Take a closer look around you
August 26, 2006
I’m continuing my theme of inspiration that can be found all around us with examples of some clever elements from various campaigns.
Have you seen the WANTED posters for the new season of Fox television’s “Prison Break?” Check out the promotion posters over at AdRants.com.
Two summers ago, bottles washed up on California shores with messages promoting the television series “Lost.”
Last year’s Mini Cooper campaign distributed Mini Cooper Counterfit kits so enthusiasts could disguise their non-Minis.
As part of the 2005 launch of the Audi A3, a job ad for “retrievers” appeared on Monster.com with secret codes that enthusiasts could use to participate in the nationwide “The Art of the Heist” contest.
The Honda Diesel “Hate Something Change Something” campaign distributed stickers people could attach to things people hated (like parking meters).
So… keep a sharp eye out for what’s around you. You might be pleasantly suprised how clever someone else is.
Happy hunting.
-Roland
Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at NewMediaSandbox.com and Chaos365.com.
©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.
Brand Fanaticism
August 18, 2006
Talk about Brand Fanaticism.
The Firefox Web browser has been downloaded 200 million times (that’s downloads, not users or installs). To celebrate, a group of fans at Oregon State University organized to create a gigantic crop circle. View Photos
For the 100 million download milestone they launched a weather balloon with a logo banner.
For the 50 million download milestone they painted a giant logo on university grounds.
Just think of all that free publicity from loyal users.
Why all this effort for a Web browser? Because…
It’s anti-Microsoft.
It can be installed on Windows, Mac or Linux OS.
It’s a tool used daily and works well.
It’s customizable and expandable.
It’s supposedly more secure than Internet Explorer.
-Roland
Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at NewMediaSandbox.com and Chaos365.com.
©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.
Free Stuff for Fliers
August 18, 2006
Avis and P&G pair up to take advantage of the stricter security restrictions to help ease the strain on air travelers. It’s a great sampling opportunity to build brand awareness and possibly get free publicity for brands/products such as toiletries, GI products, eye drops, etc. that are carried during travel.
-Roland
AP BUSINESS WIRE
Tuesday, August 15, 2006 · Last updated 12:17 p.m. PT
Avis, P&G provide fliers with toiletries
By DAN SEWELL
AP BUSINESS WRITERCINCINNATI — Travelers stripped of carryon toiletries because of heightened airport security will find a consolation gift when they pick up Avis Rent A Car vehicles in the nation’s major airports.
Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble has donated “smile packs” with its Crest toothpaste, mouthwash and floss that Avis will leave on the front seats of cars at 25 U.S. airports starting Wednesday, Avis spokeswoman Susan McGowan said.
She said P&G contacted the rental car company Friday to discuss a partnership, in reaction to the stepped-up security that dramatically expanded carryon bans in the aftermath of a thwarted plot to blow up U.S.-bound planes using liquid explosives.
“It’s the least we can do after a long day of travel and losing products that you’ve paid for,” P&G spokeswoman Tonia Elrod said.
She said the packs are full-size products, not travel sizes, worth a little more than a total $10 each at retail stores, not including P&G’s costs for shipping them. Elrod said at least 25,000 packs are being shipped initially.
“It was something that was put together very quickly in response to what travelers are gong through,” McGowan said. “This will save them a trip to the store; just something nice to do.”
Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at NewMediaSandbox.com and Chaos365.com.
©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.
Check for a good seat before you fly
August 4, 2006
Check out this article at Search Engine Watch by Chris Sherman: Search Tools for Air Travelers. There are many good suggestions. This one caught my eye…
[EXCERPT]
Even though I fly a lot, I always turn to SeatGuru before finalizing a reservation. SeatGuru features seating maps for all of the major airlines of the world, labeling seats as “good seat,” “be aware,” and “poor seat.”
Mouse over any seat, and a pop-up window will explain why a seat is labeled as it is. I use this feature even when flying business class, when you assume that seats are generally more comfortable than coach seats. On some aircraft, however, not all business seats are equal. For example, “Seat 23 is a standard business seat, but the proximity of the gallery can be bothersome. It tends to get very cold in this area during flight.”
SeatGuru maps also show the location of closets, lavatories, galleys and exits on planes. These aren’t generic maps; to use them effectively, you need to select a specific airline and aircraft. Not sure which airline is best for your needs? Scroll down the menu and use the comparison charts to compare the types of seats offered by various airlines throughout the world.
I checked out SeatGuru.com and thought this was very cool. The pages are a bit cluttered, but the information is valuable. Definitely save that url www.seatguru.com.
I thought this site was an awesome example of someone creating a useful resource I never knew I needed. I no longer have to leave to chance whether I get stuck by the noisy, smelly toilet.
Enjoy.
-Roland
P.S. Read the whole article at Search Engine Watch!
Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at NewMediaSandbox.com and Chaos365.com.
©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.
Mod enthusiasts
August 3, 2006
Mods are not new. But they are a great source of inspiration. Checkout for yourself some of the things people do:
- Case mods (designs, neon lighting, tissue box)
- Accessories (optical mice, keyboards)
- Turning a tin of Altoids(R) into an MP3 player
- Fun with duct tape (iPod boom box)
The list goes on and on. Checkout some new examples at MacWorld.com: Amazing Mac mods
Now, figure out how to motivate that community of enthusiasts. Get inspired. Create something. Better yet, inspire your customers to create something for you. And have fun!
-Roland
Roland Reinhart is a interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at NewMediaSandbox.com and Chaos365.com.
©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.
