Read my undies

Airport scanners: the new artistic medium


Metallic ink on fabric as seen through airport scanner

http://cargocollective.com/4thamendment#802869/Metallic-Ink-Printed-T-Shirt

Countenance-book

This NYTimes Blog piece shares that Facebook is one step closer to TMing the word 'face' for the telecommunications industry. On one hand, I get it. Facebook, with its hundreds of millions of users, has the potential to become a word like Google or Kleenex or Xerox. On the other hand, I think it's probably less likely to be caught up in the so-branded-we've-lost-our-brand cycle.

Facebook, unlike a web search site or a tissue brand, is based in and reliant on our need for community. As a user, you've joined a tribe of like-minded users; people who want to connect in the same way. Those who don't want that 'facebookness' aren't looking for a copycat site -- they're looking for a totally different perspective on online community.

So go ahead Facebook, trademark 'face' if it makes you happy. Personally, I don't think we'll ever see a line out the door to join something called FaceTome or FaceAnthology so long as smart developers take the easy opportunity to differentiate through their name and web address.

With Facebook Claiming the Word ‘Face,’ Some Alternatives

By NICK BILTON

Paul Sakuma/Associated Press

Facebook is a few steps away from getting a trademark on the word “face” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, according to a document discovered by the technology blog TechCrunch, which it wrote about on Tuesday.

According to the document and filing, Facebook was informed on Tuesday that it could move to the next phase of the trademark process, which will include paying a fee and providing a “Statement of Use” illustrating how the word will be used in the real world and online once it has been trademarked.

So does that mean Facebook will be able to stop people from using the word “face” unless they are willing to send a check to Mark Zuckerberg, above, a company founder? Not exactly.

As the Patent and Trademark Office points out, the trademark will apply only to “telecommunication services, namely, providing online chat rooms and electronic bulletin boards for transmission of messages among computer users.”

But that still limits the use of the word for businesses when it comes to the modern-day world, as almost every business has a Web page, Twitter or Facebook account associated with it.

There are some options for people who want to a “face”-like alternative for the name of their company or start-up. A quick perusal of the thesaurus offers some options, including countenance, mug, physiognomy, veneer, front, display and facade. I guess they just don’t have the same ring to them as “face.”

The latest development is sure to inspire more frustration with the Patent and Trademark Office. For the past several years it has approved a number of strange requests related to the Internet and start-ups.

$99 tag lines

Questions this site brings up:

1. Does this make creativity a commodity, or highlight how much it is not a commodity?

2. I guess you don't need to take the time to understand your brand's positioning and vision before creating its tag line?

http://www.99dollartaglines.com/

So Gay

Aside from wholeheartedly agreeing with this message, I thought this was kind of a neat use of a banner ad. It may, in fact, be the only banner I have purposefully clicked on.

Things I like about it:
- It's actually live-searching Twitter
- It's gives regular people an easy way to spread the message

Google is a Lover, not a Hater

Google recently rolled out it's Google Instant search, which I think is pretty interesting. I may be too easily distracted to have so much going on in the background, but the predictive capabilities of Google have always been inspiring -- and with Instant, it's even easier to see just how smart their algorithms are.

However, there's something odd going on. It seems that Google, in all its wisdom, does not want you to be hateful.

When you type in "I love," over 36 million results come up instantly, starting with "I love the way you lie." Try "I hate" and the results are ... nothing. White screen. Not one result shows up until you press enter.

Exhibit A: I love

Exhibit B: I hate

Is this Google's take on the power of positive thinking?

Sometimes this is an appealing option

http://wtfshouldidowithmylife.com/

Conversations with Comcast

I recently moved back to Richmond, Virginia, which is very exciting. New job, new apartment, new car, new … cable service. It’s the cable service part that gets me, because unless I want satellite TV (which my landlord has requested I not do), I’m stuck with Comcast.

Yes, that’s right. Comcast. Click here to see the famous youtube video.

I didn’t have much faith in their customer service or the competitive nature of their pricing, but given my limited options I decided to suck it up and become a customer. I looked online to get a rough idea of pricing, and then decided to call them on the phone to order. Perhaps that’s odd, but since I don’t have much trust in Comcast, I wanted to speak to a real person as I placed my order.

ROUND 1:

After trying to get through the maze that is their phone system (why on earth do you sue my phone number as a location finder? It’s 2010 and my only phone is a cell number I got when I was in college!) and being connected to Comcast’s Illinois location twice, I settled in for a nice 9-minute-long wait since it was a high call volume time. Amazingly enough, it has been a high call volume time every time I pick up the phone, regardless of day or time.

After finally getting connected with a representative from the Richmond area, I found out that their pricing was significantly higher than the online pricing. The representative explained that Comcast did their online work through a contractor, but that if you buy over the phone your special rate lasted for a year rather than six months. But while the person I spoke with on the phone was nice and informative, at this point I have no idea which option is actually cheaper because I haven’t had time to do the math. So rather than signing up for anything, I told her I would have to think about it, and we ended our call.

