Big Three May Need to Trim Number of Brands

New York Times, December 2, 2008 — For the Big Three automakers to win over Washington lawmakers in their bid for federal aid, they will have to address a critical question in the business plans they give to Congress on Tuesday. Just how serious are they about shrinking their vast lineups of different brands and models to match the current harsh reality of the market?

How to Market to Women During the Economic Upheaval†

Quick Changes to Strategies Are Needed as Moms Shift Priorities for Themselves and Families

Advertising Age, December 2, 2008 — While President-elect Barack Obama is assembling his cabinet in Washington, moms across America are changing the ways they stock their own cabinets. As they function simultaneously as secretaries of transportation, interior, homeland security and, most important these days, commerce, women faced with new economic realities are rapidly shifting their priorities and shopping behaviors. Here are six changes in where they stand on consumption.

If GM Has a Brand, It's General Misery†

Company Has Eight Brands, but No Brand Messaging

Advertising Age, December 2, 2008 — "How Detroit drove into a ditch" is the headline of an article in the Oct. 25 issue of The Wall Street Journal.

When the most respected business publication in the world writes a 2,000-word article on the problems of the U.S. automobile industry, you have to assume it knows what it's writing about. Especially since the author of the article is the Journal's former Detroit bureau chief and a man who is writing a book about America's car culture.

Why won't Sony or Microsoft admit Nintendo is a competitor?

cNet News, December 2, 2008 — Whenever I read a Sony or Microsoft press release or meet with company representatives, they're quick to point out that Nintendo's Wii console isn't a competitor. Why? They claim it's because the Wii does gaming differently and is more of a "casual" platform than a "true" gaming console.

You May Love the Logo, but It's a Dying Breed†

More-Subtle Images Pack Bigger Punch, Says Neuromarketing Study

Advertising Age, December 1, 2008 — As we are exposed to millions of messages in our lifetimes, does the logo retain its magic? Or are we caught up in a format that once worked but is out of date?

GM Pondering Brand Cuts

BusinessWeek, November 28, 2008 — The Detroit Free Press reported today that General Motors, in its attempt to put forth a workable restructuring plan to keep it from going bankrupt, is looking at killing off three brands—Pontiac, Saab and Hummer.

Everyone knows that GM is over-branded. The problem has long been that the company does not want to have to pay dealers to fold the brands it does not need as it did with Oldsmobile in 2001. State franchise laws prevent a car company from simply ending a brand. Closing down Oldsmobile cost the company around $2 billion.

It’s unclear how GM could avoid paying big money to shutter the three brands.

Marketers Reach Out to Loyal Customers†

As Holidays Near, Retailers Tap Statistical Models, Relying More on Targeted Ads Than on Shotgun Approach

Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2008 — With the critical holiday-sales season at hand, there's a new character joining Santa and his elves on the advertising circuit: the analytics geek.

It's number-crunching time. Marketers, their ad budgets under increased scrutiny amid the economic downturn, are mining their customer databases and reaching out to loyal consumers with targeted ads, instead of relying on the traditional yuletide blitz.

Baileys Orders Up JWT Campaign for the Holidays†

The Old 'Serve Chilled' Slogan Didn't Translate, Leading Diageo to Shop Around -- and Pass on 'Hot Shop' Boutiques

Wall Street Journal, November 25, 2008 — Wine-and-spirits giant Diageo passed on two of the world's hottest ad agencies last spring to hire a Madison Avenue stalwart, JWT, to advertise its Baileys liqueur. Starting with Thanksgiving, JWT will try to prove it was the right decision.

GM ends 9-year endorsement relationship with Tiger Woods

USA Today, November 25, 2008 — As cash-strapped General Motors (GM) looks for ways to slice expenses, it's parting ways with long-time pitchman Tiger Woods.

The ailing auto giant said Monday that it will end its nine-year relationship with the world's No. 1 golfer Dec. 31. Woods' contract with GM was set to expire Dec. 31, 2009.

How Subway Nabbed Michael Phelps†

Olympian Is McDonald's Biggest Fan, so Why Is Swimmer Shilling for the Competition?

Advertising Age, November 24, 2008 — If there was one thing Americans learned about Michael Phelps during his history-making eight-gold-medal run at the Beijing Olympics — other than that he can swim really, really fast — it was that he really, really likes McDonald's