The insanity of Cousins keeps on coming. Cousins, the directors who did the unauthorized scandalous 'Newlywed Skittles' spot last year have come back with a sequel. This same couple that were seen having Skittles sex in the last spot are back--- and expecting!

Awkward part about it is that Daddy is expecting a Skittle....but what arises is not short of an issue. See for yourself!

A bit graphic and a nice Jersey reference in the end. Very nice.

BIZARRE and HILARIOUS
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Remember Ted Williams, the man with the golden voice? Well KRAFT has developed a heartarming endeavor featuring Mr. Williams. This Valentine's Day all you Tweeters should know that you could have Ted read out your Valentine's Tweet with his magestic voice if you type #voiceoflove at the end of whatever you'd like him to say. And it gets better as with every Tweet he receives, KRAFT will donate 100 boxes of Mac & Cheese to Feeding America.

Now I'm not sure how well Mr. William's voice qualitfies as a voice of love? In my opinoin, not romantic in any sense. Like com' on when he reads that sample Tweet, didn't really do it for me. Hit and miss, but I see what your trying to do KRAFT. It is a great cause, and having Ted Williams, a homeless man who hit it big representing the cause is a great mix. But in all, this just goes to show how integrated social media has become into marketing. 

Other brands have been utilizing Twitter in such a way too. The integration of social media into a campaign shows how to build-up fun and excitement around a brand through providing an additional venue for consumers to interact with it instead of just making purchases. For instance, Heineken launched a similar endeavor where consumers can 'serenade' a date online. In detail, this Valentine's Day, Heineken is giving consumers the chance to personalizee video-serenades to send out to their Facebook friends. Recently, Heineken's social media monitoring revealed that the campaign is creating positive discussion amongst its target market, young adult males and women alike.  All in all the integration os social media encourages fans to make links with the brand, while also driving consumer-to-consumer engagement around the brand. Great stuff!

In the end, I think im gunna embarras my Boo with a Heineken Serenade =]!
Check it out. IT IS HILARIOUS! (https://www.facebook.com/heineken?sk=app_137291299679912)

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In Brazil Nivea demos its fun new ad. for sun protection! and I love it.

AgenciaClick created a giant outdoor mosaic composed of white beads that react to the sun's ultra violent rays (here.). The advertisement shows a woman suning herself in stunning color.

During the day, when the sun is scorchin, the colors are bright with white lettering remaining white due to the artist slathering them with Nivea Sun. At night the entire surface is white. This is really a great concept!
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Facebook Facebook Facebook, we can't seem to get away. With nearly 800 million users, 75% of which are outside of the United States, Facebook, which only had its start in 2004 is HUGE. Now, as we all know, is filing for IPO, but it has not been a smooth process. Controversy and criticism surroundsboth  the site and Zuckerberg's intentions behind going public.

Nevertheless, close monitoring has been put on the process. But, this is nothing new, a popular company is 'graciously' offering the investing public a piece of itself....it's been done before FB. In detail, as advertised Fabeook's offering will be about $5 billion (the largest internet initial public offering on record), which forshadows a stock market valuation of $75 billion to $100 billion. Sounds good? BUT, this means that only 5%-7% of the company's shares will be available to public investors. This comperatively is a small public offering relative to the company's size.

The reason for this is to create an initial shortage of the stock so that the price goes up when the public trading starts. Money hungry shark Zuckerberg. The higher the price the higher the return, the more Facebook can brag (well till it changes its layout and everybody hates it for a week...) OH and Zuckerberg's stake is worth $28.4 billion. That makes him richer then Google's co-founders and almost on par with Oracle Corp.'s founder. Now thats just arrogant....

Personally, clearly I'm not a huge fan of the IPO and would not choose to invest in Facebook stock. Also, there are alot of people out there that are simply not very knowledgable on the subject and assume that Facebook's stock is the end all be all  and the most valuable stock on the market.  I feel as though stocks such as Google, Apple, and Wal-Mart, companys that Facebook, once public would be on the same level as, are wholly more diverse and offer more security to your investment. In the end, Fabook is a social media site and just that. Yes, it gets funding from advertisements, company's want to be seen on it, and it has revolutionized the way we communicate. But, consider Apple or Google who have thier neck in everything from internet services, computers, email, TV, cell phones, AND social media (google+). For those companies when one aspect falls another can pick up the value. Facebook, when your communication tactis are outrun by some new innovation, what do you have left? Google+ is not far behind....

In their filing Facebook outlined potential risks as hacker attacks, regulatory scrutiny, a shift to mobile technology, and rivals such as Google+ as well as the social media sites of different countries. Forbes also recently published an article entitled The Resons Not to Invest in Facebook, which offers key insights to how Facebook is trending.

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Google is in the works  to open it's first retail store at its European headquarters in Dublin, although no plans are definite. the Mountain View, California-based company said in an email "We've not made any decisions, it's simply a planing aplpication." What is definite is the expansion of their Dublin branch. 

Yet if plans fall through,  the Google Store will be open to the public, as Google currently has one retail locations open only to employees as well as the the online site (www.googlestore.com), featuring their items. The initial 'test-run' for the retail store was done inside a London branch of Currys and PC World. Primarily this was a trial for selling laptops running the company's Chromebook operating system. The location in Dubling would sell unspecified Google merchandise near the companies second largest headquarter location.

