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August 31, 2007Vatican Air Flys the Holy Skies
First, Hello Kitty, now the Pope. Vatican Air recently launched, decked out with various imprinted amenities, for flights to various holy locations around the world. The Pope isn't just competing with everyone's favorite kitty character, either:
"Ryanair already performs miracles that even the Pope's boss can't rival, by delivering pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela for the heavenly price of 10," said a Ryanair spokesperson. (via the International Herald Tribune)
Posted by mark at 11:16 AM. Permalink: Vatican Air Flys the Holy Skies | Comments (0)
August 30, 2007The First Peace Buttons
Here's something interesting I didn't know, from DesignBoom about the history of the peace symbol:
- The anti-nuclear emblem or the peace sign was invented on the request of Lord Bertrand Russel, head of the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
- The first peace symbol badges (pictured below) were made by Eric Austin, using white clay with the symbol painted black.
- They were distributed with a note explaining that in the event of a nuclear war, these fired pottery badges would be among the few human artifacts to survive the nuclear inferno.
Posted by mark at 7:46 AM. Permalink: The First Peace Buttons | Comments (0)
August 29, 2007Japanese Pocket Tissues
| My sister forwarded me a recent Japan Times feature on my favorite Japanese promo including some great facts about the phenomenon:
- Four billion packets of free tissues are distributed every year in Japan. - The concept of tissue-pack marketing was indeed developed in Japan. - It dates back to the late 1960s, when Hiroshi Mori, the founder of a paper-goods manufacturer in Kochi Prefecture called Meisei Industrial Co., was sniffing around for ways to expand demand for paper products. |  |
Here's some more great info from the article about why they're used and why they work, particularly in Japan:
Why would such a range of organizations use tissues to promote their message? Because, in Japan, tissue-marketing is a proven and inexpensive way to advertise. For a cost of as little as ･10 to ･25 you can get your message directly into the hands of potential customers. What's more, consumers who accept the tissues are likely to actually read your advertisement. If you're lucky, they'll look it over several times before the tissues are used up.
In a recent Internet survey of over 100,000 Japanese consumers conducted by Marsh Research, 76 percent said they accept free tissues. (That's a much higher acceptance rate than for leaflets.) When asked if they look at the advertisement accompanying the tissues, slightly more than half said they either "definitely look" or "at least glance at" the advertisement. When asked why, many respondents said they hoped to find a coupon or special offer. Yet others displayed a very Japanese sense of obligation for having received a gift, giving answers like "sekkaku kubatte kuretakara (because they were so kind to have given me something)" and "yappari moratta ijo minai to shitsurei ni naru ka na to omo tame (given that I accepted them, I figure it would be rude not to look)."
Posted by mark at 2:58 PM. Permalink: Japanese Pocket Tissues | Comments (0)
UPS Thermos: Perfect Employee Gift
| Out of all the people in the world asking "What can brown do for me?" I'm sure no one asks it more than the folks working at UPS. Here's one great item I saw in front of our office building, a perfectly branded insulated bottle. It's the perfect gift for delivery staff during the sweltering summer and undoubtedly the freezing winter as well. |  |
Posted by mark at 10:17 AM. Permalink: UPS Thermos: Perfect Employee Gift | Comments (0)
August 28, 2007Heavyweight Brochure Motivates Would-be Gym-goers
| Gyms and health clubs go to great lengths to attract new members, and in the process they come up with some pretty great promotions. Like the Professor Frink show, they're designed to make you laugh and make you think. In this case, perhaps a bit of both. This "brochure" actually weighs several pounds, prompting recipients to consider hitting the weights. |  |
Posted by mark at 4:07 PM. Permalink: Heavyweight Brochure Motivates Would-be Gym-goers | Comments (0)
August 27, 2007Stickers Raise Climate Change Awareness
Here's a terrific promotion to raise awareness about the effects of climate change in exactly the right spot. The idea is simple: custom decal stickers featuring flooding or desertification are put on the bottom of side view mirrors to show drivers how their carbon dioxide emissions may affect the planet. Of course it's not the first time people have attached promo products to cars to make an environmental statement. (via Adpunch)
Posted by mark at 4:01 PM. Permalink: Stickers Raise Climate Change Awareness | Comments (0)
Saving the Earth and Attracting Shoppers
We've already featured the branded reusable bags that IKEA uses in their stores and how they are a great example of changing business practices to become more environmentally friendly. Sturdy, reusable non-woven tote bags are an ideal low-cost substitute for disposable plastic bags, and a great branding opportunity. If you don't believe it, take a look at this video I shot at New York's Port Authority bus station. One of the free buses that IKEA provides to their store in New Jersey had just arrived and the branding was inescapable:
Posted by mark at 7:38 AM. Permalink: Saving the Earth and Attracting Shoppers | Comments (0)
August 26, 2007Fog Screen for Future Promotions?
