Toyota's Social Network Racer

So Toyota comes out with a game where you race their new car around a track that is made up of your name. Sounds like a stretch to reach the consumer on a personal level right? Wait. The 3D flash game takes  photos and data from Facebook to customize signs, billboards, and other surrounding items. After gaining points, you could win a trip to Japan to see the concept car. Hey Toyota, after spending hours and hours on racing cars on the computer, how about giving the winner a car... Anyway, it is a nice try to use this more personal approach which I am beginning to see more and more across the internet. It will not be long before people start complaining on the issue of privacy but, while you can gain information from consumers and form a more personal experience, take advantage. Search it on facebook and check it out!

https://apps.facebook.com/socialnetworkracer/

What the future holds. Glass.

Must-Watch-Video

This video is one of the coolest displays of future technology. This shows us the innovative minds that could possibly build new media vehicles of advertising. Advertising is getting so personal that it is scary but it opens up many opportunities to reach the right consumers at the right time. With smart phones and tablets we are not far off from this world of glass. The imagination of the future is endless and I cannot wait until some of this technology comes to life. It will reshape the way we advertise and give us another medium to spread creativity.

And then there was an example to my previous post... haha

http://adage.com/article/the-media-guy/facebook-s-horrifying-brand-exposure/230443/

My previous post had talked about using bad publicity to create buzz around a brand. This newest ad age article is a pretty hilarious example of that. Rebecca Black sang a song that was a youtube sensation from being so bad. Lance Bass' supports the new crew Heart2Heart who may have just did the same. They sung a horrible song about Facebook causing some to think that Google+ might be behind it. Listen if you dare, but really... you don't have to... I'm extremely fascinated with this new way of advertising. It definitely gets attention. Hopefully it does not get out of hand because this ad trend could become very annoying and could bring on the law suits.

Bad Publicity, Good Thing?

Bad publicity is still publicity. Even if people are ripping apart your brand, they are talking. This buzz causes brand awareness and many are benefiting from it. Ben and Jerry's new ice cream flavor (Schweddy Balls) caused huge controversy but the protesting has spread the awareness of the new ice cream. Matter of fact, a new agency is being established to do just that. Brand Anti-Endorsement and Boycott Services helps advertise in very untraditional means. One thought that was funny was if you cannot endorse an A-list celebrity, hire a D-list celebrity to wear your competitors products. Oh geeze... what is the advertising world coming to?... Or are they onto something?

Doritos Halloween Genius

Asylum626

Last year, Doritos had an interactive, haunted-house-type of game that got heavy traffic of teenage users. More chips were bought during that span then other months. It was a genius idea that scares Doritos' fans and causes crazy buzz. This year, the same thing applies. Doritos opened up the Asylum 626 to give a scare that promotes Doritos. This time, they are taking advantage of all their social media options. The more the user offers to share like their Facebook and Twitter, the more personalized the experience will be. Afraid? You will be. Oh... and it's only open from 6pm-6am. 

Great interactive advertising Doritos! 

Will These Ever Get Old? That Is The Question.

Blendtec Blend Of Justin Bieber

The blender company Blendtec focuses their advertising efforts on blending virtually any object to promote their blender. People write in what they would like to see get blended and they do just that. The blender's strength blends down iPods, marbles, and, as you can see above, Justin Bieber. This is a smart selling strategy because it shows the strength of the blender in a creative spot. These are extremely expensive but can blend almost anything. The in-house agency does a great job at making a boring product into something fun and entertaining.

"Jersey Shore"... Ruining Reputations

Every single city is a brand. Branding is extremely important to attract residents and tourists to help build a city and help the economy. New Jersey's brand has been forming more lately thanks to the reality television show "Jersey Shore". So everyone thinks the Snookis and Situations are annoying and can not possibly be good for Jersey right? Actually... "Jersey Shore" brings tons of attention to the city and seaside is hit with mobs of tourists which really helps out local businesses and the economy. Not saying the reputation still doesn't...well...suck. But, publicity is publicity and Jersey is being hit way harder than before the show. I do feel that Jersey needs to work on gaining more positive buzz as well that might clean up the image but for now people are recognizing the Guido stomping ground.


Article

We Need A Break

Though our culture has a problem with it, play and free time is extremely important to creative success. Work ethic is important but everyone needs to step away from their work every once in a while, especially in advertising. Neurologists believe that creative thinking occurs better when one is not thinking about it because of a shift in brain waves. "Getting work done without even trying" is a more efficient way to work and causes a lot less stress. I feel, the more fun you are having and the more you are communicating within a positive atmosphere, the better work you will produce.

Selected Article

Oh.... so that's the girl behind fast food.

http://adage.com/article/news/real-wendy-takes-star-turn-wendy-s-advertising/147097/

"You Know When It's Real"
This has been Wendy's slogan for quite some time now but things just got much more real for the hamburger chain. The current advertising campaign will feature Wendy herself. The young girl that had a fast food chain named after her is stepping forward. The real Wendy is in the ad and now naming their new burger after her father. It does not get more real then that. Very cool.

Nike is Back to the Future

It is no secret that Nike is masterful of the art of branding. Smart executions and promotions are found throughout Nike's history. Product placement of their brand was found in the movie Back to the Future. A futuristic Nike shoe was developed for the movie to depict the future of shoes (from the auto-lacing capability to the light-up feature). This was an extremely smart move considering it shows that Nike is the future of shoes. Recently, to raise money for Michael J. Fox Foundation of Parkinson's Research, the Nike shoes from the movie are being auctioned off. 1,500 pairs to be exact. This associates Nike with a good cause and, yet again, places Nike in the eye of brand promotion. Let the buzz begin.

http://creativity-online.com/work/nike-nike-mag/24387