Branding « Talk, Inc - Find Your Voice

Microsoft branches out

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

You know the economy is in trouble when software giant, Microsoft, decides to get into retail clothing. As part of their “I’m a PC” campaign developed by ad agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky, Microsoft released a series of retro T-shirts last month in an effort to increase brand loyalty among Vista users following the highly successful Mac vs. PC commercials aired by rival Apple.

Sold under the name, “Softwear by Microsoft”, the shirts feature retro logos, classic photos and geek-chic iconography dating back to the pre-Web, DOS days of the software company. One of those “classic photos” features Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ 1977 mug shot, after being booked for speeding in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the company was also first headquartered.

Whether the T-shirts will become a fashion statement or a marketing flop is up for debate. Web criticism has poured in from the start, chastising Microsoft for targeting its line to young-adult T-shirt wearing consumers who weren’t yet born or old enough to recall the early days of computers. The company’s reputation for releasing software before removing the bugs has also been recalled. Maybe Microsoft will mail buyers patches to sew on to the shirts every few months?

Tags: Marketing in a Recession
Posted in Branding, Marketing | Comments

Monster.com promotes new site in primo timeslots

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

You wouldn’t necessarily think that this is the best timing, during one of the bleakest job markets in recent years, to promote the launch of a new website - especially during the expensive Golden Globes and Super Bowl. But, that’s just what the visionaries at Monster.com are doing. Using a compelling visual - a construction worker who is scared of heights clearly needs to reconsider his career path - and a simple message, “there’s never been a better time to go to Monster.com,” the company proves yet again just why they lead the Internet job search market.

Created by BBDO, Monster.com’s new spots will rival two Career Builder.com ads during the Super Bowl. But Monster.com will have the leg up. Having signed on as an official N.F.L. sponsor in November, the company will also promote an N.F.L./Monster.com contest.

Rounding out the campaign for the redesigned website, Monster.com and BBDO researched consumer expectations for Super Bowl ads this year, in this very different economic climate. They found people just wanted to laugh. Monster.com will deliver on that in a print ad series that features lines like, “Our new Web site is so easy to use it will make the glue stick seem intellectually challenging,” and, “It’s like online dating without that awkward kiss good-night.”

Always a fan of Monster.com creative, we think these ads will sure to stand out from the crowd on the big game night.

Tags: branding agency, Creative agency, Marketing in a Recession
Posted in Branding, Marketing | Comments

Campbell Soup vs. American Family Association

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

The American Family Association (AFA) has recently taken issue with Campbell Soup/ Swanson for a print ad aimed at gays and lesbians. On their website the AFA is urging consumers to contact Campbell to demand that they stop “pushing the gay agenda” and to “remain nuetral in the cultural war.” Here is the kicker, the ad was specifically created to run in The Advocate, a hugely successful Gay and Lesbian magazine. Is this really “pushing the gay agenda”? Known for being all American and very conservative, Campbell Soup is nonetheless standing fast against the AFA. They have made no apologies for the ad series and have taken a very strong stance on the criticism. ” Our position on this is pretty straightforward, inclusion and diversity play an important role in our business, and that fact is reflected in our maketing plan. For more than a century, people from all walks of life have enjoyed Campbell’s products, and we will continue to try to communicate in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them.” said company rep Anthony Sanzio. “Our plans for the Swanson brand include additional placements in The Advocate.” Misti Graham, president of the LGBT-specific agency MDG Marketing Group, said the gay and lesbian marketing targets an estimated $690 billion in buying power. “The LGBT audience is the third-largest in the country behind African-Americans and Hispanics, and we’re very in tune with which brands embrace the community and whose messaging and imaging reflects that.” I think this is all…. well….. Mmm, Mmm Good!

