Daily Mail Scum…
I am an unashamedly proud pinko, lefto, vegetarian Guardian reader. This is doing the rounds and it’s rather chucklesome…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And contrary to popular belief, did NOT read it in The Daily Mail…
Is it cos I is Aussie…?
George Patterson Y&R have a rather lovely office in Melbourne, a city I love (and was fortunate enough to spend a little time in whilst seconded to our Asian hub late last year). They have a strong creative reputation in the region (and do far more than just hold the Y&R name above their door), the ad below being a shining example of that.
Australia as a nation still bears some heavy scaring with its treatment and historic policies relating to the indigenous population. The ad is simple and its deployment of split screen clips (of indigenous and non-indigenous people), to display related statistics. This shines a light on the very real and current discrepancy between goals / quality of life for these different groups.
A chilling tale. Makes you think about life at home…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And hopes Australia can make real change to these chilling statistics…
Fold like a pack of cards…
Technically I am a floating voter.
Whilst his party have a more than questionable record on gay rights (they’ve changed, apparently), its fascinating to watch what happens to the man who may be leading the country shortly (or trying to claw his way to power via King Maker Clegg), under minor scrutiny from a bantam weight journalist.
No doubt troubling for Central office (unless they have any other great P.R.egnancy stories / ‘racy’ pictures to feed the media with).
Personally, I’m not sure which way the polls will go.
Those with a memory spanning back to the last recession will remember high interest rates / reposessions. Those who are tired of Labour and feel it’s time for a ‘change’ (TM), will want to vote for ABL (anyone but Labour). And the Lib Dems still suffer under the first past the post system from being viewed as a wasted vote.
A hung parliament, or a razor slim majority for Labour or the Tories. Either way, it’s going to be a bumpy ride…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And congratulating the Gay Times on a well-timed interview…
Kylie does Heineken…
I love Heineken…
In my humble, no trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Heineken Museum.
Being a bit of an ad geek, wandering round the zone dedicated to their historic ads was just spectacular. Not been in a few years, but do remember it being a very interactive experience, fingers crossed they are still breaking boundaries…
Anyhoo, they do seem to have lost their way of late. This certainly isn’t standout work compared to some of the historic highs the brand has reached, but it’s brilliant to see some of Kylie Minogue’s backing dancers can find work when she’s not touring…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is off to pluck a feather boa…
Spotify overpay Lady Gaga…
Saw this on Brandrepublic this morning. And it’s $167 too much if you ask me…
Interesting times ahead for the Spotify brand.
Whilst I still think they are well placed to carve themselves a future in the digital music space, but they are going to be up against some heavy record industry legal muscle…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And an avid lover of Spotify. Even more today than yesterday, but likely not as much as tomorrow (etc).
The Gaga Saga continues (and she doesn’t have man bits)
Let me just start with a plain, simple point. I am not a Lady Gaga fan. (Quick note, some viewers may find some of the content in the video mildly lesbionic and arguably unsuitable for <18’s).
That said, she is beginning to show all the hallmarks of a recording artiste who appreciates that she isn’t the best looking, nor is she the best dancer, with nothing more than a slightly above average voice. So what’s going in her favour?
A masterful grasp of the modern media landscape and how to manipulate it deftly. Remind you of anyone?
So, what does this 9 1/2 minute video really tell us about Lady Gaga?
- Beyoncé actually has a sense of humour (particularly after the apalling videophone track)
- Lady Gaga (allegedly) has no man parts and is indeed female
- Kodak will be bringing back the Polaroid shortly (Gaga’s installation as Creative Director was nothing short of a masterstroke of genius)
- Many big brands (I counted 12 I think), clearly believe in the money-making prowess of the Gaga. This vid is dripping with (often not so subtle) product placements . And I imagine this will do Diet Coke far more favours than the Duffy spot did
- The record company have spent a small fortune on this (on the face of it) pretty average song. It shows that they not only believe it’ll sell big, but they are investing their money where they see potential for greater longterm returns. The Lady Gaga brand…
I was foolhardy in my attempts to write her off as a one hit wonder (as I also did with Steps and I was way off the mark there despite serious offences to decency and taste that should have been tried in a court of law).
If this lavish video tells us anything, it’s that Lady Gaga (somewhat like her mentor of years gone by), will be around for some time yet.
If the big brands are moving in just off the back of album one, the Gaga juggernaut is becoming a serious cash cow. Ripe for milking the world over. Whilst wearing high heels and ‘outrageous’ outfits.
Obviously…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is expecting a full Gaga Pussy Wagon merchandising range to be launched shortly…
Points of view…
Are we live Kate?
Dear Anne Robinson,
Why, oh why, oh why do people always start letters to points of view with why, oh why, oh why??? Anyhoo, as people who write to points of view often do upfront, I digress.
