Marketing and all things related

Here’s an Aussie promotion idea we fear might just catch on in the states. Brewer Foster’s decided to create a talking action fear to promote their Victoria Bitter brand. The figure is David Boon, known to Aussies as a legendary cricket player. A plastic Boon, provided at point-of-sale for every two cases sold, rests atop a can of Victoria Bitter. When Victoria Bitter drinkers tune in TV broadcasts of the 2006 cricket season, the Boon figure automatically responds to signals embedded in the broadcast. Boon will comment on the action by saying "Looked out from here, ump!" or "Show us a replay of that!" There are 32 such phrases, which we believe would be very funny to hear—one time. 200,000 David Boon figures sold out in the first two weeks of the promotion. Oh, and you will not be surprised to learn that David Boon is legendary for more than cricket. Boon reportedly drank 52 beers on a flight from London to Sydney. Marketing Blurb fears a rash of can-topping trash talking rappers or other celebrities responding to signals from their own broadcasts. We can handle our own game commentary—thanks. Photo Credit: Advertising Age