Brilliant Marketing Concepts

Free publicity at Avid Locals

Avid Locals is one of the best new places to add a listing if you are a local business or professional in the United States. Even though the site is new, there are already over 10,000 listings.

Professionals include real estate agents, insurance agents, and attorneys. Since each listing is designated to a local city or metro, small businesses have the same opportunity to compete with larger businesses. There is even a place for non-profit organizations.

Wondering what to do this weekend? Other categories on the site include things to do and events in your local area.

Each listing is free to add and works better than the competitors because it includes:

unlimited space to add text about your occupation, business, or event
a place to add all of your press releases or other announcements
ability to add many images
map integration
ability to have leads emailed directly to you
SEO optimized layout

We suggest that you give it a try today.

Famous Logos Carry Hidden Messages

Smart marketing makes us excited!

Some of the most famous brands are readily recognizable because of the money spent on impression branding. However, many of them include messages designed into lettering or other elements.

A smart logo can be memorable and very effective. Simple colors, clear messaging, and an easy-to-read design help tremendously.

Take a look at these logos and the explanations. You'll find them intriguing.

Here are some tips for logo design. A brand should take time to get a logo right for best results. A logo should be:

Simple
Memorable
Timeless
Versatile
Appropriate

One should pay attention to the following:

Color
Size
Dimension

Here are some example of top ranked logos.

Burger King to Dump the King

Finally! Burger King is going to drop the creepy King mascot. We hated that campaign character. He was so creepy that we would change the TV channel when he came on. We suspect that Burger King lost ground while the campaigns ran. Supposedly the marketing company won awards with the campaigns. We can't understand how they connected with any audience.

Supposedly, McDonalds and other chains performed much better compared to BK on a percentage basis. Oddly enough, it's interesting that McD dropped Ronald. Research is proving that their audience is not responding well to the characters and it has become necessary to make the changes.

We're glad to see him go. Let's see what's up next...

Barack Obama - Marketing Genius

Love him or hate him, President Obama is a marketing genius.

I saw my first 2012 Barack Obama campaign banner ad today - it was a simple ad from the First Lady asking you to sign his birthday card. Nothing big, no commitment, just fill out a simple form. Branding genius.

Why? Because it's a subtle reminder that he's back on the campaign trail and when he starts asking for donations and more active support, people will be ready for it. It's like dipping your toe in the water to see if it's cold vs. jumping right in.

Presidential campaigns are a great way to witness marketing strategies in action. It's very publicized, transparent, and has plenty of expert commentators bringing various things to your attention. Which states do they target? What methods are they using to brand themselves? What demographics are they going after?

In the last campaign, President Obama targeted the younger audience quite heavily, and I'm sure he's going to do the same this go-around. He spent millions on online advertising because that's where the younger generations get their information.

Please comment about the different ways the politicians are marketing themselves.

Milk Campaign Helping Men Deal with PMS Criticized

We're not sure about this one...The "Got Milk" campaigns dropped images, billboards, and a website themed around men dealing with PMS and how milk can reduce the symptoms. If the goal was to cause controversy, it worked. If it was to draw attention (negative if it may be) it did. If the objective was really to help alleviate the symptoms of PMS, we're not so sure...

Supposedly, a scientific study proposes a case for calcium. It poses that milk can help:

"Clinical trials in women with PMS have found that calcium supplementation effectively alleviates the majority of mood and somatic symtoms...strongly suggests that PMS represents the clinical manifestation of calcium deficiency..."

The Got Milk crew jumped on board and tried to add humor to the situation. Some (probably mostly men) found it clever and funny. Some (probably women) found it insensitive and demeaning.

Either way, the campaign has drawn attention.

Harry Potter's Box Office Records

It's been a busy weekend for Harry Potter fans, with the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise opening this past Friday.

