detroitmediaguy

Fiddle-dee-dee ...

2011-10-14T14:53:00.004-04:00

Here is a brilliant summation of what's wrong in our economy right now ... and why these "Take Over Wall Street" movements are cropping up all over the country ...

Gordon Gecko Rules

Steve Jobs: 1955-2011

2011-10-07T08:41:00.005-04:00

Steve Jobs in his own words ...

I blogged on this way back in June 2005 ... right after Jobs had delivered this address to the Class of 2005 at Stanford.

It resonated with me then ... and becomes most poignant, and poetic ... now.

RIP Steve Jobs

UPDATED: 10-10-11 Reflecting on the dates of Jobs ... only a year older than me ... but sooooo much further on the intellectual and cosmic continuum ... humbling.

Will they ever learn?

2011-10-04T09:31:00.001-04:00

Any way you cut it ... it's good this deal seems done: Ford, UAW Reach Tentative Agreement.

Clearly, Ford was in the most precarious position of the US Automakers ... and once again almost incredulously so ... for not having accepted the Federal bailout.

That, of course, meant that GM and Chrysler could not be struck by the Union subject to federal law.

Ford, on the other hand, was flying solo. Subject to whatever "flight of fancy" overtook the UAW. Almost remarkably, the union seems still not to have "gotten the message" of 2009 ...

"Ford workers feel the deserved a sweeter deal than GM got because Ford didn't follow GM and Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy and Federal bailout in 2009"

Wait a minute ... have I got that straight? Since Ford wasn't on the ropes in 2009 (no, not in 2009 ... it was only a year earlier (!!!) ... when Ford mortgaged the entire company - on their own backs - right down to the script on the door!!), that somehow this means the union should be profiting more from Ford?

Could be possible the union is still populated with birds of a different feather than those that know how to "fly right" ...

A wormhole in the Apple? ... a boogle in the Google? ...

2011-09-29T09:55:00.006-04:00

Or ... just another reason to love Amazon? ...

UPDATED: And, yet one more way that Amazon has upped the ante for either Apple or Google ... as the new Kindle Fire courts the magazine publishing community for content ... and advertising that will most certainly append itself ...

"Discussions between publishers and Amazon went more smoothly than they did with Apple in part because Amazon from the get-go agreed to share more customer data, including customers' names and addresses, according to executives familiar with the talks."

read more here: Magazines Join With New Tablet Challenger

UPDATE: 9-30-11 Amazon Fire vs. iPad 2: Review & Comparison - Shelly Palmer

Chevy Runs ... uh ... (sorta) Deep ...

2011-08-18T14:29:00.002-04:00

Who caught up with Ewanick's latest assessment of Goodby's Chevy work?

Ewanick said he has “seen grade-A work,” from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, the San Francisco agency that is the creative force behind the “Chevy Runs Deep” campaign that began last fall.

“The problem is, it hasn’t been consistent,” Ewanick said last week in an interview with Automotive News, a sister publication of Crain’s Detroit Business. “We need to find our stride where it’s always at that level.”

But, he said, “To get an A, you have to be consistent. That’s more of C and B work when you can’t find the consistency.”

He said he expects to see more contemporary versions of iconic Chevy campaigns. Modern iterations of Americana-heavy “Like a Rock” from the 1990s and the “American Revolution” campaign of the past decade “could be used at any time,”

Wait just one minute!!! Whaddya mean!? I thought that old Cambell-Ewald stuff was just advertising trash? Goodby was supposed to remake the brand in a whole new and compelling image! ... Right?

Right!

Like a Rock.

F-bombs away ...

2011-07-25T14:04:00.003-04:00

Ford's Farley ... let's it fly!

You just can't get more quotable than Jimbo ... I mean ...
“I'm going to beat Chevrolet on the head with a bat. And I'm going to enjoy it." Choice!!!

Apparently, GM just really got under his skin the day he was interviewed ... or, the Touretts meds wore off ... either way ... sometimes, you just gotta drop a bomb ... !!

Google wants to eat your young ...

2011-07-14T08:31:00.005-04:00

One more glaring example of Google's insatiable appetite to rule the world ... Google+ ... or, simply, Googlezilla.

In the fine print of Google+ social network sign-on ...

"By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services."

Really? Google? ... I give up the right to everything? ... because I use your service?

... pretty obvious I guess ...

A general sentiment for the day ... any day really ...

2011-05-19T08:21:00.000-04:00

... I didn't F it up ... you probably didn't F it up ... but, I damn sure know who did F it up!! And one of these days I'm comin' for ya!

Apple takes a bite out of Google.

2011-05-09T13:52:00.002-04:00

Apple usurps Google as world's most valuable brand I guess this is totally surprising to me ... since I would naturally have assumed that Apple had already done so ...

But lets face it ... Google hasn't produced anything of value since it's initial algorithm that set it on the course of becoming a verb. Certainly a valuable brand. But, the most valued brand?! uh-uh.

Whereas Apple continues to produce and update the personal computing/connecting space in such a way that actually makes Google valuable.

And, who could top GodJobs for trotting out the brand Apple the way he does every 6 months. Sergey Brinn? Larry Page? ummm ... uh-uh.

Go buy Apple stock. Even at $348 a share ... it just keeps on climbing.

... just sayin' ... which would ya rather?

Hope springs eternal.

2011-04-26T09:53:00.005-04:00

I was fascinated by these images of the Chernobyl ruins, ... the abandoned Pripyat ... , and some of the "humanity" that seems to have snuck into the vast apocalyptic landscape there (see the wonderful photos of graffiti left behind by more recent visitors).

But, then I started reading comments posted after photos ...

It's amazing just how many Detroit haters there are that seize on this kind of portraiture ... and feel inclined to comment negatively on a place that most, quite obviously, have never even visited. Except perhaps in photos like these. And, there are certainly enough of Detroit ruins photos floating around out there.

Somehow, at least in The D, the graffiti that one sees is not of some apparition. A silhouette of missing persons.

And, at least right now ... Ford, Chrysler, the Wings and Tigers, are all helping me to believe.

Message to readers.

2011-04-05T11:25:00.002-04:00

To readers of DMG,

- First of all, thanks again for checking in and partaking of the fare. You're never quite sure what you'll be sampling ... but we strive to always provide a decent portion of the truth.

- Second, if you look over there on the right ... you'll see a facebook button (with a guy hanging himself with his necktie - that'd be me). By clicking on it, you will of course be transported to DMG's facebook page.

And when you are there, you will find even more content fare posted (and not all found here ...).

So, tell your friends and neighbors that they too can find a quick shot of DMG on facebook. And be sure to friend DMG there!

Misery loves company!!!

Thanks - the mgt.

Torpedos of Truth ...

2011-04-04T12:14:00.005-04:00

Charlie Sheen may have bombed in Detroit this past weekend, on his Violent Torpedo of Truth jaunt ...

But, the violent torpedo of truth that really struck home was one you might not have ever seen coming ...

Mitch Albom: 'Office' is now the code word for our low morale
- Freep.com

Mitch, as usual, cuts to the quick ... "A new study suggests that more than a third of Americans are hoping to leave their job to find a different one this year. A third? That same study suggests their bosses think the employees are satisfied.

That spells a disconnect."

And if you need it to hit even closer to home ...

"Everywhere you look in this country, people are stressed, annoyed, overworked and angry. Seemingly everyone has a story of wages being slashed, benefits cut and responsibilities tripled. "There were five of us on the sales force. Now I'm the only one." "I haven't had a raise in five years. They keep telling me there's no money." Co-workers are laid off and their load dumped on survivors who are made to feel they're lucky to have a job."

And that pretty much sums up the ad agency life in Detroit for the last many moons.

Mitch carried on ... "But this past week, a pair of headlines caught my eye. One, from USA TODAY, read, "CEO pay soars while workers' pay stalls." It detailed how, yet again, CEOs were being lavished with incredible pay packages, some up 140% or more from last year. Median CEO pay jumped 27% in 2010."

Ouch.

While the rest of us are sitting in cubicle purgatory - not knowin' when the almighty "scope" for our job will run out.

I don't know ... guess I've been known to bury my head in the sand with the best of 'em at times ...

But, truth is ... we been torpedo'd.

"I, for one, welcome our new computer overlords ..."

2011-03-31T15:09:00.015-04:00

More proof that Google is all about open access to the web for all ... so long as it's through Google ... Microsoft Files EU Complaint Against Google - NPR

"Google has engaged in a broadening pattern of walling off access to content and data that competitors need to provide search results to consumers and to attract advertisers," Smith said (Microsoft's General Counsel Brad Smith)

@Smith: And, so ... yeah ... what's your point?

In the immortal words of Ken Jennings ... (see title above).

I know!!! Maybe Google and IBM should both get together and create one gigantic superficial intelligence to rule all mankind ...

But wait ... that would never work.

That would mean ... neither one would be able to control all mankind.

What was that Dr Sergey?

UPDATE: 4-4-11 Life 'In The Plex': The Future Of Google
... wherein Steven Levy (Wired) postulates ... "Google is in Facebook panic right now, because their biggest fear is that Facebook, which is going to approach a billion users eventually, will be creating and sharing information that Google cannot get a hold of in its indexes," Levy says. "And that's really going to weaken all the things that Google wants to do.

