Back-to-school feels like a New Year's celebration. From reading lists and shopping lists to haircuts and tennis shoes, the preparation for the start of a new school year buzzes with excitement. Which is why I absolutely loved it. Why I absolutely tuned out the rest of the year. Why no other day in the school year could possibly compare.
It's the only day I didn't have to hit the snooze button. The only day my mom didn't have to come into my room, throw my covers back and demand I get up. That first day held so much promise, so much hope and so much excitement - I couldn't wait to hit ... Read more...
Oh say can you see that since 1777, Americans have been shooting off and marveling at the rockets’ red glare of fireworks. Yet with all the years of experience, it hasn’t always gone so well.
Every Monday after Fourth of July weekend, remnants of bottle rockets and firecrackers litter lawns from sea to shining sea. Of those lawns, over 22,000 catch fire, causing $42 million in property damage.
Aside from those damages, fireworks grant nearly 7,000 people the chance to celebrate their independence in an ER waiting room. Laws –including the law of unintended consequences—can’t hinder our love for these things.
Clearly this is the home of the brave.
After learning his stepson, PFC Aaron Fairbairn, died in Afghanistan, David M. Masters took his grief to Twitter. He challenged Tweeters to make “#thankyouaaron” a Trending Topic.
Within hours, “#thankyouaaron” tweets poured through. Some users called out their own individual heroes while other users thanked all of our armed forces.
Together, they landed “#thankyouaaron” on the Trending Topic list along side the other big news nugget of the weekend: Michael Jackson’s funeral.
This past Memorial Day, Trending Topics of “#happymemorialday and “#memorialday” filled tweets worldwide. Among the BBQs, boating and gatherings, Americans still took time out of their day to remember. Even if it was in just 140 characters.
Probably not, but I know someone who can: Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti from Chicago, IL showed off his speed eating skills at La Costeña’s Fifth Annual “Feel the Heat” Jalapeño Eating Championship Challenge and once again became the champion by eating 275 jalapeños in eight minutes! This exciting and heated challenge brings together the top professional eaters of the world, including the much-anticipated rivalry between “Deep Dish” and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas.
The Championship has been known to be the most grueling of all eating challenges. And for the first time, three local amateur eaters were selected to represent San Antonio and try to win the grand prize of ... Read more...
Once upon a time, I read Peggy Ornstein’s Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture. And it got me thinking; maybe these Disney Princesses got a bad rap.
While the 26,000+ Disney Princess SKUs make it a bit difficult to grow up a tomboy today, Disney’s not to blame. Marketers can’t be faulted for making what sells. But they can be challenged to think outside that perfectly wrapped, pink box when developing products and messaging for young girls.... Read more...
It’s the largest civic observance in the world. And since 1970, it happens every year on April 22: Earth Day.
As we commemorate another day for the planet, Seventh Generation begins their Green Your Town, Denver tour in Colorado. Seventh Generation inspires consumers to be more conscious of the impact their decisions leave for the next seven generations. They are determined to create positive change towards a sustainable world.
We took note of these ideals and values to create an aligned campaign with Seventh Generation’s pledge and mission to the environment.
We’re using only FSC-certified printers for collateral and paying for our carbon offsets after driving around town. The event site includes reclaimed wood and ... Read more...
Remember your Econ or Social Science classes where they talked
about the Law of Unintended Consequences? Turns out the law was on the books back in 1935 when, historians tell us, Spring Break was born.
It began as a conditioning program for men of the Colgate University swim team, a way to keep them in shape over the winter break. One kid’s Floridian father suggested they train in the spankin’ new municipal pool in Fort Lauderdale.
Today it represents more than a rite of spring; it’s a rite of passage that has seen crowds of over 200,000 descend on beaches like Daytona. It’s become high tide for marketers, with everybody from the ... Read more...
Many walked around Michigan Ave, Santa Monica and Central Park during the holidays to find somewhat of a surprise, a gift if you may. What used to be vacant spots were now turned into the ultimate PlayStation gaming lounge. Bold signage invited consumers of all ages, even celebrities, into the space, creatively named the PlayStation HQ. Trendy white couches, vivid lighting, engaging emcees and large crowds tempted consumers to get the controllers in their hands to test out PlayStation’s new gaming system: The PlayStation Move.
We’re taking experiential marketing to the next level by not only putting the brand in people’s hands, but now putting it in front of them on their ... Read more...
Snooki or The Situation? Pirate or Doctor? Seems like there are a lot of tough decisions come Halloween time. Perhaps the biggest of them all is deciding what to wear or what party to attend for a young adult night of fun and mischief.
The candy’s still involved, but don’t expect to see these young adults traveling home to home to trick or treat as we are so often used to celebrating the holiday with the kids. Halloween has now become a playground for adults. With the increase in sales with confectionery candies, these young adults are spending high amounts on costumes and we have seen costume stores pop up around the area ... Read more...
I remember my first day of sixth grade. I had my NKOTB lunch box ready to go along with a matching trapper keeper and an endless supply of #2 mechanical pencils. As the school bus rolled up I realized that summer was over and it was time to get back into gear. Even now, a good two decades after that memorable bus ride, I still get nostalgic whenever I see those few select items Read more...
