Mancrunch.com ad gets booted from SuperBowl

I can’t image why CBS rejected this ad from entering in the Superbowl rotation. Lot’s of gay men watch football, right? At least to check out the (ahem) players’ stats.

Social Media’s heartbeat

When interviewing with agencies and new media teams, I’m constantly asked how the world of social media has impacted my life on both a professional and personal level. What have I learned from social media? Obviously, I’ve forever thankful to social media for teaching and continuing to teach me about the ever evolving advancements that can elevate the communications industry, but it’s mainly reinforced something that I already knew about myself:

“I understand technology, but I love people.”

I enjoy learning all about Twitter trends, Google Chrome extensions, Facebook apps all while clearing my Google Reader, but the reality is that I LOVE the conversation aspect. I love feeling connected with people, sharing our views and insights and learning about their experiences.

My mother views social media gurus as “computer nerds” who aren’t necessarily good at face-to-face connections, which I feel is a common misconception. Or is it?

Is it easier to connect with people through social media rather than in person? Do you feel less guarded communicating through an online social network?

Are there certain social media outlets that makes you feel more connected to people than others?

I have this “social butterfly” gene that pretty much makes it possible for me to talk to a brick wall. I don’t ever freeze up or get uncomfortable in face-to-face conversations, but I could see how it could be easier for shy people to connect with others through a non-threatening social media outlet.

What do you think?

Marketing & Promotions, Michigan Avenue style

 

Ok, ok…I know I look a little cheerleader-esqe in this picture, but you’ll get why I needed to channel my high school dance team days in a minute. Victoria Secret displayed their “wings” on Michigan Avenue (yes, Heidi’s ginormous 80-pound angel wings) to promote the grand opening of their new flagship store on the Magnificent Mile this weekend. Of course, they needed a smiley, bright street team to wear some Vicki’s gear and spread the word- this is where I come in.

Besides the bitter cold and rain combination (and homeless men who tried to steal our pink-striped umbrellas), I actually had fun this weekend. The whole point was to pass out VS gift cards and take pictures of people in front of the wings that they could then upload to the local promotional website, but I had more fun talking to tourists than anything. Sure, I was being used to give directions and my opinions on the local pizzerias most of the time, so what. Who cares! I met the funniest people (don’t worry, I twittered everything). I even met this couple from Ireland who offered me a room at their home whenever I wanted to come hang out in Dublin. (Speaking of, I have their contact information, right?)

And course, there were the Navy guys who just HAD to stop by and see us. An actual direct quote from a 20-year old sailor from Alabama: “That is the biggest darn thing I ever did see!” He wasn’t talking about the angel wings, he was talking about the Hancock Building but it was still in his little southern drawl and it was still adorable.

 

Well, I can check off street team experience in my advertising repertoire. At least I’m getting to be extremely well-rounded in this industry.

YouTube Dance-Off

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been teaching a couple of dance classes here and there at a friend’s studio. At first I thought I was doing her the favor… come to find out I absolutely adore it and actually look forward to hanging out with a room full of pre-teen, gossip-dwelling queens. In an interest of combining my love of dance with my love of social media, here are my top picks of dance related videos on YouTube. Sorry, no dancing babies.

Stronger, Faster- Daft Punk

How long do you think it took them to get this right? I’m guessing they have 7 hours of footage stored up of almost perfect attempts and one discouraging f-bomb thrown into the mix as a cue to reset the tape and try again.

Evolution of Dance

There’s been many copy cats and an E of D part II, but the original still tops the cake. Plus, he’s wearing his 80s Orange Crush shirt, which has bonus points written all over it.

OK GO- Here It Goes Again

The first time I saw this video, I immediately started thinking if I had any of my friends that work in nearby gyms cool enough to let me rearrange a couple of treadmills so that I could recreate this video without actually having a membership. Surprisingly, I do not.

JK Wedding Dance

Props to bride and groom for not taking themselves (or there otherwise boring ceremony) too seriously.

Social Media Revolution

Via Chad Levitt’s post ‘Do You Believe in the Social Media Revolution?’  from August 24, 2009:

“Very interesting video from Erik Qualman (@equalman) over at socialnomics.com that highlights how social media is changing the ways companies do business and ultimately the world economy.”

 

Ode to Martha’s Vineyard

In honor of President Obama’s amazingly perfect vacation choice and becoming outrageously jealous from all the pictures in the news, I’ve decided to post some of my favorites from my personal collection of spending my summer on the island in 2006…

Bridge jumping with the locals off the State Beach “big bridge”. For all you movie buffs, this is the same bridge in Jaws when the Police Chief’s son is attacked….Shark in the pond!

Lobster feast with my coworker, Jane. Would kill for a lobster roll right now in Menemsha.

The view from the top of the cliff in Aquinnah, Gay Head.

Some pals and I enjoying the sunset on a speed boat by West Chop.

I should start a savings account right now to plan my next trip back in Summer 2010. Who’s with me?

Magazine ad gets darker in the sun

This magazine ad for Sundown sunblock actually “tans” the man when exposed to sunlight showing that he obviously does not wear sun protection, while Miss Red Bikini is thoroughly protected with her sunblock in her purse. Maybe “tans” isn’t the right word- he becomes scorched like a New England lobster ready for a feast. In fact, it looks very painful. His skin color returns to a lighter color when taken out of the light for a few seconds, but none-the-less, if the ad actually gives me a physical reaction, I consider the job well done.

