Microsoft's Zune catching up.

Let me point out that I'm not a fan of Microsoft at all. I don't like the Zune, their "iPod-killer" or any of its features. Microsoft's CEOs said the Zune would destroy the iPod pre-launch only to get slapped in the face by poor sales. It's hard to take any representatives from Microsoft seriously, but I admire their new efforts. Microsoft ditched their old ad agency and revamped their new image for the music player. Have you seen the new commericial? Unbelieveably cool. It's getting a lot of buzz because it's quite unique. I'd say it might even be better the iPod commercials. It sends off a vibe of uniqueness and originality with one's self, instead of "be trendy."

But will the new hip website and commericals do justice? Will it increase Zune's sells? It's tough to say. Zune's entry into the marketplace was poor and instead of re-targeting audiences and sending new messages, they are doing a second entry. "The All New Zune," they say, even thought theres not much new about it other than lower prices to be competitive with the new entries of iPods.

In short: they have great new ads and I admire the effort, but they still have much work to do.

Weekly AD Blog

Verizon: If This is Anything Like the IPhone, We Want In

Search engine giant, Google, have announced that they're currently in the process of not only producing a mobile phone, but providing a google user interface as well. The phone service would be free (what Google service isn't?) and the user interface is drawing interest from Verizon Wireless. To provide background information, Verizon and Google have had some trouble getting along in the past. But Verizon is putting aside their differences, according to officials. After passing up on the iPhone, Verizon is looking forward to what Google has to offer. With the staggering success of the iPhone, Verizon is trying to get their hands on the next killer product--hopefully in this case, something sweet from Google. There's nothing more funny and sweet then to see a major corporation, such as Verizon, get slapped in the face. We've all seen the youtube video of the CEOs of various competing companies laughing at Steve Job's face for trying to sell a 600 dollar phone. Now, they're heightening publicity about their involvement with Google as if this was what they had in mind from the beginning. I wonder where the official representative of Verizon who turned down the iPhone is now...

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NPR Interview - Fresh Air with Terry Gross

My interview analysis is from the NPR program, Fresh Air, with Terry Gross. This interview was with Brad Bird and Patten Oswald regarding their new movie, Ratatouille, by Pixar. The movie is about a rat named Remy, who has a keen sense of taste and wants to become a chef, but rats are not accepted as such in the human culinary world. The interview opens up with both Bird, the director, and Oswald, the voice actor for Remy, talking about their experience with the movie.
I don’t feel that Terry Gross knew much about the subject prior to the interview. She knew the basic information regarding the movie but nothing in-depth that is trivial or interesting that refreshed the interview. Every question she asked was based on what either Brad or Oswald had previously mentioned. For example, Gross asked, “How did you feel when they called and said you were perfect to play a rat.” Prior to this question, Oswald had just mentioned how Bird said to him, “you’d be perfect to play a rat!” While the interview was still very good, it’s just that the interview felt more free-flowing than it was structured. If Oswald and Bird hadn’t been so talkative and open, I don’t think Gross would’ve been able to pull off that style of interviewing.
She asked very open-ended questions to make sure the interview wasn’t “Yes” and “No” answers. How did you know Patten Oswald would’ve been good for the role? In your search for restaurants as research for the movie, which one was very interesting? They were all very good questions.
Gross did not appear to have a strategy with Bird and Oswald. Both Bird and Oswald took over the interview. Gross did not say or mention anything unless it was a question or a chuckle. She was very free-flowing and went where Bird and Oswald took the interview. Their relationship was very smooth. Nothing was obtrusive and no personalities clashed. Everyone was polite and funny. Oswald is known for his very offensive type of humor in his comedic routines, so it was weird to hear him as such a polite speaker on the interview.
The main thing I learned was that the best thing to do in an interview is to adapt to your interviewees. If peers amongst you are all on the same level, you get more out of the interview, and sometimes even get them to reveal interesting facts that gives your interview more depth instead of forcing structure upon the interview.

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Weekly AD Blog

GM's new spin: Buy a Hummer, Save Humanity

Hummers and gas prices are taboo: And in an age where we are becoming more and more aware of gas prices and the soaring prices of oil, we look to alternative sources of fuel. Hybrids are becoming more availabe along with more fuel efficient cars. So what about the Hummer? How can such a situational and gas hungry (not to mention outragiously huge for civilian use) position themselves to continue to sell? Behold, the grace of marketing: Buy a Hummer, Save Humanity.

In a new campaign by GM, Hummers are shown in their heroic positions: Delivering water to a Post-Hurrican Katrina situation, pulling a helpless civilian from falling to the cracks of hell.

This has been quite the drama in the advertising world since its commercials have exploited the simple hummer features to appear as if the Hummer saves lives. Is this a smart position or a terrible marketing strategy? Will people buy it?

In my opinion, it's quite witty, but misses the target audience completely. This campaign tarkets the humanitarian societies within America. Humanitarians is possibly the worst demographic that you can target for this type of car. Or maybe they can, but it will have to be a very convincing campaign that constantly reaffirms the image of the Hummer, which is a huge risk if it misses and wastes millions of dollars.

I think they should stick with the rich who desires lavish cars. Or keeping replenishing our Gov.

Mystery Character

First things first: Don’t believe what you read about me in the tabloids. My partner and I are generally talked about and on the front cover of most tabloids, but it’s not true--We are truly in love. We have adopted many children from around the world, but have one of our own. I’ve been known for my very sexy and sensual lips and curvy body. I use to have a very wild side that I showed off on the red carpet--Leather pants, big red lips, and a very loose top. I was once in love with an older man who I’ve had a very public relationship with. In fact, I even tattooed his name to my arm. But since then, we grew apart and I settled down. I’m more conservative, for my children, and my self. I’m not married but we don’t need to be, because we already love each other so much.

Words: 122


ANSWER: http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Liv85/?action=view¤t=mysterycharacter.jpg

Weekly Events

AdAge: Nintendo named Marketer of the year.

This story is so poetic and inspirational that it could hold it's own as a hollywood movie. For a bit of background information, Nintendo was one of the best gaming system back in late 80s. With the apporaching decade and premiere of Sony's and Microsoft's gaming system, Nintendo hit an all time low. They had a problem. Sony and Microsoft's expansive graphics system defeated Nintendo's current system, GameCube, and sales were pummeling downwards. The next console war would determine if Nintendo went bankerupt or yet another median kid's console. My, how the tables turned. Their new system, Wii, not only outsold the XBox 360 and Sony Playstation 3, it soldout for two quarters straight during the first year. What was the answer? Marketing research. They knew they had no competition against the graphics of the XBOX and PS, so they marketed a new segment: Everyone but the core 18-23 year old teens. And it worked. Their marketing campaign concentrated on showcasing the game console as a more healthier entertainment that involves social networking and interactive gameplay. Their ads showed young children, adults and parents, and even old grannies duking it out in bowling, tennis, and baseball on the Wii.

It's a great story of how Nintendo won the market back from a vigorous war.

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Word of the Week

Heinous

Source: Time Magazine (current issue)

How it was used: "Earlier in our history there was a code of some sense of respect, even among the most heinous criminals, that you would never harm a police officer, certainly never kill a police officer."

Definition:

–adjective
hateful; odious; abominable; totally reprehensible: a heinous offense.

My sentence: Steve's condescending attitude towards his wife was heinous, she left him for another lover.