ROUND 2:

It’s been a week and I still have no TV and no Internet access because I can’t stand the thought of dealing with Comcast and their stupid phone system or arbitrary pricing again. However, after a week of buying iced coffees at Captain Buzzy’s just so I am able to feed my email addiction, I decided it was time for round 2.

This time, I do even more homework, and find that if I buy my cable and Internet separately rather than as a bundle, I can actually save money. In fact, based on the online prices, it’s not until year three that a bundle gets less expensive. Is there a catch? Ahh… the terms and conditions. If you want to purchase Performance High Speed Internet at the special offer price, that “requires a subscription to either cable or phone at regular rates.”

My guess is that I can’t buy them both at special offer prices then. However, I put them both in my cart to see what happens, and find that there’s no problem there. Still, I decide to get in touch with Comcast to check. For all I know, the ‘regular rate’ is the rate offered on the website.

First up -- the online Q+A section: there are no questions like mine, so it won’t give an answer.

Second try – the online chat feature: where I am told after waiting through 46 other chats that she is unable to answer my question because it’s (effectively) not in her department. Can she transfer me? It should only take another few minutes and some more of my personal information…

Third attempt – calling the number listed on the webpage: There are higher than normal call volumes, of course, but I finally get through to a friendly guy who can’t seem to comprehend that I don’t yet have Comcast service, but still have a question. I eventually get to ask him my question:

Me: Hi, I’m interested in two services that I saw on your website, and from your website it looks like it would be less expensive to buy them separately than together. However, I saw in the terms and conditions that the Online Performance - Special Offer I saw that it requires a subscription to either cable or phone at regular rates. So -- Can I combine Digital Starter TV - Special Offer with Online Performance Special Offer? Or would I have to pay full price for one of them?

Comcast rep: “You have to order that service over the Internet”

Me: “I know, but I would like to have an answer to this question before I do”

Him: “I don’t see why not. Unless it says you can’t or something.”

Me: “Well I'm not sure, given the terms and conditions..."

Him: “Can I assist you with anything else?”

I doubt it. Because thanks to your fine-tuned listening skills and your in-depth responses to my question, I still have no f-ing clue if I can ge the special offer price for both of those services, or if I’m going to find myself screwed on my first bill. My bet, given my Comcast experience thus far, is on the latter.

As of right now, I still have no cable or Internet service. Congratulations Comcast, one more Internet-junkie goes dark because of your ridiculous consumer-facing behavior.

PREPARING FOR ROUND 3:

So after my conversations with Comcast (apologies for the novel), I have a few basic thoughts about customer service:

1. If you’re the only option a person has, you should probably make even more of an effort at customer service. You’ll easily exceed their expectations, and they might even consider you when competition enters the marketplace (or when they move).

2. We’re not even in the new millennium any more – we’re beyond the new millennium. Perhaps a phone number isn’t the best way to determine where your customer is.

3. Your sales people are service reps and your service reps are sales people. That means that everyone should be onboard with the rules, the regs, and the company policy – no matter their title.

4. Online and digital can have separate pricing, but that doesn’t mean they’re separate companies. Because in the information age, people are using any means available to them to get the information they crave. To build walls where none previously existed in the consumer’s mind is to weaken your company.

If only I could take a stand. Too bad they're the only option.

Fontstaches

Ad-Supported Airplane Food

This seems like a really interesting idea -- especially since no one on has heard the word "Free" on an airplane for years. I think this opens the gates for much more brand participation. Instead of Creative Labs sponsoring your box, why not have a brand sponsor it directly? That way, meals could be designed around any theme or idea they want you to connect with the brand.

How about the Hyundai Assurance snack box, featuring comfort foods, a code for guaranteed dinner reservations to the city you're going to, and literature to help you understand the Assurance program?

How about a city-specific box? The Emeril box on flights to cities with an Emeril restaurant, complete with a certificate for a free appetizer during the time of your stay in the city to which you're traveling?

-----

Ad-Supported Food Lands on Horizon Air Flight

Programs by Air Advertainment Let Marketers Sponsor Snack Boxes

By Michael Bush
Published: May 24, 2010

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Passengers boarding Horizon Air flight 2631 from Seattle to Portland early this morning were treated to an in-flight rarity: free food.

The snack boxes were part of a marketing program from Air Advertainment in which marketers sponsor free meals or snack boxes for all passengers. Brands that take part in the program will be allowed to determProxy-Connection: keep-alive
Cache-Control: max-age=0

e the list of snacks passengers receive. The snack boxes for the debut attempt -- on behalf of Creative Labs, a consumer-electronics company -- include Stacy's Pita Chips, pretzels and a Hershey's chocolate.