This is Google's effort to compete directly with Apple as well as to follow rumors that Amazon is considering its own stand-alone in Seattle. Along, with the retail site the company is also in the process of buying Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for 12.5billion, which will be ruled on by The European Commission by Feb. 13. Yet, in the face of Apple, Google has some ways to go in order to effectively compete on the retail front with the technological giant.

Your move facebook.

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I LOVE PINTEREST! Idk how I would be able to get by at LONGG days at work without it! It teaches me how to do my hair and cook and makes me laugh!!

Well its grea to find out that Pinterest is the hottest thing in social media right now! Its been dubbed as one of the top web properties in 2012. BUT, it remains invite only!! HAHA....

So for those that don't know Pinterest is a curation site, much like stumble. You can custom taylor your 'boards' to your specific interests. You know like PIN your INTERESTS on a board, get it? =].

OU LALA. check this out "recent research has shown that Pinterest is driving more traffic than Google+, YouTube and LinkedIn combined!" (source.). Now thats pretty legit if you ask me.

This site is all about the visual, So brands, Hop on it. Paving the way on Pinterest are brands liek WholeFoods, GE, and GAP. OH and, if you'd like an invite just comment below, I'll be nice and share the love.

I love checking into places on my phone! But, normally I check into places that I know my friends would be jealous of. You know sort of like a joke of sorts. Well some extablishments are taking it to the next level and spreading the benefits it reaps!

A recent article published in AdAge Magazine reveals Walgreens' effort to jump on the bandwagon of mobile advertising. Walgreens is the FIRST retailer to use LocalResponse to publish deals or promotions via mobile, and will be the only drugstore to use this feature for at least one year. As customers check into any of the chain's 8,000 stores through mobile apps such as Foursquare or Yelp and publish "I'm here," Walgreens will message back with either a coupon or a reminder of a sale that is going on at the time on a certain product. Walgreens has also been testing other means of social media use to make customers more aware of their products.  In detail, customer check-ins promted free flu shot donations by the store. Additionally, for Energizer, check-ins served up a mobile coupons, similar to the image above. 

  This endeavor not only benefits the convenience store but also the brands sold. For instance, through the effort Energizer saw better redemption rates than traditional digital coupons. This truly benefits both players at work; Walgreens is getting the sale and so is the brand of whatever they are selling. GOOD TEAMWORK!

I think a war is brewing. One between Moleskin and Field Notes. Personally, I've bought Moleskin prodcuts for some time now and have looked over any Field Notes notebooks. But, upon seeing this cute little number I'll begin to reconsider.

This video was created to promote the Red Blooded notebook which Field Notes has recently added to their product line. The video features the notebool that becomes a love letter. A very creative approach reminicent of Google's ad about a year ago of the couple that met while studying abroad.But, adding in the end that "I swear I didn't just make this to sell Field Notes," is a bit much in my taste. They could have done without that part.

But, with the big V-day approaching more and more people will become suckers for the romantic and boyfriends will be desperate for ideas on what to get their significant other.

See the video here: http://player.vimeo.com/video/36086669?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=fffff

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So the Chirstmas of advertising has passed us, and now brands are reaping the benefits of their agency's hard work and dedication.

Now we look and see whose spot really made it! AdAge Magazine along with partner Blufin Labs generated data on the 10 Super Bowl spots that revealed the highest levels of response across social media.

NUMBER ONE being, one of my personal favorites, H&M's "Bodywear for H&M." Yum! David Beckham close-ups wearing nothing but some thighty whiteys, Ou lala. This spot was simple, done in black and white, while a camera pans up and down Beckhams bod. Gotta admit it is a rather simple BUT a striking campaign. I know when I first walked by H&M's window with the large stand-up Beckham, I had to do a double-take and instagram that ishh. This really gets the girls attention, but does that really drive a man's decision about what underwear to buy? From the men I know, the respect for this soccer player isn't too great. Many don't idolize him as they do Ronaldo or Messi. Maybe having either of them would have made a greater impact on males and females alike. Yet,  to be honest the underwear H&M is advertising here is really nothing special or sexy. A pair of white boxers and or briefs? uhhh..not really cutting it  for me, but if they are on the body of an all-star soccer player then thats another story. But, I mean but if it gets a woman's attention, then boys listen up.

As H&M had 108,914 number of social media comments, other top ten spots included Chrysler, Chevy, Budlight, Samsung, and Doritos enjoyed two top ten spots. Also included, was a personal favorite, Pepsi's "King's Court" ft. Elton John (too good).

To see the full list visit: http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/10-super-bowl-commercials-won-social-media/232548/

And to see all the SUper Bowl Spots again visit: http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/instant-replay-super-bowl-spots/232530/

--> As the Advertising's Chirstmas is nearing Joe Pytka named "the father of Super Bowl spots" by Advertising Age, reveals his tips and secrets on the art. (see it here)

--> TSK TSK TSK! a CSR no no for a BIG CSR brand, check out what big-time agency Ogilvy has on its' plate! (see it here)

--> Hey Hey TBWA! Making me wanna dance in my cubicle! and CHECK Elton John's sweet kicks!!
    --  Special SHOUT to Edouard of The Edouard Alert ! a great friend and currenty intern for TBWS/Chiat/Day
         in New York. Hisblog is great and filled with the latest on advertising news and alerts! Check it out.