Market This!

We’re sure it’s only a matter of time before PETA catches wind of this little stunt and seizes the opportunity to preach about the rights of flies (much the way they did when the president killed one). And however they respond will likely make us all roll our eyes, but still this seems a tad cruel and unusual, even for Germans.

Publishing house Eichborn released 200 flies with mini-banners on them several weeks ago at the Frankfurt book fair. Ad agency Jung von Matt/Nectar says the mini-banners were designed “so that the fly could fly with it, but low and for short distances, constantly landing on visitors.”

Okay, thoughts:

1. Um, ew.

2. How did they sedate the flies?

3. Whose job was it to tack 200 banners onto groggy flies’ legs?

4. Why would you want to associate your brand with a disease-carrying insect?

The firm claims the banners were attached with wax, and that after awhile they fell off and the flies escaped unharmed.

Except for, y’know, um, the ones that got swatted by all the grossed-out convention-goers.

Via Agency Spy.

It’s always nice to do work for clients who not only outwardly appreciate it, but who also run a business that somehow contributes to the common good of society. (You may remember us lamenting the challenge of reconciling the ad business with our own conscience in this recent post…)

That’s why we are pleased to report that Asgood & Better is developing a logo, marketing plan and website for Collyn Rowley Brown, founder of the new Burlington, VT-based “Earth Pulse Acupuncture.” A&B’s newest team member, the talented Lara Dickson, is helping out.

Collyn’s practice uses acupuncture, Chinese herbs and bodywork to put an end to needless suffering and allow people to feel healthy and vibrant. Collyn is a miraculous person and a talented healer, and we look forward to working with her to build a strong brand for her new business.

We invite you to follow her on Twitter, at http://twitter.com/earthpulsevt, and become a fan of Earth Pulse on Facebook. Logo, blog and website are coming soon..

Stay healthy!

We’re not sure how this unholy marriage came about (probably the result of some software developers, marketing creatives and Japanese game show producers getting drunk in a karaoke bar one night), but it has to be one of the most obscene campaign stunts ever attempted.

Windows is releasing its new operating system this week in Japan, and for a limited time it is offering a 7-patty burger for 777 yen.

Set aside for one moment the fact that a pound and a half of processed meat on a single bun is a culinary and circulatory abomination. 

What about the message Windows is sending by offering it?

It’s heavy and overloaded.

It’s impossible to maneuver.

Buying it is sure to make you loagy, slow, and more prone to catching a virus.

Actually, now that we think about it, it might be the perfect ad for Windows.

Via PC World.

Here’s the thing about “social” media. It’s not exactly social.

Anyone who has been to a social media event and seen a bunch of bowed heads tweeting into their iPhones, barely paying attention to the presenter at the lectern, can tell you this. We’ve invented a medium of communication that shackles us to these little devices.

But this technology, as we have seen, has the potential to bring people together in new and exciting ways. The trick is to bring them together in person, in a manner that allows people to interact meaningfully, without the devices getting in the way. We think this is where social media is headed, and we’re excited about that chapter.

Take for instance this recent article in the New York Times about Foursquare, the rapidly growing service that allows friends to broadcast their locations. People can swing down and join them, or let them know what else there is to do in the area that’s cool. (We’re going to try out, though we’re pretty sure the Burlington, VT version won’t be quite as exciting as the NYC one.)

What are your thoughts? What’s the future of “social” media?

“Hello, is this Levi?”

“No, this is his dad.”

“May we please speak to Levi?”

“LEVI! PHONE!”

“Uh, hello?”

“Hello, Mr. Johnston?”

“Yeah…”

“We’re from the American Pistachio Board, and we’d like to talk to you about doing a national television ad for us. Do you like pistachios, Levi?”

“Uh, yeah, I guess.”

“Good, good. We can hook you up with a lifetime supply, you know. Not a lotta pistachios up there in Alaska, are there?”

“I dunno, actually -”

“No, wouldn’t think so, they grow in warmer climes. Down here in California, for instance. Must be gettin’ cold up there these days, son; how’d ya like to fly down to LA and shoot a little spot for us? Hang out on the beach, chase a little tail…”

“Okay, yeah, I guess so.”

Then again, if he had anybody looking out for him, we probably wouldn’t even know his name, would we?

A&B co-founder Nathan Hartswick made a trip to New York last week to participate in the Pratt Institute’s “DIY” series.

In the afternoon, he gave a presentation to a small but appreciative audience on blogging, social media, and building personal brands. A Q&A followed, with some good discussion about how to create an audience for your personal brand (and more specifically how to drive traffic to your blog).

That evening, a larger crowd turned out for a panel discussion on blogging that included, in addition to Nathan, Emilie Baltz (contributing writer to Core 77), Eric Gaskins (fashion designer behind The Emperor’s Old Clothes), Richard Sarrach (architect and founder of Core Formula), Kristin Sorra (illustrator of children’s books), and Chei Wei (architect and founder of Future Feeder).

After each panelist talked for 5 or 10 minutes on what brought them to blogging and how it has changed what they do, the panel took questions from the students. Topics ranged from the value of advertising on your blog to thinking before you post something embarrassing, and the panel finished up by talking about what they envisioned for the future of online publishing. Each panelist had a unique viewpoint, and overall it was an exciting discussion. (If we can scare up any video for you, we may try to post that at a later date.)

Our thanks go out to the Career Services team at Pratt for their hard work and hospitality, and to the other panelists for a great and educational experience!

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