Time Warp: Doctor Who's U.S. Web Presence Could Use a Check-Up
Do you need a Doctor? If so, I'd suggest heading across the pond, because his online presence here is a little skimpy. I'm talking of course about "Doctor Who," the BBC's time lord who has gone through 10 different incarnations since his debut in 1963. ...
Late Show: A Few Last Minute Programming Notes
Residential mortgage investor Freddie Mac has funded the production of "Nuestro Barrio," a Spanish-language telenovela set to air on the new PBS-created V-me network starting June 1. In addition to focusing on the traditional soap opera themes of romance, jealousy and greed, the13-episode series will also serve as "edutainment," educating viewers on financial issues like money management, credit, homeownership, predatory lending and foreclosure prevention. ...
Kid Chic: KooKoo Bear Targets High-End Children's Furniture Market
All moms want their children's bedrooms to be special. For some, that means taking the tykes to Target and letting them choose between the Spider-Man, Dora or SpongeBob sheets. But for style conscious moms, that means outfitting the room in fully coordinated high-end furniture, bedding and accessories. These upscale mamas, who might not blink at spending $30,000 to deck the halls, are the target audience for Roswell, GA-based KooKoo Bear Kids. ...
Forget About Money – Kids Change Everything
Sure, there are oodles of events that alter your habits as a consumer. Graduating college, getting married, buying a pet, moving to a new city. But the big honkin' mother of all lifechanging events is, well, becoming a mother. Or a father, of course. ...
The Artless Dodge-r: Driving Kids Towards – Or Away From – The TV
Take note of two late-April television campaigns before you flip the calendar page: The first commercial is an extremely unfortunate ad for a Dodge Caravan minivan. Place your order before April 30 and the good folks at Dodge will include a built-in DVD player for the passengers in the back seat. The second spot – ...
Toddlin' Online: A Real Kid Surfs in Real Time
Kid-focused television networks like Noggin, Playhouse Disney and PBS offer online presences designed to engage, educate and entertain their preschool audiences. How well do they do their jobs? I enlisted my son Jacob, age 4, to put the sites to the test. One recent afternoon we sat down at my laptop, to see what piqued his interest. ...
Hey Kids! Tell Your Parents—More News!
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will offer a free entrée and beverage to parents dining with school aged children today, April 26, in honor of national "Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day."...
And Now For Something Completely Different: VisitBritain Launches New Tourism Campaign
Tired of the same old thing in the U.S. of A? If so, VisitBritain is hoping you'll hop a plane and "be a Brit different." That's the theme of a new three-year, $4 million consumer promotion designed to position England, Scotland and Wales as the place for tourists looking for something out of the ordinary. ...
Ripples Across the Pond: The Trends are Coming, The Trends are Coming
For several years, I had the pleasure of traveling to London each spring for the International Direct Marketing Fair. In addition to bringing home tons of news and story leads, I also always came back to the states with tips on what was going to be the next hot trend to jump across the pond. ...
A Royal Flush: The Monarchy Doesn't Translate Well in Advertising
Cruel Britannia: For all England's experience with monarchy, the men and women of the royal court simply don't translate well to television commercials....
Stocking the Larder: Thanks to the Web, Brit Expats Go Hungry No More
British expats living in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world for years had to rely on specialty retailers or care packages from friends at home. But thanks to the Internet, the English corner grocer is as close as their laptop....
Teatime Tidbits: News to Go
Move over Little Italy and Chinatown. Virgin Atlantic Airways is backing a campaign to rechristen a section of Manhattan's Greenwich Village as "Little Britain." ...
Something Old, Something New: How the Web Revolutionized the Used Book Business
Every direct marketer aims for one-to-one marketing. But searching for one-of-a-kind used and out-of-print books may be more one-to-one than any other Internet business....
Book Report: Blogs and Newsletters are Page Turners for Authors
Sure, taking the time to blog might distract an author from working on his or her novel. But for those with the discipline to maintain a blog or Web site, update it regularly and get their day job done, the Web is a great way to promote their work, says Jeffrey Yamaguchi, online marketing manager, Harper Collins....
A Book in Every Port: A Misspent Youth as a Bookstore Junkie
What spurs you to enter a bookstore, or buy a book? Does a shop have to offer a spiffy loyalty program or deep discounts? Book clubs? Extra foam on your latte? ...
Blurb Fatigue: Why Are Book Advertisements So Uninspired?
Advertisements for books, such as full-page efforts in newspapers, bear some of the tritest writing one will ever have the misfortune to slap their eyes on. And for marketers, the blurbs in question commit the most egregious sin possible: They don't sell books....
Green Eggs and URLs: Some Children's Author Sites Have Character
Which children's book sites are the hit of the virtual playground, and which need a time out? A quick look at the sites featuring the works of three beloved children's characters – all magical in their own way – found interactivity, and a bit of monkey business. ...
I Can't Put It Down: Just A Few More Pages
Book marketing, from music videos, to podcasts to bookstore tours....
Real Lifetime Value: UTango Awards Buying—and Fidelity
Every marketer, it seems, has a loyalty program for something frivolous. But very few think of life's basic necessities. So feels one West Coast businessman who has come up with just that: a program that will reward married couples up to $1 million for purchasing over the long term -- provided they stay married. ...
Gold Standard: Godiva Revamps its Marketing Strategy to Attract a Younger Audience
Godiva Chocolatier, to celebrate its 80th anniversary this fall, is updating its direct creative approach, redesigning its retail stores and even revamping its signature gold box with new pieces and packaging....
In the Cards: Do You Have Valentine's Mailbox Glut?
So, are you the type to obsess over finding just the right card for your sweetie on Valentine's Day? Or, do you wait until the day before and hope something good is left on the rack at the drug store?...
Only Skin Deep: Vermont Country Store Misses the Love Boat
The allegedly Valentine's Day-themed edition of The Vermont Country Store's catalog cover promises romance, but delivers liniments and flannels ...
Thank God I'm Married: A Quick Visit to the Online Dating World
A quick tour of two of the Web's most popular dating portals have confirmed something I've long suspected. If I were alone, I'd be a crazy cat lady, because I don't think I could take the stress of dating, on- or off-line....
Let Me Count the Ways: A Few More Love Notes
About 189 million roses were produced for Valentine's Day last year, according to IPSOS FloralTrends. ...
PeTV: Doctors Foster and Smith Turns to Television to Promote Catalog
Doctors Foster and Smith is using DRTV to prospect for people who need that stuff. The Rhinelander, WI-based pet-supply cataloger has a revamped slate of 30- and 60-second spots set to roll out in January....
