Archive for January, 2009

Fan Jeff:  I’m really mad at Pete Townsend for whoring out “My Generation” to Pepsi. Marketer Jeff:  It’s a good commercial, and I think it works. Creator Jeff:  A creator needs to be true to his inner voice. He doesn’t create for the fan, but if it’s good, people will respond to it. Fan Jeff:  [...]

Like many other marketers, I think candidate Obama’s marketing was exemplary. Which is why I was surprised at President-Elect Obama’s choice of bible for his swearing in. I get the significance of Obama using the Lincoln Bible. I see the connection between the man who freed the slaves and the first black president. I understand [...]

Normally when I’m watching TV with my wife, we DVR the shows we want to watch and fast forward through the commercials. (Alone, I’m more likely to indulge in a few guilty pleasures, like the “We are the champions” Wal-Mart “game day” ad.) The other day, though, we were skipping the ads when a ShamWow! [...]

Some people look out across the magazine landscape and only see doom and gloom. They point to the recent demise of popular titles (i.e., Radar, Jane, Premiere, PC Magazine, CosmoGirl, ElleAccessories, CottageLiving and 02138 are all going dark or moving to online only versions) and the rise of the internet. They look at a 39% [...]

There’s a spot in New York City, on 5th Avenue between 51st and 50th Streets. If you go there late at night, or early on New Year’s Day, you can actually stand in the deserted center of one of the busiest avenues in the city.  The spot itself isn’t remarkable — it’s what’s around you. [...]