Commercial Break: Nike Scores with P.K. Subban

This ad has been around for a few weeks, but I think it's genius! It takes an up-and-coming athlete and creates and authentic moment that has potential to build a lasting brand relationship between a raising star, P.K. Subban, and Nike.

Blammo and the New Face of Advertising

A few weeks ago this video started appearing around the web.



Given GJP success, it seemed unlikely that the agency was closing. Fast forward to last Thursday, and GJP announced a rebranding. Yes, an advertising agency rebranding itself. So often, an agency will brilliantly assist its clients to rebrand, but rarely does an agency use the same genus to market itself.

GJP is being renamed and branded as Blammo Worldwide. In a article on Marketingmag.ca Allan Gee, co-founder and chairman, cites the changing media landscape for the the rebrand. As advertising and media changes with social media like twitter, myspace, youtube, facebook, and other site that are emerging at a rapid pace, Blammo understands the need to stay one step ahead. I am excited to see the works that is going to emerge from this innovative agency.

Reading List: The Age of Persauasion

Recently I picked up a copy of The Age of Persuasion: How Marketing Ate Our Culture by Terry O'Reilly and Mike Tennant, and I am really enjoying it. The book gives a historical interpretation of the rise of advertising and its lasting impact on culture, as a history nerd I love this element.

Often, when I read books about culture or media I am bored, but  The Age of Persuasion is different. It is informative and interesting.This book is a must read for anyone interested in advertising, media, and culture.

M&M's Go Interactive with Proximity to Find Red

When a company understands social media and uses it well it's exciting! M&M, with the help of Proximity, are paving the way for interactive social media campaigns with Find Red. Find Red uses Google Maps, Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, and Sitckybits to find M&M's famous spokes candy, Red.




The genius of this campaign is that it uses various forms of media. The commercial is on the Find Red website, the Facebook page and Youtube. Print posters are located around the city with QR codes, so participants can get involved on their way to work or when your meeting up with friends. 

Find Red is an innovative use of social media. I am curious to Find Red and enter to win the grand prize, a 2011 red Smart Fortwo coup, but I am equally excited to see audiences response to the campaign.

Staying Green With SunChips

One of my favorite ad's this year was Juniper Park's "One Small Step" for SunChips.


Our Small Step from Juniper Park on Vimeo.

I really loved the idea of the biodegradable bag and how Juniper Park illustrated this to consumers. Recently I read on Marketingmag.com that Frito Lay, SunChips' parent company, was discontinuing the biodegradable bag due to customer complaints over the noise. I was  disappointment since this new bag was such an innovative move for the company. However, I was pleased to read that Frito Lays Canada is keeping the new bag.

Frito Lays Canada has a launched a communications campaign to tell Canadians that the biodegradable bags are here to stay and if the bag is too noisy Frito Lays will send you a free pair of earplugs. The campaign features a public service announcement explaining the company's choice to keep the bag. The PSA also directs viewers to a Facebook page to express their opinion.

This campaign is a great use of a PSA and social media. The PSA gets the message out and explains the company's actions. The Facebook page allows for consumers to voice their opinion and inreturn the company will responsed  by sending the dissatisfied consumer a pair of ear plugs.

Some times it's the simplest campaigns that get the message out and consumers involved.

Bobby on the tweet

I am not a big fan of Twitter. I have an account and there are times when I am active on the site, but typical I get bored and stop using it. But there was a recent use of twitter that I think is brilliant and one of the most intriguing, yet simple, uses of it.

The Greater Manchester Police recently used twitter to tweet every incident that was reported and dealt with over a 24 hour period. This allows the public to see what the police deal with on a regular bases and allows an interesting glimpse into police work. Now, this stunt comes at an interesting time when police services are faced with potential budget cuts, which could reduce the number of front line officers.

Using twitter is an excellent tool for the police to demonstrate transparency with the general public. It could also assist in showing the public how budget cuts could be detrimental to this essential service. I think this is a great use of social media as a tool for an unlikely organization.

Read the full store from The Globe and Mail: U.K. Police hail success of "bobby on the tweet" expereiment. .

Something is Brewing in Toronto

This week, September 20 to 26, is Toronto Beer Week. Yes, that is right, Beer Week. This first ever event is designed to celebrate and advance the craft brewer movement. Throughout the week there will be events all over the city, at participating bars, pubs, and venues. This is a great event to promote a product and various suppliers throughout the city.

I first heard about Beer Week from an advertisement in one of my favorite free publications, then saw a poster for it in one of my favorite pubs, and then I shared this information with my friends, who were equally as interested. Now we are coordinating schedules to check out a least an event, or two. Beer Week appeals to us. We like doing new things, are interested in trying new things, and love things with free give always.

Beer Week is using a passport to advertise events and encourage people to visit participating locations. Those interested can download passports online or pick them up from participating locations. The passport contains information about Beer Week events and gives participants chances to win various prizes. All people have to do is drop their passport in a ballot box at a participating locations. The idea of having a fun element, such as the passport, really appealed to my friends and it made them eager to check out a few events throughout the week.