The passing of a Fancy ...

2011-03-31T10:11:00.001-04:00

... or maybe more of a dandy ...

Longtime auto journalist David E. Davis Jr. dies

... at any rate, a legend to Automotive journalism.

What's the frequency, Sergey?

2011-03-15T08:57:00.003-04:00

Google has had an apparent epiphany.

Grow Better Managers the Google Way
Bnet

They have discovered what most successful organizations do to grow talent, engender confidence and success in their employees ... and generally what keeps them from experiencing mass defections (along with a stagnate economy ...)

The eight rules of treating humans like something other than an algorithm:

In a nutshell, here are the eight good behaviors Google has cataloged for its managers:

1.Be a good coach
2.Empower your team/don’t micromanage
3.Express interest in your team member’s success and well-being
4.Be productive and results-oriented
5.Be a good communicator and listen to your team
6.Help your employees with career development
7.Have a clear vision and strategy for the team
8.Have technical skills so you can help advise the team

All this was discovered, by Google honchos, as part of what they have dubbed "Project Oxygen" ... and is being lauded by industry types as now (somehow) revolutionary. Emanating from a data-driven initiative to understand what it's employees truly need to succeed ... seeing how so many were opting to leave the company to find what they really need.

(Hence, they needed oxygen to their brains ...?)

Find this the telling storyline, ...

"Project Oxygen is also unusual, Mr. Safferstone says, because it is based on Google’s own data, which means that it will feel more valid to those Google employees who like to scoff at conventional wisdom."(It's worth reading the whole NYT article here: Google’s Quest to Build a Better Boss )

Of course they couldn't believe in conventional wisdom ... not unless Google had discovered it themselves!!.

What's the algorithm for that?

Now, if the ad agency industry could take a cue from all this ... we might be on to something!!

F-bombs away!

2011-03-10T16:53:00.003-05:00

The nerve!! ...

Chrysler Splits With New Media Strategies Over F-Bomb Tweet
- AdAge

"The tweet was seen in even harsher light given that campaign strategy. In the automaker's communication blog to the media today, Chrysler Communications staffer Ed Garstens wrote, "The tweet denigrated drivers in Detroit and used the fully spelled-out F-word. It was obviously meant to be posted on the person's personal Twitter account, and not the Chrysler Brand account where it appeared. So why were so sensitive? That commercial featuring the Chrysler 200, Eminem and the City of Detroit wasn't just an act of salesmanship. This company is committed to promoting Detroit and its hard-working people. The reaction to that commercial, the catchphrase 'imported from Detroit,' and the overall positive messages it sent has been volcanic."

But, have to say ... this all sounds quite hollow.

Has anybody up in Auburn Hills holier-than-thou sepluchre listened to or read the lyrics of an Eminem song recently ...???

Didn't think so.

NO Imagination.

2011-03-09T08:31:00.007-05:00

GM ... none.

Last week ... that thing I posted ... about the "old GM" fading into the rearview mirror?

Forget it! - GM, in a real backslide, decided to rev up the incentives engine yet again !?
And, once on the dope ... there is no stoppin' it.

Beware incentives - AutomotiveNews

How could that tactic have become the holdover of the GM wreckage left behind?

GM just has no imagination ... no Adonis DNA what-so-ever.

(Quick - what is it?)

(Answer: GM's brain on incentives.)

Charlie TV ...

2011-03-07T08:50:00.003-05:00

Taking reality TV to a whole new gnarly level ...

Video streaming by Ustream

All you can say is ... this is about 1000 times more interesting than Jersey Shore ... (which is basically for troll viewers who haven't graduated to Charlie's whole other universe ...) ;-/

More: Too much Sheen: Good for ratings, bad for Sheen? -AP

Out with the old ....

2011-03-03T08:18:00.001-05:00

The "bad" GM becomes a fainter and fainter glimmer in the rearview mirror ...Old GM comes to end of road
- DetroitNews

The Cobo makeover ....

2011-03-02T15:11:00.002-05:00

What NAIAS has to look forward to ...

In the eye of the beholder ...

2011-03-01T08:35:00.003-05:00

The London Olympic Games logo ... which seems to be insighting some trepidation and criticism, for all the wrong reasons ...

Iran threatens London boycott over 'racist' Olympic logo

First, Iran thinks it is anti-Muslim ... (hmmm, must admit ... not seeing that at all).

And according to the article, some Big Ten fans may be seeing it as pro-Izzo ... (clearly not seeing that ... and as bad as the Spartans are this year ... who would really want to see that anyway?!)

Nope ...

Criticized for all the wrong reasons.

It's just a really crappy logo!

Comic Twist ...

2011-03-01T07:53:00.002-05:00

... to a tragic tale.

I love that reality TV can now be animated!!

Poking at the beehive.

2011-02-22T09:53:00.003-05:00

The buzz seems to still not have worn off of Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit" spot that first aired in the Superbowl ... How Chrysler Chief Olivier Francois Is Selling Detroit - AdAge

And perhaps that is the spots most enduring quality ... as it continues to invite discussion. Whether you thought it good ... or, completely off the mark.

On the one hand, I for one am giving credit where credit is due here on behalf of Chrysler brands CEO, Olivier Francois.

'You've got to tell stories that grab people by the collar,' Says the risk-taking CEO.

And that is the job of advertising messaging. Because clearly, if the ad has failed to do that in a compelling way ... the message ... and that elusive one chance to speak to a prospect ... may be gone for good.

But, also ... that message must be on target .... both for the Brand and the prospect. It helps not at all if there is no truth that resonates throughout.

And that is the art of good story-telling.

Think the Chrysler spot hit the mark there.

The lingering question, though ... is, did the spot hit the mark for the product, or was it just an emotional (and, yes ... gripping) sell on Detroit.

The AdAge article is the tripe of advertising these days ... another CEO/CMO star, who has made some buzz ... and we like to trot that out there like the latest hit parade on TMZ.

But the truth will really lie in what the results are that are born from said risk taking ...

From some commenter's to above posted article in AdAge:

By zv | Timonium, MD February 22, 2011 09:15:10 am:
the marketing mix includes a small detail called "product". Mr. Francois can sell Detroit all he wants, and takw all the risks he wants. Until people actually buy his cars the jury is out.

By twopdhart | San Antonio, TX February 22, 2011 09:18:19 am:
To use another American analogy, the guy has hits, strikes and fouls. The Super Bowl Chrysler 200 spot was a hit and so was the Jeep Grand Cherokee intro. The George Washington-in-a-Dodge Challenger ad was a stupid strike. And the rebadge of Dodge trucks to Ram is a foul. Why throw 80 years of tradition in the trash?

And this ...

By len | marlton, NJ February 21, 2011 11:56:35 am:
He spent $9million on the Super Bowl ad to attract new customers, but not a penny to retain an existing one (me) whose lease is about to expire and who has received no communication and no incentive offers from any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge dealer nor the corporation. I guess that's how they do it in France! Won't work here! Ta Ta!

Ouch!

For me at least ... as the buzz begins to fade ... the epilogue to the story will be, "Imported from Detroit" did much to reinvigorate positive discussion about a Brand (Chrylser) that has been facing a strong headwind in the market. It can't get on anyones shopping list if they are unopened to that discussion, or it has just drifted completely out of their heads altogether.

And it will all have been for nothing if Chrysler doesn't quickly get the rest of the marketing right (as so well noted by the commenter's above).

Beware those that poke the beehive ...

But, plaudets to those that poke the beehive.

It is why we do what we do.

Shouting in a windstorm.

2011-02-21T09:13:00.006-05:00

Over the weekend an unheralded moment passed ... quite unobtrusively ... and without fanfare.

DMG went over the 100,000 "unique sessions" mark (estimated 500,000 page views).

Its taken almost 6 years ...

And while the milestone is only personal, and in and of itself is somewhat meaningless (more like a Casey Jones chronicle of the never ending swing of the hammer) ... never-the-less, it is an opportunity to thank all the readers who have accounted for it's passing.

So, Thank you.

And the beat goes on ...

What is ... superficial intelligence.

2011-02-18T08:39:00.009-05:00

For anyone who became enamored of this weeks Jeopardy! challenge between Watson, the IBM super computer, and two former all-time human Jeopardy! champions (Ken Jennings, and Brad Rutter) ... you will get a kick out of Jennings postscript ...My Puny Human Brain

Frankly, don't think Watson could have come near Jenning's puny human brain in putting the whole thing into this kind of perspective.

Score at least that one for the humans.

Even though "I for one welcome our new computer overlords".

UPDATE: 2-21-11 The Dark Side of Watson - NPR

"Imported from Detroit."

2011-02-08T13:15:00.007-05:00

The line's brilliance grows exponentially by the hour ...

More than a tagline ... it clearly can be a line that redefines a brand ... in this case Chrysler. And, also ... Detroit pride.

Still tipping my hat to those interlopers up in Auburn Hills ... who now have shed any such moniker. Interlopers? ... not. Nope.

Think that bunch that never could shoot straight up there ... just got their Mojo on. Got their Motown groovin'.

