If David Lynch promoted the iPhone ...

Well, he isn't exactly promoting the iPhone, he's more like talking about the iPhone. Via Fake Steve.

Make your own Chrysler your own

Don't know anything about the Chrysler 300, but the brand appears to be launching a campaign for the car that stresses that it can be customized. It has an accompanying contest, called "Spin It Your Way" on the YouTube home page. Maybe it's the Scion of Chrysler? I don't know.

'Adweek' campaign not hair-raising

Found this banner that's part of the teaser campaign for the new Adweek. You can probably see it "live" at Adweek.com. Strange part is that you can't click on it. Or you can, but it won't take you anywhere. I guess that's what they meant by teaser.

Check out the letter from the Dentsu judge

Here's a copy of the letter the judge in the Dentsu case sent out saying that she would not dismiss the case. (Click to enlarge and read.) There seems to be a typo at the end of the second paragraph, which says "Plaintiff has five days after that to submit a Reply." What has to be replied to is the "admissible evidence" that the plaintiff has to give to the court. I think she meant that the Defendant, Dentsu, has five days to reply. Anyway, read it and discuss amongst yourselves. I cut and paste the documents, you decide.

'Wired' features vintage tech ads

Wired has posted a feature of the 11 Best Vintage Tech Commercials (why 11? Is this some sorta Spinal Tap reference?). No. 1, of course, is Apple's "1984," but it's actually more fun to see some completely cheesy ads touting computers with 64K. Speaking of which, the spot above features William Shatner—before he began to trade in self-parody—talking up the Commodore Vic-20, which he touts as "the wonder computer of the 1980s!" Enjoy.

Bob Garfield gets 'em talking about Obama

Looks like Bob Garfield has caused quite the dust-up over his Monday column entitled: "Why Even Hardened Racists Will Vote for Barack Obama: In the Electoral Marketplace, He Had to Pass the Halle Berry Test." Not only is it the second most read and fourth most emailed story on Ad Age so far this week, but it's gotten people pretty tied up in their underwear. Check out the comments, such as: "Bob, while your 'logic' is provocative,it has the ring of 'I know what I'm talking about because I'm a racist and I'm using this column to purge my soul'" or "But what do I know? I'm just a black male with 17 years in the 90% white advertising industry that among other things marginalizes black agencies into sub-contractor status simply because they're black, while its Gen market shops hire few if any people of color ... " Before you comment on this blog I ask you to go read Bob's column and ask yourself if he is right in saying the following:

1) Even hardened racists feel the impulse to believe they are no such thing.

2) Hence, they are always in the market for someone "acceptably black."

OK, talk amongst yourselves.

At least there's one cool thing about Zune

If you haven't stopped by Zune-Arts.net, you must, if you do no other "research" online today. It's a great, and inspiring, example of what you might see if you handed your brand over to artists, instead of consumers. Yes, I said Zune. The site's been up for a little bit, and it includes some truly cool indie animations. Someone by the name of CaptMorgan posted a bunch of Zune vids last night to YouTube. I've no idea how the one above rates in the broadening realm of Zune Arts content, but it's a fun little dancing brickfilm featuring two men made out of Legos. Would that the product was as good as this campaign—or whatever you call it—is.

Nike ad hard to walk away from

Finally found this Nike commercial that Barbara Lippert found so motivational. It has a good punchline--that the basketball player working out is in a wheelchair--but the best part is the guy's performance. The way he delivers lines like "I feel bloated" or "next week" as reasons not to work out now is priceless, and completely draws you in. I'm assuming this one's from Wieden + Kennedy and not Crispin, but Barbara's story doesn't say.

Radiohead actually sells 'In Rainbows'!

Just came across this commercial to promote Radiohead's new album "In Rainbows." Seems almost counterintuitive to advertise an album that can be had for free, but this is for the version available in stores. The song being played is "15 Step," the first track off the new album.

Advertisers jittery about the Oscars

The Wall Street Journal is reporting (subscription required) the obvious this morning: that ad execs are all in a lather about whether or not the Oscars are going to come off. One solution would be for the actors and actresses to just do the show entirely unscripted, which would be a hoot. As for the advertisers and TV networks, I do wonder if they're suffering from a fatal lack of creativity in terms of placating advertisers. Oscar commercials may not be as entertaining as Super Bowl ones, but they are generally much more watchable than other commercials. Run a show of Oscar commercials ... what the hell!

