News: Change Has Come to America!

In the words of his opponent, "America has spoken - and spoken clearly", newly elected President of the United states, Barack Obama proves that anything is possible in this country, by sweeping away the last racial barrier in American politics with ease as the country chose him as its first black chief executive! We have witnessed one of the strongest marketing campaigns ever seen in political elections that engaged the young crowds to vote, first-time voters to voice their opinions and a vast majority of African-Americans that have never cared to express any interest before! All that... just with the marketing catch-phrase "HOPE"! God bless America! 

Ideas: For richer or for poorer...

The party's over, it's time to call it a day. 

They've burst your pretty balloon and taken the 

moon away. 

It's time to wind up the masquerade. 

Just make your mind up, the piper must be paid. 

The party's over, the candles flicker and dim. 

You danced and dreamed through the night, 

It seemed right just being with him. 

Now you must wake up, all dreams must end.

Take off your make up, the party's over, 

It's all over, my friend. 

Sir Taki says it oh-so-right... here! We all need a Robin Hood to save us from this doom!!

Pleasure: The best of both worlds...

when Paris meets New York... and the most stylish books are housed in the most iconic hotel, you're bound to have a hit! The Plaza Hotel has welcomed the French publisher and bookstore Assouline that not only houses the current editions, but also has a gift and vintage books collection... It's the perfect unique gift idea! 

Pleasure: A new sure hit!

Candace Bushnell's new novel, "One Fifth Avenue" is having its coming-out-party this Monday 22nd of September at Carrie's fave City in Barnes n' Noble, Union Square. Special guest star, the creator herself of course, who will be signing our new guilty-pleasure reading material for October! To have a sneak peak about the story, read here. 

Ideas: Get your own...

 

...fix! It's officially autumn... and Pumpkin Spice Lattes are in the house of Starbucks! For the girls who are on their new season diets, you can check your calories intake here! 

Ideas: Fight the gloom with macaroon...

At times like these, when the whole economy is suffering... places like Laduree are heaven on earth! Although it has opened its doors since 2006, the famous Parisian tea room with the oh-so-lovely sweets, Laduree has a London home too... in Harrods! Bringing the best of both worlds... is a sure marketing success!  I love how Harrods keeps shifting things around and keeps the momentum going... First the Krispy Kreme... now the ultimate luxury dessert! We'll keep watching for the next surprise! 

Business: Facebook's Success...

...World Domination??! It's fun... It's useful for staying in touch with friends and remembering their birthdays... It's a guilty pleasure... It's smart... yet now, it's too dangerous that you just can't live without it! In an article in the New York Times Magazine, some confessions of Facebook members express our biggest concerns about the site and reveal how a smart business idea has changed the lives and habits of millions of people... "Yet Ahan knows that she cannot simply walk away from her online life, because the people she knows online won’t stop talking about her, or posting unflattering photos. She needs to stay on Facebook just to monitor what’s being said about her. This is a common complaint I heard, particularly from people in their 20s who were in college when Facebook appeared and have never lived as adults without online awareness. For them, participation isn’t optional. If you don’t dive in, other people will define who you are. So you constantly stream your pictures, your thoughts, your relationship status and what you’re doing — right now! — if only to ensure the virtual version of you is accurate, or at least the one you want to present to the world."

News: Welcome MTV Greece!!

MTV showed its face in Greece last night, when it commenced its broadcasting in the Athens region. We can't wait to see national artists, like Matisse, getting the chance to become an international band, like they deserve! We can't wait to see all the MTV trademark shows to be translated to the Greek reality... either!!! 

Innovation: Philippe Starck goes green...

Who would have thought that being green and efficient, can look so good? The star designer launches a new product to his collection, one that not only will become a trend, but will also could potentially produce up to 80% of a home's energy. The miniature roof-top windmill isn't an eyesore either... It's blades are designed of transparent plastic, which is virtually invisible up on a roof. Starck certainly is too cool for his kind of school!

Ads: Time to Fight back?

WSJ: "Microsoft is turning to Jerry Seinfeld to star in a new $300 million advertising campaign, one of the largest in the software giant's history". The lucky agency behind the lucrative deal is Crispin Porter and Bogusky, a Miami-based ad agency. CPB's got some test ahead of them...