Baby Baby!

Eminem's 'Imported from Detroit' Super Bowl Ad For Chrysler Scores Big

UPDATE: 2-17-11 As 2011 Super Bowl Faded, Doritos and Snickers Proved Lasting Winners - AdAge

Net-net seems to be ... the Chrysler ad did (and continues to do) some good for revitalization of the brand. Positive interest drives consideration ... and hopefully consideration drives shopping ... and begats conversions.

Chrysler seems to have gotten their money's worth for the hefty Superbowl media outlay.

Maybe lurking in there somewhere is the notion, also ... that if you have the "stage" ... use it in a compelling way. This is, after all, advertising.

Super day for Auto spots ...

2011-02-07T08:09:00.011-05:00

Finally, it's the car commercials that stole the show ...

Of course this is a "hometown" play ... but, I'm liking Chrysler all over again! .... conviction.

I'm thinkin' that Chrysler could pay off those pesky Government loans with a whole line of "Imported from Detroit" wear!

Already been played to death ... but,there's noone with kids who couldn't have connected with this ...

Even this ... (trying a little hard)

but paid off with ... "Hit 'em with the Kenny G" ...

Still ... there was one notable, but forgettable Auto advertiser ...

After seeing Ewanick slingin' the hash last week about making an impact in the big game ... don't really think Chevy showed up for it ... what happened there?

What was that ...$15 ... $20 mil or more? ... for all that time? And, this is how you used it? All you could say there was ... craptastic!

GONG!

Vital Signs ...

2011-01-28T08:11:00.004-05:00

Ford 2010 profit highest in a decade as sales rise

Over at The Glass House ... guess this would be the song of the day ...

But, wouldn't ya know ... those schmucks on Wall Street still weren't happy with performance ... because they screwed up their projections by not factoring in a key event this past year at Ford Motor Co.

"But the company fell short of Wall Street's expectations. Analysts polled by FactSet were forecasting earnings of $2.05 per share (Ford only earned $1.66 per share ... darn!), but they didn't take into account several one-time items, including charges for discontinuing the Mercury brand."
How could you overlook something like that? Oh, wait ... these are the same rocket scientists that engineered our National economic crisis. How did I overlook that?

This (unforunately) is the tune over on Wall Street ...

The Ferd F-teenthousand.

2011-01-27T13:06:00.001-05:00

"... and get yerself a license plate that says 8-ball !!!"

Davos.

2011-01-26T17:29:00.005-05:00

A Hefty Price for Entry to Davos - NYT

...oh.

So that's why I wasn't invited ...

(just imagining Sir Marty's surprise had I popped in!)

More: gideon rachman's blog ... whereby Gideon Rachman's (Financial Times of London) blog is hosting posts by guest and FT writers from this year's World Economic Forum in Davos. Including guest posts by Sir M himself!

Toy-oughta ...

2011-01-26T11:17:00.004-05:00

... get a new Quality team.

Toyota Recalls 1.7 Million Vehicles For Fuel Leaks

The current team just isn't cutting it ...

p.s. just more for Ford and GM ... as long as they keep doing things "right".

UPDATE: 1-26-11 For an interetsing opinion on if GM can keep doing it "right" ... go see The Auto Extremist this week ... where Peter De Lorenzo exhorts:

"And the personnel changes GM has announced this week? They’re emblematic of the intense turmoil going on within the company stemming from the fact that Akerson is wreaking havoc on product development, something he doesn't have a feel for or the qualifications to do, to put it charitably." Please say it ain't so ...

Making the A List.

2011-01-24T13:02:00.009-05:00

One Detroit Ad Agency just made AdAge's A List ... (which is kinda like a 4 A's list ... I'll explain in a second). Yep, just one ... and it's Team Detroit!

And while that's really cool? ... the real gravitas of this acknowledgement didn't strike me until I started flipping the pages of AdAge this morning.

Because, I mean ... right there was Team Detroit called out as number 10 on the "A-List" ... and, you know ... your saying to yourself well, hell, a Detroit Agency being recognized as one of the 10 best ... in the whole industry.

And then, I flipped the page ... and you know ... well there is the 10 that are the standouts. So, I'm at first a little put off with that, thinking ... I thought the top 10 were really, you know ... the top 10 ... but now there's these 10 others too, that are the standouts (like those wouldn't also actually be the top you know ... 10).

But, I quickly got over that ... so, I turned to the very next page ...

... and ... well ... now there is this new 10 to really watch. So, again, I'm a little put off with that ... thinking I thought the top 10 were really, you know ... the top 10, the standouts, the ones to watch ... but now there's these newest 10 others to watch (like you wouldn't do that with the top 10, or even the standouts, right?) ...

But, you know ... I'm turning the page again ... and now I find 4 more agencies ... yep .... that are their thingy of the year. And, sheesh, I was like ... man, Team Detroit and those other top 9 are like all over that, so why aren't they also that thingy of the year? You know?

... I turn the page again ...

And now, well (I am just about beside myself)... there's the Creativty A List ... not obviously to be confused with THE A list ... but, this new A List ... and, I am confused! Because they say these next list of 5 agencies "brought their creative A-game this past year with standout work".

So that kinda covers both the top 10 A list and the next 10 standout list ... but these guys are both those things!

I'm exhausted at this point.

Fortunately, when I turned the page again ... there were no more lists ... just the Opinion page.

Whew, ... 39 agencies made Ad Age's Top 10 list.

But, I went back and rationalize things this way ... you know ... it was kinda a big deal for Team Detroit to make that list in the first place. And, puts 'em in the top 25% of Ad Age's top 39 top 10! Not bad.

And the only Detroit agency to be listed at that.

So, Team Detroit? ... here's too ya' for representing the "D" !!!

Top 10, top 39, ... or whatever!

In our book ... guess you are No.1

Google this. And Google that. Ho-hum.

2011-01-24T09:15:00.008-05:00

Looks like the biggest news at AdAge this week is about Larry Page redefining himself at Google.

I mean, he and Sergey Brin were already the co-founding Knuckle-heads in chief ... so, what is the big deal about Larry Page anointing himself CEO?! Except that he seems to have the personality of an algorithm.

Believe me, the minians are still marching right along to the swish-swish beat of the broom in the monkey castle.

AdAge seems to think that reinstilling a "culture" (is that like reinstilling a soul?) at Google may likely be Page's greatest challenge. Because, they postulate .... Google ... the search behemoth ... is a 24,000 strong bureaucracy!
In a social media world that is becoming more and more nimble by the day around them ... how will Google - the Giant DeathStar of online media - fare in the coming digital storm?

Easy.

I think they will just finally get in cahoots with ole' Sir Martin "Don't call me the poisoned dwarf" Sorrell ... and buy everything.

Sir M: Now we'll see who needs a frenemy!! Bureaucracy is my middle name!

C: (sigh)

Powerpoint ... eat your heart out!

2011-01-06T15:55:00.002-05:00

YouTube can be a very fascinating place ...

I want to do this with media cost v. audience across all media channels for the last 100 years.

Sign of the times ....

2011-01-05T08:07:00.003-05:00

If this isn't a metaphor for what is happening to traditional media in this day and age ... then hit me with a mic boom ...

... and sincerely hoping this guy finds work. He sounds fabulous!

UPDATED: Golden-Voiced Homeless Man Captivates Internet
... pretty unbelievable ...

Welcome Back!

2011-01-03T09:07:00.002-05:00

One and All! ... 2011 ... Happy New Year, Happy New Decade, ... here we go! Rock 'n Roll.

Can you say "Mao-vertising"?

2010-12-17T08:43:00.005-05:00

... learn to ... because how close to China, (read: government induced "privacy" known as censorship) are we ... really ... when we are staring down the barrel of this gun ...

"The Obama administration has called for the creation of a Privacy Policy Office to assist in developing an Internet "privacy bill of rights." The U.S. Commerce Department's report stopped short of asking directly for privacy legislation. But it is recommending a "framework" to protect people from data collectors."

Progress? ...

Read all of Shelly Plamers thoughts on President Obama's Plan to Destroy Advertising, Marketing, the Internet and All Other Forms of Digital Life ... here.

The stage is being set for what could easily be the coming years biggest advertising and marketing related issue ...

The real issue, of course ... is ... is Privacy an issue the requires Federal Government regulation .... or worse ... Legislation. Or can it, in fact, continue to be dealt with in a consumer controlled, self regulated manner.

Bone up on that Chinese ...

UPDATE: 12-17-10 U.S. Seeks Web Privacy 'Bill of Rights' . - WSJ

Zuckerberg is no Douchenozzle of the Year...

2010-12-15T10:49:00.008-05:00

In deference to George Parker ... in fact, Zuckerberg is Time's Man of The Year.

Never having necessarily been a fan of Mark Zuckerberg ... never-the-less, he doesn't come across, in this video, as the douchebag that some media may have portrayed him as ...

Frankly, who could have imagined that a simple app like Facebook would capture so many's time and attention ( even dmg is there now ... )... except that it is built on the most universal of needs ... to stay connected with people who we care about, and who may care about us.

And if not?, then simply "unfriend" them.