Whopper lovers f*cking freakout

Above, people get f*cking pissed off when they learn that Burger King stopped selling the Whopper. OK, as AdFreak notes, it's an extremely NFSW spoof. And it's f*cking hilarious. UPDATE: Apparently, it was too hilarious. It just got taken down. No, hold that thought; it's not working on Firefox. No hold that thought, now it's working on every browswer. It's OK if you tell me to shut the f*ck up. Just watch it, OK?

Olay site gets really personal

Like most women of a certain age, I'm a sucker for skincare advice, so when I saw a commercial tonight on HGTV for OlayForYou.com, I just had to swing by. It takes about five minutes to go through a series of multiple choice questions, at which point Olay recommends a skincare regimen. Of course, all the products suggested were from Olay. What would have been really cool is if they threw in a Dove product here and there just to make it seem objective. Who knows if I'll follow through on their recommendations. Despite my deep, intense hatred of CVS--more on that some other time--I'm a sucker for the skincare aisle. However, worth pointing out that when I Googled a couple of the recommended products, I couldn't find them online.

New Xerox logo can do tricks!

So here's the new Xerox logo. Sounds like the company chose it in part for its super-hero like properties. According to Ad Age, "The red X sphere ... will be important in mobile and internet applications because it pops as a 3-D image and can spin and move." Yeah, just try and make a golden arch do that.

Emerald goes nuts for Robert Palmer girls

Kind of freaky to discover this spot considering that my husband and I were just discussing the "Addicted to Love" girls the other day. (Well, to us they will always be the Robert Palmer girls.) This must be why Goodby won Adweek's Agency of the Year.

Here's are full details about the new 'Adweek'

Hi folks, a little busy today working on a deadline but, because of my continuing interest in the future of Adweek, I present below the entire news release about the relaunch, which is currently circulating amid flacks and reporters everywhere. Don't have time to comment on the release, except to note that, on the frequency issue, it talks about 26 issues and then 10 special issues. I suppose that makes more sense than 36 random issues. I'll save the rest of my analysis for Feb. 4, the day that this whole spanking new Adweek launches. OK, kiddies, here you go! Now talk amongst yourselves.

Adweek to Re-Launch, Better Integrating Content

Across All Platforms and Enhancing Audience Experience

Iconic Brand to Feature Most Comprehensive Source

of Integrated Content and Offerings Through Print, Online and Events

New York, NY (January 7, 2008)—Adweek today announced a complete re-launch of its brand, encompassing all delivery channels: print, online and face-to-face. The new Adweek¸ which will be unveiled on February 4, 2008, will provide a 360 degree approach to industry coverage, analysis and trends through a new website with unique functionality, a magazine with broader editorial and new events – all of which will be more closely aligned. The announcement was made by Sabrina Crow, senior vice president, Marketing and Media Group, Nielsen Business Media, which includes Adweek.

“Our strategy is to best satisfy our audience by delivering the most comprehensive and robust content, tools and community in the industry coupled with data that is exclusive to Nielsen,” said Crow. “We are driving stronger integration across our entire portfolio while providing advertisers with new and expanded opportunities to interact with their target audience within the trusted and respected Adweek environment.”

“The new Adweek represents an important shift in editorial direction, scope and content distribution,” adds Alison Fahey, editor, Adweek. “We will move from a vertical ‘agency’ book to a broader perspective with more in-depth analysis and a focus on innovation and marketing strategies. Never before have all our platforms been so seamlessly connected to more deeply engage our audiences and provide them with ideas, inspiration, and community.”

The re-launch will create an indispensable forum with the most comprehensive source of news, ideas, information, trends, forecasts and analysis - online, in-print and through events. More content will be available and integrated across all platforms, allowing the audience to engage with Adweek when, where and how they prefer. New enhancements and features include:

• Digital: with better navigation to enhance user engagement, the new Adweek.com will feature the most robust content in the industry including insights culled from Nielsen data such as BuzzMetrics and global advertising spending. The website will feature multiple enhancements designed to facilitate peer-to-peer dialogue within Adweek’s community, while providing additional opportunities for advertisers. These include:
• Creative Database: with thousands of commercials, searchable by brand, product, date and agency. Users can also upload their own work, critique others’ work, and vote on the Best Spots of the Month.
• In addition, the site will offer peer forums, weekly video interviews with leading executives, and comprehensive agency profiles with user generated content and exclusive news.

