Archive for the ‘Advertising’ Category

Cultural FAIL


12 Mar

It’s the Chevy Nova. Perhaps not as bad, because Ireland isn’t nearly as big a market as the Spanish speaking world, but since Nike was planning on primarily releasing these shoes inIreland, you would think someone could have at least typed something in to Google.

What am I babbling about? Nike decided to make two new shoes for St Patty’s day- the Guinness and the Black and Tan. Sure in the US a black and tan is a drink made with Guinness, but in Ireland, it was a violent group that attacked civilians. (There’s even a song about this.)

 

He’ll Love It


13 Dec

While it is the car commercials that get most of my vitriol this time of year, jewelry commercials are not much better. This idea that all women want diamonds, or that we want a mass produced special collection bugs me. I’m not saying that some women don’t want these things, just not all.

However, I have to admit I appreciate theBenBridgecommercials I’m seeing right now. Why? Because for once, the man isn’t giving the little lady a piece of jewelry, but because in these, the woman is giving the man jewelry (yes, a Rolex counts as jewelry).

National Consumer Panel


07 Nov

We’re a Nielsen family. Not for TV, they wouldn’t want us for TV. We are a Nielsen family for groceries. I signed up and on Friday we received our scanner. Now, every time we shop, I need to scan in our purchases, put in what we paid, and then the little scanner transmits the data back to Nielsen. I think we might officially be part of the consumer price index…

In exchange, we’ll qualify for gift cards and special promotions (hopefully on items we buy).

It’s cool, though C thinks it’s creepy as the scanner plugs right into our router.

Perceptions in Advertising


25 Oct

It’s funny to me what different people notice about the same thing. There’s currently a Toyota commercial where a guy walks out to an empty driveway and the car is built around him. I hate it because it starts with check text messages and FaceBook, and I don’t think that’s something you should be doing while driving. That doesn’t bother my husband, because the guy’s still in the driveway when it happens.

What does our new roommate notice about the commercial? When he adds a dog, then a bigger dog, both are wearing doggie seatbelt harnesses. That I can support.

Not the Message You Meant to Give


11 May

Have you seen the 5 Hour Energy commercials? The ones that talk about how coffee gives you a caffeine crash, which is bad, so you should drink 5 Hour Energy instead?

The ones that talk about how it takes too long to make or buy your coffee in the morning, so you should instead drink 5 hour energy instead?

I find the commercials annoying since people who can’t function without their coffee have the coffee maker set to automatically brew it.

But forgetting that, I was very amused by the 5 Hour Energy car parked outside my Starbucks this weekend.

I <3 Les Schwab


17 Mar

A few years ago, a friend posted about a negative experience he had going to a local company for new tires. Over 20 people responded that he should have gone to Les Schwab. Seriously, they could have lifted the entire thread and made it an ad.

I love Les Schwab and prefer to go there for any car maintenance they can handle. This week, I had to go in for a flat tire. Turned out I needed to replace all my tires. They got me in and out in less than an hour, and I didn’t even have an appointment.

Goodbye Crunch Berries?


10 Mar

I am in favor the new regulations regarding marketing to children. That said, I am deeply saddened by the thought of Cap’n Crunch leaving us.

As a child, I didn’t get a lot of sugary cereals, unless I was at my grandparents’ house. Even as an adult, Fruity Pebbles is my favorite, but I do love Crunch Berries. We recently took some as a snack on a train ride from WA to CA.

So don’t advertise it to kids, but please leave it on the shelf so that the “big kids” can, every once in a while, decide to indulge.

Why the Hate?


06 Mar

I like it when companies take pride in their product and where they’re from. That’s a good way to sell me something, or at least earn my goodwill toward your company, even if I’m never going to be your target audience. In that sense, I’m predisposed to liking the Cadillac commercials celebrating their Detroit heritage.

But being proud of yourself does not mean you have to hate on other places. I understand saying your not one of the “famous” cities- New York, Chicago, but the line “and we’re certainly no one’s Emerald City”- why the hate on Seattle? Not needed.

Not a Jerk


05 Mar

Commercials in general are getting to me recently. I would like advertisers to know that I’m not a jerk, don’t want to be a jerk, nor do I want to be associated with jerks. Why would you think otherwise? But they obviously do. The current crop of cell phone commercials (Sprint especially) show that people who use their products are inconsiderate asses. Why do they think that makes me want to own their product? Maybe they believe that deep down I want to behave that way, and so owning their product will give me an excuse? So not the case.

Geek Girl Con


27 Feb

Geek Girls Unite! Or at least come together for a great party. Boy geeks are invited, too.

I have sent in my volunteer application for the Geek Girl Con this October in Seattle. Besides being a geek girl myself (and no, I don’t care how old I am, I will never think of myself as a “woman”), I think it’s always nice to remind actual girls (you know, the young ones) that they are not alone, and that it is fun to be a geek.

If you’re looking for something to do in October, keep the Geek Girls in mind.

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