Lacoste launched their tumblr site today, which intertwines their ultra preppy clothing with lifestyle moments to match.

I think it's awesome!

Check it out!

 http://lacoste.tumblr.com/

Is Big Brother Tracking Your Every Move? Literally?

Not sure if you can call it "Big Brother" but Nike+ FuelBand is providing its users with a year in review of sorts, but for fitness.

The FuelBand gives you a snapshot of your year, hopefully filled with personal activity, I said hopefully!

But if you find you're not quite where you want to be, they give you the ability to use your chart for inspiration to get you moving again.

LOVE! This Ad!

Click here and you'll see why. Happy Valentine's Day!

Energy Efficient Bulbs Never Looked Better

Ikea found a clever way to bring an eco-friendly commodity - energy-efficient LED lightbulbs to life. After watching the spot, you actually feel inspired to fill your home with these bulbs of the future.
Ikea created the video to build awareness around their plans to sell only energy-efficient bulbs by 2016. Sustainability is all the rage and Ikea will be a leader in the space.

Check it out!

The One Hour Agency

Instant Ideas or Strategic Way to Work?

"One Hour Agency" in Sweden promises to give their clients great ideas in just one hour. The brainchild of interactive art directors Ben Langeveld and Ingmar Larsen want just 60 minutes of your time. "You give us one hour. We generate quality ideas," they say.

They believe 60 minutes is plenty of time to "build relationships by showing how you work, who you are and what you can do."

OHA has a handy pie-chart that breaks down the first hour: 10 minutes each for greetings, evaluation and presentation, and 30 minutes for ideation. That's pretty packed. 

 http://www.onehouragency.com

Home Depot Strengthens e-commerce Efforts

Ready to order your home repair supplies online? The Home Depot thinks you are.



Avoid the huge big box retailer and order your supplies from the comfort of your own home. With Amazon on the tails of all big and small retailer chains, THD must remain competitive. Should be interesting.





Fulfillment/Delivery - Home Depot opens the first of three e-commerce fulfillment centers - Internet Retailer

Heineken's "Date in a Box" Promo

Are you Ready for Valentine's Day?

If not, you should tap into the new social-media campaign created by Wieden + Kennedy for Heineken.

Starting tomorrow, you can tweet at @Heineken_US to request a #DateInABox—which is an actually red, glittery vault containing a certificate for a prearranged date for two. (Examples include "a jujitsu lesson for two, couples' tattoos and an improv class.")

But there's a catch, in order to get the code to unlock the vault, the guy in the relationship must publicly share a picture of the #DateInABox on Instagram.

Get your Guy to post and try the promotion. Let me know how it works for you!

Happy Almost "V" Day!

Long Live the French!!

French Beauty Prevails

You've got to love the French when it comes to making a statement. In this case, it's a beautiful statement.

French Artists began a series entitled "OMG, Who Stole My Ads?" that allowed them to replace 22,000 ads with classical paintings.

They've shared inspiration everywhere, including train stations, outdoor billboards and neighborhoods. Classically French!

Check it out! Oui Oui!

http://www.fubiz.net/2014/02/07/artist-replaces-billboard-with-art-in-paris/

 

Fashion Week Picks for Marketers

In honor of fashion week, I will post some high fashion inspiration that totally cool marketers could wear. Because we're creative minded folks, I think we should stretch the limits a bit to make a statement with our clothing.

Conversation wardrobe pieces are a must when trying to keep things interesting with your clients and teammates.

Amazon Flow - New iPhone App

Amazon continues to take over the world with "Flow."Last week they released an updated iPhone app that allows users to find items within their online store by simply holding the item in front of the iPhone camera.

Once the camera identifies the product, it updates your shopping list in just seconds and you can complete your purchase from there.

Video Credit
Marin - Into Mobile

Google Glass is Awesome!!!

Augmented reality is finally accessible to the masses. I got to test out the latest Google invention, Google Glass and it's pretty darn cool. The lightweight headset is a wearable computer that allows you to get directions, play music, take pictures and connect to any other smart device.