Flight attendants will alert all those on board that their meals are being sponsored by Creative Labs. Inside the branded box will be messaging directing consumers to text and e-mail a message to the company or visit Creative's website, where they can access a Facebook contest. Those who text or e-mail Creative immediately after landing will have the opportunity to win prizes or a shopping spree on the company's site.

Passengers can also keep the snack boxes, but in some cases they may receive additional rewards by dropping them off at retail locations.

Ryan Matway, president of Air Advertainment, said the program can be used as both a brand-building device targeting a wide range of consumers on a national basis, similar to a TV commercial, or more like a piece of direct mail or e-mail targeting a very specific group of potential customers on a more regional scale.

Expansion planned
"We can broadcast in a big way to build a brand image or be really razor sharp with accuracy just like in the Seattle-Portland market," Mr. Matway said. He said the demographic of the Horizon airline passenger flying that route is of a very tech-oriented and sophisticated traveler with an income of more than $100,000. "Marketers have asked if they could control all of the flights into the [consumer-electronics show] or sporting events like the Super Bowl," he said.

Mr. Matway said 25,000 boxes will be distributed during the next 20 days on this route. He expects to be on 25 domestic routes by the end of the year, working with at least four major carriers and at least 25 marketers ranging from automotive manufacturers to smaller brands "that just went public."

An executive in the airline marketing industry said it's a lucrative market and a captive audience but doesn't know if the business model is sustainable. "It has all the positives of that audience, but it's carrying a lot of legacy issues from an advertising perspective that are troublesome and have failed miserably in that space before," the executive said. "If you're giving away free meals, that's going to get expensive fast. There's a reason airlines charge for them now."

Mr. Matway said airlines will also stand to benefit from a customer-relations perspective and in some cases, financially as well.

"Carriers are turning an expense into a potential profit center," he said. "Air Advertainment is covering the cost of that food. And in some situations they may be compensated for giving us the opportunity."

I heart customer participation

Kate plus Eight

I hate to admit I was perusing Perez Hilton, but this is pretty funny.

http://perezhilton.com/2010-03-09-can-you-spot-whats-wrong-with-this-pic

Stock Room UGC: letting average Joe's get their message out via barcodes.

Questionable Targeting

This old man is obviously the prime candidate for going back to school. Could they not find even one good picture of a 30 - 40 year old? No one who might actually want/need a second career?

Tech Smarts

For all its algorithms, the one thing technology can't seem to mimic is common sense.



I really don't think I will be 'sharing the news' with Philander Chase, who founded Kenyon college and who died over 100 years ago.

Things I Love: Red Meat Commercial

Pint Glass Advertising

You can't even drink anymore without someone trying to sell you something.

A Lost Art

Modern technology gets much praise. The cell phone, of course, is no exception. Before cell phones, how could a person possibly insert oneself into every waking moment of their friends and coworkers lives? How could bosses call at 11 PM faultlessly (after all, your company probably pays at least 15% of your bill if you're required to give them your number) and friends send text after meaningless text?

I jest. I'm addicted to my phone, and in true Millennial fashion, I no longer wear a watch because my $29 cell phone has my time-keeping needs covered.

However, one thing analog phones had in their favor was the powerful Art of the Hang Up. That satisfying F-you click that not only ended a conversation but created a powerful, almost guttural, how-dare-they-leave-me-so-powerless response from the hung up on party. Today, between lost calls and spotty 'can-you-hear-me-now' service, the only reaction you can possibly expect from a hang up these days is bewilderment after someone talks for two minutes only to receive no response.

My Grandmother, whose phone manners can be as spotty as an iPhone's 3G network, ends almost every conversation by slamming the phone into its cradle for a good 5 - 10 seconds. In her case, the message is unintentional, but still received. And so, with her in mind, I propose a new iPhone app (the world needs another, I'm sure you'll agree): the Hang Up. My proposal is that in order to revive the lost art of abrupt conversation ending, this app would allow you to press a combination of numbers which would play a recording of a phone slamming into its cradle, and then follow with a dial tone.

Problem solved.

And I'm Back

For the past year and a half, I've been living my life in a strange combination of laziness and hyper-drive. In my hyper-drive moments, I'm working, working, working. I work on a retail account, a shopper marketing account and a pro-bono, and it's left much less time than academia to blog. To record moments of interest, I've leaned toward Twitter -- no muss, no fuss, and very little thought. As for my lazy moments, I don't think much more explanation is needed.

But it's 2010 now, time to start new things and to re-start old projects. This blog may be a bit different in round 2. I'm not sure what the changes will be, but my life has changed since I last took it seriously. Advertising, as my job, is a part of my life. But as a job I love, it affects most of my life. The blog, then, is about advertising -- as it always has been. But my definition might be a it broader. Advertising is touched at all points by people -- the teams, the agencies, the artists who inspire, and the 'targets' we try to speak to. And so, this blog is about people, as filtered through the possibilities for communication.