You, Too, Can Grace a National Magazine’s Cover

Wired magazine, in partnership with Xerox, invited subscribers to upload their photographs to Wired.com. The first 5,000 who did so are now the cover art

New York Times, June 25, 2007 — IN the old days — say, maybe a month ago — a “customized” magazine meant that it had ads tailored to your age group or articles about your region. Now, it seems, it has your picture on the cover, too.

In its April issue, Wired magazine, in partnership with Xerox, invited subscribers to upload their photographs to Wired.com. The first 5,000 who did so are now receiving their July issue with themselves as the cover art.

Outdoor advertising gets freshened up

USA Today, June 20, 2007 — Even as the Web and handheld devices shake up where marketers spend ad dollars, one of the fastest-growing media is tried-and-true outdoor.

Give It Away: Fast Feeders Favor Freebies†

Giants Run Out of Places to Build, Use Sampling to Fuel Same-Store Growth

Advertising Age, June 18, 2007 — These days, it seems as if restaurants are literally giving away the store. After years of trying to wean themselves off deep discounting that cheapens brands and conditions consumers to look for deals, Starbucks, McDonald's and a host of others are doling out free product, no strings attached.

Who's at the Door? J&J With Your Meds†

Brandweek, June 18, 2007 — Johnson & Johnson wants to turn Girl Scout troops into "drug dealers"—but it's all for a good cause. The drug giant said it will launch a promotion this month, in which churches, charities and nonprofit groups—such as the Girl Scouts—will be encouraged to sell J&J's painkillers and cough medicine to their friends and neighbors. For every purchase of a J&J brand, including Tylenol, Sudafed, BenGay and Motrin, J&J will donate 8% of the sale to the community group.

Sony spins Web to pitch Spidey

Resources are directed to the new medium to market 'Spider-Man 3.'

Los Angeles Times, May 3, 2007 — The studio behind the multibillion-dollar "Spider-Man" franchise is doing some Web slinging of its own. To snare outsize audiences for "Spider-Man 3," which cost about $400 million to make and release, Sony Pictures cast its widest online promotional net ever, using the Web in ways that were unimaginable when the superhero first scaled the big screen five years ago.

Alternative Out-Of-Home Media Spending Expanding Rapidly, Study Finds

MediaPost Publications, May 1, 2007 — LIFESTYLE TRENDS THAT HAMPER THE growth of traditional media are playing right into the hands of alternative out-of-home media, a new study shows, to create what is being dubbed "a perfect storm" for brand marketers who are looking for ways to engage consumers as they rush about in their daily lives. Alternative OOH media includes video advertising networks and screens; digital billboards and displays, and ambient or place-based advertising such as floor pads. It seeks to connect with more elusive consumers in captive environments such as retail, transit, cinema and office locations.

Reuters Ties News Into 'Smart Thinking' Campaign For Hyundai

MediaPost Publications, May 1, 2007 — REUTERS TODAY LAUNCHED A "VIRTUAL brand channel" for Hyundai Motor America, allowing the automaker's branding for its "Smart" campaign to appear online adjacent to relevant "Smart thinking" stories on Reuters.com in any topic. In a somewhat unusual relationship, Reuters editors worked with company engineers to devise an algorithm that would trigger "smart thinking" stories based on keywords and attributes identified by Hyundai and its agency Carat Fusion/Los Angeles.

Queen Of The Product Pitch

Martha Stewart isn't shy about integrating ads into her show

BusinessWeek, April 30, 2007 — It's just four minutes into an Apr. 4 episode of The Martha Stewart Show, and Donna Brock from Cleveland, Tex., is on the line asking for advice on how to clean her bathroom. Simple, Stewart says: "Disposable toilet scrubbers, from Scotch-Brite." She plucks a scrubber wand from a box and goes to town on a toilet in the middle of the studio. Watching from home, Brock notes how easy the wand is to use under the bowl's rim.

Marketing To Women, Part I: Mix Alpha Moms, Cans, Stir In Parties

MediaPost Publications, April 27, 2007 — MANY MARKETERS ARE LOOKING TO new media such as blogs and viral videos to generate buzz about their brands. But the Canned Food Alliance (CFA) is trying an old-fashioned tactic that involves pairing influential women with home-based parties and cans of peas and corn. The CFA is calling on "alpha moms" in the Chicago area to host "CANdelight Dinner Parties," with the bottom line of promoting the nutritional benefits of canned foods and nudging consumers to buy them.

A GE Brand Seeks Place in Trophy Kitchens†

Wall Street Journal, April 12, 2007 — Chef Joe Castro slides slabs of hoisin-glazed salmon into a stainless-steel GE Monogram Trivection oven. Then, he sears filet mignon over a powerful 17,000 BTU burner on the GE Monogram's professional-style gas range. Twenty students watch from sleek cooking stations and then tackle the dishes themselves. The students are appliance retailers catering to high-end clients who often overlook the Monogram line. Now, General Electric Co. wants more of their business.