Ring Around the Rosie

I have found some extensions to my post about print and blogging-- the one here.

AdAge posted an article about the FTC's new endorsement rules, and it affects bloggers.

I understand why they are doing it, but if you read the end of the article where it says:

"Can I still give product to traditional outlets such as radio, newspapers and magazines?
Yes.

Why?
Ask the FTC"

Clearly they see the blogosphere as something inherently more powerful than traditional media. WHY? Are bloggers really that much more influential that a newspaper or radio personality touting their experience with products they were given by the brands to try and endorse? I know when I hear the voice of the FAT FAT DJ on the radio telling me to try some weight-loss pill even though I cannot see the results for myself, I totally believe it! HA!

ohhh boy.

In other news. When I was in college, every fall we would try to go to the corn field maze. Check out the site here at The Maize. AND THE MAZE IS AMAZING THIS YEAR!!!

via The Maize

Then I found an article about a corn maze in Massachusetts that did theirs with Stewie and Brian from Family Guy!! Check it out here

Bahda bababa....

I'm Lovin it.

Last time I wrote a big thing about Starbucks, this time I've delving into the world of McCafe. The way I viewed McDonald's while working at the agency and the global perception may be a bit different. Both good and bad, but mainly just different. The amount I enjoyed just doing work and being able to be a part of something on the account really transitioned over to the brand for me. It created a little more respect for the brand in my mind so to speak. Because I mean, I know what McDonald's is, I know they aren't really revered or respected for some of their characteristics. But in an advertising way, I think they do a marvelous job. They also show phenomenal social responsibility through multiple charities.

Maybe I got a little too close to be clear, which is a rookie mistake I'll bet. The Nash Attack commented about how she thought the current McCafe ad featuring Dwele, were not a real representation of the demographic, but instead a depiction of what others think African Americans want to see. I liked the ad, but thinking about what she said really got me to thinkin'. So I looked youtubed some McCafe commercials from around the globe and read up on the comments.



From what I can tell looking around on the Internet, Dwele is quite popular. The hip-hop, jazzy style is very in.

On the other hand, there are some McCafe commercials that I absolutely loathe. They insult the consumer in my opinion. "Hey if you're a regular person, then just come on in for some McCafe coffee and forget all of the uppity lingo of brands like Starbucks". But the thing is-- they characterize the regular person as an uneducated, uncultured, ignorant moneyless dumbass that buys McDonald's because it makes them feel more on their level. I'm sorry. If I were a brand, I'd be aiming a little higher, or at least making the consumer feel like they have some sort of chance to be someone. Here:



via a Boston Globe article
There's another one that's worse. Since when can't an intellectual person be cultured and a penny pincher? It's supposed to be a joke, I get it, but let's talk about a brand that did it WAY WAY WAY better than McDonald's-- Dunkin Donuts.



It's funny. It pokes fun at the competitor without poking fun at the consumer. And how can you not love a commercial narrated by John Goodman? Haha!

Anyway, this morning I tried the free sample of Starbucks Via that I received. It's good, for instant coffee. But I definitely can taste the difference. I made sure to drink a cup of regular coffee prior to consumption of the Via just to be sure. It definitely has a instant twang to it, but really isn't bad!! If you're one of those working people that rushes to work in the mornings, I'd recommend it.