(Guessin' that George Parker isn't on Zuckerberg's friends list ...)

Paying Tribute.

2010-12-09T15:03:00.007-05:00

This man ...

Bob Guerrini ... retired this past week from a long illustrious career in Detroit Advertising ... and as the Executive Director over the past decade and a half for The AdCraft Club of Detroit. (He actually retired over a month ago but graciously stayed on to help rudder the "D Show" to another successful evening).

I think it's fair to say that AdCraft probably would not have seen the success it has through such a turbulent time had it not been for "smiling" Bob at the wheel.
Make no mistake, Bob has been a supremely effective and decisive business leader. And a master of managing raging egos to a productive end. It was no easy feat to preserve and steer this ad club that we truly need in this city.

Bob did the job with a strong will, and clear vision and always with magnanimous grace.

I can only say that it has been my great pleasure to have known and worked with Bob as a colleague and friend ... and now ... wish he and his family a much deserved bon voyage and many happy days to come.

Its a wonderful life, Bob.

Thank you!

Our Maven-ly ways ...

2010-12-09T09:56:00.009-05:00

We just love experts in our industry ( afterall, who else would we get to populate all those conference panels ...)

I read the attached article in AdAge with keen interest ... of course ...
Ten Lessons From 2010 Media Mavens - AdAge ... because, these are Media Mavens afterall. Not just some random mediaguys!!?

Of all the maven-ly things said ... I particularly connected with these thoughts:

John Moore, chief media officer at Interpublic Group of Cos.' Mullen, on rebundling: "The best ideas emanate when creative and media are locked together at the beginning of the process. I know why unbundling happened and it made a lot of sense way back when. As a media guy I always felt like I was way back in the caboose. But can a standalone media company work together with a media agency as well as an agency under one roof? My personal opinion, I don't think so. I don't think it works the same when you have media and creative under one roof on one P&L driving towards the same place."

Having worked in both kinds of environments ... both the bundled and unbundled kinds ... I would unequivocally state that the old school full-service agency model is the only one that works!. At least the only one that works really well.

Whatever numbskull that thought unbundling the media process and product from the whole rest of the agency ... who are charged with building, messaging and maintaining the discussion and relationship with the consumer ... yeah ... whoever that numbskull was that thought unbundling that was a really good idea? ... well ... c'mon.

Like having your cake ... but never eating a bite. The grand slam breakfast ... but no bacon. Working a lifetime, building a 401K, only to get wonked with this recession. Like Sex ... and no orgasm. (Can I say that? ... hell yes!, this is my blog!)...

Ummmm ... anyway ...

So hats off to Senore Media Maven, John Moore.

But I guess there's got to be one in every crowd ...

Of all these mavenly industry wonks and their insightful visions ... there was ...

David Levy, head of ad sales, distribution and sports at Turner Broadcasting System, on how TV networks and advertisers can sell and run advertising on all platforms: "It's about keeping the media ecosystem that's in place healthy. And in order for that to happen we are rallying around TV Everywhere. Consumers want content across multiple platforms and in order to provide that, the distributors want to be able to execute that; and in order to provide them that opportunity, we want to be able to monetize it across the three platforms."

Really?! ... that's what it's about? ... AHHHH! in other words ... it's all about sales!

Of course. What was I thinking? ...

How maven-ly of you ...

CEO of the Year goes to ...

2010-12-08T07:57:00.003-05:00

This ought to have the suits over in the Glass House smiling today ... as fearless leader is recognized ... yet again ... Ford’s Mulally wins CEO of the Year award
-Marketwatch.com

No surprise here.

The only thing that might be surprising to me is if the GOP aren't courting him to run in 2012.

Who let the dogs out ...

2010-12-06T10:29:00.002-05:00

Holiday advertising with a message ...

Pure Michigan will return!

2010-12-03T12:09:00.002-05:00

Pure Michigan gets a second chance -DetNews.com

Hopefully they can put back the award winning creative and media teams that got them such pure success the first go-around!.

This was one of my favorites!!!

... oh ... wait ... this wasn't one of the real ones ... well ... anyway ....

This blogging business ...

2010-12-01T10:55:00.004-05:00

I am realizing how truly difficult it is to restart something as ambitious as this ... this ...(freakin')... blog. And, which I suspended for months.

I had just run out of something important to say.

Looking back ... I see now that DMG wrote with some almost religious fervor for almost 6 years ... many times a week ... ranting ... with great angst and or frivolity on any given day ... you pick the day. The ramblings of a tortured mind ... in an era when our business/our lives seemed under attack from all sides in Detroit ... just a small, insignificant voice, shouting into a strong ill wind from a crowded noisy street corner ... pleading for some small recognition of "the truth".

But, then ... just ran out of something important to say.

Lost a voice ...

Lost an audience ...

Lost the inspiration ...

and now ... struggling, like clawing up a slippery muddy hillside ... to regain the foothold. Light the pilot. Reignite. Restart.

Ran out of something important to say ... but, now realizing ... what was important then were still only the ramblings that crept out from the crypt, day-by-day ... that otherwise were naggingly there anyway on a long ride into work ... and just allowed to reside in blog-world for others to scrutinize ... ruminate on ... and be bolstered by, or to hurl insults at, or perhaps be moved by nothing at all ... but there just the same.

This is my lawn ... those are my flowerbeds ...

Doesn't come without hard work.

Nothing easy about rekindling a spirit.

(editors note: film clips of "Being There" used wihtout permission but chosen simply for their eloquence in rephrasing a point ...)

Looking ahead to another "Mad Season "...

2010-11-22T11:23:00.003-05:00

Offering a certain precursor (or perhaps premonition) of the coming Broadcast Buying-Selling season ...

Fox Offers On-Air Make Goods Online ...

And, what makes this particularly intriguing is the fact that in what should have been a relative strong viewing season for Networks ... even the strongest of them are losing audience at a clip akin to a Gulf oil gusher.

Couple that with an impending NFL "lockout" for the 2011 season ... the very place where CBS, NBC, and FOX seem to be paying back audience shortfalls ... and it begins to set up some semblance of "buyers market" scenario for the coming Upfront.

In a completely ironic twist ... 'Another senior buyer said that most of the streams being offered for make goods are for the higher rated shows on the network's roster, such as House, Glee and Family Guy, "so that chances are your mix of programs online may be better than on-air." '

And, in a world where people, more and more, watch their broadcast TV on something other than "live" over-the-air basis ... you might expect the whole dialogue of ratings and audience measurement and currency to take on even further urgency.

The time is rapidly coming ... like it or not ... that the ad industry is finally going to have to address this elephant lurking in the room.

10% to 20% ratings declines annually just make it so ...

How about them apples?!!!

2010-11-18T15:20:00.002-05:00

GM stock rises 6% after IPO generates more than $20 billion

Last line of the article is a telltale postcript to GMs big day, however ...

"UAW President Bob King said on Wednesday that he welcomed a high stock price but his workers would not offer new concessions next year."

Leave it to the UAW to rain on (what should be also be their) parade ...

Will blog for food ...

2010-11-17T08:52:00.002-05:00

More proof that DMG is doing it all wrong ... Hitting Pay Dirt on Content Farms Is All About the Traffic - AdAge.

...per George Parker ... how to make money blogging!

Something to contemplate as I warm my hands over the barrel fire ...

GM ... mining for Gold.

2010-11-17T07:48:00.007-05:00

GM boosts IPO size to reduce government stake!!!

GM is sensing a deep vein to tap for the gold in them thar hills.

Or, it may just be a Chevy ...

But, clearly ... something runs deep there.

P.S. And who's waiting around close by ready to clean up any crumbs? ... ' "This will give us a great, great precursor for the Chrysler IPO. I'm delighted; it couldn't have gone better," Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Tuesday night.'

Which way to the IPO?!

Easter comes early to MoTown ...

2010-11-16T15:55:00.011-05:00

It wasn't all that long ago that we were kickin' dirt on the grave of good old Chrysler ... you know ... that Brand with about 90 lives?!

And anybody in the Detroit agency biz was probably kickin' dirt into the hole over in Southfield that used to be Doner.

That is until these 2 unlikely vagabonds get together and decided today to make some beautiful music together ... Chrysler Shifts Dealer, Retail Biz to Doner- AdWeek.

No matter how flaky Chrysler may seem to be (but, currently enjoying a sales resurrgence)... or how down and out Doner appeared to be ... this is all good news in Detroit!

Say Hey to the Resurrection!

R.I.P Sparky Anderson

2010-11-04T14:38:00.002-04:00

A tale of two classes ...

2010-11-04T10:21:00.005-04:00

In the hangover of Election day returns ... the whole public morass of it all ... I reflected on 2 interesting and separate sets of statistics this morning.

On the first hand ... U.S. Auto sales are at a high point for the year. Good news for all of us in Motown ... and all around the auto industry as virtually every automaker is seeing strengthening sales.

Automakers post solid gains in year's strongest month - AutomotiveNews

- Seasonally adjusted sales rate now running at +12million.
- Year-to-date sales of the Industry at +11%
- For both Ford (+19%) and Chrysler (+17%)that news is even better.

All of which leads industry analysts to say ... "another sign that consumers are growing more confident."

