Posts Tagged ‘Christos Ellis’

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!

 

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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!

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Posted in Media, Mixed Nuts, Online Media, Social Media | 3 Comments »

My Little Pony Live: The World’s Biggest Tea Party

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

After stumbling across this video online the other day (whatever… I totally searched My Little Pony on YouTube), I would like to offer my marketing services to this spectacular off Broadway show.  In fact because I love those adorable My Little Ponies so much I will even work for free swag, and the opportunity to meet Rainbow Dash!

 

 

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Posted in 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

 

 

 

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Posted in Advertising, Brand Development, Media, Mixed Nuts, Online Media, Social Media | 2 Comments »

Befriending Old Man Winter

Friday, December 11th, 2009
Once again Old Man Winter has come back for a visit to Chicago.  Although it shouldn’t be a surprise, I must say his arrival always thoroughly shocks me.  As I walked out of my house and into -12 degree weather I was greeted by winter’s chokehold (I literally lost my breath for a second).  As a self proclaimed holiday Scrooge, I tend to feel and exude an overwhelming bahumbug attitude for the entire winter season.  So I walked back inside the house to grab my warmer coat, hat, gloves and scarf, and I reemerged into the cold with a warmer attitude for my old friend Old Man Winter.
These new warmer thoughts about the cold weather and the holidays lead to my seasonal resolution – I want to enjoy Chicago’s winter months as much as the summer.  As a Chicago native I feel it is time to get over being miserable in the winter, it’s either that or move to California (which crosses my mind daily)
In order to capitalize on my new found winter optimism I have created a list of activities (see below) that I am committing myself to trying this Chicago winter.  Feel free to join in and accompany me on my winter excursions, offer additional suggestions of must do’s, or offer tips and reviews for optimizing my fun.

 

 

 

Christos’ Magnificos list of Chicago winter activities:

  1. Have a glass, or several, of Glogg (mulled wine)  at a local establishment like Simons
  2. Ice skating at Millennium Park.  I have never ice skated so that should be interesting
  3. Lugeing at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex
  4. Take in a “fabulous” show maybe Christmas Follies from the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus   
  5. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights - Carols, animals, and lights…how could that be a bad time

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Posted in Mixed Nuts | 2 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)

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Jason Conway – Mario Lopez (cool hair like AC Slater and the token Latin of the team)

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Christos Ellis (myself) – Sean Hayes (think “Just Jack” and jazz hands)

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Libby Johnston – Lauren Conrad (OMG! braided hair and drama)

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Jerry Barone – Brad Garrett (pssh! Everyone Loves Raymond’s Brother!)

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Steve Srotir – Woody Harrelson (a cross between the movie King Pin and the show Cheers)

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Kayanna Nelson – Soleil Moon-Frye (circa the Punky Brewster days)

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Erik Smith – Jason Lee (The Mall Rats pooh chocolate scene explains a lot and the TV show Ed)

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HBO…We just need the opportunity to prove ourselves.

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Posted in Media, Mixed Nuts, Social Media, Traditional Media | 5 Comments »

Cheers Tanks! (an Irish thank you)

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

So I just came back from a 10-day vacation last week, and although it was rough to get back in to the groove of things I was certainly glad to be back in Chicago (my all-time favorite city in the world).  It was a great feeling to leave the country, which I hadn’t done in many years, to travel all around Ireland and to also visit Madrid in Spain.  It also felt really good to take my very first paid vacation.  In the three years since I have entered the workforce full-time, I had either worked freelance or had not accrued vacation time.  It made me realize being 25 may actually have a few perks, aside from cheaper car insurance (which does not apply for people like me who have been in several accidents).

 

Anyway, there were many highlights to the vacation. Madrid is a beautiful city, and all the buildings, parks, and people are gorgeous too!  Being there for three days really drove home the fact that I retained nearly none of my Spanish training and vocabulary. 

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Kissing the Blarney Stone

The Gates to Guinness

The Gates to Guinness

Ireland was picturesque, lush, and rainy.  I traveled all around the south of Ireland and soaked in the sights at the Cliffs of Moher, where the winds reached 100 KPH (see video for a good windy laugh).  I kissed the Blarney Stone on my touristy day, spent time with friends in Dublin, and of course… I drank A LOT of Guinness!  I even went for a tour of the factory, compliments of Philip, one of the many extremely nice and hospitable people we met in Ireland.

