Media « Marketing Support Inc.

Archive for the ‘Media’ Category

More Flags. More Fun?

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Six Flags is once again running their Mr. Six ads for the summer season. I guess to some people the Mr. Six character, developed in 2008 by Six Flags and Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, could be classified as an icon to the Six Flags brand. I disagree…my Fun-O-Meter is at a negative ten with the introduction of the newest ad campaign. Just when I thought this campaign could not be any more over the top (which is saying a lot when your commercial blasts a Venga Boys song and a creepy old man with scary dance moves), it just got creepier and more insane. Now there is a tiny old man dancing with the original old man. I don’t understand why the people at Six Flags think it is funny, and how that could ever translate to more fun at a theme park. I believe the average height for getting on rides is somewhere around 48” which will probably leave the new Little Six character hanging around the carnival rides. Not sure how high that will rate on the Fun-O-Meter! In the end I don’t wonder if the ads really translate into dollars for Six Flags, but I would still like to personally thank Six Flags for the memories, fun times, and the nightmares. Ok, I’m done venting on annoying commercials for today!

Tags: Chris Ellis, Christos Ellis, Little Six, marketing support inc, Mr. Six, msi, Six Flags
Posted in Advertising, Brand Development, Media, Mixed Nuts, Social Media | 2 Comments »

Betty White to Host SNL (please?)!

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

A few months ago I received in invitation to become a friend of the group Betty White to Host SNL (Please?)! on Facebook. Normally I automatically hit ignore for these types of Facebook invitations. Once you become a fan or friend of a page like this the never ending messages and reminders to take action promptly begin and never seem to end. However, this campaign was completely different. The creator of the page, a 29yearold man from San Antonio, watched the number of people friending his page increase way past his goal of 5,000 people. The group, which became viral, ended up collecting over 514,000 friends, without annoying its members with messages and reminders. This is a prime example of how to utilize Facebook or other social media outlets to generate a huge buzz for your brand without spending a lot of money (and not annoying or alienating your audience in the process).

This Saturday, the efforts of this viral campaign came to fruition when Betty White hosted the show, to rave reviews. I recorded the show on my DVR, and my family and I watched the episode Sunday afternoon as part of our mother’s day festivities. Although a little inappropriate at times, Betty did an amazing job (my favorite skit from the night is below) which is why I joined the group Betty White to Host the Oscars. I figure…why not!

Tags: Betty White, Betty White to Host SNL (Please?)!, Christos Ellis, Facebook, SNL
Posted in Media, Mixed Nuts, Online Media, Social Media | 1 Comment »

Ey Oh! The phenomenon known as Jersey Shore

Monday, January 11th, 2010

A few weeks ago MTV premiered a new “reality” series about young self proclaimed Guidos and Guidettes, that appear to have been rejected from Real World casting auditions, called “The Jersey Shore.” I must say that previews for this awesomely bad show had me intrigued from the very beginning, and as the season continues I get more excited for each episode. Not only has the show given MTV another hit reality show, but the cast and the lifestyle portrayed has become a marketing force with in both interactive and traditional media channels.

Although big name advertisers like Dell and Domino’s Pizza have pulled their ads from the shows time slot, it appears that many nontraditional forms of marketing are capitalizing on the show’s popularity. From blog posts, quotes, to Facebook Applications such as “Jersey Shore Name Generators” and viral videos here - are some of my favorite Jersey Shore marketing materials.

Facebook added an application that would produce your Jersey Shore nickname. Some of the more popular names from the show being Mike “The Situation” and Nicole “Snooki.” I tried the generator out and it provided me the nickname Christos “The Sausage Party” Ellis.

Take the quiz for yourself

*note you may need to login to Facebook

Chicago’s local free news paper The Red Eye has several blog posts regarding the show. My favorite being ‘Vote for best fist-pumpin’ “Jersey Shore” quote - Part 5, which is a weekly recap of the episodes including an area to vote for your favorite quote of the week.

My favorite quote so far would have to be from DJ Pauly D where he explains how to battle to house music with fist pumps, he says “It’s like we beat up that beat!”

The new movie Youth and Revolt actually marketed their movie in ads that ran on MTV starring the Jersey Shore cast and actor Michael Cera. The cast gives Michael lessons and tips on how to be a Guido.

Watch for yourself

Tags: Christos Ellis, Jersey Shore, msi, MTV
Posted in Advertising, Brand Development, Media, Mixed Nuts, Online Media, Social Media | 2 Comments »

In the Now… Magazines and Billboards

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

There are a few interesting things that I have come across that I would like to share with you.

