Everybody Loves Free Stuff

See Ya!

2009-11-20T17:36:56Z

Over the last four years I've posted over 1,500 serious and very important things to this blog. I realize that many readers have come to depend on it for regular updates on space advertising, The Wienermobile and every new animal, mineral or vegetable upon which mankind has managed to place a logo or advertisement. Some might even say this blog has transformed the promotional products industry. (No one has, but in theory someone could.) To anyone who's followed this blog, thanks! And keep following, because it will continue. Perhaps even better than ever. You'll just have to find out.

Promo Ideas from Art

2009-11-18T17:21:51Z

At least since Warhol, and probably before, there's been a fine line between promotion, advertising and art. At its most creative, advertising occasionally approaches art. More often, it doesn't. In fact, it often borrows from quirky or cool non-commercial sources and sucks the life out of them. Perhaps it has to be that way. If great art were easy, the world would be very different, and more awesome. Assuming that advertising and promotion are still limited by the need to achieve specific commercial goals, and that we'll still be borrowing ideas from non-commercial sources, I think there's still room to promote in ways that are more interesting, more exciting and more beautiful. With that in mind, what can we learn from the total crisis panic button?

More Foodvertising

2009-11-15T17:16:10Z

This is how you do stationary for your charcuterie: And, though times are tough, the Obama brand still has some legs. Obama sushi anyone? It goes great with the Nemo maki.

Advertising Surfaces

2009-11-11T16:38:44Z

Soon, every available surface on the planet will be covered with some form of advertising. So far, the process has taken about 4.5 billion years, but it started accelerating rapidly after humans developed civilization. In this post, we explore some of the surfaces that have recently been advert-ized. First, we have the garage door, which is transformed to make it look like there is an Audi inside. Previously, most garage doors were simply painted with no advertising content, often the same color as the rest of the house. Next, we have the baggage claim belt. This surface has been used as an advertising medium in the past, but to date we have not added advertising to every single one. This is a particularly valuable advertising space because travelers stare mindlessly at it for long stretches of time.

Finally, we have the climbing wall. As you can see, this surface is ideal for advertising acne medication. Simply design a background that transforms the hand and foot holds into pimples. This not only serves a crucial advertising function, but it also makes rock climbing practice immeasurably more enjoyable.

Keep an eye on this space for our ongoing coverage of advertising being added to every possible surface on earth!

Yahoo! Schwagstravaganza

2009-11-05T14:50:08Z

Yahoo! may be done as a search engine if their deal to have Microsoft provide their search results goes as planned. They may also be sad that their advertising campaign based around Yahoo! being all about "you" is not as popular as the one HTC just started with the exact same theme. Still, they've got some great promos, like this corporate colors gum: ]]> Non-woven totes help them stay noticeable at trade shows: Oktoberfest steins through the years reflect their longevity: You gotta have your logo SUV: And don't forget your keys!

Vintage Promo Favorites

2009-11-04T14:54:00Z

You can still get promotional cameras, but not like this. Happy times indeed when Coke and Kodak put this together. One interesting note: this seems to predate the "have a Coke and a smile" campaign, which would have been a perfect match for this product. ]]> door hangers. And some vintage church keys. Combining all these products would seem to indicate that people knew how to have a good time back in the day.

This Packaging Goes to Eleven

2009-11-03T18:13:01Z

For those about to shell out for this AC/DC box set, I salute you. I guess it is important to go all out on the packaging when you are trying to convince people to buy a box set of a band that really only has one song. To be clear, it is one glorious, rocking song, but it is still basically just one song.

Flyvertising

2009-10-30T19:29:40Z

Flyvertising had to happen. There is literally no way we could have existed any longer as a society without coming up with the idea of hanging tiny banners behind flies to promote stuff. After all, we've already had miniature RC planes flying around with miniature banners, and we've already put logos on insects. So, it was inevitable that two major promotional trends to come together like that at the Frankfurt Book Fair. (via AdLand)

Eichborn - Banners on flies (for real) - ambient, Germany

Flake-vertising

2009-10-23T15:12:52Z

Perhaps there has been widespread counterfeiting of Kellogg's Corn Flakes. After all, how would we even know? Well, now you would know because corn fakes would not be laser etched with the Kellogg's logo. It seems like a crazy idea, but we've actually already done this with nuts, eggs, sausage and bologna. Basically, it was only a matter of time. Imprinting the milk should be tricky, though. (Hat tip to Dave.)

Windows Whopper: Why?!?!?!

2009-10-22T14:50:41Z

So everyone knows that Microsoft Windows Vista was a flop. Too bloated to run on some hardware, Microsoft ended up caving to popular demand and letting people reinstall their older operating sytem (XP) rather than have to use Vista. So, they spent some time pulling together Windows 7, a leaner OS that should be able to run well on inexpensive netbooks and other low-powered computers. And what says lean operating system like A WHOPPER WITH SEVEN PATTIES? I'm not sure, but that's what they're doing in Japan to promote the launch. Of course, if you think that makes absolutely no sense, check out the commercial they did to try to convince people to host Windows 7 launch parties in the US. Good luck with that, guys!

A Cue from Guinness

2009-10-20T18:20:24Z

Once again we have a promotional product that approaches perfection in being appropriate for the brand. In this case, we have pool cue tips that are designed to look like frothy pints of Guinness. I find it hard to imagine that anyone could play a game with these and then order anything else.

Red Bull Cola Launch Promo

2009-10-19T15:22:09Z

Here's a lavish promo created for the launch of Red Bull Cola. Inside the custom bag is a custom box and inside the box are samples of the various natural flavors that contribute to the taste of Red Bull Cola. At the center is a sample of the cola itself. Overall a stunning promotional piece to show that the product isn't just an energy drink, but also a great-tasting drink. (via The Dieline)

Giant Promotional Rubik's Cube?

2009-10-16T14:34:01Z

Or tiny storm troopers?

Life Saving Vehicle

2009-10-15T15:06:53Z

My friend Dave was kind enough to forward me a link to this amazing vehicle. Perhaps a predecessor to the much-loved Wienermobile and the lesser-known Voxmobile. This particular carvertisement is from Australia in 1934.

Healthy Holidays!

2009-10-14T13:39:27Z

Someone came up with a food gift that's as fun as going to the gym. You thought your trainer got you a box of chocolates as a customer gift, but it turns out to be something even better: vegetables! A pretty crudité gift if you ask me.