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.