Innovation: Nintendo moves forward...

by venturing into a new type of application for its Wii powerful remote... the Wii Fit! Making exercise a game? Check! Enticing women of all ages to Nintendo's target audience? Check! Stepping away from its market segment? Check! Talk about sound marketing...!  With a budget already splurging its way towards consumer awareness - a visit in Times Square will give you a slight idea of Nintendo's aggressive pitch - it sure feels like a sure bet! 

Innovation: Your summer accessory...

Another accessory created to Apple's advantage has hit the stores... The polyutherane case, from Aquapac USA, keeps your ipod dry will lounging at your pool, training for the Olympics or scuba-diving at Turks & Caicos. Enjoy!

Movie: Ain't Happening...

All the juice that comes from marketing a film is originated from its Preview (aka Trailer). The Preview tells a story... to shock... to intrigue... to provoke... to move... to entertain... but most importantly to creat a Buzz for the Ca-Ching purpose! At the coming film, "The Happening" by Night Shyamalan, either of those things are happening... Sixth sense, yes, was a classic... but this is simply disturbing Mr. Night!

Ads: Creative Genius...

Although, no one after the age of 5 (maybe even before that as well) is a fan of clowns... let alone the horrific soundtrack of the circus, unless we are talking about Cirque du Soleil, one can really appreciate the creativity of this ad... The "Underwater Circus" of Campbell-Ewald agency created a magic production for Farmers Insurance... After all, there is nothing more important than insuring your child's dreams...

Innovation: Apple is on Air

... yet again! The single thinnest laptop that has ever been produced... It weighs 3 pounds and the products new ad is just too hard to believe, view it here! Give us a break Steve, we just got our iphone!!!

Ads: Old-School all the way...

is how Apple is doing it... One must admit they are the funniest ads ever, just because... they are so REAL! I mean brutally real! Vista vs Mac, hmmm... Mac vs Vista... tough one! It's the old washing powder type of marketing that does not need to say more! Point taken! 

Food for thought: Do You Read or Skim?

The so-called French intellectual, Pierre Bayard, after a heavily irritating and blunt interview at the New York Times magazine, reveals the reason why publishing companies are doing better than ever before and people read less than ever before! Skimming is the new way of reading or simply not reading according to Professor Bayard... We live in an age that strong marketing can manage to sell books with the title "How to talk about books you haven't read" and "Confessions of an Heiress" written by Paris Hilton. One would think that it'd be better to use the power of marketing for more influential purposes... like selling Al Gore's book, "An Inconvenient Truth".

Ads: Absolut gets influential...

with its latest ads that bring political, social and environmental awarness issues into play. After its Absolut "Fill-in-the-Blank" campaign that lasted over a decade, Absolut Vodka has turned a new leaf in its influential marketing strategies. With the catch phrase "In an Absolute World", the brand portrays not only funny and expected sexual connotations, but instead it focuses now on issues such as conjested traffic, pollution and global warming. After recognizing the influence of Al Gore to the world, since he was just awarded a Nobel Prize, we cannot help but wonder how many green marketing awards Absolut will win with its "ice-cubes" ad! Simply brilliant...

Tribute: The Business Woman

It is such devastating news for us to learn that Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, has passed away earlier this month. She suffered "a brain hemorrhage, her family said" as the New York Times reported. Anita, an icon for all women, portrayed in utter perfection the roles of a businesswoman, a marketeer, an activist, a philanthropist and an innovator! From the creation of The Body Shop, a business with a mission to end animal testing and protect the environment, to her numerous campaigns on causes, such as saving the rain forests, debt relief for developing countries and anti-sexism; Anita was an inspiration to every 21st century girl out there! Ms Rodick, we salute you and shall always remember you!

Ads: Most Provocative ad 2007 award

goes to... none other than Tom Ford! And you thought that back in the day, the Gucci ads were raunchy? The marketing sense never has failed on him, one must admit... The creative mind for this campaign had to be Terry Richardson, aka ad-provocateur. The guy, responsible for bring the luxury goods to the masses, is now busy with his new venture... bring premium-uber-luxury back! His new store in Madison Avenue, a men's only haven, is re-emphasizing on tailor-made, one-of-a-kind designs for men. A concept that has never existed before... and targeted to the very few and eclectic, i.e those who can afford it! That's niche for you...