marketing – the quick Sliver

3.29.19 Fool’s Roll

March 29, 2019 Mike Keeler

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It’s time to admit it: marketing is foolish. And has been for some time. For example, back on April 1, 1996, Taco Bell announced that they had purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged calls poured in to National Historic Park before the truth…

3.22.19 Mercury Marketing

March 22, 2019 Mike Keeler

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OMMG! As in, “Oh My Messenger God!” Perhaps you’ve already heard. About a celestial body who is hot, fast and magnetic. He’s emotional and moody, ranging from -280 to +800 degrees every single day. And, most importantly, he is erratic, moving oddly about the sky, tracing an orbit shaped like…

Uncategorized advertising Hermes marketing mercury

2.2.18 Super-Stupid

February 2, 2018 Mike Keeler

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Okay, it’s time to play “How Super-Stupid Can Marketers Get?” Let’s say you work for a shoe store chain, and you want to tell people how great your shoes are. Here’s the pitch for a TV spot: a bunch of white guys in a Hummer are cruising the Serengeti, apparently in…

2018 marketing Super Bowl

6.9.17 Double Dixie Deliciousness

June 9, 2017 Mike Keeler

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The Dixie devils of double deliciousness are at it again… Down in Salisbury, North Carolina, since 1917 they have created a bubbly cherry concoction which is aptly named “Cheerwine.” It’s a small regional soda brand that has never enjoyed the global popularity of a Coke or a Pepsi, but which…

2017 Cheerwine Krispy Kreme marketing

1.16.15 OMMG

January 16, 2015 Mike Keeler

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OMMG! As in, “Oh My Messenger God!” Maybe you’ve already heard. About a celestial body who is hot, fast and magnetic. He’s emotional and moody, ranging from -280 to +800 degrees every single day. And, most importantly, he is erratic, moving oddly about in the sky, drawing an orbit shaped…

2015 Astrology God Hermes marketing mercury message Retrograde Universe

11.28.14 The Black Offer

November 28, 2014 Mike Keeler

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(What self-respecting marketing guy could resist? And so, in the spirit of the season…) Announcing an email-busting BLACK FRIDAY offer exclusively from quickSilver! Act NOW to receive a COMPLIMENTARY* integrated marketing campaign for your brand or product!! Including: Mind-bendingly well-reasoned strategic recommendation Development of epic brand platform Multi-million dollar integrated…

2014 advertising Black Friday Sale Legal Disclaimer marketing

1.11.13 The Angry Games

January 11, 2013 Mike Keeler

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These days, even the fun stuff has a nasty edge to it. Way back in 1996, the makers of M&M’s asked America to vote on a new color for their candy, resulting in a promotion which jump started that venerable brand with new Blue pieces. Now, Parker Brothers have leveraged…

2013 games M&Ms marketing Monopoly promotion

1.20.12 Unsavory in Sonoma

January 20, 2012 Mike Keeler

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Thomas Wolfe famously explained, “you can’t go home again.” Mitt Romney infamously said, “corporations are people, my friend.” Put them together, and you get, “corporations can’t go home again.” The small town of Sonoma, California, has been home to lots of different folks for a pretty long time. The Miwok…

2012 Chuck Williams history marketing politics Sonoma Williams-Sonoma zoning

4.3.09 Fool’s Gold

April 3, 2009 Mike Keeler

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More and more, foolishness is becoming part of the marketing mix. On April 1, 1996, Taco Bell announced that they had purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged calls poured in to National Historic Park before the truth was revealed. The stunt merited comment…

2009 April Fool's Day Ben and Jerry's Burger King marketing Orlando Magic Taco Bell

10.31.08 Bad Cruise

October 31, 2008 Mike Keeler

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Just in time for Halloween: Nightmare on Broad Street. Carnival Cruise Lines recently launched a new ad campaign, “Fun for All, All for Fun,” positioning the brand as the most festive cruise line in the world. To prove it, last Monday, Carnival’s promotions guys rolled the “World’s Largest Beach Ball”…

2008 candy Carnival Cruise Dallas marketing parade Philadelphia World Series