Killer Fashion-Dexter, Lord & Taylor & Details cross promotion.

Came across an interesting cross promotion between Dexter (the Showtime show), Lord & Taylor (retail store) and Details magazine. This cross promotion was created as a launch for season 4 of Dexter. Details magazine and Lord & Taylor are using this as a vehicle to promote fashion (or "Killer Fashion" as they call it) - They also created a sweepstakes, you can enter for a chance to win their “Killer Sweepstakes” by filling out an entry form at the Lord & Taylor on Fifth Ave. Which includes a weekend getaway for two to Dexter’s hometown of Miami, a Killer Fashion wardrobe or a private style consultation. Plus, if you’re shopping at Lord & Taylor and you spend $200 or more (in the men’s department), you'll get a free DVD box set of Dexter Season 3.

I find this type of cross promotion interesting and I am very curious how successful it will be. It's an out of the box thinking used to promote a successful show that, already has had some interesting advertisements in the past. The Dexter's advertising & promotions always seem to come up with something better every year, they always try to top what was done before. Which is exactly what they should be doing broadening their audience and keep their show top of mind.

This morning I walked past the Lord & Taylor windows to see what they looked like as well as snap some pics. Very fun window display's depicting some "Dexter styled" scenes. The website they created to go with the promotions is very easy to navigate. It gives you some behind the scenes photos and video. If you are interested in the promotion head over to DETAILSkillerfashion.com for more information.

Art & Copy - film about adverising

I've heard alot of hype for this movie for a while now. Finally saw the trailer, it looks better than what I heard. If you are interested in adverting and creative ideas in general this is a must see! The films website, artandcopyfilm.com.

Here is a synopsis of the film: ART & COPY is a powerful new film about advertising and inspiration. Directed by Doug Pray (SURFWISE, SCRATCH, HYPE!), it reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time -- people who've profoundly impacted our culture, yet are virtually unknown outside their industry. Exploding forth from advertising's "creative revolution" of the 1960s, these artists and writers all brought a surprisingly rebellious spirit to their work in a business more often associated with mediocrity or manipulation: George Lois, Mary Wells, Dan Wieden, Lee Clow, Hal Riney and others featured in ART & COPY were responsible for "Just Do It," "I Love NY," "Where's the Beef?," "Got Milk," "Think Different," and brilliant campaigns for everything from cars to presidents. They managed to grab the attention of millions and truly move them. Visually interwoven with their stories, TV satellites are launched, billboards are erected, and the social and cultural impact of their ads are brought to light in this dynamic exploration of art, commerce, and human emotion.

Great Rant from, Craig Ferguson -Youth / Young and Stupid

Wanted to post this rant because it's true, simple as that. Advertising started this youth movement and now we are stuck with it.

A Banner Ad that isn't annoying?

Pringles created a very interactive, very fun banner ad. Companies take note - this ad is actually amusing, engaging, and really smart. It does what it supposed to do make you want to to click through - You want to find out what it's going to say next.

Let me mention that this ad won the 2009 Cannes Cyber Lions Gold award, CLICK HERE - to see the ad and interact with it. I've clicked through the whole ad - it is very long but funny. Good work all around.

Brüno is coming!

Started seeing taxis promoting Brüno movie for about 2 months now. Then, I stumbled onto the movies "social website" - www.meinspace.com/bruno. It's a pretty funny meinspace site with facebuch & Tvitter links. I thought that was very clever social network promotional tie in to the movie. The only problem with the meinspace page is the music on the page gets on your nerves pretty quick, (I know its supposed to).

The movie comes out on July 10 - I'm not sure if this movie will be funny all the way through and maybe the trailer is showing us the funniest parts but the trailer is pretty hilarious. You can be sure - I'll still go to the movie to see it for myself.