So far, Harry has broken the overseas opening weekend record at $314M, more than $50M more than Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, who is now #2. This, of course, helped the movie break the worldwide opening weekend record at $483M. #2 is now Half Blood Prince at $394M. It is also the fastest movie to reach $500M, doing it in only 6 days. Transformers: Dark of the Moon was the previous record holder having done it in 9 days 2 weeks ago.

Other records include the top 4 day weekend (US only) at $187M beating The Dark Knight at $182M, the top 3 day weekend, and the all time opening day at $91M putting Twilight New Moon in 2nd place in that category.

This has helped move Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint into the top 25 actors based on Gross movie sales, pushing out Nicolas Cage, Sigourney Weaver, and Dustin Hoffman.

"Book of Mormon" goes to New York, Church Runs with Ad Campaign

The award-winning "Book of Mormon" Broadway musical hits New York. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints takes advantage of the increased interest and issues their own campaign. The campaign has run in a number of cities with significant success. However, the national acclaim brought by the musical provides significant free marketing opportunity. The church was quick to capitalize.

The LDS church is one of the best at marketing. Their Youtube and TV spots are genious. Their online presence is well established. They can quickly answer questions about the faith and even reach a human contact within a quick search or two.

Doctrine is readily available. It is tied to a very human feel as they present the message that Mormons are among us and they are great people.

Hats off to jumping on a great opportunity and doing it with class.

MasterChef Pulls a Quick One Over on His Audience

LOL. The MasterChef crew wanted a larger turnout at an event. They opted to Photoshop in duplicate crowd members to enhance crowd size. A number of viewers caught the faux paus.

Nothing like making an ego-driven Gordon Ramsay looks smaller than he portrays.

Check it out here.

"Fox admitted the photo was changed and says they won't use that shot anymore. It doesn't really affect anything (thousands probably did audition) but it's a fun gotcha for a show that takes itself so very seriously. "

Angelina Jolie Markets New Louis Vuitton

Turns out the piece in Angelina's photo shoot is not new but a past favorite (likely to come back). While that may be true, we love the photo piece. Striking. Intriguing. Engaging.

She opted for a natural look. Something extra was done to the photo because of some of her features. However, it is effective marketing.

"People are not used to seeing Angelina in this situation," Beccari says. "I like the fact that it's a real moment. This travel message we give through personal journeys is a fundamental one for the brand." He adds: "This campaign is about a very special person and a very special journey."

Jolie's faraway expression conveys her deep bond with the country: the actress and activist adopted her Cambodia-born son, Maddox..."

See the shot.

Tony Horton and Crew Are Marketing Machines

People are buying Tony Horton's products like crazy. As the pitchman, he has pushed in-home fitness to new levels.

P90X is a huge success. The 52 year-old gets his audience jazzed and motivates them to great results.

What's interesting, when they first started out, they couldn't get the programs to sell. Then, they decided to start adding home-made testimonials illustrating their 90 day results.

The early P90X infomercials bombed. But that changed when, at Mr. Daikeler’s urging, customers like “Dallas C.” and “Kristy M.” began sending in before-and-after pictures, now featured on the company’s infomercials and Web site. More than three million copies have been sold since then, with sales increasing every year through 2010 (they are currently running even with last year), company officials said.

Some times we're right there with our product and marketing efforts and all it takes is a tweak to reach the audience.

This is a great read.

Google, Twitter Add New Buttons to the Social Mix

Social icons are used to connect content and websites you like to your social profiles. A simple click can let your social network know what you find interesting and approve of.

Google and Twitter have added new buttons for web masters to add to their sites. Google added the "+1 button" and Twitter has added a "Follow" button. Even LinkedIn has added a "Share" button to join the movement.

More info on the new connection devices here.

Google explains it this way: "The +1 button is shorthand for 'this is pretty cool' or 'you should check this out.' Click +1 to publicly give something your stamp of approval. Your +1's can help friends, contacts, and others on the Web find the best stuff when they search."

Twitter's new button will let users follow a site "rather than just tweeting articles from it," Sullivan said. And on Twitter's blog, a staffer wrote that the "Follow" button is "a new way to discover and instantly follow Twitter accounts directly from the websites you visit everyday.

