mADemoisElle

Welcome! You probably stumbled upon my blog because I told you about it, you saw it on my resume, or you just generally wanted to hear what I had to say. Don’t let the name fool you, these are my raw thoughts, usually surrounding marketing, pop culture and other random topics. I invite you to read, think and discuss anything I write about. I’m not promising I’ll be nice, but I’ll be honest. (Midwestern folk can never tell a lie...until they move to Brooklyn.)

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This product is real. This product exists. This product has an amazing ad. This ad is so great, I watched it the whole way through...then sent it to my entire office. 

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GIRLS v. Sex & the City: A Generational Gap

While sitting in our apartment after a pretty intense Sunday Funday, my roommate and I were watching the Sex & the City movie. (I insisted he would find it somewhat entertaining.) In trying to explain the Sex & the City series to him, I found myself comparing it to the silly interpretation of 20 somethings living in Brooklyn, otherwise known as GIRLS. Or rather, contrasting them. To paraphrase, it went something like this: 

"So, basically...Carrie is Hannah and they're both writers that don't ever really write on the show but somehow have enough money to do all these fun NY things. Shoshanna and Charlotte are the friends that don't equate to real life friends that anyone has because, honestly who wants to hang around with straight-edge virgins when you're living in NYC? Miranda and Marnie are both frigid, only in most circles Miranda would not be referred to as the hot one when, if any girl claims she's "the Marnie" of her friends, she really means that she's the pretty one. Now, Samantha and Jessa are both the promiscuous ones that are very open about sex. Friends like them don't really exist in real life either but they are way funnier than the virgins. Oh and overall, Sex & the City is the show that every girl hopes NY will be like and then quickly learns, it is not. On the other hand, GIRLS is what most parents west of the Hudson believe to be the "hipster" life in Brooklyn where shady neighbors, warehouse raves and doing coke at 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon are the norm."

I concluded the difference between the two shows was the audience each show served. Sex and the CIty was for Generation X, who loved to dream about what they could have and lived in a fantasy world. GIRLS is for our generation. We're happy with living on what we have and are proud of finding our own way, even better if there's a cool story to go along with it. Failure in our generation is just as accepted as success because, well, "at least you tried," dude.

A simple nod acknowledging my success in explaining the difference was given by roommate as a sign that he understood and agreed. 

[pinkypeaches]

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When I read this article (the paper version, yes, my generation does read things that aren't displayed on a computer screen from time to time), I was very excited. Finally, I can go to the beauty department at Bloomingdales and not be harassed by a pushy sales woman telling me something along the lines of, "Oh you only wanted to get the some mascara? Well, let me tell you here's this that will highlight your gorgeous green eyes (mine are blue, I don't understand how they always get this wrong) and this will cover all blemishes (I wasn't aware I had any that were visible, thank you) and this...and this...and this...and this." It's a very frustrating experience, especially when you're on a budget (like most young women living in NYC). 

However, Clinique has sought to change this pushy sales tactic, and I hope other beauty brands take notice. My generation especially is one that would rather interact with a computer or tablet than a person. (Whether that will come back to bite us later in life is a different story.) This new digital forefront will help consumers compare products and try new ones. The retail space also has an Experience Bar, similar to Sephora, that lets consumers test and try the products directly, rather than needing to go through a saleswoman. 

I hope this idea takes off for Clinque because the no pressure environment actually makes me want to stay in the store longer and empowers me to make my own decisions on what I buy, not what the sales woman tells me looks great with my "green" eyes. 

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I cannot get over the genius of this campaign. It hits on exactly what consumers need to lead a healthy lifestyle. While Nike supports professional and everyday athletes alike, this campaign is all about consistency, not extremes, which is exactly the mindset and behavior we need to adopt to stay healthy.

The Make it Count campaign tells consumers that no matter what their activity; basketball with friends, training for a half marathon, or taking the stairs rather than the elevator, #counts. It encourages consumers to adopt an overall healthy lifestyle and think of exercise in different forms, rather than the usual things that come to mind like the gym and running around the park. It's exactly what the general population, especially the one in the United States according to Morgan Spurlock, needs to start making a change in the way we treat our bodies. 

