Brandeo is an online marketing resource that cuts through the clutter to update you on the need-to-know marketing ideas and insights that help build brands and increase sales.
Fashion's current retro trend is at least partly due to the economic downturn, which has made consumers hanker for authenticity and heritage, so they can be sure that what they buy has lasting value.
Facebook is working on a mobile phone to counter the increasing power of the iPhone and Android platforms and the long term competitive threat to its apps. The company wants to integrate deeply into the contacts list and other core functions of the phone. Techcrunch 9/19/10
A Florida entrepreneur is relaunching the Commodore computer brand. Products include an update of Commodore's once popular C64 model, the former high-end Amiga brand and its AIO (All-in-One) computers in a keyboard.Commodore declared bankruptcy in 1994. BrandFreak 9/17/10
SYMS Corp, owner of Filene's Basement, has unveiled three new stores in Manhattan, Westchester County and Long Island with the mashup name fbSY (pronounced fib-see.) The company says the name makes sense in the age of Twittering and text messaging. Name Wire 9/17/10
As part of a new, externally focused, customer-centric mission to actively promote the local marketing platforms and solutions that local stations have to offer, the 57-year-old Television Bureau of Advertising is replacing its “Serving America’s Television Stations” tagline with “Local Media Marketing Solutions” and rebranding itself as TVB. TVB.org 9/16/10 via NYTimes.com
Ford is running a combined print and mobile campaign for its 2011 Edge crossover in The New York Times that includes 2D barcodes in print ads providing mobile users with access a selection of Times articles on technology and style intended to appeal to tech-savvy prospective Edge buyers. MediaPost 9/16/10
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA), the makers of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), has asked the FDA to rename their product "corn sugar.” The CRA says HFCS is no worse for consumers than other sugars, but has been linked to obesity. Name Wire 9/15/10
Oprah Winfrey topped her 2004 Pontiac car giveaway by giving the 300 members of her 9/13 studio audience on an eight-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Sydney, Australia, in December. Oprah is promoting her premiere week, her 25th and “farewell season.” NYTimes.com 9/13/10
Walmart (WMT) has launched Walmart Family Mobile powered by T-Mobile, a new brand of post-paid cell phone service that offers monthly post-paid plans without a contract or multi-year commitment. It will be sold in nearly 2,500 Walmart stores. Marketwatch 9/13/10
AT&T and Verizon -- are on the brink of a major pilot project to test the use of smartphones as credit cards in up to four cities. Knowledge@Wharton 9/15/10
35% of U.S. adults have software applications or “apps” on their phones, yet only 24% of adults use those apps. Many adults who have apps on their phones, particularly older adults, do not use them, and 11% of cell owners are not sure if their phone is equipped with apps. But an apps culture is emerging among some cell phone users, particularly men and young adults. This 46 page report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project and Nielsen examines the current apps market.
Currently one in every five computing devices can receive mobile app advertising, but number will triple to three in five devices by 2015. MediaPost Publications 09/20/2010
"Target, Toys R Us, Sears and Kmart are just a few of the big retailers that have launched mega-sales in recent weeks to tempt increasingly cost-conscious shoppers to their stores. This phenomenon -- known as the seasonal sales shift, or "Christmas creep" -- is not new. But in today's uncertain economic climate, it has bigger implications than ever -- both for the retail sector's growth strategies and for consumer spending habits, say Wharton and other business experts." Knowledge@Wharton 8/18/10
ConAgra Foods’ frozen meals brand Marie Callender’s is presenting mealtime as a respite from the day's worries in a campaign themed "Time to Savor" that portrays the brand's products as comfort food. Adweek 8/29/10
Asian models have been added to represent the brands of Estee Lauder and Maybelline to appeal to the fastest-growing market in the world. SifyNews 8/28/10
A study of YouTube videos for tobacco brands including Marlboro, Benson and Hedges and Winston, says most had pro-tobacco content, using themes like celebrities and movies, sports, music or archival footage (such as an ad using the Flintstones smoking Winston cigarettes), and noted that some videos seemed to be professionally made. A World Health Organization treaty requires participating countries to ban all forms of tobacco advertisements and sponsorships but YouTube is a user-generated site that is not regulated for content control. Pagingdrgupta.com 8/27/10
Federal regulators are looking at Google Inc.'s plans to buy travel technology company ITA Software Inc., which could position Google to compete with travel brands Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz. Huffingtonpost.com 8/27/10
Two teenagers are suing Facebook, claiming their names and images were sold to advertisers without parental permission as part of a Facebook feature that allows members to ‘like’ a service or product. Facebook broadcasts likes to the user's friends. Huffingtonpost.com 8/27/10
Apple has set the date of its next "big announcement" for Sept. 1. Speculation is that the company will unveil a cloud-based music service. Brandweek 8/27/10
Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand plans to launch its first performance sub-brand in December, a version of its G coupe, to compete with BMW's M-series, Cadillac's V-series and Mercedes-Benz's AMG. Detroit Free Press 8/26/10
Japanese fast-fashion brand Uniqlo has named Charlize Theron and Orlando Bloom global brand ambassadors for its new “Made For All” philosophy. The company’s new tagline, emphasizes its commitment to provide clothing for everyone, regardless of nationality, age, occupation or gender People 8/26/10
Google has rolled out the “Call Phone” feature to all US Gmail users enabling them to call people directly on their phones. The service is free for calls in the US and Canada for the remainder of 2010. Gmailblog 8/26/10
RIM falls to 17-month low as India plans to ban BlackBerry messaging services Aug. 31 unless RIM resolves concerns the smart phones could be used for terrorist attacks or other illegal activities. Bloomberg 8/26/10
Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Co. are recalling 1.3 million 2005-2008 model vehicles because of engine stalling complaints. Autonews.com 8/26/10
Tiffany & Co. is launching a collection of handbags in a dozen U.S. stores on Sept. 1.The move will help Tiffany to drive sales through accessibly priced goods while maintaining the brand’s luxury image. WSJ.com 8/26/10
GM is launching the Chevrolet Cruze in September. As part of GM’s effort to achieve long term profitability the Cruze will be priced higher than previous compacts. WSJ 8/26/10
Four Points by Sheraton has reached a milestone of 150 properties in 24 countries.The Four Points’ brand positioning of “uncomplicated comfort” and value has helped the brand become one of the fastest growing brands within the Starwood portfolio. MarketWatch 8/25/10
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. plans store closings and layoffs in the wake of weaker margins, higher overhead and losses related to its failed Martin + Osa chain. The company points to inconsistent business trends and unpredictable consumer behavior as contributors to losses. WSJ 8/25/10
McDonald’s has named Steve Easterbrook evp, global chief brand officer, a new position at the fast-food giant. Reuters 8/24/10
Sweet ‘N Low is introducing a new campaign to relaunch the brand to consumers and differentiate it in an increasingly crowded category. NYTimes 8/23/10
UFC star Chuck Liddell is shooting "The Way of the Brisk" (as in Lipton Brisk) when "Tiny Chuck," a puppet with lots of brawn and no brains destroys the set. Very funny---but it does make me wary of puppets.