But, then there is this ...Applications For Jobless Benefits Rise Sharply - NPR, which is of course exactly what this mid-term election referendum has been about.

- 15 million (reported) Americans being served unemployment benefits.
- Still losing +450k jobs a month.
- Congress unlikely to re-extend jobless benefits that have run out.

The Number One problem in the economy is jobs.

Which then leads me to postulate on these 2 completely incongruous sets of statistics, above.

Lets face it ...

A new vehicle purchase is second only to a new home purchase in debt outlay for a family ... (and only marginally above a college tuition disbursement for those so saddled).

So ... really ... was the last 2 years about the fact that, even though the Feds were trying to re-energize "middle class" spending and create stimulus among this group of Americans who would actually "spend the money" in the economy (in their wisdom) ... was it really that all that happened was the economy solidified for an upper income group (those who can afford a new vehicle with an average purchase price that's about what the monthly rent or mortgage would be for a "middle class" income) ... and still left that middle class in the lurch???

“Consumers who have a job are feeling a little bit better and not fearing every Friday anymore,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst at researcher IHS Automotive. They feel like the worst is over and they're starting to trickle back into showrooms.”

In order to keep that momentum rolling ... the jobs cycle is going to have to turn about.

The economy sputters along ... as the tale of two classes goes on ... the employed ... and the unemployed.

Wake me when it's over ...

2010-11-03T08:16:00.008-04:00

Now that that little political interlude (oh, the election!) is over .... back to the business of the nation!!! ...

Does anything change? ... Knowing our political process ...

I doubt it.

Little GTO ... No Mo'

2010-11-01T15:49:00.005-04:00

In case you missed it ... yesterday ... Halloween ... was the last official day you could purchase a brand new Pontiac.

Today, everything left on the dealer lots with the Pontiac badge became a used vehicle as contracts ran out with those remaining dealers.

And, of course they stopped actually building any new Pontiacs a year ago.

No Mo' Pontiac ... No Mo' Excitement ... No Mo' Little GTO ...

Just makes you a little nostalgic for the good old days ... doesn't it?

Run silent. Run deep.

2010-10-28T15:58:00.004-04:00

Chevy's new ad campaign ... "Chevy Runs Deep" ... is proving to be a bit shallow in critics eyes.

Criticism of New Chevy Theme Line Runs Deep - AdAge.

As bold as GM's Ewanick has been pronounced to be so far ... must admit, I am sort of left scratching my own head that this would be the campaign that he uses to relaunch the Chevy Brand in it's post-bankruptcy era.

There's nothing ... bad ... about it. There's just nothing ... unpredictable about it. In fact it is all too predictable and leans on that lamest of crutches ... nostalgia. And frankly, for a new age of buyers ... don't think that really resonates.

The Volt ad isn't bad ... but the rest of the campaign just isn't really that good.

The truck spot just misses in so many ways. Obviously they have not been watching those recent Toyota or Ford Tuff ads over there in the RenCen. Maybe(?) the image of a dog and a truck can compete with High-end tork, heavy weight axles, or reinforced beds ... towing around crap that outweighs the truck by 3 or 4 times ... but to true truck owners out there? ... I'm betting the Chevy ad is just a little soft and wimpy.

Knowing Chevy truck owners out there ... they may feel a bit squeemish when they see this new ad. Being portrayed that way ... Maybe it'll get 'em a date ... but, they'll likely get their ass kicked at the bar ...

One commenter wrote ... "Life through the rear view mirror, rather than forward looking and thinking. The number of years a company has been in business does not compel me to chose their products."

Others weren't quite so kind ... "Gloriously moronic. I feel like I'm watching a Saturday Night Live spoof of a real ad campaign" ...

or, this ... "this just proves that when it comes to gm, agencies as amazing as Goodby and as lame as c-e are almost interchangeable."

And, I'm guessing that Ewanick wasn't expecting these kinds of reactions to his darling agency's first work.

Criticism in these parts ... runs deep.

The NBA - No Brand Aptitude

2010-10-28T09:20:00.010-04:00

What is it with the NBA these days?!

Their latest marketing gaff is this ...

The NBA has banned upside down headbands - YahooSports.

"When ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg reported on Tuesday morning that the NBA had made a move to outlaw upside down headbands, my initial assumption was that someone was having a little fun with Chris. He's a smart dude and a great reporter, but the league can't be that petty, can they?"

Oh yes they can ...

So now guess what ... none of the players will wear the NBA headband.

Last night ... Rajon Rondo, the NBA's most notable headband wearer (and an upside-down wearer) ... went sans-headband in Boston's game against the Cavs.

So who loses?
Why ... the NBA ... of course. Might as well just create a pariah out of what was sweet licensing gear. Because for every kid that might have worn it ... who's gonna now?! ... if even the NBA's stars think it ain't cool?

And lets face it ... today's NBA is all about the personality ... not the league.

So what Rajon Rondo wants to wear the darn thing upside down. At least the NBA logo was getting some play. (I'm betting 5 out of 10 don't even know that the "jerry west" logo is the official one of the NBA - I'm bettin that the Air Jordon logo has a better chance of being mistakenly attributed these days ... !)

Lesson?: Sometimes your brand police ought to just step out of the way ... (like Chevy v Chevrolet, in recent memory ...for instance).

A Big Mistake.

2010-10-27T08:40:00.005-04:00

If I ever thought I hated sports celebrity ... this whole Lebron thing takes the cake.

Nike Tries to Rehabilitate LeBron James' Image in New 90-Second Spot - AdAge.

If Nike (and Lebron) think this waste of 90 seconds is doing anything to "rehabilitate" Lebrons image ... (like we even give a ... (well) ... about his freakin' image after being played so badly by the whole trumped up going to Miami thing ...), then I guess they have taken self-serving and narcissitic advertising to whole other level.

Of course, if your Nike, I guess you feel the need to do something since they have a major investment in Lebron for endorsement. But this ad? ... C'mon ...

Lebron gives new meaning to the term "mistake on the lake".

What should he do?

How about this ... Shuddup.

Serendipty.

2010-10-18T07:46:00.005-04:00

Marketer of the Year: Ford Motor Co. - AdAge.

Of course we couldn't be happier! Of course we are all breaking our arms patting ourselves on the back! Good Job! Well Done!

Spoken by those who toil in the agency mine.

But, frankly, it's never felt more like an "us and them" achievement.

Farley, in fact, makes that quite clear ... "But the bigger concern was a cultural one. Mr. Farley, a self-described "freak, ' was worried he wouldn't fit in at Ford. By 'freak,' I mean that I like bottom-up ideas, creative thinking at the client, not the agency. I expect our team to come up with new ideas' ..."

The Marketer of the Year? ... (at least in my mind) is really Alan Mulally. And it is really only a testament to his character and ethos that this award is being referred to as "Ford" in a great collective sense.

Freaks and armies of bottom-up thinkers aside ...

You see ... it is Mulally's "One Ford" vision and mantra that finally put Ford on course ... and steered it away from the iceberg ... a narrow and harrowing escape.

It was "One Ford" that got the wheels in motion.

Mulally would never allow for this characterization of himself, however. Because he is all about "Team". He is the rarest of commodities these days.
One who champions and embraces the collective achievement. A leader without Ego.

But make no mistake. Ford would not be in the position to accept this award were it not for Mulally. His intrinsic clarity of vision ... and wisdom.

True serendipity arrived at The Glass House the day Bill Ford finally cajoled Alan Mulally there to take the reigns.

Congratulations Ford.

Atomic Tom - Rocks the iPhone

2010-10-17T19:10:00.006-04:00

In this new technology , and viral age ... this one has to make even GodJobs smile ...

(the band supposedly recently had their instruments ripped off ... but made the best of things anyway to keep rockin' on ... hmmm ... don't believe it, makes for a nice story, but it is a fantastic pr stunt none-the-less.)

Bet Apple's agency is trying right now to figure a way to take credit for it ...

Brilliant.

Let's get this party (re)started ...

2010-10-11T07:57:00.008-04:00

...and, what better way then blasting the inane ...

First up, my favorite target ... Google ... now they want to turn my TV into a giant search engine. GoogleTV claims they will change the way I use TV forever more.

Why ... I can search, do apps, surf the web ... personalize my home screen to do apps and search the web right from there... and, not only that ... I'll be able to search the web while watching picture-in-picture TV ...

And, did I mention I'll be able to search the web ...

Which is all just dandy!!

But ... the thing that really hooked me? ... this:

”(Google TV) is like an adventure where TV meets web, apps, search, and the world’s creativity. Like Android, it will be an open software platform. From the start, it will be able to work with any TV. And before long, anyone will be able to build applications for it. The coolest thing about Google TV is that we don’t even know what the coolest thing about it will be.”

(... really? ...sheesh)

Leave it to a bunch of nerds up in Mountain View ... rarified air to be sure.

And just because I've been away for some time ... can't help but take a shot at Jules ...

More inane and uninsightful words were never uttered.

So good old Jules was tapped by MediaPost to lead their digital change summit in Boston a week ago ... and leads with these completely hyperbolic inanities...

