MJ Died -- And Thanks to Burger King, So Did Subtlety

Image courtesy of http://gawker.com/5301856/burger-king-shuns-subtlety-in-ads-for-super-seven-incher-sandwich

The awe-struck woman with an open mouth... the large, oblong sandwich situated directly in front of that open mouth... ohh, and lest we forget the ever so creative use of the word "blow"? Hmm, I wonder what Burger King is hinting at here?

In case you can't read the fine print, there is also use tasteful use of "Fill your desire for something long, juicy and grilled," "yourn for more" and "mind-blowing." Those ad execs must have scoured the pages of Cosmo in order to get this verbage... and no, that's not a compliment.

Yes, this ad will definitely get people talking... but will it make us (read: women) want to order up a "seven-incher"? Hell nawwww.

Burger King, with this ad you have been officially dethroned.

Can't Find a Date? There is Hope...

Ahh, the perils of dating. It seems everyone has a great story to share about that date that just shoulda never happened -- mine involved the guy renting Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and passing out on the couch about 15 minutes in. And wouldn't wake up. On the first date. Needless to say, it was also the last. Oh, and he wasn't tired, per se; he smoked himself to sleep... if you get my drift. I was not impressed. :)

If you don't have the fortune to have a story such as this in your arsenal, have no fear; I get the feeling you could gain one reallllll quickkkk if you employ the services of any of these sites. I decided it was time to unearth an oldie but a goodie with I came across this gem (I was reading articles on Mashable -- NOT looking for an online dating site, mind you!): The Most Unusual and Unique Online Dating Sites.



Stuff like this cracks me up... and after checking out some of these sites, I expect you to be laughing, too.



Darwin Dating: When you think of Darwin, you think of survival of the fittest right? Well if you feel the godforsaken need to register with this site, you better be fit -- and by fit, I mean hot. With the mantra "Online Dating Minus Ugly People," this site has some strict rules that include:

-no out of proportion noses
-no out of date fashions
-no uncared for fingernails
-no ski jump noses
-no small jaws (men)

And how about that "Are you Beautiful? Click here" button? Yes you might be beautiful, but you sure as heck are vain, too. It's called confidence in moderation, people!



Women Behind Bars: Because locked-up women need some lovin' too, this site was created to match incarcerated women with, well, free men and women. The inmates don't have access to the internet, so interested parties must find the lady of their dreams via a photo and a shirt description, pay a nominal fee and are then mailed a postal address.

As the site says (punctuation errors included), "A great many of these girls are looking to becomes brides, turning from an inmate to a bride is a dream a number of them express in letters they send with their applications." Touting 38 marriages in the past three years (but who knows when the copy was last updated!), this site is not messing around. I just love the photo they selected to be featured on the home page.



AgeMatch: If you're a young girl looking for a sugar daddy, a young man searching for a cougar or any variation of those dating preferences, hit up AgeMatch.com. Apparently age ain't nothing but a number is not applicable here -- it's the most imporant differentiator when finding a mate! The site itself is hugely outdated and pretty sparse... which is only fitting, if you think about it. ;)

ScientificMatch: If all else fails, how about using science to find love? This site will analyze your DNA to match your with likeminded individuals. And if you choose to go this route, check out some of the benefits, according to the site:

-Chances are increased that you’ll love the natural body fragrance of your matches.
-You have a greater chance of a more satisfying sex life.
-Couples tend to have higher rates of fertility.
-All other things being equal, couples have a greater chance of having healthier children with more robust immune systems.

Because that's what it's all about, right?

My Fave Google Logo Designs

Nothing like coming to your homepage to see Google decided to do something fun with its logo. Yes, the Internet powerhouse is currently in the hot seat with some designers who feel they deserve to be compensated for providing creative graphics such as these, but all controversy aside, check out the various way some designers flexed their design muscle -- all for our viewing pleasure. Happy Monday, ya'll.



Celebrating Veteran's Day
Image courtesy of http://www.google.com/holidaylogos.html


Election Day
http://www.google.com/holidaylogos.html


MLK, Jr. Day
http://www.google.com/holidaylogos.html


Dr. Seuss' birthday
http://www.google.com/holidaylogos.html


Paying homage to Sam Morse, inventor of Morse Code
http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/019887.html


Ode to the invention of the first laser
http://www.google-logos.com/page/3


125th Birthday of architect Walter Gropius
http://www.google-logos.com/page/3



Earth Day
http://www.google-logos.com/page/2

Lego Logo on Google's Germang Google page
http://www.google-logos.com/google-lego-logo-on-google-germany-page.html

Get In or Get Lost: New(ish) SoNet Sites

I think it's pretty much a given these days that social networking is an integral part of most marketing strategies. We definitely have our strategy down as far as how to use Facebook, Twitter, viral Web, etc. to reach target audiences, but staying current can be overwhelming -- there are new sites popping up constantly. The following are some I think are worth checking out (aka I did the hard work for you), as they really can add to your company's online presence.

1. Involver. I really think this company is on to something. Many of the apps are free (but I hear that might only be temporary), and they are cool. You can bulk up your company's FB page by adding things such as coupons, a carousel-style photo gallery, Power Point presentations and polls. Obviously their premium services offer more, but jumping on these apps while they are still complimentary can really make your page stand out -- and show others you are up on the latest and greatest. Us Weekly, American Apparel, Time magazine and numerous others have already jumped onboard. I just wish you could add these to personal profiles...