What's more is Nike+ created a Fuel Band to track the daily activity of each person that wears it. The fuel band helps create consistency and teaches consumers that the road to a healthy lifestyle is one that has a few hills and curves but if you keep pushing through and keep a steady pace, you'll come out on top. How inspiring. 

nikeplus.nike.com/plus/

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This would have been a great ad for NASA. And one hell of a recruiting tool for future astronauts. RIP space program. 

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Nike likes big butts and they cannot lie. (See: Sir-Mix-a-Lot)

I have to commend this brand for pushing back on the "perfect body" norm that has happily settled into almost all modern advertising campaigns. Albeit fitness brands have an easier time taking this risky route than high fashion brands, but at least someone is leading the charge (along with Dove, of course). Self love for women has been coming up a lot in ads recently and I'm hoping it stays that way. It's giving women confidence by allowing them to openly, and proudly, talk about their bodies. That, my friends, is something we can all celebrate. 

As a pear-shaped woman myself, I am all about a campaign that embraces our lower assets. Now, if only someone could feature an ad telling the benefits of small boobs, I'd be set.

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Fresh Balls. That's the name of this product and it is blatantly obvious what it does. It keeps your balls fresh and dry. As a woman, I'm not aware of the daily ins and outs of everyday ball care but apparently it can get pretty nasty down there. Using baby powder can create a lot of questions surrounding the white powder residue in your boxers, hence, the creation of Fresh Balls. Now men can finally feel confident taking a girl home after a night of busting moves on the dance-floor or hitting on the hot girl at the gym.

As a woman, I appreciate any extra effort to keep it clean and tidy down there so if you haven't yet, please invest in a bottle of Fresh Balls today. 

Ladies, don't feel left out. The company has also started making a product for women, Fresh Breasts, for that annoying boob sweat we get from dance parties and workouts. 

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All I can say is, "Well done Proctor & Gamble. Well done."

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Idiots. 

Those are what I call the people that allowed this billboard to go up in New York City, of all places. Maybe, just maybe, I could understand how this incredibly offensive billboard, might slip by if it were an advertisement on a highway in Iowa. (I can say this because I'm from Iowa and, until I moved to New York, knew almost nothing about Judaism.) But seriously, in New York, where there is a gigantic Jewish population, how could any client think that this was okay to display on the West Side Highway? More over, how could their legal team NOT catch this? It's amazing that it even got past the concept stage. 

Checkout the other ads in the campaign too: 

"Escort Quality, Hooker Pricing"

"Movie Star Quality, Reality Star Pricing"

"Hamptons Quality, Newark Pricing."

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Asics has always been a huge supporter and advertiser for the ING New York City Marathon. And if anyone is in NY on marathon weekend, you can attest to the excitement and energy of the city. While many of us watch the runners from the sideline or at a watch party with beer and BBQ, we all want to be a part of the action. Asics gave all New Yorkers a chance to see what it feels like to run at the pace of celebrated marathon runner, Ryan Hall, in their 60' OOH ad in the Columbus Circle subway station. 

Talk about maximizing the perfect marketing opportunity. During a time when the city is gearing up for one of the largest highlights of the year, and actually thinking about running, rather than speed walking, Asics positions themselves at the forefront of consumers consideration set. Taking their sponsorship of Ryan Hall to a whole new level, Asics definitely won me over on which running shoes I should try next, even though I know I will never be able to keep up with Hall's 4:46 mile pace. Well done, Asics and Vitro. 

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These subway posters had me baffled for the entire ride home from work last week. I kept thinking, "what's going to hit me?" It must be something cool, and what a great way to get my attention. So naturally, I Googled this campaign once I got home to see what it was. Truth be told, at first I was disappointed in who was behind it, The Brooklyn Academy of Music. However, after reading a little more about what the academy has to offer, the message became much more powerful. They are trying to create a change in the way consumers view experiences versus material possessions, by placing a higher value on experiences because they stay with you forever, and eventually material possessions lose their luster. I completely support this statement, as I am an experience person myself. I would much rather spend money on a trip than go shopping on 5th Avenue. I love seeing brands that are trying to create change among consumers and offer a larger message than just supporting their own products and service.

The BAM campaign is mostly print, OOH and digital advertising, with a large emphasis on social media, created by McGarryBowen.  They have a flighted media plan, which I think is an interesting choice given they want to change behavior, which takes time and a constant advertising presence. The plan is set to run through the end of October and again in March. 