Let me start by saying that I am deeply fond of all things Auntie.
The BBC is rarely off in my house, office, commute etc. As with most people the right side of 40, I don’t tend to bother with the radio or TV schedule anymore what with your wonderous i-player. And lets face it, that’s what’s kept the Asian network and BBC 6 going this long!
Fear not, I’m not going to get all ‘Save BBC Radio 6’ on you (despite owning a few compact discs from Cornershop). No, I need to discuss something far more disturbing. Have you been watching BBC2 of late? I think someone is purposefully trying to run it into the ground.
I know one of the many ‘cost saving measures’ being bandied around is cutting BBC2’s afternoon schedule, but given the drivel blocking the airwaves this week, I’d go a step further and shut if off at night-time too. I mean I ask you. Outside of the farming community, who really wants to watch a sheep give birth. Lambing Live? Seriously?
Are you trying to make the Daily Mail brigade queasy whilst they sup their pre-bed cup of cocoa? (Actually, I don’t mind that so much, perhaps you should aim to do that a little more).
I know the licence payer is obliged to find Kate Humble some nature nonsense to ramble on about live on TV for a week, but have you nothing better to fill the schedule with than some jumper / chop in the waiting go through childbirth? Why, even re-runs of the Tellytubbies would be preferable to being exposed to drivel such as: “I put my hand in and could feel two front feet at the entrance to the cervix,” she said.
ENTRANCE TO THE CERVIX? What would Mary Whitehouse have made of this animal related filth, I ask you?
“Following up the legs, I could feel the muzzle. You don’t have to pull; you gently help the ewe who is pushing anyway. It’s a cliché but it was a miracle – a living thing. There was a rush and this great big slippery black lamb was lying there.”.
If you wouldn’t mind having a word with the controller of BBC2 and getting him to pass on his heartfelt apology (and no doubt detailed explanation of the teeny tiny demographic of three people living in rural somewhere being represented by this drivel), it would be greatly appreciated.
And if that fails, just tell him he’s the weakest link (goodbye), and that he should ruddy well give Mad Men a decent scheduling slot. Say in place of lambs popping out live?
I’m sure deep down everyone know it makes sense, and watching Don Draper make babies is far more preferable than watching sheep pop them out.
Yours frustratingly desperate for a lamb chop (and been put right off meat for life by BBC2),
Iain G. Morrison (the sheep hating Mad Men and beeb loving ad man).
Fast food?
Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I always thought the premise of fast food establishments was to ship em in and ship em out as quick as possible?
I know some establishments are still trying to coffee shop themselves up in order to offer a more hospitable environment, but effectively its get in, get fed, and go, go, go…
So, I was on a little evening out in Edinburgh last night. A few G&T’s may have been consumed and club kicking out time was fast approaching. Wandering towards my friends flat (stunning), I came over this little gem.
A fish n’chip shop in Edinburgh with a difference. A live DJ spinning the decks out front in the tiny little chippy. I’m guessing this helps bring in the punters, but it’s certainly a twist on the deep fried mars bar the tourists expect to see on the menu…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is still to meet a Scot that’s had a deep fried Mars bar…
Who let the dogs out?
Pedigree Chum dog food.
Let’s be honest, it’s a pretty tough sell. Finding new ways to engage the pet-loving audience outside cliche-land must be pretty tough and as cute as this is, 90 secs feels a little indulgent. You’d really need to love pooches to sit this one out from start to finish.
That said, a rather pleasant (and stunningly shot) change on the ‘8/10 doggies or kitties’ approach that we all know and love…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is asking are you a cat or dog person…
The IVF bum pat…
Quite a corking bit of PR this morning from Asda. They’ve announced they’ll sell IVF drugs on a ‘not for profit’ basis.
The cost of a private prescription for IVF medication varies between pharmacies, who are able to charge at their discretion. So, effectively, this represents a bit of a licence to print money at the expense of people desperate to have children.
According to various reports in the press, Asda’s commitment to sell IVF drugs on a ‘not for profit’ basis means that one cycle of treatment would cost £1,171.41, compared to an estimated £1,993.93.
Still pricy, but a potential saving of some £820. Quite a lot of shopping for your average family! Still, some great PR for the brand. I’m not sure if Asda will resurrect the Asda price ‘bum pat’ for an Asda price ‘ovarian pat’ in their next campaign, but I’m sure this news will be a welcome relief for those struggling to conceive.
That said, I’m pretty sure that the demographic you are trying to reach will continue to shop in Waitrose / M&S / Sainsbury’s. But I spose if each customer sticks one or two things in the basket when they pop in…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is off for a G&T with the good Lady Cooke this evening…
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