Toronto Beer Week could be a great way for craft breweries to showcase the quality of its beer. Also, some events are educational, so they allow for people to learn more about craft beer. All around Beer Week seem like a great marketing strategy for craft brewers to connect with its audiences.

For more information check out the Toronto Beer Week site:
Toronto Beer Week

Now Magazine also has a great feature outlining some interesting events:
Now Magazine

Cheers!

Living in the Interactive Age

I am not always the biggest fan of social media. When a company adds social media, or a YouTube video, to its latest and greatest marketing campaign it does not always achieve its goal. Sometimes traditional marketing and advertising add more value to a campaign and deliver a higher return on investment. When a company focuses on the message, the creative, and the copy it can create a great connection with its audience, regardless of the medium.

I love social media and interactive media when it's done well. Two great interactive videos that I love are Arcade Fire's The Wilderness Downtown and Tipp-ex's A Hunter Shoots a Bear. (Now, I know, the Arcade Fire video isn't an advertisement, but isn't a music video basically an advertisement for the band and the album? I would argue yes.) These videos are great. They allow the participant to interact, add their own information and see what the video produces. It is amazing what both videos accomplish. Both videos amazed and entertained me, made me remember the product and video, and now I will recommend it to my friends on Facebook.

Check them out for yourself:


The Wilderness Downtown

Hunter Shoots a Bear

Commercial Break

I have always been a person who loved commercials. I think my love for them started when I was younger and hated turning the channel, or leaving the room, during the commercial break. Back then, it had more to do with not wanting to miss what happened to Zac and the gang on Save the Bell.

But since then, I have grown up and learnt a thing or two about public relations, marketing, and advertising. This knowledge has developed into a new found respect for commercials. Most commercials I like because of the genius of the creative. The idea that went into making such a unique advertising campaign intrigues me. Other commercials I love because of the graphics. Today there are a few commercials out there that are movie worthy. I mean that these commercials as so epic that I forget they are commercials and instead I am drawn in.

Here are two of my favorite commercials. The first is an epic Sapporo commercial. The other is Kotex’s sarcastic response to its competitors.


Legendary Biru


Apology.


For this legendary commercial Sapporro Beer Canada hired Dentsu Canada. This commercial makes you take notice and watch the commercial. It draws you in and makes your forget “its just a commercial”. There is a website that accompanies the campaign, but the real genius of this commercial is the incredible graphics.

JWT, New York made Kotex into a revolutionary feminine hygiene company by making a joke out of its competitors advertising. The Kotex commercial is simple. It makes a point to be different, because of this it is memorable.

These are just two of the commercials that I think do a great job of advertising.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation: A Blog Post

It's the official end to the summer- the Labour Day Weekend. For many this is a sad time. It's time to admit another summer has past and a new fall, a new school year, is upon us. Yes, I am one of those nerds that loved going back to school. What can I say? I love a new challenge. I love learning new things. I love fall sweaters. But this year, like years past, I am not going back to school. Although I will take a course or two, maybe a marketing course, a french course, or an art course, I am not a full-time student.

Even though I am not a full-time student, I still love the timeless September ritual of reflecting on how I spent my summer vacation. 
. 

I am from a small town that is surrounded by water. I love heading home in the summer to see my family, friends and spending time at the beach.  Most of my friends I grew up with are scattered all over the country, and a few are abroad. But I think we all agree that no matter where we go or what beaches we visit, we love the ones at home the most.  I think it's the nostalgia of these places that I love.


Another great thing about the summer, and Toronto, is the Island. I love visiting the Island. This summer I was lucky since I got to see two amazing concerts there. Earlier in the summer I got to see Broken Social Scene and Pavement, and about a month ago I had the absolute pleasure of seeing the Arcade Fire.

Shows on Toronto Island are always fun. I think my favorite part, with the exception of the great bands, is taking the ferry there and back. But I must admit, I do not love waiting in line for the ferry.

I did a lot more this summer then hang at the beach and see great bands: I spent time with friends and family; visited some great patios; and, made a big move. As fall fast approaches and we get back in the swing of short days and cools nights, I will reflect about the summer and anticipate the next.

Websites for Internet Newbies

It's the summer and following a normal blog routine just isn't my style. This is particularly true when the weather is nice and there are beaches to visit, also I recently moved so packing and unpacking has consumed my life. But I have not ignored all elements of work, I started to advise a client, if you allow me to call her that. The client is my older sister. She is starting her own counseling practice and needed everything from business cards to a website. I am not a designer, so I was unable to help with the business cards, but websites I know a thing or two about.

My sister is a little older then I am, and has not had the privilege of growing up with technology, and the internet, the way I have. I do not consider myself an expert, but I do understand the importance of optimizing the internet to assist in establishing a brand and reputation. This ability is not something everyone possess.(I am not gonna lie but I took for granted that everyone understood the internet and social media the way I do.)

My sister's business needs are similar to any small business owner, she wanted a lower cost option to building and maintain a website. Some of her colleagues pay hundreds of dollars a year for a basic site. Since she is just starting her practice, she wants to keep all overhead low. When I heard this I suggested building a Blogger or Wordpress site and directing it to her own domain, which could be purchased for a small fee. By using Wordpress, or Blogger, she can build, update, and maintain the site herself.

