Do you think movies like The Running Man and Idiocracy are the ultimate horror flicks? Are you aghast by those predictions of brainless TV shows that pander to the lowest common denominator and incite mob-like imbecility? Because that future may be coming true.
Indie channel G4 is about to debut a new gameshow called Hurl, where the winner is the person who eats the most and then withstands the most physical torment without, you guessed it, hurling.
Over the years, we've frequently lent our creative capabilities to Hewlett-Packard. So when the time came to promote our HP Approved Supplier status, we knew a simple letter just wouldn't do. Instead, we created an interactive calling card (or in layman's terms, a self-promotion microsite).
Cruise on over to www.burnsmarketing.com/hp for a one-of-a-kind look into our capabilities – and a few laughs.
You know what occurred to me this morning when a Red Bull car-thing was right up on my bumper? I'd rather drink an energy beverage that doesn't employ idiot loser, tailgating drivers.
And then I slammed my brakes for a second to keep it real.
But seriously, no matter how deliberately cultivated a brand is, one bad experience at any touchpoint will tend to linger... for any customer. So whether you're checking driving records to avoid road rage-related customer dissatisfaction, or making sure that e-mails are always typo-free, every impression counts. Every time.
When you watch this Levis video, do you admire dudes doing backflips into their jeans, or do you pay homage to an awesome new business idea like we just did?
We think San Francisco agency Cutwater is on to something big. They may have discovered the formula for an epic viral video that they can sell to whoever wants some coolness. Compare the Levis video to this video the agency did for Ray Ban last year, and you'll see what we mean.
Philosophically, we're now pondering a simple question that has profound implications. Do we sell ideas for clients, or directly to clients nowadays? Continuing that line of thinking, how does this conundrum affect the agency model? How much should our unsolicited ideas cost? Ouch. Our head hurts.
Other campaign elements include web banners, a Facebook page and large tongue depressors, swabs, pill capsules, and syringes spread throughout the Twin Cities.
We don't know about you, but waving to a giant pee cup and syringe on the street corner doesn't sound the least bit appealing to us. In fact, we find it downright disturbing.
On May 6, winners of the 12th Annual Webby Awards, AKA "The Oscars of the Internet," will be announced. Unlike the Oscars, the Webby Awards encourages the public to vote for their favorite nominees in a separate race – the People's Voice Awards.
This year, more than 10,000 entries from all 50 states and 60 countries were received, and one of our newest clients, Boulder, Colorado-based mShopper, is one of the chosen few nominees.
Nominated in the Mobile Marketplace & Services category, mShopper is celebrating the honor by donating to charity for every People's Voice vote it receives.
What is it about internal corporate marketing that throws sensibility under the bus? First there was a Starbucks rendition of "We Built this City," lip-synched and performed by upper management at a 2005 annual meeting.
Think that was bad? Check this out – Microsoft's Springsteen-like ode to the oft-maligned Vista platform.
Wow. Can you imagine being an executive in the audience for those things? Could you have refrained from busting out laughing? We wouldn't have been able to, either.
(Our bad if those songs are now firmly stuck in your consciousness. Maybe try humming the Macarena.)
There's been lots of talk lately about the quality of recent community branding and/or tourist marketing. Generally, people are criticizing the inauthentic messages and unoriginal creativity.
Enter the Five Day Weekend, a really clever campaign promoting Asheville, NC.
Rather than telling you Asheville is a great place for a vacation, this effort urges you to join the movement to support a Five Day Weekend. And what better place to spend that vacation than the home of working less and living more – Asheville, NC?
You should. His story of inspiration in spite of cancer is one of the most inspiring examples of the awesome power of social media. But mostly, it's a profoundly influential lesson about life.
It began as the final lecture of a popular professor dying of pancreatic cancer. It's now a tribute to capturing all that life has to offer, and it's touched millions around the world. (Excuse us while we reach for a Kleenex.) His story has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, on Good Morning America, and an hour-long ABC special featuring Diane Sawyer.
Not to sound trite, but for yourself and all those important to you, be sure to embrace what will forever be known as "The Last Lecture."
Is it time to revisit the rules of business-to-business marketing? Apparently, we're not the only ones who might think so.
B-to-B Magazine recently recognized that successful business-to-business agencies are adopting more of a business-to-consumer mentality. And why not? The goal is the same in both spaces: create an emotional connection with customers to sell more stuff.
So why is it that B-to-B projects often lack the same luster as their B-to-C counterparts? Consider the integrated campaign from Pearl Izumi above as Exhibit A.
Burnsmarketing.com