(paraphrasing her remarks in relation to some of her honored panelists) ... "(she) sparked a thought, a notion in somebody ... and laid the ground to what was possible." Huh?

Not only that, she leans back on some of her past glorious dalliances to make the point ... like Pepsi (remember: Peter Arnell - the jokster who duped Chrysler into it's worst ever marketing foray ... and then duped Pepsi into it's worst ever marketing foray ... but, must have given Jules access to their lead marketing whiz-bangs here...)

"As for Pepsi, Roehm is a big fan of the No. 2 position. "I think there is something about that which makes you edgier, makes you reach farther. Pepsi's had lots of missteps along the way, but I think they've had more big successes." Plus, she adds, "Pepsi is consistent at great, really out-of-the-box ideas. There's an element of fearlessness."

Element of fearlessness??? wtf.

Or maybe she is just plugging for the next job.

And then, as always, she has to lean back into her Chrysler days - when she was clairvoyant - and they were not ...

"The Jeep brand is one of the strongest automotive brands out there. Even to this day, and particularly since it is associated with Chrysler, it is the most valuable franchise owned by the Chrysler brand. (editors note: Huh?) Had it been a stand-alone, it wouldn't have suffered. I drive a Jeep, a four-door Wrangler.

(I'm not making this crap up ... MediaPost )

And that's why this was an important conference .... ??!

Big deal. I drive a Ford ... AND a Jeep ... so FU.

Maybe MediaPost is reading ... and wants to tap into DMG for it's next Super conference. I can be at least as inane as Google ... or Jules ... believe me.

A message to all you disrespecting squatters ...

2010-10-07T15:18:00.002-04:00

Starting Monday ... I am taking over my blog ... again ...

2010-08-11T10:56:00.000-04:00

Message Board:

2010-07-22T08:38:00.004-04:00

Leave one here if you want to reach me (use comments) ... or email detroitmediaguy@yahoo.com.

(Random blog posts periodically - so check back.)

Lemonade, Detroit style ...

2010-07-19T15:18:00.004-04:00

Just click on this blog link and follow the development of a very special film about Detroit and some peeps you may even recognize ... making their own Lemonade in Detroit

Jubilation!

2010-07-15T16:53:00.001-04:00

No oil leaking into Gulf from busted well ... for the first time in 86 days.

UPDATED 7-19-10 Setback ...
Seepage Detected Near Gulf Oil Well

GM builds ... rockets(?)

2010-07-15T08:08:00.004-04:00

Not a bad first effort by Goodby ... predictable stuff ... but well produced.

Question is ... Corvette being one thing ... what are they gonna do with the make-or-break launches like Volt that have to completely reshape the image of GM or Chevy (sorry ... Chev-ro-lay!-sp). Tried and true imageering like this Vette spot isn't gonna quite cut it.

Full of it.

2010-07-13T08:37:00.008-04:00

Frankly ... I just don't know who is more full of it ...

LeBron James ... self proclaimed "King James" ... who single-handidly set a new bar (and a low one at that) for future free-agent declarations ...

or, Dan Gilbert ... who took off on LeBron like a scorned woman ... and launched platitudes to all those Cleveland fans that no owner in his present position could possibly deliver ...

or, ESPN ... for airing out the whole contrived affair ... proclaiming a new model for advertisers and "content" development and integration ... (are they kidding?)

or, Jesse Jackson for throwing it all back 200+ years with an inane tirade of his own and completely idiotic portrait of the Cavs owner as AnteBellum Master ???! (LeBron was clearly master of this whole situation ...).

And to top it all off ... Turner wants to charge me double digit increases to advertise on the NBA ... (sigh)

You know? ... just more reason for me to be completely unmoved by professional sports.

*******************************************
More LeBron-a-thon: ESPN host criticizes LeBron-a-thon

... the upshot ....

"For days, commentators have chewed on the ethical implications of a sports-news network giving a star athlete an hour for self-promotional purposes. But as the special aired, the real-time Twitter critique focused on ESPN dragging out the inevitable decision for nearly 25 minutes. Viewers were forced to sit through Jim Gray — James' hand-picked interviewer— tossing six minutes of softballs before asking what everyone wanted to hear."

Even more ... Madmen Ads - #5

2010-07-09T09:09:00.004-04:00

That's right ... nothing like a little cold 7-up on a hot summer day ... (maybe a Marlboro to go with that ...)

Maybe this stuff we do really does pay off!

2010-07-07T08:24:00.009-04:00

I am a strong believer that one event in life is a link to the next ... and our experiences prepare the way.

For some people that may lead to a crowning achievement ... like an Oscar, or an Emmy, or your 15 minutes of fame ... but, for others of us ...maybe it just comes down to something a bit more pragmatic and pedestrian ...

Like this ...

getmykidoffmycouch.com.

You may not know Jane Crissan ... but she was a former Digital Analytics guru at Team Detroit. Life experience led her away to NYC where she heads up a digital analytics group called "T3". And, by her account ... things were swimming along marvelously, until ... her daughter graduated college, with no job, and wound up on Janes's couch.

Not daunted ... Jane put all of her professional experience and creative talent (refined over a current lifetime of work) to the test and came up with a unique marketing campaign to get her daughter employed.

And it worked!!

Check out the blog ... or their Facebook page, and listen to Jane discuss her motivation on Kim Iverson's radio show in NYC.

Maybe this was what she was preparing for all those many years toiling in the agency salt mines.

(Now ... have to figure out how to get my son off the couch.)

And ... this final Madmen Ad of the week - #4

2010-06-30T14:09:00.003-04:00

... everyone knows Mom can use a good smoke now and again ... The Madmen great stress reliever ... ah for the days!!!

Even more Madmen Ads - #3

2010-06-30T13:39:00.002-04:00

...following right along with a theme ... (but, really ... what were they thinkin'?)

More Madmen Ads - #2

2010-06-29T09:26:00.001-04:00

seriously ... what could they have been thinking ...

Madmen Ads - #1

2010-06-28T14:38:00.001-04:00

...what could they have been thinking?

Ewanick Rides Again!

2010-06-24T08:26:00.003-04:00

Ewanick Puts Mark on Cadillac -- by Preparing to Move Account - AdAge

hmmm - wonder if Caddy is also headed to Goodby? And, of course assuming it could be ... the staff will be instructed to NEVER! use the term "Caddy" again ... ever.

And, as usual ... I'm reading past the headlines on this story to what the readers are saying ... here were a few choice comments from this story (to undress the moment)...

By Derek Walker | Columbia, SC: "I'm curious, what moves have Mr. Ewanick made within the various GM marketing departments? I'm not a fan of any of the GM work but unless he makes some serious internal changes, the new agencies are facing the same problem. A huge portion of GM's marketing problems are internal. He needs to follow his own example and clean the GM marketing house completely. Then he needs to move to the product design department and go all "Freddy" or "Jason" on them, leaving bodies all over the place."

or, this little gem ...

By lumsdengr | PALM BEACH, FL: "Ewanick can move the account around and around, that's not too hard to do. It is an easy way to keep your pig dressed in new clothes."

Finally ... Doner is looking for a good Auto account ... zoom-zoom.

Miracle on ...

2010-06-23T12:39:00.002-04:00

... the Soccer Field? We're really not used to that.

These guys are doing their best to elevate soccer ratings in the US and cause a craze! US advances at World Cup with 1-0 win

Doner is officially zoomed.

2010-06-21T12:08:00.003-04:00

Mazda Cuts Incumbent Doner From Review - AdAge ...

Also, at MediaBistro ... We Hear: Doner Lost Mazda ... where they speculate that TeamDetroit may in fact have won the business ... but that seems unclear at this moment.

UPDATE: 6-21-10 WPP Team Wins Mazda - AdWeek ... so there you have it.

"I" Is Legend.

2010-06-17T09:45:00.004-04:00

Tom Izzo.

This is what makes that statement fact ...

'Tuesday night in East Lansing, surrounded by family, players and school officials, Izzo said, "I am here for life."'

Izzo's choice to stay at MSU solidifies familiar legacy.

Legend indeed.

"O" my !!!

2010-06-16T17:01:00.002-04:00

Don't you wish you worked for Oprah today ...

Oprah Hands Out IPads and Cash to Magazine Staffers

An iPad (which in it's own right would be cool) ... AND ... $10,000 in cash ... to EVERY staffer of "O" Magazine.

Now that's what I term the benevolent dictator.

Dodge wants to start a revolution ...

2010-06-16T16:00:00.007-04:00

...except it never was Dodge that began the revolution they are talking about ...

But ... once again ... just leave it to the viewer to clarify ...

(Comment left on the Dodge Challenger YouTube video:)

wakeboard30

This would be a good commercial if it wasn't advertising a government-owned and bail out company like Chrysler/Dodge, the very principle of state-owned tyranny that the brave patriots depicted are fighting against. This commercial would be better suited for a Ford or even Toyota products. Screw Chrysler, screw GM, and screw Obama. George Washington wouldn't be caught dead in a Challenger

... and one more thing ...

They never did fight the freakin' Revolution in Montana ... for crissake. (You ever seen sage brush in Vermont, or Massachusetts?)

Look who showed up ...

