1. A crisp twenty dollar bill was nestled inside the pages of my library book. Just as thanks of praise to the heavens left my lips, I paused. Something wasn’t right. Once I unfolded the gift, I saw that it was 3/4ths the size of the typical Jackson.
I flipped the money on its back for further examination.
“Disappointed?” it read, “Jesus won’t let you down.” Then the counterfeit bill reassured me that God would give us the things money can’t buy.
Michael Jackson’s scarecrow rendition of “You Can’t Win” echoed through my mind today as my thoughts fell on the Ranger’s World Series’ loss. The song is the evil mantra that keeps knocking Texas teams a hair shy of glory.
We last left our aging hero in the gutter, abandoned by fans for a new-wave of rental providers–providers that were swifter, more convenient and less expensive. Dismayed by the new arrivals, Blockbuster seemed unable to adjust to the New World Order: Anchored to its old model of renting, the company quickly sank into oblivion. This holiday season, however, things are turning around.
New Balance is shining the spotlight on its new spring and summer shoe collection through a series of daily short-films. Will the move bring the collection fame or will the overexposure prove to be career suicide? (more…)
When Pepsi announced its decision to sit on the sidelines of this year’s Super Bowl, doubts mounted. Did the rash move pay off?
Forgoing its 23-year legacy of Super Bowl Advertising, Pepsi delegated the $20 million that would normally be used for the procurement and creation of 30 second ads to a series of grants.
With the mission of “refreshing the world,” Pepsi allows customers and users to submit project ideas in one of six categories (Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education) in which site visitors can vote on their favorite ideas.
In theory, the campaign is a great idea. Pepsi will simultaneously receive valuable (and free) marketing research about what social causes matter most to its customers and will build another differentiating advantage that will boil down to customers’ decision at the point of purchase.
Implementation is key. (more…)