You can even get a full-framed version if you're a prescription eyeglass wearer. My favorite feature is its compatibility with Apple. 

Retails at $2,999, $1,500 if you attend a "Google Glass" event and ask to purchase at the event Photo Booth. Set to release to consumers this month.

Social Currency on the Rise

Do you Tweet or post on FB? Your tweets and posts could bring you
good fortune as top retailers find new ways to market their products.

This weekend, Marc Jacobs is getting press buzz for setting up a "Pop Up
Tweet Shop" that will invite shoppers to see all of the latest "Daisy"
line products and tweet about them.

Once you tweet or post, you walk out with nice gifts to suit any fashionista's taste.
Love how the tide is changing giving consumers more say in their top product picks
than ever before.

Retailer Technology

The New Retail Experience

We've heard about Apple's new "iBeacon " technology that allows shoppers to get more information on their product picks at the Point of Sale. Now there's more room for digital offerings in the retail marketplace thanks to "BitTag."(http://www.bittag.net)

Some of you may be wondering, "what is a Bitcoin?" It's a digital currency that was created to control the creation and transfer of money. Although created in 2009, Bitcoin's don't come to light much in the brick and mortar retailer space, mainly because before now, it had no need to. But now, in order to compete with the likes of Amazon, retailers will be challenged to find new ways to align their in-store shopping experiences with their online offerings.


Here's how it works...

1.  A physical price tag is placed on the product and updates itself automatically. The hardware shows the name of the product, price in real currency and cost in Bitcoin. Think of Bitcoin as a new universe that allows product prices to fluctuate based on different variables.
2. The tag is managed by the retailer using an iPad app. Once you're ready to purchase, you simply shake the tag, which enables a QR code. Once you scan the code, you can complete your transaction.

This technology should stay on your radar as technology continues to change the way retailers sell their goods and shoppers purchase them.

Facebook - A Look Back

Most of you know Facebook celebrated its 10 year anniversary yesterday. From a marketer's perspective we think of Facebook as a tool that connects people, but most importantly, they collect data that helps to model consumers more precisely and leverage it to gain clout in the digital community.

When I saw the "A Look Back" posts shared by many of my friends, I thought, "Facebook is up to it again." Getting people to emotionally connect to the brand, which has been the guardian of many of their life moments. It's a smart move and I must say it makes you want to spend another 10 years sharing, laughing and posting political satire with your friends - or so called friends.

Yes it is great marketing and could help to prolong the mass move to another popular social vehicle, but for now, I will enjoy my "A Look Back" page.

Superbowl Ad Letdown

The unofficial American sports holiday is over and unfortunately, there isn't much to talk about.

The obvious winner was Budweiser's Puppy love and the social stats were off the charts with more than 23million views and 400,000 social shares.

One of my picks for worst ad was Squarespace, the new website solution that totally rocks.  In my opinion, they wasted their coveted ad spend on a lackluster commercial that did not show the true beauty of their product.

If you've been on their site, you have seen all of the beautiful templates they have for the novice website builder. squarespace.com

No Bueno Square Space. Better luck next year!

Superbowl Ad Review

If you'd like to check out all of the Superbowl ads that ran tonight click on this link.

http://adsoftheworld.com/taxonomy/awards/super_bowl_2014

My Top Superbowl Picks...So Far

1. Tim Tebow T-Mobile - His agent is brilliant! Promoting what he's been doing all year will get him his next contract. Strategic.  
2. M&Ms - Candy commercials should be silly. The end. 
3. Beats Music w/Ellen - Great story showing how to use the product. How can you lose with Ellen?
4. Chevy - They didn't show a car the whole time but we get it.. they're part of the American DNA - everyday. 
5. COCA COLA - They Get it!! One soft drink, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

It's Superbowl Eve!

It's Superbowl Eve!

The one night out of the year when everyone gets to be the "Ad Expert." I'm looking forward to seeing all of the ads tomorrow night, good or bad, but I have to admit, I took a sneak peek to see if there were any standouts, and so far, I've found one.

This controversial Cheerios ad is back despite some of the feedback from a few negative folks who don't believe in colorblind love.

Take a peek!