2010-06-15T15:19:00.007-04:00

Two parts of Third Eye Blind showed up at Team Detroit today for an intimate acoustic set and quick meet and greet. And they call this advertising?

Stephan Jenkins and new guitarist Kryz Reid did 3 numbers (Jumper, Motorcycle Drive-By, and a new song Bonfire) live ... and also debuted yet another new song via audio system prior to the "live" set.

(Sorry about quality of these pics ... but best DMG could get ahold of on short notice.)

That Team Detroit really rocks ... really ... they rock.

Was that Chevy that you said?

2010-06-14T08:10:00.005-04:00

What do you do when you really screw it up publicly? ... well ... you just retract all that ... as if it never even really happened ... "just a bit of fun" ... that's what you do!

Backtracking, G.M. Says Please, Call It a Chevy - NYT.

"G.M. issued a statement on Thursday that said the memorandum had been “poorly worded.” The statement said that the memorandum reflected Chevrolet’s strategy as it expanded internationally, but that the company was not “discouraging customers or fans from using” Chevy."

Hmmmm ... I can hardly wait for the next company memo out of GM marketing ... they'll probably want everyone to refer to them as General Motors ... and throw a quarter if you ever use the term GM again.

Seriously ... the Marketing Head Honchos at GM clearly just overthunk it to begin with ... so give 'em credit for quickly making a right turn (after being called out by no less than the NY Times).

But ... just for the record ... all they really needed to do was listen to this to begin with ...

... it just doesn't have the same lilt when it comes out ... " shes gonna love me in my Chevrolet Van ... and that's alright with me ..."

Good decision.

Abby Sunderland

2010-06-10T16:31:00.006-04:00

Not sure if any of you may be following this ... but Abby Sunderland, the 16 year-old sailing phenom who is attempting to traverse the worlds oceans solo ... is currently lost at sea.

A rescue team is on the way to locate and save her ... but at last report were 40 hours from the remote location where her emergency beacons began to signal in high seas of the Indian Ocean.

Will be following reports on Abby's blog ... now being updated by her family ... as events unfold in her rescue.

Maybe because I have a 15 year-old, and can't imagine her taking on this kind of feat, and dealing with peril on this scale.

UPDATE: 6-11-10 Abby is Fine!

UPDATE: 6-15-10 Now the fallout begins and a new storm ... a media storm of criticism begins ... Stormy seas take on new meaning in Abby Sunderland saga

CHEVY! ... there, I said it!

2010-06-10T12:15:00.010-04:00

God bless AdAge (and originally the NYTimes) for printing this ... GM's New Revenue Stream: Charging Staffers Quarters for Saying 'Chevy' - AdAge

From "the you can't make this s**t up" file comes further proof that the morons are running the asylum down at the RenCen.

All systems "normal" ...

As quoted by AdAge, GM chiefs wrote in their email to employees: "We'd ask that, whether you're talking to a dealer, reviewing dealer advertising or speaking with friends and family, that you communicate our brand as Chevrolet moving forward. ... When you look at the most recognized brands throughout the world, such as Coke or Apple, for instance, one of the things they all focus on is the consistency of their branding ... Why is this consistency so important? The more consistent a brand becomes, the more prominent and recognizable it is with the consumer."

Truth is ... more actual people (not brand marketing knotheads) probably refer to the brand as Chevy ... and always have ... than Chevrolet.

And now ... what's even better ... in the typical client move ... "A GM spokesman told the Times that it was Goodby that influenced the move"

Sure - blame the agency! But I will guarantee you this ... noone at Cambell-Ewald would have thought to make such a ridiculous and lame-brained suggestion. Not sayin' that Goodby would ...?

On top of that they-GM (in obvious jest? but, are we really sure?) suggested any employee who falters and uses the "Chevy" word throw in a quarter for every transgression.

Well that's one way to go about paying back those government loans.

Nebraska leaving the Big 12 to join the Big 10.

2010-06-10T09:09:00.006-04:00

The Big 12 appears to be dead.

A source close to the Nebraska Board of Regents told Orangebloods.com the regents informally agreed Wednesday to move to the Big Ten and that a formal announcement Nebraska is leaving will come Friday.

Hey! ... wait a minute!! ... Doesn't this make the Big 10 (which is already the Big 11) the Big 12 now? ... sooooo ... is the Big 10 dead???

Just sayin'.

The Big 10 (er ... 11 ... er ...12?) Graduating Class of 2010 (uh ... 11 ... uh ... 12?)

A Grand Eff'in time for Detroit Ad Agencies.

2010-06-10T07:56:00.007-04:00

In case you did not catch up to this ... Detroit played very well in the Effie Awards this year (held two nights ago in NYC).

On top of the heap? ... were Leo Burnett who created the Grand Effie winning campaign for the Detroit Public Schools called "I'm In"... (read more here) ...

And, TeamDetroit threw down with two Gold Effies for their "Fiesta Movement" and "Drive One for UR School" campaigns.

Eff'in good show Detroit!

If you are not familiar with the "I'm In" campaign ... then view this ...

UPDATE: 6-14-10 Detroit Public Schools’ “I’m in.” from Leo Burnett won Grand Effie last night - AdLand

Killing "live" music in America.

2010-06-09T10:38:00.003-04:00

Just because this topic is near and dear to me ... Pay to play - Strict enforcement of copyrights jeopardizing live music in small venues - Boston Globe.

At the heart of it ...

"Copyright law requires that any venue where music is performed publicly, from cheerleading competitions and mortuaries to nightclubs and stadiums, have a performance license. Recorded music is subject to license fees as well. The three US-based PROs — ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC — collect the fees and distribute them to their members."

Trouble comes when venues like small coffeehouses, churches, ... even sitting around the campfire ... are subject to lawsuits for performing copywrited music. The PROS each want to assess these venues up to $200-$400/ year for the right to play the music. That could mean as much as $1000 or more a year.

Most of these places, if they take in any money at all, don't have that to spend on entertainment that patrons have come to love. For the practicing musician ... just don't go there unless you are prepared to play nothing but original music.

As the article mentions ... even "Happy Birthday" is a copywrited song!

Now I have to say ... and I know I am going out on a shakey limb here ... but just bettin' that Neil Young doesn't give a s**t if a local musician plays one of his songs at a coffehouse for the enjoyment of 10 people.

Unfortunately ... seems to be a growing problem with no solution for the "live" music lover.

And so ... for that ... I give the ASCAP, BMI and SESAC something to make it near and dear to their heart ...the time-honored Johnny Cash salute ...

Charlies Angels does FOXBusiness ...

2010-06-09T09:36:00.002-04:00

check it out ...

Network Upfront winding down ...

2010-06-09T09:03:00.002-04:00

With a healthy increase over a year ago - and probably back on par with 2008-09 based on revenue increases at CBS, FOX, CW, estimated to be between 10%-12% and presumably same story at ABC and NBC too ...

CBS Wraps Upfront Sales - Network Notches $2.4B to $2.6B, Buyers Suggest; NBC, ABC to Close Imminently - AdAge

Challenged ...

2010-06-08T13:23:00.006-04:00

Ok, ok , this is my absolute last post of the day (... I've just been on this insatiable rant today ...)

Picked off of Copyranter's blog ... here:

... this ... well ... starts with S ends in T ...

Loved Copyranter's koda ...

"This is a portion of an ad for the Dodge Challenger. "This is the car you buy because you can't buy a bald eagle." What's that, Mr./Ms./Logic? You can't drive a bald eagle? You, sir/lady, are an unpatriotic Evil Doer. Judging by the visual, the Challenger is also the official car of Revolutionary War reenactors."

Somebody ... anybody ... please tell me WTH they are doing over in the Auburn Hills Ad Lab ... besides creating advertising Frankensteins ...

Must see TV ...

2010-06-08T11:22:00.011-04:00

... sort of ...

Want to know about the current landscape of TV content creation and how it lives on TV versus the web ... in today's social media framework? ...

Then watch this clip of an interview with Steve Levitan, the creator of "Modern Family", this years biggest TV (um ... scratch that ...), web (um, scratch that ...)content hit.

Picked this off of AllThingsD (here):

Levitan has a unique and interesting view of his medium, TV , in a digital world. And this guy is a self-professed digerati.

He likens the "twitter" effect to something he and his compatriots call "Google-mirth". Fans of his show actually want to watch it in real time, and simultaneously twitter about some of their favorite lines or moments in the show.

He says they are, "bringing back wanting to watch TV live." Because they want to be among the first to tweet about this weeks episode.

His thoughts on Hulu?:

"Hulu is a tricky thing for us", says Levitan.

Modern Family is among the top 10 shows on TV, and regularly gets another 2 million views on Hulu every week. Imagine monetizing those extra 2 million - it would make his top 10 show a top 2 or 3.

But he gets no credit for the audience. No compensation for it either.

"TV is about sustainability", he says, and Hulu cuts into that model. "I question what is the ultimate wisdom of it?"

Read into this ... if digital kills off the TV model ... how will we fund content creation?

"Modern Family" - a modern content hit on both TV and the web - trapped in an analog model - and precipitously balancing on it's own sustainability.

Video content distribution on the web is in desperate need of a sustainable model all it's own.