Lost My Sock

Saw these leaflets posted everywhere the other day – And thought, this might be a fun to visit the website or it can turn out to be a disturbing! I was willing to take a chance on it and see what happens. You never know what you’ll get when you go to a website that you find posted on a wall in New York City. When you type www.lostmysock.com it brings you to the LittleMissedMatched.com, which confused me for a second. I thought I typed in the wrong web address. I then realized that this was actually supposed to bring you to this site only after I read what’s posted below,

The last time I saw my warm and fuzzy friend was in the dryer and now it's gone!
Don't you just hate when that happens? Then you're left with all those single spares who've lost their pairs. No fun! Or waaaait a sec, could it be??
Can't I just wear any two socks that I wanna wear? And then I'll never have to worry about the missing sock again! I mean, who said socks have to match anyways? That's my theory and how my entire company got goin'! So as a super special THANK YOU for trying to help me find my lost sock, I'm giving you a pack of my marvelous, fabulous, kooky or zany socks for FREE!

All you gotta do is:
 Print this out, Bring it into my new LittleMissMatched store in Grand Central Terminal.

No surprises or sneaky moves, just bring this in and you'll get a pack of 3 coordinated but non-matching socks for FREE!
And in honor of this month's Lost Sock Memorial Day, you'll get an extra treat if you bring in all of those single guys you've got lying around. I'll be donating all gently used socks to charity so come celebrate Lost Sock Memorial Day and help others out at the same time!

Soooo thanks again for trying to help me find my sock – hope I've now helped you solve this age old problem for yourself!
Can't wait to see you in Grand Central Terminal!

This seems like a fun little promotion targeting moms and young girls. I don’t know how successful it will be (or is). How many moms or girls actually saw these plastered all over NYC and thought, “hey this looks like it could be fun website to visit”. I feel as though it needed to be a bit more direct toward moms or young girls- It’s way too vague. You are not sure if it’s a joke or not. The idea is good just the execution seems a bit off.

I See Pop Chips Everywhere

These ads seem to be popping up everywhere I look, (pun intended). This visual bombardment made me take notice - which in turn led me to post about them.

The packaging is simple, clean and to the point. Very unique and fun typographical treatment. I really like their color-code system for each flavor of chips they produce. The whole look will definitely make it stand out on store shelves. The ads really co-exist nicely with the packaging - Overall a very good advertising campaign. (I do remember seeing this packaging about a year ago on The Dieline website, back then I thought it was a very different (in a good way) for a potato chip packaging.)

They are supposed to different type of potato chip compared to other potato chips theses are literally popped into existence. They apply heat and pressure to the potato and create an unique looking and tasting chip. I have yet to buy them so I can’t comment on their taste. But if you are curious here’s their website where they list all the stores where you can purchase them - www.popchips.com

Coffee Wars

Here is Starbucks new print ad campaign plus a video explanation from Howard Shultz himself, (click here for the video explanation). Starbucks is going with an eco-looking print campaign, the eco-look is to show you how environmentally conscious they are over other coffee places. The campaign also puts down other coffee makers, in a nice way. It looks as though they are gearing up for an all out coffee war. But if Starbucks is going through all this you know they are a little worried about McDonalds & Dunkin Donuts taking away their coffee drinkers in this touch economy.

I am curious to see where these new ads will appear? If they advertise in the typical areas they usually advertise in, (for example New York Times) how do they really expect to grow their business? They just keep talking to the same people that already support them. Right now it's tough for them and I think it's going to get tougher. Not sure if this is really the right direction they should be heading. I feel this ad campaign is not going to help them make any head way. The people that buy Starbucks will keep buying it - They people who buy Starbucks but can't justify buying it because of cost will probably stop and buy cheaper coffee some where else - The people who never bought Starbucks are not going to start now.

Risque Ad - Schick Quattro for women, Trim Style

This weekend my wife and I were at a bookstore flipping through all the new magazines. We were sitting there quietly reading when she gasped at this new Schick Quattro ad, for women, trim style. She said, "wow they are being very direct with this ad, no need to guess at what they are hinting at here."  

I took a look at the ad, but I wasn't shocked by it. Schick is looking for some publicity (good or bad) with this new ad campaign and I'm sure they will get it. Is it that shocking? I don't feel like it is, its just a bit more direct than I'm used to seeing from an American ad. Compared to ads from europe this is actually pretty tame. Will this directness work for Schick?