Will this fog screen be the billboard of tomorrow? Adobe made a big splash with interactive billboards recently, but they still needed an actual wall to put them on. New image projection technology using "dry" fog could open up new opportunities to advertise. Here are some technical details:
"Using nothing more than tap water and ultrasonic waves, FogScreen projection screen machines employ a patented technology to create a smooth foggy airflow that captures images just like a screen. You can walk right through a FogScreen projection screen without getting wet. The microscopic fog droplets actually feel dry to the touch, just like air."
It seems very similar to a recent holographic concert performance by the Gorillaz. A visually arresting performance, it was technically mostly smoke and mirrors.
(via The Adverlab)
Posted by mark at 3:48 PM. Permalink: Fog Screen for Future Promotions? | Comments (0)
August 25, 2007Cool Simpsons Couch
Here's another Simpson's couch. This one seems to be in a theater, which makes a lot of sense. In Portland, OR they just put them in the street. I'm not sure if they do or not, but it would be great if the couch played the theme music from the show.
Posted by mark at 3:55 PM. Permalink: Cool Simpsons Couch | Comments (0)
August 24, 2007Brushing Smurf Figurine
A Smurf figurine, brushing his little teeth! I just thought this was kind of cute. And of course, ePromos proudly supports good dental hygiene.
Posted by mark at 3:36 PM. Permalink: Brushing Smurf Figurine | Comments (0)
August 23, 2007And in this Corner...
Seeing the pen car reminded me that The Pen Guy really needs to meet the Reklamepenner guy. In this case, Frode from Norway, who has a killer collection of Reklamepenner that have not yet been attached to an automobile. Frode's web site is here.
Posted by mark at 2:49 PM. Permalink: And in this Corner... | Comments (0)
Pen Car: Made of the Write Stuff
Voxmobile rocks, but pen car is pretty awesome, too. Created by Costas "The Pen Guy" Schuler, this modified Mercedes apparently plays some role in his mission to provide "Motivation and Inspiration Through Art and Comedy." For the record, his 5 year/5,000 pen warranty is just about up, but he's still going strong. You can check out his web site here.
Posted by mark at 2:42 PM. Permalink: Pen Car: Made of the Write Stuff | Comments (0)
August 22, 2007Voxmobile Rocks
Move over Weinermobile, make way for the Voxmobile! Created by George "King of Kustomizers" Barris, this hot rod was created for the VOX musical instrument company and uses VOX guitars and amplifiers as design elements. Also, it's not just a fully functional hot rod, but also a fully functional guitar amp with separate inputs for up to 32 guitars, making it the ultimate traveling showroom. (via Barris.com)
Posted by mark at 7:24 AM. Permalink: Voxmobile Rocks | Comments (0)
August 21, 2007Donation Cans Raise Hunger Awareness
KOO used stickers to simulate a donation can on their actual food cans to raise awareness of their participation in South Africa's "Unite Against Hunger" campaign and, of course, to raise awareness of the campaign itself. (via Invisible Red)
Posted by mark at 6:58 AM. Permalink: Donation Cans Raise Hunger Awareness | Comments (0)
August 20, 2007Wake Up and Smell the...Sewer?
| This clever promotion done for Folgers coffee uses giant decals to transform steaming manhole covers into steaming cups of coffee. This particular promotion has gotten a lot of attention on the web (and presumably on the street as well). While I love the creativity, it is a little unclear that a promotion like this would make me more likely to drink coffee (I don't need a reminder) or to drink Folgers. Then again, I may not be the target audience. It does make me think of Folgers as a cooler brand. |  |
Posted by mark at 6:43 PM. Permalink: Wake Up and Smell the...Sewer? | Comments (0)
Cameraflage: Desigining Promotion Beyond the Naked Eye
Here's an interesting new technology: cameraflage. In essence, design elements are added to a product, like a shirt, that are invisible to the naked eye, but show up in digital images. It works because digital cameras capture a wider range of wavelengths than the naked eye. The technology has many potential implications in the promotional sphere, because so many promotions are done at events where there are also lots of photos being taken. (via The Adverlab)
Posted by mark at 8:31 AM. Permalink: Cameraflage: Desigining Promotion Beyond the Naked Eye | Comments (0)
August 19, 2007More Blood: Horror Film Fest Promos
Here's the third part of our bloody trilogy. First, we featured these blood donation promo bags, then some slasher t-shirts. This time, we have some blood-themed transparencies left under doors to promote a horror film festival. The idea is actually really similar to these Maestro Limpio door mat promos. Perhaps the Maestro could clean up after the film fest?
