Disney, Verizon to turn the cellphone into a theme-park visitor's tool

Wireless software promises to help mobile phone users navigate the parks and make the most of their visits. But there are privacy implications.

Los Angeles Times, November 12, 2008 — The Happiest Place on Earth will soon know where in the world you are.

Walt Disney Co. has struck a deal with Verizon Wireless that will allow it to remain in wireless contact with its theme park visitors — even when they step outside the turnstiles in Anaheim and Orlando, Fla.

Disney and Verizon bill it as a way to enhance the "theme park experience," enabling parkgoers to use their mobile phones for tasks such as saving a spot in line at a popular ride and zeroing in on where Cinderella can be found signing autographs.

U.S. Interest In Scooters Prompts Vespa Site Upgrade

Marketing Daily, November 12, 2008 — Piaggio Group's Vespa scooter brand will launch a new U.S. Web site on Friday that takes what had been a static site with little sound and motion to an animated one with several themes, and a richer look and feel.

The new VespaUSA.com is via N.Y.-based digital firm Last Exit. The site will have areas for Vespa merchandise, for the scooters, for the Vespa rider community--and one on "Why, Where and How" and for downloads. It also continues the "Vespanomics" theme of the past two years, positing scooters as a transportation alternative for cutting energy and gridlock.

Welch's Taps Alton Brown To Tout Health Bennies

Marketing Daily, November 12, 2008 — Food scientist, commentator, author, celebrity chef and TV personality Alton Brown has now added "Polyphenol Pro" to his long list of titles.

Brown, well-known from his Food Network roles on "Good Eats" and "Iron Chef," has become the new face of Welch's 100% Grape Juice--as the brand steps up its year-old health-oriented marketing push to zero in on the specific benefits of the polyphenol antioxidant found in its product.

Applebee's Hopes New Marketer Can Re-energize Chain†

Rebeca Johnson Brings Know-how From Brinker, PepsiCo, but Troubled Casual Dining Sector Won't Be a Piece of Cake

Advertising Age, November 11, 2008 — Applebee's, the biggest player in the casual-dining sector, said Rebeca M. Johnson is taking the marketing reins as senior VP-marketing. According to the company, Ms. Johnson will lead consumer insights, advertising, innovation and brand marketing, among other duties. She is charged with re-energizing the Applebee's brand, and rebuilding same-store sales momentum through a "focus on new, craveable grill and bar food that differentiates the brand from competitors."

Facebook Tries to Woo Marketers†

Firm's 'Engagement Ads' Amplify Its Push to Curry Favor With Madison Avenue

Wall Street Journal, November 11, 2008 — Despite its surging Internet audience, Facebook Inc. has yet to prove it can wring steady revenue out of advertisers. Now it's trying a new tactic to woo Madison Avenue.

The Palo Alto, Calif., company is rolling out a new ad format called "engagement ads" that further blurs the line between marketing and social networking.

Hotels Offer Guests the Latest Technology Tools

New York Times, November 11, 2008 — Hotels are under such pressure to keep up with their gadget-obsessed guests that they are working with technology companies to regain their edge.

Wake Up Call†

Brandweek, November 11, 2008 — Given its recent financial struggles—at the core of which are weak sales that have forced the closing of about 600 of its U.S. stores through the first half of fiscal year 2009—the question many people are asking right now is: Can Starbucks get its mojo back?

Dell Lags in New Products†

Dell isn't launching a digital music player for the holidays, adding to concerns that it is lagging behind rivals in fresh offerings.

Wall Street Journal, November 10, 2008 — Michael Dell last year promised innovative new consumer products to generate "product lust" and spark his company's turnaround effort. But in the runup to the holiday sales season, Dell Inc. has been slow to deliver on that promise.

Goodbye Seduction, Hello Coupons

New York Times, November 10, 2008 — As the economy rapidly deteriorates from flourishing to floundering, marketers are scrambling to remake their advertising so products seem affordable and sensible rather than indulgent and fabulous. For many big marketers, including automakers, retailers, consumer product companies and even financial services, a major shift in consumer psychology spells an end to the aspirational advertising that has dominated their campaigns for the last decade.

Google, Campbell Soup, J&J Tops in CSR

Marketing Charts, November 10, 2008 — Google, Campbell Soup, and Johnson & Johnson top the list of American companies that the US public sees as most socially responsible, according to the 2008 Corporate Social Responsibility Index (CSRI), from the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and Reputation Institute.