Photo courtesy of www.uxrefresh.com

2. Get Satisfaction. This site is a hub where both companies and customers can interact and get some action going. Customers voice their praises/concerns/complaints, while companies are given the opportunity to address them head-on and give a personalized approach to customer service. See what people really think about the services you provide -- then take the time to show you care.

3. BzzScapes. Another way to scope out what others are saying about your company is through this site. People congregate here simply to share info about their favorite brands. Whether it be through coupons, blog posts or simply comments, users know they can get updated info on the brands they love. Companies can harness the power of this site creating relationships with top influencers -- establishing the brand advocacy we all want.

Dell Hell -- This One's for The Ladies

Dell's Della Web site is one giant step backward for womankind. A recent article in Advertising Age outlined the campaign, which caters to women -- apparently it's meant to show the female sect just how easy and helpful netbooks can be. And how do they choose to illustrate that, you might ask? Apparently I visited the site too late... the cooking and shoe shopping references were taken down, evidenced by an Editor's note, telling of some text changes. What's left are some half-hearted tips on how to track your workouts and upload photos, as well as some fashionable sleeves -- because, you know, looks are number one when buying a computer and all. Basically, there is no genuine tech information to be found.

Making a site about how your computer can help you buy great shoes is not the real issue. Implying that women only (and only women, for that matter!) use their computers for that reason is. Yes, the rest of the rest of the site is stereotypically "female" site, decorated with flowers and soft colors while featuring a "you go girl" story about an artist whose design can grace the top of your laptop. That I can get over. It's the whole "Della" premise, which they present as if it should be floating on a cloud and surrounded by rainbows and butterflies, that I resent. Do a quick Google search, and you will see I am far from the only one.

25 before 25

I am totally stealing this idea from my friend Jackie's blog (check it out at http://highheelhijinx.blogspot.com/), but I have to say, her thinking is pretty much in line with mine these days.

I've been working in Chicago for nearly a year now, and realizing how quickly that year went by has left me feeling somewhat nostalgic. I'm not gonna lie: I miss my friends and family a lot. I've been thinking about all of my siblings' track meets and school programs for which I am absent, as well as graduation parties, family dinners, trips to Broad Ripple and coffee gab-sessions.

Those thoughts, coupled with the fact I have friends who are either engaged or well on their way, has been enough to make me realize that time really does fly -- so it's important to (as cheesy as it sounds) live life. That said, here is the official unveiling of my 25 before 25 list:

1. Read more classics

2. Branch out in terms of my musical selection (apparently there's more to life than Snow Patrol) and get to know some oldies

3. Cook a legit meal (meaning I actually make it, not just heat it up), then serve it at a dinner party

4. REALLY grasp the concepts and uses for RSS links, backlinking, SEO, etc.

5. Start writing thank you notes

6. Take a writing class

7. Become involved with Big Brothers, Big Sisters

8. Buy a gym membership

9. Learn more about car maintenance

10. Actually pay attention to the food I eat (and know the recommended amount of calories, carbs, etc. a day)

11. Make a list of birthdays so I stop forgetting them

12. Go to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert

13. Help my grandpa get his golfing Web site up and running

14. Buy myself a pair of diamond earrings

15. Go back to Europe, no matter how impossible finding the time might seem

16. Move closer to the city, so my commute becomes tolerable

17. Make a conscious effort to PAY ATTENTION when traveling, thus decreasing my chances of getting lost (ok, by .5%, but beggars can't be choosers)

18. Need to consult my AP Stylebook less -- because I will be doing more writing and will know from practice

19. Travel to NY and do some serious shopping

20. Have each of my siblings visit me at least once

21. Start really doing my research when it comes to politics

22. Buy a piece of furniture at Goodwill, fix it up and actually like it

23. Plan a weekend getaway with my girls -- then follow through by going

24. Buy a good camera (and then use it)

25. Go to church more -- and because I want to, not because I feel obligated

However, I've never been too good with living by lists, so we'll see how this goes... :)

Pizza Hut: Serving It Hot and Fresh

Within recent years, worldwide powerhouse Pizza Hut has come to the realization that in order to remain relevant and in demand, venturing outside of the box might just be a necessity. A Marketing News article, written by Elisabeth A. Sullivan and titled "A Cut Above," delved into how Pizza Hut was looking to change. In addition to adding pasta to the menu (Who can forget the TV spots showing first-time consumers who thought they were eating restaurant food?), they are embracing the digital world by reaching out to their customers online. Last year the company launched a Facebook app that enabled people to view the menu -- then place an order. Select new "fans" of the Pizza Hut page earned $50 for, well, being a fan. And the grand prize? A vacation for two to Italy, awarded to one lucky pizza (or pasta, or wings) lover.

But it does not end there. Yes, Facebook has over 200 million active users, but we all know a handful of people who won't join the FB ("It's just a fad!" "I would become addicted!" "I'm too old!"). In hopes of targeting those individuals (and more!), Pizza Hut created both a widget and an app for tech-savvy individuals looking to order some food -- quick. To reach a younger set, they partnered with video game companies willing to promote the brand in-game, and even came up with "The Hut," their hip new moniker.

It's too soon to say if these efforts are pulling through for the company, but if I had to guess, I would think things at least begin to level out. Keeping in mind more people are opting to eat in, and that Pizza Hut is not exactly known for its healthy fare, I still expect that these marketing efforts will pay off in the long run because they are coming to their customers and embracing change. The company is doing what it can to beat out the competition, and hey, if all else fails, they have my vote...that pasta is darn good.