Marketers in France are planning to beam location-specific ads to your phone via Bluetooth, the common short-range wireless transfer technology that’s now included in nearly every new cellphone, reports Reuters. Currently under consideration is just what sort of ad would be compelling enough to tempt consumers to opt in on such messages, since there’s no way advertisers can force you to accept Bluetooth communications.
advertising
By 9.14.07
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Canadian telecommunications giant Bell Canada is pulling down over 50 ads placed around parts of Toronto and Vancouver, because they show a woman wearing a button that reads “Belsen was a gas,” the title of a Sex Pistols song and a reference to the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen. The button is one of many the model wears, and the company says it was impossible to read during approval and proofing, and only became legible when blown up to billboard-size proportions. [Reuters and Free Republic]
Direct Buy: Pay $5,000 To Save?
By 9.14.07
Consumer Reports investigated wholesale shopping club “Direct Buy.” to see if the deals lived up to the commercials. They were unimpressed.
By 9.12.07
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Researchers find that shopping malls can encourage healthier “incidental activity” by placing signs next to stairwells that read, “Take the Stairs,” which caused a 190% increase in stair activity over three weeks. Or, just do what most the stores in NYC do and make sure at least one escalator is out of service at all times. [Reuters]
Attention: Starbucks Is Officially A Family Destination
By 9.12.07
Starbucks spokesman Brandon Borrman said there are still no plans to market specifically to children, and grown-ups need not worry that the Cartoon Network will be playing on the flat-panel screen of their neighborhood Starbucks anytime soon.
Deceptive Mortgage Advertising Language To Watch Out For
By 9.12.07
In an almost comical case of too little too late, the FTC wagged a big finger at deceptive mortgage ads Tuesday. Here’s some of the red-flag advertising language they warned consumers to watch out for:
By 9.6.07
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Vodkas may be tasteless, but perhaps none so more than Absolut New Orleans, whose profits will be donated to help rebuild the Ground Zero of the South. Tagline? “One Spirit Brings Back Another.” [Copyranter]
American Cancer Society Says Broken Health Care System Will Be "Bigger Killer" Than Tobacco
By 8.31.07
“I believe, if we don’t fix the health care system, that lack of access will be a bigger cancer killer than tobacco,” Mr. Seffrin [chief executive of the cancer society] said in an interview. “The ultimate control of cancer is as much a public policy issue as it is a medical and scientific issue.”
What's Up With All The "Special" Kinds Of Vodka?
By 8.31.07
Why are there so many different kinds of new vodkas, while brands of gin, rum and tequila stay the same?
FTC To Monsanto: Dairies' Hormone-Free Milk Ads Not Misleading
By 8.29.07
The FTC rebuffed chemical giant Monsanto’s request for action against dairies advertising their milk as being hormone-free, the Miami Herald reports.
Would You Let This Guy Pay You To Wrap Your Car In Ads?
By 8.27.07
We’d always heard rumors that there were companies that would pay you to wrap your car in their ads… but we thought it was a bunch of hooey. That’s right. Hooey. It’s not. There really are guys like Brian Morris of Pheonix, AZ who will pay you to wrap a big vinyl ad around your SUV.
Mortgages Are Disappearing But The Advertising Isn't
By 8.24.07
Even as lenders face bankruptcy and banks are closing down their mortgage divisions and cutting jobs, the advertising for subprime and non-conforming loans is still going strong. What’s the deal?
Facebook's New Ad System Will Target Users Based On Personal Information From Profiles
By 8.24.07
Like to tell the world your business on Facebook? Get ready for some heavily targeted ads. According to the Wall Street Journal, Facebook is working on a system that will use all of your personal information to target its ads. Currently, Facebooks advertisers are only allowed to target ads based on age, gender and location. The new system will consider things like favorite activities and preferred music, without exposing the data to advertisers.
Will Jessica Simpson, Donald Trump and Martha Stewart Convince You To Shop At Macy's?
By 8.24.07
Other celebrities in the campaign include Sean Combs, Kimora Lee Simmons, Russell Simmons, Marc Ecko, Emeril Lagasse, Tyler Florence, Tommy Hilfiger and Kenneth Cole. Some ads also feature Tim Gunn, co-host of the TV show “Project Runway.” The ads were created by WPP Group’s JWT.
Get Ready For YouTube Ads
By 8.22.07
Now Google believes it finally has found the formula to cash in on YouTube’s potential as a magnet for online video advertising and keep its audience loyal at the same time.
American Airlines Sues Google Over Trademarked Search Terms
By 8.20.07
American Airlines has sued Google over search terms that include words that American Airlines has trademarked. For example, if you search Google for “Aadvantage,” American Airline’s frequent flier program, Google will display a link to the program, but also show ads from competitors.
Time Warner To Launch Various Crippled DVR-esque Services
By 8.14.07
Time Warner is launching a service that works sort of like a DVR, but doesn’t let you fast-forward—or skip the ads.
