Winter Classic Lost Logo Challenge

WHO’S MISSING THE REEBOK LOGO?
On New Year’s Day, the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings face off in the friendly confines of historic Wrigley Field for the 2009 NHL Winter Classic. Watch closely because one player will take the ice sporting a jersey without the Reebok logo. Submit the correct answer and you’ll be eligible to win a one-of-a-kind Stanley Cup experience!

Burger King’s scent of love now flame broiled

 

Burger King is hoping to be known as more than “The Home of the Whopper.”

This weekend, the fast food chain rolled out “Flame,” a new men’s body spray billed as “the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat.”

And an informal survey by the Boston Herald found that there are men out there who’d wear it – even one who seemed to be named after a meat.

“It’s very nice,” said Salami Caushi, 55 and a South Boston resident, who was sipping hot coffee at the Burger King on Broadway yesterday.

As his companion grimaced, Caushi sprayed the scent on his wrist, and then took a long sniff of Flame for men.

“Yes, nice,” he said.

Tony Rama, who was sitting downwind of Caushi, strongly disagreed. “It’s much too heavy,” he said.

A few tables away, Reno Hoxhallari, 29 and from Medford, was taken aback by the burger joint’s new product.

“It’s got to be a joke,” he said, as he scrutinized a photo of the chain’s cartoonish King, languishing by the fire, wearing his crown and little else.

Two days ago – just in time for the holidays – the fast food chain began selling the body spray, for $4 a bottle, at Rickey’s, a New York City retailer, and on the Web site, http://www.firemeetsdesire.com/.

Yesterday, after the company distributed samples to various news organizations, the Herald took it on a trial run.

“It smells like cinnamon,” said Alyse Hawco, 14, of Dorchester. She was at Burger King enjoying a post-school snack with some friends.

“I’d buy it for my brother,” she said.

Up the street, at a crowded corner on Broadway, a group of men in their 20s were initially skeptical about the fragrance.

“Flame??” one man said. “I think they should change the name.”

Another guy wondered if it would “make me break out.”

But after their female companion said she liked it, their opinions appeared to shift.

“Yeah, I’d think about it,” said Jaime, a native Cape Codder.

“Do you think it’ll make girls swarm?” he asked his friends.

On the Web: http://www.firemeetsdesire.com/

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1139319 

Doritos Offers $1 Million for Homemade Super Bowl Ad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do we dare to bet $1 million in a promotion that depends in consumer generated content? Doritos did…

This is the latest twist in an ongoing effort by Doritos to keep people engaged with their brand and their goal to put consumers in control through the use of user-generated content. The contest follows a similar effort Doritos launched two years ago.

People could upload 30-second commercials showing their love for Doritos tortilla chips until past November. The site featured a toolbox where visitors could download Doritos logos, product shots, music and animations for their spots.

Five finalists in the latest “Crash the Super Bowl” promotion will be announced in January ‘09 on the Web site, when people can choose their favorite in a public vote. The top vote getter will win the airtime during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1 on NBC. Each finalist will win $25,000 and a trip to Tampa Bay, FL, to attend the game in a private luxury suite. But that’s not all… Doritos is giving the chance to win a cool $1 million dollars if the aired commercial makes it onto the USA Today’s Top Superbowl commercials list. The USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter tracks viewers’ responses to ads that air during the national broadcast of the Super Bowl and ranks them favorite to least favorite.

“We’ve always believed our fan’s have the talent and passion to compete at the highest level, and we are putting $1 million on the table to demonstrate our confidence and also help our winner fulfill their own destiny,” Ann Mukherjee, group vice president of marketing for Doritos, said. “Whether it goes toward funding a short film, opening an ad agency or anything in between, we’re empowering them with an unmatched stage to compete on and a motivation to make it happen.”

Source: promomagazine.com

 

Burger King “Whopper Virgins” Generating Some Controversy

Just like Miller Lite and Bud Light’s debate, Burger King and McDonald’s are up to prove which one has the best TASTE. Take a look at how they did it and what’s been the reaction of the public…

Burger King’s ‘Whopper Virgins’ campaign is a taste-test between BK’s Whopper and McDonald’s Big Mac. It took place amongst people living in remote villages of Thailand and Romania, as well as outposts in Greenland; people who’ve never had either of those burgers cross their lips. 

Controversy over Burger King’s ‘Whopper Virgins’ taste test ad/documentary, created by ad giant Crispin, Porter and Bogusky, can be found on YouTube, blogs, and even editorials. At issue is whether the people used as ‘Whopper Virgins’ test subjects are being exploited and/or made fun of as it stands from people’s response.

The campaign, dressed up like a documentary, is being perceived more as an echo of the offensive but wildly popular Borat in reverse, where exploiting cultural differences was the crux of the humor. (overtonecomm.blogspot)

 As it stands now, it seems the Burger King powers were simply looking for unbiased, pure (virgin) taste-buds, to determine taste preference of their BK Whopper versus the McDonald’s Big Mac. 

Test results and full-footage from the Burger King ‘Whopper Virgins’ can be seen in the Burger King ‘Whopper Virgins’ website: www.whoppervirgins.com

Hispanic Consumers to Add ‘Sabor’ to Kleenex Packages

 

This promotion utilizes a complex mechanic –at least more complex than we usually go with Hispanics- to engage this consumer, requesting art ideas for the Kleenex box.

Kleenex wants to get some Latin flavor onto its packaging to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in September 2009, and to that the brand is running a contest to find up to three artists who may provide Hispanic-themed motifs for Kleenex boxes.

