Friday, November 17, 2006

second life = you have no life

Maybe it's just me, but is anyone else getting a little tired of hearing about Second Life? I honestly can't believe how many news stories I've read about agencies opening up virtual shop or marketers placing ads in the game. Is there really such an abundance of free time floating around in Big Agency World where they actually have the resources to open up a virtual office and then interact with others doing the same?

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Consumer Reviews

I've begun to notice that for just about any product or service, there is a review of some sort available somewhere online. For example, if I were buying a new electronic device - let's say a digital camera - 2 years ago I would have gone to the store, found the cameras in my price range and then pick the coolest looking one of the bunch. Well, I recently bought a new camera (Casio Exilim - so great!) and that is not at all how the process went.

First, I checked out CNET and read reviews for all the cameras in my price range (under $250 - I'm no professional) and then tried to decide which flaw I could live with. Purple-ish haze at night? I'm cool with it. Camera shake with low shutter speed? Not so much.

After that, I went to store websites to see which place had the best deals. It was there where the real reviews came into play. Consumer reviews, otherwise known as word of mouth, were offered. This is where I learned that the Casio was a cool little camera that shot the best photos for the money.

Now, I would expect an expensive electronic to have a review available. But what about a coffee maker? A new recipe? A professor? Check out Target's website to read reviews about different appliances. Go to allrecipes.com to read reviews of user submitted recipes. Before choosing a college course, check out ratemyprofessor.com to see if the teach will be inspiring or sleep-inducing.

I realized that advertising played no role in my decision to purchase the camera. I think there may be an opportunity here for advertisers. If people are saying good things about your product, how can that be highlighted in the advertising? Beyond testimonials, how can we use advertising to harness all the good word of mouth? Or is this a PR thing?

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

I Heart NY

Been a while since my last post because I went to NYC this past weekend. My roomie, sis and I decided to celebrate our birthdays in the big city!

So we jetted on over Friday morning ridiculously early and proceeded to shop all day and then began the drinking around 3:30pm. Being the ad buff I am, I loved checking out all the crazy wallscapes and unique billboards. See the obligatory looking-out-the-tour-bus-window pic of an awesome digital board. Tough to see, but I'm sure you get the point. (also loving my new Casio Exilim camera - it's red!)



I also got to visit a few friends including one of only 2 media buyer buddies! He just started a new job (insert big name agency here) and now he gets to buy for some exciting clients. Feeling a little green. Just a little!

Also checked out the Met, saw Rent (and met the guy who played Mark), tooled around in Central Park, and almost got sold into white slavery in Chinatown while hunting for good, fake Prada. We ate a lot, drank a lot, and walked everywhere! It's always nice to get out of your everyday life if even for just one weekend :)

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Invention of the Year









Time Magazine has named YouTube "Invention of the Year." Reasoning is that the site has changed the way people use the web. Sorry, but as much as I love watching the incredible effects of mixing coke and mentos, I'm going to believe that at some point this year there was some wonderful medical breakthrough that is far more important than the site I use to kill time.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

If I were a guy, I'd wear Dockers

My roomie and I have seen this spot for Dockers like, a thousand times and it never gets old. We've determined that the man in this commercial is absolutely perfect. If we saw him, we'd want to meet him. If we met him, we'd want to date him. If we dated him, we'd want to marry him. Seriously, he makes even the pleated pants look good. The only bad part is that there is a kid and they are dressed alike. But I think many women would find that endearing. Basically, Dockers rocks and every guy should want to buy them...

another glass of red wine

A new study shows that obese mice injected with red wine extract are just as healthy as their leaner counterparts. What does this mean? It means that I will learn to love red wine and will continue to put ranch dressing on everything.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

cool agency

Check out the blog for 3 Advertising. I really like it - I feel like they communicate the personality of the agency really well. Slightly sarcastic, blunt and well spoken.