Of course the idea of doing a site for less appealed to her, but my other ideas for creating an online presence did not. I suggested using the site to have weekly tips and links to great articles for clients. For example, she could have a section on stress. In this section she could write a few tips and maybe have a recommend reading list with links to purchase the recommended books. This would not take the place of her counseling, but it could be a resource for her clients. I, also, suggested she could link the page to twitter and connect with people from across the country and establish herself, and her practice, as a leading expert in the personal counseling field. My sister is interested in running a small practice, not becoming the Canadian Dr. Phil. All my ideas, which are all simple and basic to anyone who uses social media, could really work for her in establishing her practice and optimizing her website, but that is not inline with her business goals.

Long story short, for minimal overhead she has a great website that she controls herself. This all achieved by taking advantage of social media. I think this is such a great thing. It may be basic, but it works. My sister is not internet savvy, but she is able to create and maintain her own website for fraction of the cost her colleagues pay.

Spam from Friends

Like most people I use Facebook. I have used other social media site, in fact I believe I still have many half completed and out of date profiles on several sites, but Facebook is my site of choice. Facebook is what most people I know use and it helps me, and the rest of the world, stay connected.

When it comes to social media my only complaint, which I am sure I am not the only one that feels this way, is the constant bombardment of advertisement. At least once I week I log in to find a friend has suggested a page for me to view. These pages are usually for a not-for-profit trying to get its message out or an advertisement for something. I rarely read the full page. I glace at the title and quickly ignore it.

Last week I received a recommendation, from a former classmate, to join the “EVERY ONE: Save the Children (Canada)” fan page. When I saw this I quickly ignored it. Why? I receive page suggestions every week and I find them annoying. I acknowledge that this page might be for a great cause and contain some great information, but page suggestions have become almost as annoying as spam. But this spam is worst then the kind you find in your email because this spam is being suggested to you by your friends.

In the current issue of Strategy, Jason McCann offers “An open apology to people using Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Bebo, etc.” In this open apology, McCann apologizes for not integrating social media into the campaign but replicating it for a social media platform. Now, McCann does recognize some real successes in using social media. But in the end he recognizes the failure in many social media campaigns.

I was excited by this apology. This article demonstrates a valuable lesson in using social media to expand a brand in a meaningful way that connects with your audience. As social media continues to grow and change any brand wanting to keep on track has to keep current with what other brands are doing and go beyond. It is not enough enough to tag on social media to your campaign, it has to be focused, planed, and specific. It must have meaning for your audience.

This may seem like a good point for me to offer some great ideas for using social media, however, I am not. A good social media campaign has to be specific to the the brand and audience. More generic ideas will only lead to more facebook spam, and who really wants that? Not me.




***If you are looking for some great example of social media campaigns read McCann's article, he offers some great examples.

Sometimes I Like Adventures

Sometimes I like adventures. I like to try new things and be open to new ideas. This characteristic can lead to lots of adventures and amazing experiences. Last March (yes, I know I am a little late on posting), I had one of these experience. I traveled with group of 12 to a mission in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  The group I traveled with has been traveling to this mission annually for the past 10 years, and has made a significant impact on the surround community. The mission is run by a few Brazilian nuns. The mission has a school, medical clinic, pharmacy and offered adult outreach programs.

We flew in to Santo Domingo, the capital of the
Dominican Republic. Once in the Dominican Republic we traveled for about an hour, or two, to a small neighbourhood just outside Santa Domingo. I am not overly familiar with the city landscape, or how the city is laid out and neighbourhoods are named, but the area where I stayed was Los Tres Brazos. The exact location of Los Tres Brazos I could not tell you, nor could I located it on a map.

Los Tres Brazos is not like any place I have been before. The streets were extremely narrow and hilly, and only few were paved. The houses were joined together, built right next to each other, and sometimes on top of each other.  The “rich” homes would have a front door, bars over the windows, and multiple rooms. A typical house, however, would have dirt floors, a single room, and not much more.

Despite the poverty level I saw and experienced, the community I encountered, and lived with for those seven days in March, was not poor in hope, spirit, or faith. The children looked after each other. They were eager to invite the “Americans” to play a game and sing a song. The community was generous and welcoming. I have never experienced this sense of community in North America, not even when I return home to my parents house, in my hometown, where I have spent most of my life.

This adventure taught me that I take several things in my life for granted. An even bigger lesson I learned was how to keep going. Each person I met in Los Tres Brazos worked hard every day to support themselves and their family. They didn’t have the choice of giving up. They had to keep going. They kept moving forward, working hard, and never giving up.

A little girls, who attends school at the mission,  drew this one my arm. I had no idea what she was doing at the time. After she drew it, I looked down, and then at her, she was so proud and happy of her drawing.

Hello

Welcome to my first blog!

You may not know me. You may have just received my resume. You may have just found this site. Maybe you are wondering who this interesting and creative individual is. So, let me introduce myself. My name is Ann Marie Doyle, and this is my website. It’s filled with information about me,such as my curriculum vitae, my blog, and other fun things.

Please look around and explore!


-Am