Budweiser Super Bowl ad: something new or just another flash mob?
Yesterday, Budweiser released a video on YouTube of two amateur hockey teams surprised with pro treatment as screaming fans, cheerleaders and mascots attended their pick up game. This two minute spot is the extended version of their new ad premiering in Canada during the Super Bowl.
Compared to the other Super Bowl ad promos bouncing around the internet, this one seemingly created an emotional connection with consumers that the other more gimmicky and "clever" ads, aren't delivering. But is this just another tired use of flash mobs in advertising?
Budweiser's marketing manager, Ben Seaton, says no.
Will Facebook help or hurt the startup economy?
When Facebook filed to go public earlier this week, you can be sure that the excitement in the halls of Facebook's offices was palpable. After all, the company's wild ride is going to make a lot of people very wealthy.
But the excitement around Facebook's IPO isn't just being felt amongst Facebook's employees. It's creating increased excitement for technology entrepreneurs, some of whom hope their startups could be the next Facebook.
What we've been reading this week: US edition
These are some of the stories and links we’ve tweeted, posted, and passed around the office. Nothing's ever secret with us.
Now how about you? What was the most talked about video, article or spectacular blunder in your office this week?
'Digital IQ' crucial to business: report
Just how important are things like mobile technology, social media and cloud computing to businesses today?
Can a business expect to survive and thrive if it doesn't stay on top of the latest trends in technology? According to a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the answer is, not surprisingly, 'no.'
Generation Y and Facebook: infographic
Facebook has moved beyond family and friends as shown by new research into the Facebook usage of 18-29 year olds.
After looking through four million Generation Y Facebook profiles on Identified.com's database, Millennial Branding came up with this handy infographic on how millennials use Facebook professionally.
AOL turns to Yahoo's ad exchange to move inventory
How to compete with Google in the display advertising space? Late last year, three unlikely allies, Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft, forged a pact that would allow each company to sell certain display ad inventory for the others.
At the time, Yahoo and Microsoft decided to use different ad exchanges, while AOL remained undecided.
P&G sheds 1,600 jobs as it cuts ad spend
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is to lay off 1,600 staff as part of a cost cutting exercise that will also include a re-evaluation of the company’s $10bn ad budget.
It comes as P&G chairman Robert McDonald revealed to analysts that the company had somewhat belatedly recognised the cost efficiency of digital marketing.
What we've been reading this week: UK edition
Here are the stories and links we’ve tweeted, posted, passed around the UK office and shaken our heads at.
Check back later to get the skinny on what our US team has been reading too.
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Three steps to keeping email marketing simple but effective
The online space has opened up creative avenues marketers could only have dreamt about.
While you’re thinking up the latest bells and whistles to make your emails stand out, consider a few simple steps that should form the building blocks of any successful campaign.
Quick wins can be gained from analysing the time you send your communications; finessing the sender address and subject line; and, most importantly, testing your messages.
US job moves: Mercedes-Benz, Sony, Dow Jones, Apple, Dell
It's Friday and with that comes our coverage of the big moves, hires and fires in the US this week.
We've seen promotions from Mercedes-Benz and Sony, while News Corp. has poached a new CEO for Dow Jones and Apple and Dell are looking to expand their retail and software services with new prominent hires.