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The United States of Amazing

http://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/

This website is Awesome! And it’s supposed to be. “The United States of Awesome Possibilities” campaign, brought to you by JWT, The Brand Union and The Corporation for Travel Promotion, is seeking to brand the US by promoting our great nation as the destination for business and leisure travel. The campaign is starting out in the digital realm with a [GORGEOUS] website and Facebook. The site allows you to click on the best known cities in the US and helps plan your trip with suggested activities, the must-see sites and where to find the best restaurants and shops. You can even “like” your trip on Facebook and brag to all your friends. 

I’m an American citizen and even I find this website cool. The aesthetics of the site are appealing and the content is better than any other VisitInsertCityNameHere.org site that I’ve used to plan my trips. Well done, America, I can’t wait see what else rolls out with this campaign. 

My only complaint is that they should have used a better picture for New York City. Central Park is lovely, yes, but why not use the iconic structures such as the Statue of Liberty (duh, that’s why most people ride the Staten Island Ferry, to see it for free), the skyline or at least the Empire State Building?

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Funniest thing I have read in a while. Live tweeting of a dysfunctional couple's break up. Be careful what you say...you never know who's Tweeting about it!

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http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/next-great-american-consumer-135207?page=1 

Take a look at this article. Does anything about it disturb you? (Hopefully so.) Surprise you? (Sadly, probably not.) 

If you didn't read it, here's a quick recap. Some marketers are so strapped for cash that they have started targeting consumers straight out of the womb. (Seriously, read the first sentence.) The infant to 3-year-old consumer target has become very popular among regular kids brands (Disney, Hasbro, Mattel) and designer, luxury brands (Versace, Fendi, Marc Jacobs) alike. Studies show that babies form mental images of a brand's logos and iconic characters at 6 months of age and will request the brand/product as soon as they can speak. To marketers, this means, the sooner they can get their brand in front of a baby, the better. Hence Disney handing out onesies to newborns' mothers as soon as she gives the last push.

Personally, I believe this is completely unethical. As we all know, children are the most innocent creatures. Why ruin their innocence and imagination by advertising to them the minute they're born? If I were a new mother, I would be so be put off by the brand that I would have the opposite reaction and refuse to buy their products. Talk about being intrusive, these brands are being downright aggressive in a very special, personal time for each new baby and her family.  

Another part of the article discusses how designer brands are now marketing towards infants. Just another excuse for snooty, "stay-at-home" mothers and barely-there fathers to start buying their babies love and showing her off to all their equally shallow friends at an even younger age. And people think Americans are so materialistic….it's no wonder. 

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Remember when you were young and your friends and family would go on a trip and bring back something with your name on it? Well, I never had that luxury. Thank you, Dad, for being so adamant about giving me a name that is wildly unpopular. However, Coke capitalized on this idea by printing the 150 most popular names in Australia on their Coke bottles, giving you a chance to share a Coke with Kate....or Stephen, Laura, Matt, Mel, Luke, Rob, Tom, Alex...the list goes on. 

However, for those of us who understand what it feels like to never have anything with our name on it, the company also offered to personalize cans of Coke for people with "weird" names at participating grocery stores. 

Coke isn't the first brand to think of this. Jones Soda has been using consumers submitted photos on their bottles for years and many other brands offer customization opportunities on their websites and in promotions.

While it may be cool to see your name and picture on a Coke bottle, will it really make you want to buy Coke after the regular visuals go back on the bottles? We shall see. I wish I could fly to Australia and get a can of Coke personalized for my name...even though I'm a Pepsi girl. 

[mademoiselleroth]

I could not agree more with this. Don't you hate it when someone is, for lack of a better word, a jackass in an email and then sweetens it up at the end by putting a :) and thinking that makes it nice? No. There is a difference between writing a forceful, professional email and writing one that is downright bitchy. If anything, the emoticon at the ends makes your bitchy email even worse. So, for those of you that love hiding behind emoticons because you're afraid to come off as an asshole, get some balls and either jump on the phone to tell the person how you really feel or write a truly professional email.

Ok? Great!! Thanks!!!! :) :o ;) :D :p !!!!!