CB2 Uses Pinterest to Build Brand Momentum

CB2 has done its homework and found that most of its online visitors come from Pinterest. So, they got to work and created a Pinterest promotion that incorporates social, high level design from top industry designers with huge Pinterest followings and their very own products.

CB2 is allowing Pinterest users to weigh in on decorating a NYC apartment through a promotion called APT CB2. They have enlisted the help of five top notch designers with Pinterest popularity to help decorate the apartment with items from the store. Pinterest users will vote to determine the winner.

This will be the first time an apartment is being designed through Pinterest in real-time.

Last Year at "Brand" Camp

That's what big brands like Ford, Visa and Samsung will be saying next year when they become the master content generators.

In a big push to increase a viable sales outlet, Google-owned YouTube has set its sights on pushing the quality of video content generation with the help of big brand advertising dollars. They are pushing for a large share of the $68billion US advertising dollars up for grabs in the media world.

YouTube has created "Brand Camp," an organized boot came that teaches advertisers how to become better content generators. Brands can pay for distribution, but if their content is good, users will share it and that's free.

Take a look at YouTube's State of the Art LA Studio Space

Agency Hires Stalker for Intern Candidates

Just when you thought the Ad business couldn't get any crazier, it gets even crazier.
A New York Ad Agency has found a way to creep out potential interns by hiring a man they call "Donald Buscando."

Donald visits the LinkedIn profiles of potential talent and once they see that he has taken a peek into their personal page, they find out Donald's real purpose.

Take a look at the video.

Dove's Quest to Own Beauty Category Takes a New Twist

It seems the world of Advertising is shifting towards even more of a scientific psychological and sociological approach. Dove continues to push to own "beauty" with its new "Patches" campaign, part of the "Campaign for Real Beauty," that highlights women being tricked into thinking they are wearing pharmaceutical patches that will make them feel more beautiful. A seasoned Psychologist talks with the women about their insecurities and provides them with the patch to start them on their journey to increased self esteem.

Critics aren't happy over this ad because they feel its more about Dove branding than women's self-esteem. I question the intent of the any brand trying to sell a product vs. the true humanity of the consumer target.

Take a look and judge for yourself.

I "Heart" J. Crew

Open letters still work to get consumers what they want. Last August, freelance writer Jenni Avins penned a passionate plea  in New York magazine's The Cut blog, asking J. Crew to bring back its scoop back tank swimsuit. 

"What I want is smooth, taut fabric that stretches from my shoulders over my chest and ribcage, with hip-high leg holes and an open back to expose my skin to sand, sunshine, and seawater. I want it available in evocatively named colors like hibiscus, marine, and bottle green (in black, it's simply unstoppable.)"

The letter touched the fashionable heart of J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons, who immediately responded, saying she'd see what she could do. A few months later Lyons announced the swimsuit return in a two-page New York ad with a sassy, handwritten note that reads, "Dear Ms. Avins, Your wish is my command ... within reason. XO Jenna."

It's an excellent example of a brand listening to and responding to the wishes of a loyal customer.

Graham Crackers Stir Up Controversy & Love

Who ever thought a wholesome snack like graham crackers could stir up so much controversy? I'm sure you've seen it by now, the campaign for Honey Maid, that offered a simple, healthy feel showing smiling families holding hands and playing together.

But the ad took a turn, for what a small percentage would call the worse, when they highlighted biracial and gay families. After receiving a flood of hate-filled comments, Honey Maid did what I would expect any smart marketer to do, stand firm on what they advertise.

Take a look at the original commercial and then what happened next. It's all about LOVE.

Veet Hair Removal Ad Gets Axed

The Veet ad featuring the surprisingly hairy man and his/her boyfriend having an early morning conversation about shaving has already been removed.

I thought it was a cute play on your boyfriend's view on those days when you should have waxed but didn't. The 30-second commercial features a couple peacefully sleeping in bed. A clean-shaven man wakes up, shocked, next to a hairy guy with a woman's voice — meant to imply that women should shave to avoid looking like hairy dudes.

Check out the ad and also the tweets from the naysayers.

Resumes Gone Wild

The ever-changing job market is getting quite competitive, so those who can think outside of the box when it comes to snagging their dream gig will win the prize.

Here's a great example of putting your creativity to work, Crystal Nunn applied for a junior designer position at We are Social in London and snagged the job thanks to a batch of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Nunn, an avid baker, prepared a batch of cookies using ingredients from Beyond Dark chocolate, a brand co-founded by We Are Social creative director James Nester. She designed a special box for the goodies labeled "Beyond Ideas," attached a thumb-drive containing her traditional résumé and portfolio, and hand-delivered the package in a brown wrapper marked "Urgent." Within an hour, We Are Social contacted Nunn for an interview and i think you know how the story ends. She got the job!

Genius and Revealing Campaign from Dermablend Professional

Dermablend Professional hit the strategic mark with the unveiling of its new campaign that allows real women to talk about why they use their product.

Typical makeup ads have a hard time inspiring the "every day woman" who is looking for cosmetic products to help her look her best, but within the confines of aspirational goals due to the use of celebrity endorsers or professional models who have professional style teams.

These ads do the opposite, as the featured women, who have some form of a skin condition, tell stories about why they began using makeup to cover up, but now use it as a tool for self expression.

The emotional testimonials make a simple claim that Dermablend's conealing products don't allow them to hide, but allows them to reveal who they truly are.

Take a look!

The Selfie Slimmer

Seems like "Selfies" are growing into a life all their own and now developers are helping indulgers who take selfies seriously make them as perfect as they can be.

SkinneePix created by a female-led company called Pretty Smart Women, says the app can shave five to fiften pounds off that bloated iPhone self-portrait.

I downloaded it for $.99 and didn't really see a difference but I would be interested to see how it works for others.

I figure a little techie slimming tactics never hurt anyone!

Amazon Debuts New Internet Based TV Option

Options for TV watchers continue to grow outside of cable thanks to the entree of Amazon's new Amazon Fire TV. The Internet-connected set-top box which allows for voice search, was announced during an official launch event today in NYC. The product features are said to surpass both Apple TV and Xbox One and Roku.

Keep an eye out for the official release date to the public.