Why Milk’s PMS Campaign Went Sour

Over the past few weeks, a bold campaign by the California Milk Processor Board, featuring men as suffering victims of PMS-crazed women and milk as the cure, has become the latest poster child for brands using shock and awe to generate online conversation at any cost. If controversy is its own reward, the campaign was a smashing success. But since the campaign, and its spiritual home at everythingidoiswrong.org, was hastily shuttered late last week, it seems very forgiving to call it a smash hit, doesn’t it?

Share

Bookmark Your Favorite…Banner Ads?

When your eyes happen upon a web banner ad, do you ever think, "man, I wish I could save that for later!" No? Well, AdKeeper thinks you might...if you could. Because, you know, people love Super Bowl ads! And some time in the recent past people used to clip coupons! AdKeeper is hoping its system will revolutionize the way you view those pesky boxes altogether.
Share

Twitter Roundup

While many media-conscious brands have engaged Twitter in some form, others have stuck to inefficient strategies. Bad Twitter usage—either through mass spamming or one-way messaging—makes any brand look out of touch. Twitter’s real power is sown when it’s used in supporting roles or as a base to amplify consumer-brand relationships. But some are doing it right. Take super-brands like Universal and Coca Cola.
Share

Brands with an Ear to the Screen

As consumer influence grows (take the great Domino’s revolt, for example), brands are rushing to learn more about the nature of web conversation. New technology lets marketers peek into everyday web dialogue to gauge campaign impact and consumer satisfaction in a new, web-based context.
Share

Jockettes and Technosapiens — Oh My! The New Teen Psyche

In a newly released report from Euro RSCG and American Student List, teenagers are put under the marketer's microscope once more. Titled "Teen Segments," the report looks at data from more than 5,000 survery respondents and divides the new digital-era of teens into 11 distinctive types based on sex, age and psychographic indicators. (AdWeek's Stacy Straczynski analyzed the report.)
Share
Vitamin Water

Vitaminwater Asks Fans to Mix Up New Flavor

Last week, the popular health-promoting beverage company Vitaminwater put control in the hands of fans and consumers everywhere. For the launch of a new flavor, web users will pick everything from the taste to its vitamins and mineral combination, as well as the packaging, design and bottle copy. Talk about brand involvement!
Share