Posted by mark at 11:16 AM. Permalink: More Blood: Horror Film Fest Promos | Comments (0)
August 18, 2007Retro Style Hawaiian Mug
| I feature a lot of vintage promo items because, hey, they're cool. Retro-style promos can be pretty great as well. In fact, walk into Urban Outfitters and I guarantee you'll see loads of fake vintage promotional t-shirts. Anyhow, this mug is a good example of a nice retro promo. All you need to do is take a classic item (like a ceramic coffee mug) and imprint it simply, using a retro font or design. It's even easier if your logo is done in a retro style to begin with! |  |
Posted by mark at 6:45 PM. Permalink: Retro Style Hawaiian Mug | Comments (0)
August 17, 2007Election 2008 Promotional Coverage Begins
| Okay, to be fair, we've already covered some Presidential campaign promotion on this blog, but I figured I'd officially kick off our election coverage with this post, and a brand new category called Promos for President. And, of course, our preliminary endorsement in support of Pac Man. |  |
Posted by mark at 2:47 PM. Permalink: Election 2008 Promotional Coverage Begins | Comments (0)
SES San Jose Pre-show Direct Mail from SuperPages
Barry got some pre-show direct mail from SuperPages and blogged about it. I thought this was a great example in a couple ways. First, pre-show direct mail can be a highly effective promotional tool. Engaging them before the show versus competing for their attention at the show is definitely the way to go. Your audience will be coming to the show looking for you (hopefully you've also told them exactly where your booth is), and they may have even added you to their schedule.
The execution, as a SES (Search Engine Strategies) survival kit, is also an excellent idea because it increases the likelihood that the recipient will be taking the promotional materials (and the booth location info) to the show. My main criticism? Barry loved the logoed carabiner flashlight and bottle opener, but why not brand all the items in the kit? Promotional hand sanitizer, custom first aid kits and custom mints and gum are all popular promotional items and it would have been easy to kick this kit up a notch by customizing all the items.
Posted by mark at 2:33 PM. Permalink: SES San Jose Pre-show Direct Mail from SuperPages | Comments (0)
August 16, 2007Another Kind of Blood Drive
After featuring Red Cross blood donation-promoting plastic bags, I guess it's only fair that we feature these promotional t-shirts done for the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival. Created for the event staff, these custom shirts were printed to look like the wearer had his or her throat cut. Cute!
Posted by mark at 5:50 PM. Permalink: Another Kind of Blood Drive | Comments (0)
August 15, 2007Promo Yoga Clock with a Clever Twist
| Would I suggest a promotional wall clock to promote a yoga studio? Probably not, at least until I saw this one. Much like the bag below, this clock is customized to make the most of its intrinsic qualities to convey a message. When done well it seems simple, even obvious. What product can you twist in your promotional direction? |  |
Posted by mark at 11:13 AM. Permalink: Promo Yoga Clock with a Clever Twist | Comments (0)
August 14, 2007Blood Bag Drives Donations for Red Cross
We've done lots of posts about how something as simple and inexpensive as a paper or plastic bag can make a big impact as a promotional product. The humble imprinted bag can raise awareness about things as diverse as autism, pain relief, nail biting and fitness. Still, it never hurts to add one more example, so here we have a custom printed plastic bag that promotes blood donation done for the Red Cross.
Posted by mark at 11:15 AM. Permalink: Blood Bag Drives Donations for Red Cross | Comments (0)
August 13, 2007New Redesign of London 2012 Olympic Logo
| Previously we discussed the new logo for the London 2012 Olympics. We knew that lots of people didn't like it, but man, some people REALLY don't like it. |  |
Posted by mark at 11:05 AM. Permalink: New Redesign of London 2012 Olympic Logo | Comments (0)
August 12, 2007Freedom...in a Box
If you're Harley Davidson, you sell motorcycles, but you also sell freedom and the thrill of the open road. Of course, freedom is hard to mail, but their ad agency was able to figure out a way to do it. This unique direct mail promo looks like an ordinary black box. When opened, however, a small fan blows a breeze on the opener's face, giving them a breath of fresh air and a little taste of the Harley experience. The piece uses the simple black style to avoid interfering with the experience of the "wind." They even go so far as to print the Harley Davidson logo in an unobtrusive tone-on-tone.
