While I may not post as regularly here on MarketingBlurb as I used to, I will ocassionally provide updates.  There is also the possibility that MarketingBlurb will re-emerge and could be updated more regularly again in the future.

In the meantime, please visit me on my other blogs and websites:

• Brandcurve - all about branding and marketing
• Everyday Marketer - all about small business marketing
• Women On Business - for women working in the field of business
• Corporate Eye - I contribute corporate branding content here
• About.com Guide to Web Logs - all about blogging
• PlayLibrary - all about children's toys, books, games and more
• The Disney Traveler - all about Disney theme parks and resorts around the world
• And of course, you can always find me and contact me through my website, www.SusanGunelius.com.

Next up, the green Dell PC.  The new eco-friendly Dell Studio Hybrid is energy efficient and comes packaged in less material, most of which is recyclable.  It's also 80% smaller than the PCs consumers are used to seeing.  But that's not all!  You can pick your new Dell Studio Hybrid's case, available in a variety of earthy finishes like bamboo, quartz, and sapphire.  Just what you always wanted, right? 

Kudos to Dell on making a more energy efficient PC, but did they have to go so over the top with the groovy finishes?  I'm laughing at the copy on the Dell website that says, "because sleeves are available in 6 colors or Bamboo, you know it’ll match your sense of style."  It just seems hokey.

What do you think?  Will Dell succeed with all of its new initiatives?  Which "sleeve" finish are you going to get your new Dell Studio Hybrid in?

There are about 300 Bennigan's restaurants, and approximately 80-100 are franchise locations.  According to the Chicago Sun Times, some of those franchise locations will remain open. 

It's a shame to see so many companies that have been around for so long struggle and fail these days.  Of course, much of Bennigan's demise could probably be blamed on poor marketing strategy over the past decade when competition grew fierce, but nevertheless, as a consumer, it makes you wonder if companies like Bennigan's could have survived under different economic conditions.

What do you think?

Part of the Dell marketing strategy to connect with customers is through the use of the social web.  Dell has launched promotional campaigns through social networking sites like Facebook and according to an article on The Register, "Dell recently generated $500m revenues off Twitter by using the microblog service as a sales channel."

In addition, Dell has launched blogs and now communicates with customers through those blogs as well as online forums. Last year, Dell was in the spotlight (and not in a good way) across the blogosphere.  It was in response to that negative PR that the company began using its Direct2Dell blog as a customer communication channel.  It does look like they're trying.  Is it working yet?  What do you think?

It appears the enhanced Facebook partnership should help Microsoft, in terms of search market share.  Facebook reportedly reaches 37 million unique visitors per month.  According to the Mediaweek article, Microsoft will place a Live Search box on thousands of Facebook pages by the end of 2008 which should drive additional search traffic from those pages.

Advertising on Facebook might not work as well though.  So far, no one has been able to harness the power of social networking to drive advertising revenue.  Will Microsoft figure out how to do it with Facebook?  So far they've had little success with their deal with MySpace.  We'll have to wait and see.

What do you think?

Coming from a financial marketing background, I can't say I'm surprised by this shift in strategy.  Just as we saw in subprime lending, the bottom had to fall out eventually.  Looks like the time has come.  Only time will tell if others follow Chrysler's lead and abandon leasing as well.  The question is - is this strategy change coming too late to save U.S. auto companies that are losing money quarter after quarter?

What do you think?

This is very reminiscent of the creative use of ambient media advertising created for DHL on escalators in Hong Kong. 

The Oreo ad was created by Draft FCB in New York and represents a perfect example of how ambient media doesn't have to be in your face to attract attention and create a buzz.

What do you think?

While I'm sure Young's comments won't have an immediate impact in the popularity of iPods, MP3s and the companies that deliver them such as Apple, but it will draw attention to his plight to improve the quality of sound they deliver.  Perhaps in time, we'll see a shift in consumer demand from convenience to quality likened to the shift from LPs to CDs or VHS to DVD and so on. 

Neil Young has a point.  Will consumers hear him and demand better?  Will Apple and other providers listen?

What do you think?

In a nutshell, this television commercial is wrought with advertising don'ts.  In fact, there are so many don'ts that I don't know where to begin.  Rather than my creating a very long list, I'll leave it up to you.  Take a look at the commercial below then leave a comment and tell MarketingBlurb readers what you think.

The list of the top 100 female bloggers included in this list was compiled using Google, Technorati and Alexa rankings.  It's not a perfect science, but it's still a great way to showcase female bloggers and introduce people to new blogs.  Take a look at the list when you have a moment!

As a female blogger, I love to see other women being recognized for their blogging efforts.  That's one of the reasons I created my own list of businesswomen bloggers on my personal blog, Women On Business.  There is no ranking system in my Business Women Bloggers Directory, rather it's simply a single portal to find a variety of business-related content from businesswomen and a great place for businesswomen to network.  Stop by when you can!

Every company wants a chance to expand its presence in China where over 1 billion people reside.  While many global brands already have a stronghold in Chinese cities, they want to get a bigger piece of the pie and still more companes are trying to get their feet in the door. 

The primary messages used in Olympic-related ads from global brands seem to say little more than, "we love you China."  Chinese athletes are often featured, including hurdler Liu Xiang who has appeared in 16 different branded commercials.

It makes you wonder why these companies couldn't come up with an original concept or message to speak to the Chinese audience.  With so many sponsors and such a big advertising investment, will any brand actually stand out from the crowd?

What do you think?

What the heck is a Unity Bottle you ask?  According to a press release that Coke sent to me, it's an, "inspiring symbol of unity and cultural collaboration."  Here's another gem from the press release, the, "Coca-Cola Unity Bottle symbolizes the global harmony of the Games."  The Unity Bottle was designed by Yao Ming and LeBron James, at least that's what Coke claims in the press release, and it appears that an actual Unity Bottle was created that measures 2-meters.

Guess what?  You can even design your own Coke bottle by visiting Coca-Cola's "Design the World a Coke" interactive tool.  Sounds similar to the Pepsi (NYSE: PEP) online contest held in December 2007 that invited people to design a Pepsi can using their interactive tool for a chance to win $5,000).

What do you think?  Is a Coca-Cola Unity Bottle too over the top and borderline cheesy or do you like it?

And in case you want to see it, here's the Yao Ming and LeBron James Coca-Cola commercial:

My first reaction - Wal-Mart is stepping out of its comfort zone and extending beyond consumers' expectations for its brand with this one.

According to a post on the Direct2Dell blog, the Solution Station by Dell in the Dallas Wal-Mart store offers, "home television installation, PC set-up, wireless network set-up, computer upgrades, services designed to protect computers and in-home training. Wal-Mart customers in the test locations can also sign up for basic computer support and repair for their laptops and desktops." 

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GM plans to cut white collar jobs, eliminate health benefits for retirees over 65, cut truck production by 150,000 trucks this year and next, sell more assets, and cut quarterly dividends.  GM will also be reviewing sponsorships such as motor sports events to determine where additional cuts can be made.  On top of all that, GM plans to cut its core advertising and marketing budgets just when they're needed most. 

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I particularly love the taglines from the ads for TruBlood such as:

• "All flavor. No bite."
• "Suck on this"
• "Real blood is for suckers"
• "Friends don't let friends drink friends"

There is even a website dedicated to the TruBlood beverage.  When you visit the website, you even have to select your birthdate just as you would with a site that markets alcoholic beverages, but instead of inputting your birth year, you're asked for your birth century.  Once you enter the site, you can view information about the different Tru Blood beverage products.  For example, check out the copy for Type B:

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