Tags: Marketing in a Recession
Posted in Branding, Issues Management, Marketing, Public Relations | Comments

“Combustible” pets can rely on Pedigree

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

It’s no secret that everyone at Talk is a huge animal lover, so whenever one of us spots an advertisement relating to dog humor, we are all for it. TBWA Paris’ new campaign for Pedigree, a refreshing break from those tear-jerking, effective “I-don’t-know-how-I-got-in-this-pound” advertisements, showcases what every dog owner has experienced at least once. The ads highlight common canine terrors like bad breath, diarrhea and obesity, all of which can be cured with Pedigree’s product line. As “mother” to my yellow lab, Gunner, I can relate to the humor; after digesting a pair of hip-to-toe panty hose, multiple tube socks and the squeaky mechanism in three of his toys, I am no stranger to explosive doggie diarrhea. TBWA Paris shows dog owners everywhere that they can count on Pedigree for their “combustible” pets.

Tags: Advertising agency, dogs
Posted in Branding | Comments

The NFL has an “Official Wing Sponsor”

Friday, December 19th, 2008

The countdown towards the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl XLIII has definitely begun. None other than Kentucky Fried Chicken has signed on as the “Official Wing Sponsor.” This is their first ever sponsorship with the NFL which will allow them the rights to show the NFL shield and Super Bowl logos on their buckets of wings, promotional drink cups as well as other packaging. Not to mention TV spots, in store POP displays and the all mighty online presence. I think I know what I am bringing to the 2nd annual Talkies party.

Posted in Branding, Marketing | Comments

Things We Love

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

Debbie loves iGoogle – I just set up my customized iGoogle page and it allows me to get a quick snapshot of the top headlines from key media outlets. I also have my favorite RSS feeds, the weather, leading You Tube videos, and most importantly, the Dog of the Day photo. This is a great example of how inbound marketing works. I go out and identify the information I want, sign up for the feeds, collect them on one page and voila! — the information is blasted to me each morning first thing. Thanks iGoogle.

Kelly loves Burger King’s “Flame” fragrance – The folks at Burger King have captured the essence of the Whopper, America’s favorite burger, with their new online men’s body spray. Offering a “hint of flame-broiled meat”, fans everywhere can behold the scent of seduction, where “fire meets desire”. Initially, I thought it was a clever publicity stunt (who would want to smell like a greasy burger) but then I discovered the fragrance really is available for purchase. Die-hard fans everywhere must be rejoicing.

Kirsty loves the Wilmington Bloggers Network – A small, but influential community of bloggers and tweets in Wilmington, N.C. have joined forces to network their websites at http://wilmingtonbloggers.com. We’re proud that “Find your Voice” has a home among these terrific blogs. Take a read and be sure to submit your site if you’re a Wilmington Blogger!

Shawn loves the stories behind Hollywood Studio logos – The folks over at neatorama.com have a great look back at some iconic Hollywood logos and how they came to be. Answers to questions like: Who is the boy on the moon in the DreamWorks logo? Which mountain inspired the Paramount logo? You get to see the actual model used for the Columbia Torch Lady… well, at least one of the models. You also get to see the evolution of logos for companies such as Warner Bros. and MGM. I always did love that lion’s roar!

Susan loves shorter commercial breaks during Fringe – Fox’s breakout television hit this season, Fringe, is making both advertisers and viewers happy. At the start of each commercial break, an image related to show pops up on screen with a voice over announcing that Fringe will be back in 60 or 90 seconds. These shortened breaks raise the probability that the advertisers spot will be seen because only one or two run before the show returns. It also keeps viewers tuned in and in their seats for the commercials’ duration because the show will be back on in the blink of an eye.

Tags: Advertising in Wilmington N.C., Branding in Wilmington N.C., Social Media in Wilmington N.C.
Posted in Branding, Marketing | Comments

The Obama logos you didn’t see

Monday, December 15th, 2008

I have worked on a lot of logo projects through the years. After a logo is finally chosen it is sometimes astounding to look back at all the various logos that didn’t. Often times people will look at a logo and think “its so simple…. I could have done that” but if they look at everything that went into making “simple” look that simple, they may be singing a different tune. Here is a great and probably abbreviated look at the Obama logo process.

Tags: Media and Politics
Posted in Branding, Graphic Design, Public Relations | Comments

Things We Love

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Debbie loves mobile phone apps – Within the past two months, I’ve downloaded two new applications for my i-Phone: Twitter and Facebook. Now I can update/read both from my phone. Industry pundits say mobile marketing is the hot new trend for 2009. New mobile marketing agencies are popping up on Madison Avenue and advertisers are exploring creative ways to deliver marketing messages to us directly, via our phones. Soon I may be spending more time with my phone than my laptop.