Too bad Summer Oh Nine was a little weak in the beach weather department. Enjoy the rest of the summer while you can!

View the full creative.

How Twitter made me chase down Ellen

Now, I wouldn’t say that I’m a twitter fanatic, but I do “tweet” and browse updates regularly and today was one of those days. With 3 other browser tabs open, not really paying attention, I see the following twitter status:

@TheEllenShow: First 5 people to show up to the bean with garbanzo beans wins tickets to my show go now!

I had heard Ellen was coming to Chicago soon. She’s here now? Oh my gosh! This is my chance! I grabbed my keys and purse and literally was out the door in 4 seconds.

As I was ran down my stairs, I thought “Garbanzo beans… garbanzo beans… do they sell those at Walgreens? No, Kellee, think. Grocery store! Across the street! Go!” In and out. Yucky garbanzo beans? Check. Ellen, here I come!

I jumped in a cab and yelled (politely) at the driver “Millennium Park as fast as you can humanly function”. Then I looked at the time. 5:30. Shit, rush hour. I’m never going to make it. As I’m trying to convince myself that Chicagoans are not twitter savvy and I actually have a chance to be one of the first five, the cabbie asks in his (Indian?) accent:

Cab driver: Why are you going to the bean so quickly?

Me: I’m trying to win tickets to the Ellen show.

Cab driver: (laughs) What are your odds?

Me: They get better everytime you blow a red light. Please drive faster.

Cab driver: Why you holding can beans?

Me: Ellen said to bring them.

Cab driver: You’ve talked to Ellen?!?

Not wanting to explain Twitter to a middle-aged cab driver, who under my gross generalization probably has a hard time working his Razr phone, I tune him out and look out my window. He took Michigan Ave? Are you serious? Kellee, why weren’t you paying attention? It’s packed. I pay the man and jump out. I’ll take my chances on foot.

As I’m running down Michigan Ave, I realize that I conveniently forgot to bring my Asics and sports bra in my frantic rush out the door. My flip flops and sundress are not exactly sprint-worthy. Hard Rock Hotel, almost there! Keep going. Man, I really need to up my workout routine. I mean, I jog regularly, but this is so much harder when you’re actually chasing something. I start to envision Ellen waiting for me with open arms, tickets in hand. I run faster.

After my 5K in flip flops, I finally get to the bean, run up the stairs beans in hand and start searching. And there I see her…Ellen… waiving goodbye… walking away. No!!!! Wait!!!! I had to buy the beans!! I hate garbanzo chick bean peas!! Why couldn’t you have asked for kidney beans?? I shouldn’t be penalized for having good taste in salad toppings!!! No!!

Luckily, her PR team was still lurking around for the late-comers and I gave them my info in case extra tickets become available. I get home and the ice cubes at the bottom of my glass haven’t even melted yet.

Moral of the story: Social media can change your life when you’re not expecting it. Ok, maybe just your day. Ok, maybe just an hour.  But I can now officially use the phrase, “Twitter made me do it.”

 

 

Free Coffee Ad in Students’ Powerpoint Slides

Coffee Company in the Netherlands is giving away free coffee to students who sneak in a branded slide into their homework PowerPoint decks.
– via Media Post

I’m not sure how I feel about this. I think this will just attract more students to advertise the slide in their powerpoints because we all know how college students feel about free anything- it’s pretty much their entire collegiate goal to collect as many freebies as possible whether it be t-shirts, beer or body lice. And how do their professors feel about this slide? Will they get docked points? In a Communications (or related) class, I could see this as completely acceptable, however, I can’t see this flying with “Prof. No-Fun” in a Microbiology class. I would be very interested to hear their point-of-view.

Summer Interning…on an Island

 

With summer arising, I’m reminded of my summer internship 2 years ago that began my professional career. Being a journalism major, I knew that in my internship I wanted to write and learn the behind-the-scenes aspects of publishing, designing, printing, distributing and marketing a successful publication. I was offered the perfect intern position at a small entertainment newspaper… oh yeah, and it just happened to be on Martha’s Vineyard.

Living in Michigan my entire life, I wasn’t well-versed on vacation spots of the East Coast elite. When I received my offer letter, I had a million questions running through my head. How do I get there? Is there a boat involved or can I fly? Ugh, I hate flying. What should I bring? Do they have Target? How expensive is an apartment? Or a room? Or a closet? And most importantly, how can I possible work and live on this island for the entire summer by myself without ever seeing it before? Something inside me simply said “go”.

I researched like crazy for the next 2 weeks. I found myself a small room (with outdoor shower- a whole other post) with an older, year-round couple on the Island. I packed my (summer) life up into 2 suitcases, said goodbye to my parents and jumped on the airplane (and by that I mean 3 separate planes) and jetted off to the island of Cape Cod. No parents, no friends, no car, no boyfriend.

I told you all that to tell you this. Moving to the Vineyard was the hardest thing I ever had to do, and the most rewarding. The experiences that I had, and I mean all of it- the meeting new people, the first “big girl” job, the deciphering silly Boston accents, the biking to the grocery store- not only gave me the best summer of my life, but also allowed me to fearlessly open bigger doors in my career.

My advice to the 19, 20, 21 year old college students beginning their summer internships: You don’t get big rewards unless you take big risks. Be fearless while you can.  And most of all, while you’re working hard, networking and creating relationships, don’t forgot to take it all in and enjoy your summer!