1) Firebrand Reinvents the 30-Second Spot | Firebrand
Billed as “the QVC for the MySpace generation,” the social media press release says that
Firebrand programs the "coolest" TV commercials the way MTV used to program music videos, creating the first multi-platform network to go "live" simultaneously on TV, the web and mobile.
A YouTube for ads might sound odd initially, but this pull technique feels better to me than recent push methods being floated out there. And with content, contests and commerce to offer it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.
2) Flickr’s Dark Side | Various Sources
Holy Fotomat! One picture from Flickr placed into a Virgin Mobile ad is raising some serious questions about Creative Commons licenses and Flickr. Having used a Flickr pic in printed materials before, might I suggest ASKING the photographer and getting a release form signed?
Flickr is playing an interesting role in computer theft too. But it’s not the only photo site having issues. Scott Baradell notes that the rise of sites like iStockPhoto has caused Getty to drop some prices. This price drop has understandably raised photog ire.
3) PR Makes Geek Squad Even Smarter | Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal
Best Buy research shows that “90 percent of Americans don't understand HDTVs.” In response, Best Buy is launching HD Done Right, to provide consumers with information about planning and budgeting for the new sets.
As we settle into football season and the holidays hurtle towards us, this approach is brilliant on so many levels. It makes the Geek Squad look that much smarter, positions Best Buy and Geek Squad as HDTV experts and it generates plenty of media cat nip to get the word out through the research results. Smart.
4) Swash Sounds Strange, er, Too Good to be True | Swash
Tide brings us Swash – a collection of products that eliminate wrinkles, odors and stains so the energy-conscious can stave off the laundry cycle a bit longer. The sloth-centric will appreciate it too. Green is good and P&G gets a gold star for trying something new. But it’s “Fresh It Up” product comes in Free Agent, At Large and Posse scents!? Something tells me I’m not the target audience.
tags | public relations | PR | media relations | media | Firebrand | Swash | Geek Squad | advertising | marketing | Flickr
Yeah baby -- I'm back on the board! ;)
Posted by: scott | 09/26/2007 at 09:57 AM
Very interesting development.
I wonder what happens with people, if they consume this massive load of ads on a single day.
They might turn out to become super-shoppers or even brainbranded zombies.
Yours Sincerely.
Posted by: Tom Short | 09/26/2007 at 10:56 AM
Scott - I can feel my Trati ranking plummeting :-) Can you feel the love? Welcome back to blogging period!
Tom - I suspect folks will probably be somewhere in between the cape-wearing shoppers and the walking dead ones. We'll see!
Posted by: Kevin Dugan | 09/26/2007 at 11:41 AM