Kirsty loves “We are Happy to Serve You” ceramic mug – My husband picked up this replica of the classic NYC paper cup at the Museum of Modern Art and I have since adopted it as my own! Not only is it fun to drink out of a ceramic mug that looks like a paper cup (surprisingly!), but it is proof that a classic design can be timeless. In 1963, the Sherri Cup Company wanted to create a to-go cup that would appeal to the many Greek-owned diners and sidewalk pushcarts. Today, it has become a New York icon and may very well be the world’s most famous coffee cup.

Shawn loves logooftheday.com – A recent trend I have noticed are logo design award sites. It is partly to see if you can be selected but mostly it serves as a great inspiration for your own logo projects. Logo Of The Day rewards the best professional logos and trademarks designed throughout the world. All of the suggested logos are screened by two judges, Jacob Cass and Jeff Fisher. I recently submitted our own Talk logo. So we will wait and see if we are selected.

Susan loves blurb.com – As a writer I am obsessed with books. I love the way they look, I love the way they feel, and I love the emotion that they can evoke. blurb.com is an online print-on-demand company that allows people and companies to create their own books in quantities as small as one. So instead of printing out portfolio samples on the color printer, a business could have a professional book created to give their work the kind of presentation it deserves.

Posted in Branding, Graphic Design, Marketing | Comments

Big brands aren’t feeling the need for speed

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Visiting my in-laws for Thanksgiving, I had an entirely new experience from the dozen other times we drove past the Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., just outside the Charlotte city limits. Usually, I’m fascinated by all the flashy sponsor ads, a hallmark of the successful NASCAR brand. Now I was seeing these ads with new eyes, the same eyes that had been reading about these megabrands’ huge cutbacks and layoffs. It made me wonder how a NASCAR, so dependent on outside sponsors and the big three automakers, could survive in a recession.

Last week in New York City, the word recession was far from the minds of NASCAR executives as they hosted “Champions Week,” a marketing extravaganza. However, it was there that NASCAR President Mike Helton humbly appealed to its loyal fans to support the sponsors that support this sport. According to Ad Age, there’s not much confidence in the sports marketing arena that this will happen:

NASCAR added $150 million in sponsorship dollars last year, but does not plan to add any more in 2009.
12 out of 42 drivers do not have primary sponsors for the 2009 season, which begins in Daytona in 10 weeks. Sponsors account for 75% of the budget for teams’ business models.
Longtime sponsors like Eastman Kodak and Sears Roebuck have bailed for the 2009 season.
TV ratings and third straight year track attendance has fallen 9% from last season.
32 of the 42 full-time teams for 2009 drive Chevys, Fords or Dodges. General Motors reduced sponsorship from 12 tracks last year to seven in 2008. Ad Age reports that Ford Motor Co. canceled its pre-banquet party in New York last week, GM canceled its post-banquet party and representatives from Chrysler weren’t even in attendance at the celebration.

NASCAR does have an ace in the hole. As a private, family-owned company, it has more flexibility and control over its future. And just like real estate three years ago, it probably grew too big, too fast and too soon. Some scaling back is not out of order. If it can work with brands and negotiate the astronomical costs of sponsorships, while demonstrating the value of a sponsorship in the changing market, then it has a shot at the same kind of sustainable future the NFL enjoys.

Tags: Branding in N.C.
Posted in Branding, Marketing | Comments

Ad of the Day: Introducing a new Geico character

Monday, December 8th, 2008

The geniuses behind the Geico Gecko and the Cavemen do it again! The Martin Agency has conceived a new character, Kash, to really drive the point home - literally, look at the money you can save with Geico.

Posted in Branding | Comments

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Archive for the ‘Branding’ Category

Microsoft branches out

Monster.com promotes new site in primo timeslots

“Combustible” pets can rely on Pedigree

The NFL has an “Official Wing Sponsor”

The Obama logos you didn’t see

Things We Love

Big brands aren’t feeling the need for speed

Ad of the Day: Introducing a new Geico character

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