Posted by mark at 5:39 PM. Permalink: Freedom...in a Box | Comments (0)
August 11, 2007Promotional T-shirts
| There isn't a lot to say about this, but I thought the t-shirts in this propane company ad were funny. They're a little hard to read, but one says "In an effort to improve customer service" and the other says "We now wear shirts." |  |
Posted by mark at 5:31 PM. Permalink: Promotional T-shirts | Comments (0)
August 10, 2007Global Warming Warning
Here's a great idea for a promotion to raise awareness about global warming. Familiar, iconic monuments from areas that are potentially vulnerable to rising ocean levels are re-cast as aquarium decorations. A simple, yet effective way to make a point about an important issue.
Posted by mark at 5:35 PM. Permalink: Global Warming Warning | Comments (0)
August 9, 2007Laundry Detergent Direct Mail Message Is Clear
If getting your audience to at least notice your advertising is the first step in creating a great promotional product, then getting your audience to interact with it is the second. This direct mail piece includes a dark cloth and a sample of detergent. When washed, the dark cloth turns white and reveals a special offer. Which brings us to the third step in a successful promotion: getting your audience to take the desired action. Overall, this piece is a textbook case of how to create a terrific promotion.
Posted by mark at 5:14 PM. Permalink: Laundry Detergent Direct Mail Message Is Clear | Comments (0)
August 8, 2007Life Jacket Promotion Raises Titanic Awareness
| When Denver's Museum of Natural History wanted to draw attention to their Titanic exhibit, they took to the streets with a rather unusual promotional product: life jackets. They placed life jackets on statues in Denver parks with information about the exhibit. |  |
Posted by mark at 7:19 AM. Permalink: Life Jacket Promotion Raises Titanic Awareness | Comments (0)
August 7, 2007Attention-getting Door Drop
Any great promotion has to draw attention to itself and make an immediate impact on the audience. This credit card shaped door drop does just that, pretty much guaranteeing that you'll at least take a look at it. A cross between the ol' lost wallet promo and Papa John's clever pizza guy at your door promo.
Posted by mark at 4:50 PM. Permalink: Attention-getting Door Drop | Comments (0)
August 6, 2007Guerrilla Marketing Voodoo
These self-promotional direct mail pieces were created by a guerrilla marketing agency to showcase their creativity, and I think it's pretty clear that they do that. These voodoo marketing kits were sent to marketing managers to announce the opening of the guerrilla unit of Arnold Worldwide in Italy and ended up raising a lot of awareness as well as some calls from interested marketers at some big brands, including Coca Cola. (via I believe in advertising)
Posted by mark at 4:43 PM. Permalink: Guerrilla Marketing Voodoo | Comments (0)
August 5, 2007Super Glue Broken Vase Promo
Here's another image of the super glue promotional direct mail piece that used a broken vase to convey the benefits of super glue. Rather than putting it back together, though, it may be more fun to do some broken vase mosaic with it.
Posted by mark at 10:52 PM. Permalink: Super Glue Broken Vase Promo | Comments (0)
August 4, 2007IKEA Leads the Way with Reusable Bags
| While food co-ops and other environmentally-conscious business have been encouraging the use of reusable bags for years, Swedish retailer IKEA is really one of the first big chains to commit to the cause. Currently they sell reusable bags like the one pictured, as well as charging for disposable plastic bags. Reusable non-woven tote bags are a cost-effective alternative to the regular old paper and plastic. |  |
Posted by mark at 1:47 PM. Permalink: IKEA Leads the Way with Reusable Bags | Comments (0)
August 3, 2007Pelforth Pelican Promo
| I'm not familiar with the Pelforth brand, but apparently it is a French brewery owned by Heineken group. I'm actually also not sure what this promo actually does, but it's really cute. |  |
Posted by mark at 8:43 AM. Permalink: Pelforth Pelican Promo | Comments (0)
August 2, 2007Mickey and Minnie Bubble Blowers
When I first saw these at the flea market I thought they were little pipes, but I quickly realized they were actually bubble blowers. One of the most common promotional bubble products on the market today are promotional bubble pens, which are great for kids.
Posted by mark at 9:38 AM. Permalink: Mickey and Minnie Bubble Blowers | Comments (0)
August 1, 2007Perrier Promo: USB Powered Light
| Here's a great promo for Perrier spring water. It's a USB powered light, and it actually does a really good job conveying the lightness and freshness of Perrier. Having it custom manufactured in the distinctive shape of the Perrier bottle makes it even more effective as a promo. |  |
Posted by mark at 8:31 AM. Permalink: Perrier Promo: USB Powered Light | Comments (0)
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