CBS Gets a Rude Lesson in Citizen Journalism†

Network's iPhone App Turns Up Some User-Generated NSFW Pics to Mobile Site

Advertising Age, October 1, 2008 — Like a lot of news networks, CBS jumped on the citizen journalism bandwagon with a free iPhone app, Eyemobile for iPhone, to make it easy for users to upload news to its user-generated news site, CBSeyemobile.com

Interesting, though, the citizens' definition of "news."

The Five Biggest Digital Marketing Cliches†

Why Marketers Use Them, Why They Often Don't Work and What to Do Instead

Advertising Age, September 29, 2008 — Once upon a time — say, 2002 — digital spending was a negligible portion of total marketing budgets and we lived in a world where few marketers would dare go "beyond the banner." Fast-forward to 2008, and in some cases we have the opposite problem. Digital spending is still too low, but in the spirit of wanting to appear current, some marketers have rushed to embrace any and every new digital tactic.

This has resulted in a scenario where some digital tactics are dangerously close to "jumping the shark." Everyone is doing them, so they're not original anymore. They generally are not done well (i.e., in a way that builds brand equity, awareness or sales), and they may be so commonplace that rather than making a brand seem current or hip, they have the... continue reading

Lame and Lamer: 10 Dumbest Viral Marketing Campaigns

You can't force anything to 'go viral' on the Internet, but that didn't stop these 10 companies from giving it a big, dumb try. Guess who topped the list.

PC World, August 26, 2008 — Sure, it looks easy enough. Post a video of yourself wiggling your butt on Wii Fit, dancing your way across the globe, or practicing your Jedi Knight moves, and--presto! You're the next Web sensation, swept along by the viral nature of the Internet.

United Airlines Goes Too Far†

Garfield's Ad Review: Lush Animation Won't Make Anyone Rhapsodize About Flying

Advertising Age, August 25, 2008 — When there is a notable air disaster, by terms of the airlines' media contracts, airline advertising typically goes dark. This is for obvious reasons. No marketer wants to spend money reminding the audience of, for example, sudden fiery death.

There is a valuable lesson in that. At certain moments, advertising — no matter how cunningly crafted — is incapable of sending its intended message. At certain moments, it is capable only of triggering associations with the larger story in the public mind.

AmEx's Hip Cards to End†

Niche Offerings Fail to Generate Enough Demand

Wall Street Journal, August 2, 2008 — American Express Co. is pulling the plug on a much-hyped line of credit cards that were aimed at attracting young and affluent customers in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The company, which has been weighed down by rising delinquencies and a slowdown in consumer spending, is also discontinuing three other niche cards that were aimed at engaged couples, newlyweds and avid golf fans.

Restaurant Chains Close as Diners Reduce Spending

New York Times, July 30, 2008 — Several national restaurant chains were shuttered on Tuesday, possibly offering an early taste of what’s in store this year for businesses that depend on free-spending consumers whose budgets are now being squeezed.

Schultz Announces 1,000 More Job Cuts at Starbucks†

Senior VP-Global Strategy Michelle Gass Shifts Back to Marketing Role as Part of Reorganization

Advertising Age, July 29, 2008 — Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said the coffee retailer will cut 1,000 jobs in addition to those resulting from the 600 store closures announced earlier this month. It's unclear how many marketing personnel will be affected, but those familiar with the matter said some groups are facing double-digit cuts in what's being described internally as a "bloodbath."

In another organizational move, Michelle Gass is back in the marketing department, as senior VP-marketing and category. Ms. Gass, a 12-year Starbucks veteran, is credited with much of the Frappuccino's success. She was elevated to senior VP-global strategy in January, and has been overseeing Mr. Schultz's much-discussed (and debated) turnaround plan. Her move is viewed as a need for her expertise in... continue reading

What Marketers Can Learn From Twitter's Stumbles†

The Service Is a Victim of Its Popularity -- and Its Unresponsiveness Is Costing It Fans

Advertising Age, July 29, 2008 — What are the limits of consumer loyalty when a particular product or service consistently stumbles, or just doesn't work? What if those stumbles are actually due to the immense popularity of the product?

Any fast-growing brand that has seen its infrastructure quiver under the weight of widespread customer demand should look for a lesson on how not to do things in Web 2.0 darling Twitter.

Why Most Online Communities Fail†

Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2008 — One of the hot investments for businesses these days is online communities that help customers feel connected to a brand. But most of these efforts produce fancy Web sites that few people ever visit. The problem: Businesses are focusing on the value an online community can provide to themselves, not the community.

J.C. Penney Faults Fake Ad on YouTube†

Recent Branding Effort is Mimicked in Video; Saatchi Cites a Vendor

Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2008 — J.C. Penney Co. officials are upset about a racy, fake advertisement on YouTube in which the retailer appears to be endorsing teen sex, and they are blaming the company's ad agency, Saatchi & Saatchi.

The purported ad, which surfaced on the Internet after winning a prestigious international advertising award at Cannes this past weekend, shows two teenagers in their own bedrooms stripping down to their underwear and then timing themselves as they race to put on their clothes. All this is done in preparation for the boy and girl to hang out in her basement while her mother is upstairs.