Happy Memorial Day Weekend, all! Please take a moment to read and share a special story about a beer, a bike, and a big heart. http://bit.ly/JqP5t1
New Coke, The McDLT, Pepsi Clear… we’ve seen big brands make some big blunders over the years. Now enter O.B. tampons. In case you missed this integrated campaign from earlier this year, I thought I’d take a moment to revisit.
First, I must freely admit that I’m not what you would call an expert in the world of feminine hygiene product marketing, nor would I fit the description of an O.B. target consumer. However, O.B. has caught my attention in a big way with this campaign, and I thought I’d share as it is one of the cleverest ways I’ve seen a company react to public outcry.
Apparently O.B. had made decision to discontinue their “ultra” product earlier this year not realizing how popular the product was among a very dedicated part of their core consumer. The backlash was such that O.B. was forced to admit the mistake, and started working hard to put O.B. ultra back on the store shelves.
To admit their error and to promote the fact that O.B. is listening to the consumer - O.B. issued an apology… and made the apology very personal.
Please click here to experience the apology for yourself. (Note to guys: enter a female name to enjoy the full scope of this integrated effort… males are not their target demo obviously).
Chuck Francis
remerge
Ever since I spent time with my new Kindle Fire over Christmas 2011, I’ve been fascinated to watch how Amazon is quietly expanding it’s reach with consumers and potential customers. I say quietly because when you compare headlines about Google, Facebook, and Amazon - the big G and FB are the news hogs.
However, while FB continues to tinker and change their main platform in the name of “creating a better experience” (aka “we’ve got an IPO coming up, so screw the actual FB user while we can cash in on this puppy”) - Amazon is expanding the users experience beyond their main platform.
Now Amazon introduces Amazon Studios - and they are shopping for original content from you! Ever dreamed of having your own TV series or producing your own movie? Well, Amazon wants to hear all about it. If they like it - they’ll give you $10K to take it to the next level. What’s the catch? You guessed it - Amazon gets a cut of the action through licensing, merchandise, etc.
So, while everyone continues to marvel about wonder-boy Facebook… I’d suggest you keep at least a casual eye on all the things the ‘seasoned vet’ Amazon is up to while flying happily under the radar.
Read more about Amazon Studios here.
Chuck Francis
remerge
The AP is reporting that computer users could lose their internet connections after July 9, 2012. Sound impossible to you? According to the report, the problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users.
But that system is to be shut down.
The FBI is encouraging users to visit a website run by its security partner that will inform them whether they’re infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won’t be able to connect to the Internet.
Check your system - you can visit the site referenced above at
http://www.dcwg.org/detect/
Story Source: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/world/53955984-68/infected-users-internet-computers.html.csp
Chuck Francis
remerge
Back in January I wondered aloud what the world would be like if some other big players entered the Tablet wars. (Long Tail of The Tablet) Well, it looks like someone at Google has been reading our blog! (kidding of course).
According to MediaPost (via the Verge)
…a device co-branded with hardware maker Asustek could reach consumers as early as July.
The report claims that Google is trying to pack a lot of horsepower into a bargain-priced frame in order to distinguish itself. The hardware specs include a Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU to deliver better performance than the dual-core processors driving lower-end tablets.
Verge reports that Google is trying to price its hardware at least on par with the most successful Android-based tablet to date, Amazon’s Kindle Fire. The Fire runs a “forked” version of the Google OS that keeps users within Amazon’s own walled garden of approved apps and billing system. The move underscores the growing competition between Google and Amazon for the second tier of the tablet market. Google’s recently revamped Android Marketplace, Google Play, now includes the eBooks, movie rentals and TV programming that mimics Amazon’s multimedia e-store.
So it looks as if the tablet wars will be heating up, eh?
Chuck Francis
remerge