• Print: the new Adweek magazine will deliver longer features, key insights, case studies and client strategy critiques and innovative ideas across all marketing disciplines. The magazine will reach beyond the agency community it has traditionally covered to mine inspiration and ideas from outside industries. Adweek will publish 26 issues in addition to 10 special editions focused on areas including design, mobile marketing, digital services and media and measurement.
• Face-to-Face: Adweek will offer a series of new and enhanced conferences and events designed to facilitate dialogue, build community and provide a forum for insights and ideas that extends beyond the ad industry, including:
• The Adweek Roundtable Events: These events will gather top-level executives to discuss and debate pressing issues of the day.
• Adweek Salons: This networking series will provide an intimate gathering of industry executives where ideas can be exchanged.
• The Inspiration Summit: A one-day event that will feature visionaries from outside the industry to discuss external influences on the advertising business and to show how inspiration can be drawn from unlikely sources.

The re-launch will be supported by a new advertising campaign developed in conjunction with Cowboy, a New York City-based advertising agency. Beginning today, advertisements will run in select online and print publications.

About AdweekMedia:
AdweekMedia is the premier information source for media, advertising and marketing industry news and analysis, providing an integrated product portfolio led by trusted brands Adweek, Mediaweek and Brandweek. Industry professionals in all stages of their careers turn to AdweekMedia’s digital and print properties, and leading executive conferences, for trusted content and interactive programs tailored to better serve their customers, build their network, and advance their market knowledge.

AdweekMedia is owned by Nielsen Business Media, part of The Nielsen Company. Nielsen Business Media is a leading market-focused provider of integrated information and sales and marketing solutions, helping businesses go to marketing more effectively and efficiently.

About The Nielsen Company
The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions and recognized brands in marketing information (ACNielsen), media information (Nielsen Media Research), online intelligence (Nielsen Online), mobile media (Nielsen Mobile), trade shows and business publications (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek). The privately held company is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and New York, USA. For more information, please visit, www.nielsen.com.

Adverganza's Monday morning picks 01.07.08

Wherein, I scan the Monday morning headlines so you don't have to:

From Advertising Age:

—Why the Iowa caucuses flew in the face of traditional political wisdom.
—Ben Silverman, flying NBC without pilots.
—Is Procter & Gamble's Venus washed up?
—More double cheeseburgers for 99 cents. Yum.
—Jonah Bloom makes some predictions for '08. Let's check back this time next year.
—Bob Garfield turns into a political pundit. For his review of an Obama ad, click here. For a transcript of his appearance on "Hardball with Chris Matthews, click here.

From Adweek (the "In Print" link so far only shows last week's issue, so there's probably substantial content—not to mention a cover shot from this week's issue—that I'm missing):

—Vote in the most over-rated agency poll. So far, it's Crispin by a landslide.
—U.S. agency of the year: Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.
—Global agency of the year: Wieden + Kennedy.
—JWT hires a global planning poobah.
—Barbara Lippert gives one well worked out thumbs up to a new Nike ad. (Sorry, couldn't find this one online folks.)

Mediapost links usually go here, but haven't received anything from this morning. This can mean only one thing: somewhere a big Mediapost server has crashed.

From The New York Post:

—Everyone's afraid of the big, bad Google. Actually the Post story just riffs off of this ginormous piece on Google by Ken Auletta in The New Yorker. Read it here.

From The New York Times:

—1-800-FLOWERS and Google sponsor a contest to find the year's most intriguing
marriage proposal. My guess is that, for the purpose's of this contest, telegraphing the proposal during a Major League Baseball game is probably going to come across as mundane.
—Om Malik has a heart attack. Was it all the blogging or all the ciggies?

From The Wall Street Journal (subscription required, unless otherwise noted):

—McDonald's will open coffee bars in all of its U.S. stores. Time to dump that Starbucks stock. Free.
—A Phil Dusenberry obit I hadn't previously seen.
—Omnicom buys Hong Kong-based Shunya Communications.