"In Digital ... we eat our young, too."

Last Word on the Upfront ...

2010-06-08T08:17:00.006-04:00

... for now.

Read with some interest these two differing viewpoints on the Upfront. Which any way you cut it is a $15-$16 billion exercise in freetrade supply-demand economics.

Why Today's Upfront Matters Less Than You Might Imagine - AdAge

The Hated Upfront Buying Season... It Still Works - MediaBizBloggers

Have to say ... once again I am agreeing with Steve Grubbs in MediaBiz...

"Yet, for all the criticism, no one has suggested a viable alternative, and that's why the Upfront, for all its warts, still works. So long as it is more cost effective to buy upfront vs. scatter, the model still works. So long as TV continues to provide value to advertisers, the model still works. So long as the best shows are available on the dates you need them, at the lowest rates, with audience guarantees, options to reduce commitments, digital extensions, branded entertainment opportunities and all the bells and whistles, the Upfront is the most effective system by which buyers and sellers can transact business. The minute all these Upfront buying benefits are available through an alternative buying strategy or system, then it's time to re-evaluate the efficacy of the system."

More twitter-dee-dee ...

2010-06-08T07:55:00.004-04:00

...twitter-dee-dumb ...

To Infiniti... And Beyond - Slash/Marketing

I don't know why I do this to myself ... read these other Autoblogs like Jule's Slash/Marketing thing over at AOL Autos. Maybe just straight out of envy I suppose... you know ... desire of being seen as this sort of expert on all things having to do with marketing, media, and such ... wondering how they do it?

I mean how'd she get that gig ... when all she ever writes about is twittering this and that.

As if Twitter somehow is the silver bullet in every marketer's gun!?

In this particular blog Jules is just clearly impressed with the fact that Infiniti uses social media to help launch a vehicle. And that they are using private showing events to help launch discussion of their newest machine into the cyberworlds of their enthusiasts and some potential buyers.

In this day of Twitter and Facebook, you can imagine how much more nervous the manufacturers are about losing their control over the information flow. So the idea of allowing anyone that hasn't legally signed their rights away or someone just off the street to, gasp, see and drive the vehicle before it arrives in showrooms is almost unheard of. Almost.

Please ... there's not a single manufacturer out there not doing this kind of marketing tactic on some level.

To be awe inspired by it is just sort of like being ... a twit ...er ...er.

Get outta Dodge.

2010-05-27T08:38:00.003-04:00

If you have seen the new Dodge minivan commercials ... (well ... hell ... here they are ...)

... then you might have a similar reaction to this person who posted this reply to Dodge on YouTube ...

sindreli
2 days ago

"what the hell? not only is it a terrible commercial with no real message, but what is the purpose of marketing a minivan like this? a MINIVAN - the SOCCER MOM'S vehicle!"

'bout says it all I guess ...

Swagger Ad'ing.

2010-05-27T08:20:00.004-04:00

Toyota, showing again how to market in the face of adversity.

Swagger Wagon - @YouTube

You would never know these guys had been smacked with one of the most scandalous and potentially brand damaging crisis of this decade ... the unintended acceleration fiasco.

Not these guys. They are up in sales share by a full 1.5 points this year. (The only one doing better is Ford, up 2.1 points in share.) I realize they are laying the incentives out there heavily ... but, all the same ... buyers still have to buy.

The Toyota brand ... at least for now ... seems to have it's swagger "on" ...

Meanwhile ... compare Dodge's new minivan ads with those of Toyota ... Memo to Francois whats-his-name : Are you embarrassed yet ... ?!

Memo to Dodge's ad agency : You must be too embarassed to put this on your reel ...?!

UPDATE: 5-27-10 Survey: Honda perceived to be tops in customer, quality commitment - Consumer Reports

Who are these guys?

2010-05-26T08:25:00.006-04:00

John Wren's $41 Million 'Golden Coffin' Still Alive, Kicking -
Omnicom Shareholders Reject Proposal to End Death Benefit for CEO's Heirs -AdAge ...

or, this ...

Performance Enhancers
In theory, CEO pay is tied to performance. But the devil's in the details - AdWeek ...

I mean ... really ???!

SirM: You see dear ... size really does matter. Mine is much bigger than John Wren's!

C: (sigh)

Spotted!

2010-05-21T09:24:00.004-04:00

... outside the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn yesterday ... the all new Ford Focus ... which isn't even launched here until Q1, 2011 ... (bonus is, this is the high performance version, which actually isn't even going to be available in U.S. at launch ... maybe ...)

About Face.

2010-05-21T07:58:00.006-04:00

At noon yesterday we were talking about the fact that GM had retained Cambell-Ewald to handle all the Chevy retail, sponsorship and collateral work ...

Just2 days ago, AutoExtremist had blogged that ... "Ewanick is also said to have rehired longtime Chevy ad shop Campbell-Ewald to handle retail and sponsorship ads, according to Adweek's sources."

But Wait!!! Not so fast mon frere! ...
word comes out later that new GM head Marketing honcho Joel Ewanick has in fact shifted all that work to his most favored agency ... Goodby. GM Confirms Chevy's Shift to Goodby - AdWeek.

Good news seems to be they will staff it up in Detroit.

Also this: Joel Ewanick's First Order of Business at GM: Chevy - AdAge

Integration: Is Upfront in time?

2010-05-20T15:09:00.002-04:00

Particularly liked what Chris Boothe of Starcom had to say on the brand integration game in this interview in AdAge ...

What TV Advertisers Want From the Upfront - AdAge

Ad Age: How much earlier than in upfronts past are you starting to talk about product/brand integration or devising "hybrid" TV spots that use your product/name as well as the TV property you're sponsoring?

Mr. Boothe: Content is developed 365 days a year by programmers and consumers. Our position at Starcom is that we mine the marketplace on a year-round basis. While the upfront is a pivotal time for TV-centric opportunities, conversations around partnerships happen as appealing and brand-relevant content enters the development pipeline. For the types of work we want to produce for our clients, we work very upstream so we can truly leverage the abilities to create a partnership, including leveraging co-marketing opportunities and the ability to drive to retail and call to action. If you haven't been having these conversations and you've been waiting until now, you've been missing out on numerous opportunities.

Been trying to tell a few folks this ... but, maybe they would listen to someone other than me.

Lemonade in Detroit

2010-05-19T09:55:00.003-04:00

Got this email in my inbox this week ...

Lemonade, Detroit
"About a month ago, I sheepishly asked my wife Kathryn if she would be willing to go through another round of financial uncertainty as I worked on a second film. Would you do it again?" I asked her. After a deep breath and brief glance to the clouds, she said yes.

So with her blessing and a little good luck, we'll start shooting "Lemonade, Detroit" in June. This time, it's about how an entire city built around one industry has to reinvent itself after that industry collapses.

A brief synopsis:

In 1950, Detroit was country's 4th most populous city. People who worked for one of the big three auto manufacturers felt taken care for the rest of their careers. Today it's a city with fewer than a million people and no single industry with which to identify itself. Those who are left are increasingly becoming entrepreneurs. Partly because of innovation. Partly because of the most affordable real estate in the country. And partly because it's their last option. "Lemonade, Detroit" is a film about the disarming resilience of those who are moving beyond automobiles and into an era of entrepreneurism. They may be farmers, bakers, theater owners, designers, or aerospace suppliers. But all of them realize the fate of a city is theirs to decide.

Like the first "Lemonade," this is an unfunded effort. Everyone who is working on the project right now is doing so out of the kindness of their own hearts. We have our stories lined up and our cameras ready. And once our Director of Photgraphy's newly-broken arm heals, we'll be ready to start filming. (Poor Peter Nelson. We were actually scheduled to be shooting this week until he got in a one-man bicycle accident.)

But unlike the last round, we are only shooting a trailer at first. Once that is done, we are going to package it with the "Lemonade" case study and pitch the hell out of large sponsors. I want to produce this film properly without relying on favors from everyone involved.

But until then, we need your help.

I am asking for contributions of any size so we can pay for travel, hotel, and lunches for the crew while we shoot the trailer. There will also be mounting legal fees, web hosting charges, and all the other incidentals that come with devoting our energies to this project.

Without all your support and generosity, the first "Lemonade" would have never happened. It's because of you that people all over the world have found the inspiration to leave their comfort zones and do something meaningful. So now, I leave you the same question I asked my wife:

Would you do it again?

Thank you for all your support and encouragement. If you'd like to support "Lemonade, Detroit" click here to donate. And once again, nothing is expected, but every bit is appreciated."

Be well,

Erik Proulx

Creator, Lemonade/Detroit

UPDATE: 5-19-10 if you want to contact Erik Proulx you can email him here ... erik@lemonademovie.com

The Upfronts.

2010-05-18T10:50:00.001-04:00

Here's what's going on ...

NBC Revamps Prime-Time Lineup With Emphasis on Scripted Programming - AdAge

Fox to Focus on New Comedies, Ambitious Dramas - AdAge

Gimmee a little drink ...

2010-05-18T08:39:00.006-04:00

from yo' lovin' cup ...

Screw the TV Upfronts ... this is the biggest media event of the week as far as I'm concerned ...