March 2011

A weekly compendium of interesting items from the world of media, marketing and advertising.


AdWeek, March 28, 2011
Marketers and consumers alike could benefit if text conversations about brands and products led to exclusive promotions and contests. Now, thanks to group text messaging and conference calling service GroupMe, this may finally be possible, as users can allow selected brands to send information directly into their conversations. Read the AdWeek article


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Call them brand advocates, evangelists, or ambassadors; whatever name you give them, customers who take it upon themselves to sing your product's praises to their peers are invaluable to your business. Once just a series of buzz words, these terms have become something of a digital marketing philosophy...

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A weekly compendium of interesting items from the world of media, marketing and advertising.


AdWeek, March 22, 2011
Working at Starbucks is often a stepping stone to bigger things, but your friendly neighbourhood barista is getting more training than the average advertising executive. According to a new report from Arnold on talent management, the advertising industry is lagging in providing employees with the skills they need, which is leading to high turnover in agencies. Read the AdWeek article


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In this week's PERSUASION column, PETA looks for seal of approval from bar flies, Simon Houpt discusses how PETA is taking a cartoonish approach to its anti-seal hunt protests.


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In this week's ADHOCRACY column, Adidas strives to capture global culture of teen spirit, Simon Houpt looks at Adidas' latest campaign, directed at the brand’s core consumers of 15- to 19-year-olds...


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Take a close look at your current campaign and ask yourself: What's in it for consumers? Your ads may increase awareness and exposure of your product and brand…but what are they doing for the site users who see them?


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A weekly compendium of interesting items from the world of media, marketing and advertising.


AdWeek, March 15, 2011
Seventeen magazine, long a reliable source of fashion and life intel for teenage girls, is upping its game. In a move speculated to put the publication in direct competition with Teen Vogue, Seventeen is showcasing high-end brands and pricier products in its style sections and issues. Read the AdWeek article


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In this week's Adhocracy column, Does Charlie Sheen qualify as a small business?, Simon Houpt looks at the act of promotional Twitter-ing.


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New research from Newspapers Canada shows what many marketers have known for years: newspapers, whether in print or online, play a huge part in the automotive research process. Over 70 per cent of survey respondents said that newspapers drove their visit to an automotive dealership.


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heck out Simon Houpt's latest 30-Second Spots and read about this week's four bites from the world of marketing, including ad work for little or no money(?); the Taco Bell tussle; "The Realizer” app; and Alex Bogusky speaks at the MIXX Conference next week.


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n this week's Adhocracy column, Have you driven an iPad lately?, Simon Houpt looks at the fast paced innovation of the automotive industry.


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The Globe and Mail, Canada’s official representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, yesterday revealed a jury of top advertising executives who will judge Canada's Young Lions, a qualifying competition that will send eight rising stars to the festival held in Cannes.


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