Marketing and all things related

Forget Olympic Gold and think a tall frosted glass of Miller beer. That’s what NASCAR fans over 18 years old are thinking about right now. Here’s the deal. If Miller-sponsored Kurt Busch takes the checkered flag in his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge at the Daytona 500 this weekend, 500 lucky fans will each win a year’s supply of beer. The promotion is aptly called “When Kurt Wins, You Could Win.” Race and beer fans of legal age can register at www.millerlite.com by February 19th. Winners will be chosen at random from registered entries.

"I was already psyched to take the green flag Sunday and get going in my first race in that famed Miller Lite car," said Busch. "But now, knowing I can help 500 fans win big also, I can't wait to get out on the track. I know the folks in Milwaukee have the big copper brew kettles ready to roll."

Marketing Blurb loves beer as much as the next pundit—but—we believe awarding alcohol as a promotional prize, and especially a large quantity of alcohol, is an inappropriate and misguided idea. Such a prize is also inconsistent with the industry effort to foster responsible drinking. The damage is already done, but sorry Kurt and Miller--we hope you lose this race.

Pokemon USA is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary from March 10 through May 14 at the Houston Space Center. Don’t ask Marketing Blurb why the Space Center is now a promotional venue, but fans of the pocket monster franchise... Continue Reading

Here’s late breaking news from Promo Magazine we’re sorry we missed. Baskin-Robbins is offering free ice cream! But here’s the catch. You need to show up at one of their stores by today, dressed as cupid. Those who don convincing... Continue Reading

The famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition is about to hit the newsstands. But over the years this popular page-turner has morphed into an outrageous franchise. According to The New York Times (free registration required) fans can also view the bikini... Continue Reading

Get ready for Curious George mania. Next Friday, Universal Pictures is releasing Curious George, an animated movie based on the world-famous character of children’s literature since the 1940s. Universal Pictures holds the Curious George license, and the inquisitive monkey already... Continue Reading

Okay, all you arm-chair quarterbacks—fess up. Your secret dream is really not pro football—you’ve always wanted to complete in the Olympic Games. Well, if you’re not able to compete with Olympians, at least you can train with Olympians. And that... Continue Reading

About five years ago, the diamond industry realized that affluent single women were purchasing their own right-hand diamond rings. (After all, why wait for some lunkhead guy to figure out what you want?) The Diamond Trading Company launched a brilliant... Continue Reading

Face it, shopping for groceries is a battle. Fortunately, the point-of-purchase experts of the industry have conditioned us to salivate on cue for end caps, dump displays and self talkers. But now the shelf talkers actually talk—and show you video... Continue Reading

Late last year, America Online took the plunge, and launched their own web-based portal at Aol.com to compete with MSN, Yahoo! and others. The move was intended to offer advertisers a new high traffic venue. Since then, AOL has been... Continue Reading

Marketing Blurb loves Valentines Day. Fortunately, our wife shuns expensive flowers and candy or a night on the town. (Our girlfriend, on the other hand, insists on a candlelight dinner at an over-priced crowded restaurant.) But if you tire of... Continue Reading

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think pop music? Well, it is unlikely that Wal-Mart makes your short list. But, the retail giant is launching Wal-Mart Soundcheck, an in-store and online promotion of original music. In... Continue Reading

Okay, here’s a confession. Marketing Blurb does not frequent bars. A glass of wine at home with the wife is far more relaxing. But that aside, if we did hit the bars, we would likely order a Heineken. And since... Continue Reading

Face it, grocery shopping is a pain. Black belt grocery shoppers enter the store with a list and coupons in hand; zip through for specials and staples, and they’re out the door. The rest of us stroll through leisurely through... Continue Reading

Let’s say you want to market a truck. Before your agency hires that commercial production crew, ask yourself a simple question. Hasn’t the world seen enough tough muddy truck commercials? So why not get street smart like Chevrolet and sponsor... Continue Reading

Okay, folks—you learn something new everyday. And today, Marketing Blurb learned that--according to an unsubstantiated source--there are more Super Bowl parties than New Year’s Eve parties. And after the Big Game, some 1.4 million adults call in sick to the... Continue Reading

There is plenty of fresh air in Vermont—residents and tourists love the place. And if you are Jason Aldous, of the Vermont Department of Tourism, here is how your market your brand: “take the brand out for a walk and get... Continue Reading

Marketing Blurb loves Starbucks coffee as much as the next guy (okay, more than the next guy.) And we drink it black without any whipped nonsense. As such, next time we down a joe there, we are unlikely to buy... Continue Reading

Okay, let me come clean with a confession upfront. I am not a fan of text messaging. But I must concede text messaging is mainstream, especially for Gen X and Gen Y.  So consistent with their habits, Burger King is... Continue Reading

You know that television shows love to air dramas “ripped from the headlines.” So why not create commercials based on the headlines? Better still, why not dramatize a current event for a television episode, and then sell an advertisement based... Continue Reading