Okay back to Guinness.  I must say that this was definitely one of my all-time favorite tours.  A self guided tour all about beer…sounds good, but it gets better.  They have a sampling room and you even get a free beer at the end of the tour!  My other favorite part of the museum was the section discussing the progression of their marketing and advertising.  They also include all the bottle labels they have designed over time, which all showcase the famous logo.  Unlike many other large companies they have stayed true to their logo; there were very few changes made.  I guess the saying ”if it ain’t broken don’t fix it” really applies to this historic brand.  It was really interesting to see the brand at work.  Guinness has reached iconic status in Ireland.  The plot of land that the factory and buildings are housed on is miles-wide, and every single building is branded with the Guinness logo.  They have done a spectacular job of creating brand equity and customer loyalty among the Irish as well as all over the world.  The entire museum is one big advertisement and loyalty campaign. Another interesting bit of info — the founder believed in his product so much that he signed a 9,000 year lease for his property!2584_551213846357_48606897_33489108_1418734_n1

2584_551213826397_48606897_33489105_2627750_n1While I saw many things on my trip abroad, as a marketing professional, witnessing the quality and heritage of the Guinness brand, was a highlight that I had not expected to be so…. Refreshing!

 

Cheers tanks!

My Favorite Ad

 

 

 

 

 

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Confessions of a Facebook Addict

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Addicted To Facebook

After reading the article “Help I’m Addicted to Facebook!” by Tara Stiles, I started to think about how my life has been affected by social media.

I am not new to the phenomenon, and have actually had my Facebook account since my sophomore year of college.  In the 5+ years I have had my account, I would say that I have gone through several stages of the site architecture and levels of addiction.  Which seems to be typical for most Gen-Yers, like myself.  Many of my symptoms are similar to those addressed in Stiles’ article as well.

My addiction started off as a simple way to keep in touch with classmates and to learn more about the ones I hadn’t yet spoken to.  It soon transitioned into a way for me to post pictures and share them with friends. It made it so much easier to keep in touch with important people in my life who had moved away for school. 

As time went on and the network and its offerings grew, so did the amount of time I spent on the site.  I feel as though the Facebook beast really reared its ugly head when it introduced many of the new features novice users take for granted. The news feed, status updates, applications, video offerings, etc. have made it even harder to avoid the attractiveness of Facebook.

This is when marketers also started to take notice of the potential opportunities Facebook has to offer.  The options for marketers in the beginning were limited, but Facebook has finally tried to embed advertisements on the sly.  It has disguised them by making them gifts, part of the news feed, groups, etc.  This provides a great opportunity for us as marketers and for our clients as well. Although it also proves to be another way my Facebook addiction is manipulating and controlling my life!

Whether you are a user, hater, novice or addict like me, it is important to understand the significance Facebook has on popular culture, and for marketers it is important to learn how to blur the lines of content and advertising to maximize the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

My Top 10 Facebook Addiction Symptoms

  1. I have downloaded Facebook to my phone, which means I am ALWAYS connected
  2. I check my Facebook before I get out of bed in the morning (along with the weather and my horoscope… a bad combination of the three could mean I stay in bed all day!)
  3. Facebook creeping/spying has ruined my last 3 relationships (and caused many lapses in sanity)
  4. I work on the MSI Social Media Team.  My addiction has become part of my job… living the dream!
  5. I update my status at least 3-5 times a day
  6. Cocktails and Facebook don’t mix! (enough said)
  7. I have friends that are afraid to end relationships because of the inevitable barrage of questions they will have to answer after changing their relationship status on Facebook (by friends I mean me)
  8. Facebook is my homepage on my laptop
  9. I no longer say “CHEESE” when taking pictures, instead I say “Profile Picture”
  10. I wrote this post in PMS Facebook blue

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Posted in Brand Development, Mixed Nuts, Online Media, Social Media, Web Development | 11 Comments »

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