Microsoft Begins Marketing Windows 8

Microsoft has just unveiled its Windows 8 OS. It is different than what we're used to for a desktop. It feels like a device OS.

It feels like a wise shift for them as the OS market competition becomes more fierce. Watch and see what you think:

Make Money with Your Blog

Most blogs are personal and the audience is a simple sphere of influence. However, some bloggers have learned to make money and drive a significant income.

The key is to find something you love and know a lot about. Make a great design, find a way to monetize the site, and promote the asset.

The New York Times identified several blogs and web resources where the owners make significant income.

Check them out.

“People will pay for content if you offer them something of value that is authentic and is generally useful,” said Mr. Ta’eed, who said his two blogs together have 6.4 million visitors a month.

Batman - Dark Knight Rises Viral Marketing Launch

Batman - Dark Knight Rises is coming soon...but not soon enough. The hype is beginning and it is welcome by Batman fans all around. To launch their marketing campaign they nailed it with a viral move.

They launched a blank website. Clicking on a hidden image began a chant. A chant? Some geeks wondered if there was more to it and pulled the sound up in a sound editor. They found hidden instructions. Upon completion, the following image was revealed - Batman's nemisis to come: Bane played by Tom Hardy.

Awesome move!

Evan Longoria Viral Baseball Catch Video

Check out this video of Evan Longoria:

Supposedly, his lightning quick reflexes saved the unaware reporter during the interview. While it is certainly a spoof, we don't get who would put up the cash to make the spot without some branding effort. It has viral quality but there should be SOMETHING to identify with.

We decided we had to give it a 'brilliant' and 'not so brilliant' tagging. Idea great, missed opportunity dismal.

Entertaining spot none-the-less.

Apple Takes Over Google as World's Most Valuable Brand

According to Reuters:

"Apple has overtaken Google as the world's most valuable brand, ending a four-year reign by the Internet search leader, according to a new study by global brands agency Millward Brown."

Apple's extreme success in brand managment has pushed it to the top of the pile. It has finally overtaken Google as the brand to covet.

The brand is worth $153 billion representing around half of the company's market cap. It passed Microsoft last year and now Google.

Apple has bucked the trend and stood firm on pricing and quality, even in light of stiff competition from strong brands. They have a set an interesting standard in premium products.

Best and Worst Movie Posters of the Summer

There are some exciting movies coming out this summer. All are ramping up their movie marketing with releases of posters and trainers. Fortunately, Yahoo lists them out.

Check out the Smurfs poster. We agree with the caption. Looks like the poor famous blue creatures had a serious accident.

Big Photoshop Mistakes

Photoshop mistakes are very entertaining, unless you are responsible for them. Some of the best blunders can be very high-profile. We usually make mistakes when we're in a hurry.

Extra hand freaking you out?

Nice weight loss program...

Something's wrong with those pupils...

Cereal can change your skin color and remove your belly button...

Opponents are easier to play when they are headless...

Royal Wedding Spoof - T-Mobile Cashes in on Viral Spot

T-Mobile sets up a scene much like other wedding dance videos. The only catch - they cast royal look alikes for William, Kate, Prince Charles, and others. The video has taken off and become a viral hit. Smart move. Poke some fun at the royal hype and cash in on the event.

Ronald McDonald Brand Fading for McDonalds

McDonalds is trying to morph into a more upscale establishment. Ronald McDonald is likely to get pushed into the background.

The company will be changing the overall branding concept entirely trying to attract an audience similar to Starbucks.

"Amid intensifying concern over surging obesity rates, the chain has distanced itself from its fast-food origins, adding cafe-friendly items such as fruit smoothies and dolling up restaurants with free WiFi and padded seats. While the shift helped to revive sales growth last year -- McDonald's has credited McCafe coffee for revenue growth in six of the past seven quarters -- the new adults-only ambiance leaves little room for Ronald." Bloomberg

For those who don't like clowns, this may be welcome news...