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No Stinking Downturn Gonna Keep You Down

Kick Butt And Get Some Work

For all those media doom and gloom reports about the economy and all of the woes you may be experiencing right now, there is still plenty to be done. Remember, readers, we are the keepers of our destiny and have the power to make it happen.

Peep these tips for all you creative folk out there.

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Jinean Robinson is a CCIO (Chief Creative Infections Officer) specializing in creative strategy and implementation, 360 branding communications, and brand development. Join her at http://twitter.com/germllc or her firm’s website at http://germonline.com/

N.Y. Lottery gets creative…

You have to admit the appeal of a lottery-jackpot windfall is more potent than ever, especially afterr the economic crisis we are in the midst of. Now, part of its attraction is that a winning ticket can suddenly make you as wealthy as the corporate drones who (amid all the recent disasters for which they’re responsible) still ‘get the big bucks.’

We hear that phrase repeatedly in this spot for the New York Lottery (via DDB in New York) as the mailroom guy, pushes his cart through the office and points out a familiar cast of corporate characters — the executive (receiving an in-office…

For the Honda Brand, a Cinematic Stroke

With the automobile industry going down the “tubes”, Honda has decided to introduce a corporate image campaign. Here is an interesting article from the New York Times about this new campaign:

WITH the automotive industry battling an economic downturn, is it the right time for a car-maker to introduce another installment in a corporate image campaign that carries the theme, “The power of dreams”?

The American Honda Motor Company believes so, bringing out this week three short films — a k a long commercials — to be watched online. The so-called webisodes, each about seven minutes, will be available, starting on Monday,…

Marketing Broadway: Selling Hope for a Song

Although Broadway, like pretty much every other industry, is taking its lumps this season, some theater veterans are hoping that as portfolios go down, the appetite for entertainment will go up.

That view is part of what is prompting Disney to alter its marketing to fit the mood. A recent television advertisement for “Mary Poppins,” one of three Disney shows on Broadway, featured enthusiastic customers talking about the musical being “so full of hope for the family, for better times ahead.”

You can read more about their campaign here.

The $64,000 Question: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

The economic downturn is renewing interest on Madison Avenue in a marketing mainstay that is particularly popular during tough times: cash giveaways. Who wants to be a millionaire? These days, just about everyone — even people who a few months ago were billionaires.

Contests and sweepstakes with money prizes rather than merchandise like cars, furniture or trips are appearing more frequently as the financial crisis continues. In some instances, the dollar amounts are as high as seven figures, for example there is a contest with a $1 million bonus being sponsored by the Doritos brand of snack chips sold by Frito-Lay.

“Everyone…

Black Friday Calls for a Strategy Session

HERE is how Black Friday works: In order to start the holiday shopping season with some gusto, retailers turn the day after Thanksgiving into another national holiday.

Some popular products, particularly personal technology ones, are marked down to levels that turn ordinary people into a rabid horde of bargain seekers, ready to camp out overnight and do in-store battle over limited inventory.

Given this year’s economic climate, with retailers desperate to increase sales and shoppers looking for even steeper discounts, Black Friday 2008 is hoped by both parties to be, in the words of Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap, “none more black.” You…

Macy’s Believes

The Christmas season is upon us again…well almost. It’s time for the planning, partying and buying. But with the economy the way it is, most are foreseeing this to be a grim season for most retailers. So the question is how does a major retailer plan on getting through this positively?

Well, Macy’s has decided to have their new campaign be filled with a little bit of childlike faith – in Santa Claus that is. The push, which emphasizes the spirit of Christmas over value messaging, is entitled:”Believe”. The campaign, via JWT, New York, draws inspiration from the famous “Yes, Virginia” letter that…

Boost Mobile Bringing Back the dollar

Pay-as-you-go Boost Mobile is swapping its former lifestyle positioning for a value message – Boost Mobile chat unlimited for $1/day. Their new campaign which will break this week, which will be the first from 180LA of Los Angeles, attempts to persuade consumers that the U.S. dollar is still pretty strong. “The idea is a metaphor for what’s going on right now with the dollar”, said William Gelner, of 180LA. “Instead of being impeccable and regal, George Washington has to make due in a beat up old Buick.”