Titled “Con Kleenex, Expresa tu Hispanidad” (“With Kleenex, Express Your Hispanic Culture”), the competition, activated by Kimberly-Clark’s multicultural agency MASS Hispanic, is looking for package designs and artwork that will seem culturally relevant to the Hispanic audience.

Entrants –non-professional artists- can submit in a number of different media both digital and actual, including paintings, photographs, weaving, metal crafting and sculpture. Online submissions can be made at the contest website. Kleenex contestants will also submit a short essay explaining how their creation relates to Hispanic heritage along with a personal photo.

Using its retail packaging to express a link to Hispanic culture is a powerful recognition of “the growth and importance of Hispanics in America, as well as a unique opportunity for budding artists in our community to exhibit their work on a truly national scale,” said Kimberley-Clark’s spokesperson, Dr. Isabel Gomez-Bassols.

Source: promomagazine.com

 

Coupons: More popular among Hispanics than we think

Are we considering all the tools available to reach the Hispanic consumer? Maybe not…

 

There is a myth about the Hispanic population not being big on coupons. A study from Advo refutes the myth and shows that they love their coupons as much as everyone else, regardless of the source (inserts, direct mail, in-store, online, etc.)

Part of the “logic” that perpetuated the myth was, as is quite often the case, a self-fulfilling prophecy. The myth was there; so not many coupons were sent to the Hispanic audience; which in turn meant… You know how it goes. Side lesson – always do your market research and never rely on “everyone knows that…”

 Now that the research has been done it actually shows that Hispanic consumers are worth pursuing with coupons and other advertising methods. Because of the average size of their family units, they spend 33% more at the supermarket on a weekly basis than traditional general market families.

 According to Geoff Gropp, president of the Hispanic Retail Network, coupon redemption rates range from 6% to 24% and sales can go up by 20% to 65%, depending on the brand and offer. Additionally, 73% of all Hispanic shoppers enjoy looking through coupons and offers in the mail, 62% choose stores based on coupon offers, and circular readership is 32% higher among Hispanics than non-Hispanics.

The bottom-line: More Hispanic-oriented promotional advertising will most assuredly benefit retailers.

 Source: retailamp.com

 

Coca-Cola Hosts First Mexican Holiday Parade: Caravana Navideña Coca Cola

Understanding what matters to the Hispanic consumer makes the marketing efforts move in the right direction, like Coca Cola did with this relevant initiative…

Coca-Cola is playing host to a Mexican holiday parade next month in Los Angeles with their first annual Live Positively Holiday Parade, a gift to local families.

“Coca-Cola is committed to bringing Hispanic families relevant programs and events, especially those that bring hope, optimism and togetherness,” said Reinaldo Padua, assistant vice president, Hispanic Marketing, Coca-Cola North America, in a release. “Bringing refreshment, cheer and smiles during the holidays is what Coca-Cola is all about.”

The parade on Dec. 13 is part of “Caravana Navideña Coca-Cola,” a 27-city tour that has been a tradition in Mexico for the past 10 years. It weaves a story of joy, love, peace and happiness, and features interactive floats, local marching bands, multicultural performances and local community organizations, Coca-Cola said.

Source: promomagazine.com/eventmarketing

Finders, Keepers: Burger King’s “Lost Wallet” Promotion

It appears that in the last few days, there are a handful of bloggers who, by finding wallets on the ground, have unwittingly stumbled across the latest under-the-radar Burger King promotion. The fast food chain has dispensed agents across major U.S. cities (indications are it’s just been Chicago and Orlando so far ) to “lose” wallets.

Yep, the wallets include notes telling the individuals who find them to go ahead and keep the wallets. Time Out Chicago reported on November 12th that Burger King planned to drop 5,000 of these wallets around urban hot spots in Chicago. A handful of bloggers have found some of these wallets, and are reporting that they contain actual cash, ranging from a $1 bill to a $100 bill, a BK Crown Card pre-loaded with $5 to $20, a “Drivers License” featuring The King, and a map of Chicago or Orlando area Burger King’s.

So fellow marketers – keep your eyes peeled on the ground for a wayward wallet. You might just find it’s a gift from the King!

Source: Time Out Chicago

Have a Glass of Art

Forget about wandering through an art gallery and wondering if you’re the only one who has no idea what anything means.  Hannes Broecker has brilliantly invited the cultural elite to grab a glass at an exhibition in Dresden, Germany, and drink away the art.

Regardless of what we do or do not understand about art, we can all agree, it stimulates our senses. Broecker has aroused our sense of taste (not to mention eliminated the need of elbowing our way to the bar) by hanging flat, glass containers with a variety of cocktails in the exhibition space.  As the night progressed, the levels of the multi-coloured infusions diminished. By the end of the event, the art, itself, ran dry, and empty drinking glasses were returned to where they were originally placed.

Nikki, Nikki – you’re so fine!

Check out the latest work by mixed media artist Nikki Farquharson. The young, London-based graphic designer and illustrator always gives her viewers a lot to look at. In her ongoing project, Mixed Media Girls, her collages appear innocent and sweet but at the same time exude sharp, pent-up energy that does not feel altogether safe. The title of the work is also wonderfully suggestive — or not, depending on how the reader wishes to understand it.

Her work extends from the one-dimensional world to book projects and 3D pieces in which she often ponders and twists the meaning of words and proverbs, spies on conversations, and questions established truths. In 2007, she started the website Random Got Beautiful that is open for anyone to submit images focused on a specific color.

Source: Cool Hunter