Ogilvy, Dove Miss Chance to Turn Bad Press Into 'Debate'†

If They Wanted to Be Word-of-Mouth Marketers They Should Have Been Listening

Advertising Age, May 12, 2008 — The latest Dove controversy epitomizes the ad industry's struggle to reinvent itself as a participant in an ongoing conversation rather than an old guy with a megaphone barking orders to people who no longer follow them.

Ogilvy's work for Unilever's Dove brand has been a poster child for this conversion. Here was a campaign that used traditional one-way stuff such as TV spots, banners, billboards and magazine ads but did it in a way that encouraged and facilitated debate everywhere from Oprah's studio to the smallest blog.

Dove: 'Real Women' Ads Were not 'Digitally Altered'†

Marketer and Celeb Photographer Deny Reports of Retouched Images for Campaign

Advertising Age, May 9, 2008 — Dove's "real beauties" were not airbrushed, but their photos were treated to eliminate dust from the film and provide "color correction," according to Unilever and celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Dove's 'Real Beauty' Pics Could Be Big Phonies†

Photo Retoucher Says He Improved Images in Controversial Campaign

Advertising Age, May 7, 2008 — Dove's "real beauties" may not be so real after all, at least by the account of a renowned airbrush artist.

In a May 12 profile in The New Yorker posted online, Pascal Dangin of New York's Box Studios is quoted as saying he extensively retouched photos used in the Campaign for Real Beauty, which, if true, could seriously undermine an effort that already has subjected Unilever to considerable consumer and activist backlash in recent months.

For Unilever, P&G, No Good Deed Is Going Unpunished†

Damned if You Do: Cause Efforts Become Ammo for the Critics

Advertising Age, May 5, 2008 — Greg Allgood, who directs Procter & Gamble Co.'s Children's Safe Drinking Water program, recently has spent a lot of time demonstrating Pur's purification packets for developing countries that turn disgusting, brown water crystal clear. On one TV appearance last week, he accidentally took a swig from the dirty "before" water instead of the treated water in a clip that made the rounds to "Countdown" on MSNBC.

It's symbolic of the downside companies in the forefront of ethical marketing have faced in recent weeks: No good deed goes entirely unpunished; high-profile stances on social causes can have unintended consequences; and the water is getting pretty murky as "ethical marketing" encourages consumers and activists to delve into corporate policies in... continue reading

How to Stay in the Black While Going Green†

Marketers' Product Focus Can Overlook Important Customer Needs

Advertising Age, April 2, 2008 — Philips launched EarthLight, an energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulb, in 1994. The bulb had a clumsy shape that was incompatible with most conventional lamps, a confusing package and a price tag of $15 compared to 75 cents for incandescent bulbs. Sales languished. Although it was well intended, the environmental positioning of the EarthLight appealed to only the greenest of consumers.

To be successful, green marketing must satisfy two objectives: improved environmental quality and customer satisfaction. Misjudging either or overemphasizing the former at the expense of the latter — as Philips did with the EarthLight — can be called "green marketing myopia."

Do People Care About Your 'Green' Message? Yes†

Nielsen Report Shows Perils of Exaggerating Ecological Good Deeds

Advertising Age, April 1, 2008 — As if you didn't know this already, a new report from Nielsen Online proves it: When it comes to going green, companies just can't fake it.

The report calls greenwashing a "failed corporate strategy" and urges brands to aim for transparency and consistency instead. "Bloggers are quick to condemn 'greenwashing' when they suspect companies misrepresent their environmental impact with aggressive PR campaigns — as spurious attempts to be 'green,'" according to "Sustainability Through the Eyes and Megaphones of the Blogosphere."

New Safety Setback Grounds Southwest Planes†

Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2008 — In another blow to Southwest Airlines Co.'s once-stellar reputation for safety and maintenance, the airline temporarily grounded 38 of its older jetliners yesterday after discovering that it was unable to determine whether an important safety inspection had been done properly.

Revlon's Makeup Test†

After a Painful Flop, Company Focuses on Its Core Brand

Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2008 — Revlon's new cosmetics have to do more than create just another pretty face.

Starting this week, TV ads starring longtime spokeswoman Halle Berry will introduce a line of Revlon makeup infused with minerals. Print ads launched in magazines last month featured Jessica Alba touting new Revlon foundation in a bottle that lets consumers' customize their shade, and this month she is featured in lipstick ads.

The blitz marks the first major initiatives since the company's Vital Radiance cosmetics line aimed at older women flopped 18 months ago, leading to the ouster of its chief executive, more than $70 million in losses, the dismissal of about 10% of its U.S. work force and a new strategy for Revlon.

Southwest Goes South, Turns to CRM for Salvation†

Airline's Recent PR Turbulence May Have Also Exposed Some Brand Issues

Advertising Age, March 10, 2008 — Want to get away? Southwest Airlines is probably asking itself that after experiencing one of the most embarrassing moments in its history.

The airline had a major PR crisis on its hands last week when the Federal Aviation Administration issued it a $10.2 million fine, saying the carrier misled the agency about the inspection of planes for fuselage cracks. The airline, which has recorded 35 consecutive years of profitability, said the problem boiled down to a computer error and at no time was passenger safety compromised.

Choosing not to take the advice of its popular ads, the company dealt with the problem head on by speaking with the media; issuing a statement on its site; addressing the issue on its corporate blog; and letting CEO Gary Kelly, who... continue reading

Eight-Brand Pileup Dents GM's Turnaround Efforts†

Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2008 — Michael Maguire has mixed feelings about General Motors Corp.'s coming launch of the Chevrolet Traverse, a seven-passenger crossover wagon that promises to boost sales at his family's Chevy dealership along Route 206 in Bordentown, N.J. The trouble is, the Maguire Automotive Group also owns a Saturn store a mile up the road, and the Traverse will crimp demand for the Outlook, a nearly identical crossover GM's Saturn brand began selling about a year ago. The arrival of the Traverse will mean "the window has completely shut for Saturn," Mr. Maguire said.