Their new campaign is in direct response to Tracfone, Cricket, Virgin Mobile and MetroPCS…

Trying to rise up from the ashes

Early this year, HSBC had reported a 29% decline in profit for the first 6 months of 2008, and its stock price has fallen about 30% in the last year to about $70 a share.  Although it seems like things are going the way of AIG for them, they have decided to run a huge campaign in New York Magazine.  Even before the trouble with AIG and company, HSBC made the decision to buy all the ads for Oct 27th issue of New York Magazine.  You can read more about their campaign here.

In times like this, do you think that was…

Striving for Balance Between Losses and Laughs

“For more than a year, financial institutions have been running campaigns that address the tumultuous economic conditions.  Now they have company.” 

I came across an interesting article on NYTimes.com, about how retailers are forced to take a comical look at advertising.  For instance, the theme for an online campaign for Denny’s states: “Who’s Gonna Bail You Out?”  HBO Video’s campaign reads: “Life Hurts.  Laughs Help.”

Read more here about the humorous, yet risky campaigns.

A Way To Save and Still Have Crisp Clothes

During this economic crisis, the Average Joe (or Jane) is forced to make their paychecks stretch, so that they can buy the things they need.  For example: Shopping at Walmart, buying in bulk or washing clothes that you normally would take to the cleaners.   

There is a new partnership between two large companies, which will turn stores into launching pads for two new products: Tide Total Care and Downy Total Care.  Read more about their campaign here.

Advertising This Halloween with an Economic Twist

Usually around this time of year, you would normally see ads for candy, movies, or merchandise filled with pictures of bats, skeletons, witches, monsters and so on.  Rightfully so, as this is Halloween after all; and this holiday is one where everyone can feel like a kid again – or just use it as an excuse to act ‘naughty’ for one night (whichever is your ‘poison’).

But for the average American, this ‘wonderful’ economic turmoil has taken more of a toll on their lives than any “werewolf, warlock or witch”.  So this year expect more ads on frugality than fright.  Here is more…

Economy Bailout Song: AIG, Freddie Mac, Lehman Bros

I don’t need to tell you this, but our economy is doing just horribly.  Just like everyone else in America, when I found out the news about AIG, Freddie Mac and Lehman Brothers…I was floored, flabbergasted.

You see I worked at AIG, about 3 – 4 years ago; and during their new hire orientation – which lasted 4 hrs – about 90% of the discussion was concentrated on how big and powerful AIG was.  AIG was the parent company of “hundreds” of smaller companies; had thousands of employees; and was making millions of dollars in investments.  At the end you were left thinking, “Wow,…

Brands that will weather the storm

As hard as it is to hear; our failing economy could be good news for some marketers. “There are two businesses I’d like to be in right now…Soup and camping,” says Marian Salzman, CMO of Porter Novelli. The trend analyst and author of “Next Now, The Future of Men and Buzz”, says the products which will weather consumer cutbacks the best, are the mighty kitchen staples and the commodities that connect people with the great outdoors.  Read this awesome article from Adweek.com for more.

Ads That Soothe When Banks Are Failing

Here is an awesome article from NYTimes.com about the new advertising campaigns for the failing banks.  It’s hard to believe that in this failing economy, you can feel good about a bank; but these are good campaigns.

The Economy and Me

A while back, I went on a spiel about politics and marketing. I did get a comment for that blog entry, and it gave me pause (and for that, I thank you, reader). The comment essentially spoke to how the wealthy are essential to fueling the economy and providing much-needed jobs. To some degree I agree, but the events that are unfolding before our very eyes do not allow me to believe that this is totally true. With various tax incentives, tax cuts, and tax loop holes, many in the upper tax bracket seem to have been able to pool their…