There has been a lot of conversation about the print industry and the death of magazines as we know it. In actuality there were as many new launches in 2008 as there had been in the previous 5 years and the number of magazines that have folded has also not exceeded the norm but what has happened is that magazines touting the electronic age are seeing their numbers shift…think of it as “The Last Geek Standing”. Once the darlings of the newsstand, computer magazines are becoming an endangered species. Since January the two top publications in this genre PC and Computer Shopper have moved entirely online and many of the video game books have disappeared entirely.
One of the new innovations on the media landscape is the digital billboard. We have all seen these electronic wonders where there is motion and new creative. Each board has 3 different advertisers and changes about every 6-7 seconds….well not everyone thinks this is so great. California has placed a three year moratorium on the construction of new boards including the conversion of existing boards. Be honest - when you are on the highway and you see one of these signs don’t you slow down to see what the next message will be? Municipalities are concerned that this is a traffic hazard and can cause accidents. In this age when there are already so many distractions for drivers, why add another potential disruption? Two studies will be done this year to determine the effects digital billboards have. One will be done by the American Association of State Highway transportation Officials and the other by the Federal Highway Administration. It will be interesting to see the results. From an advertiser’s perspective - you now have to share the limited time you have with two other advertisers.

Tags: billboards, magazines, Sue Ortner
Posted in Media | No Comments »

Ads, mags and media! Oh, my!

Friday, May 8th, 2009

As someone that has been intimately involved in the media world for over 35 years I have seen many changes, innovations and challenges in trying to reach that elusive customer of your product - be it B-B or consumer. I have always been fascinated by the ways researchers have tried to dissect and analyze the various marketplaces and come up with the next “BIG IDEA”.

When I started in this business (back when the dinosaurs roamed) there were generally only 3-4 TV stations per market and newspapers were read by everyone. If a prime time TV show did not get at least 30% of the available audience if was cancelled. Now if a show gets 12% it is considered a hit. Fragmentation has greatly changed the media landscape and the internet has reached into almost every household in some form or another. If we don’t get our news, entertainment and answers immediately we are frustrated and unfulfilled. As someone so aptly said “we all live in a microwave society”.

What I would like to offer you readers out there is my take on all the news that comes across my desk regarding media and try to take the most interesting, relevant and exciting tidbits that I see and give you a peek into the world of media. Please join my ride and you are sure to have some great cocktail party tidbits to throw out there. I would love get your comments as to what you think is interesting and important and what you think is crap. Stay Tuned!

Tags: guest blogger, Media, Sue Ortner
Posted in Media, Mixed Nuts | No Comments »

NBC’s The Office…How About The Agency

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Best Week Ever is not only one of my favorite shows to watch, but is also one of the blogs I read often. Along with Best Week Ever, I am also a huge fan of the Office! I watch The Office almost every Thursday, and I usually record the show on my DVR and watch it again. I must say that I disagree with the commentary from Dan Hopper’s Best Week Ever blog post titled “Parks and Recreation Premiere: Is the Office Speaking Cadence Played Out?” I think like all good shows, they are starting off setting up the characters etc. and slowly getting us addicted! In regards to the discussion Hopper brings up about the rhythm and timing of the language… trust me it never gets old. The lingo from The Office has actually crept into my everyday vocabulary. I can’t even count the amount of times that a “that’s what she said” comment is thrown out during a conference call or meeting. Although slightly inappropriate, it always gets a laugh!

The new Office spin off is Parks and Recreation. I use to work at the park district in my hometown, which is where I met my roommate of 5 years. She actually still works there, so I am privy to top secret information regarding water parks, children’s programs, and of course the ever entertaining classes for seniors! Regardless after watching the show I think it is eventually going to be as popular as The Office, and I actually like the fact that the shows are written similarly, I know sometimes more of a good thing isn’t always good, but in this case I think it is(That’s what she said)!

So among many of the employees here at MSI we have discussed several times about how hilarious a show called the agency would be. Considering the amount of real life “characters” that work here, The Agency would be an instant hit! With the right cast and writers from The Office I think we would be killing other shows in the ratings! Although I do see us as more of a HBO show! I decided to get working on the casting for the show, starting with the team I mostly work on… The Sam’s Club Team!

Victoria Van Dusen - Reese Witherspoon (a mixture of Legally Blonde and Walk the Line)