Pizza Friday 67

IN THE NEWS

WALL STREET JOURNALGap Widens in Online Advertising Rivals Struggle to Catch Up to Google As Buyers Favor Search Ads Over Display

Spending on Internet advertising is climbing at a healthy clip -- rising 20% in the U.S. in the second quarter -- and growth forecasts are strong despite the weak economy. But that growth isn't being enjoyed by everyone.

The gap is widening between spending on simple search ads, Google Inc.'s core turf, and spending on flashier display ads, which companies such as Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp. had hoped to use to gain ground on Google. Faced with a slowing economy, advertisers are sticking to what they view as the safest way to reach online customers directly: the plain text ads that appear on search-result pages. Search-ad spending is on track to reach $10.4 billion this year, double what will be spent on display ads, according to research firm eMarketer.

That divergence of fortunes may be bad news for companies counting on a comeback for display ads, which ruled the Web in its early days. Though Yahoo and others say they have seen demand for these ads as they introduce technologies that better target the ads, they have been slow to regain favor

A mobile version of the site is central to Flex iPhone tool that lets people alter photos taken on the Apple device. The application links to the videos and Flex product information. Consumers can do likewise via banner ads on Yahoo's Go 3.0 for smartphones and on Dish TV via "Flex Dish Showcase," which allows users to view Flex info via Flex commercials or the Dish interactive program guide.

On traditional TV, Ford has the Flex doing a star turn on CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." Starting this week and for the next eight episodes, Flex appears in a series of skits that follow Ferguson's cousin along with his band, the Highlanderz, as they road trip in a Flex from L.A. International Airport to the CBS studio in New York.

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BrandWeek: Consumers Give New Voice to Tide to Go's 'Talking Stain' Procter & Gamble is promoting the launch of its new Tide to Go Mini stain remover pen with a series of consumer-generated spoofs airing on prime time TV this month.

The first of four spots, "Questions for Dollars Game Show," debuted last night on NBC. It depicts a game show contestant unable to answer questions because he is distracted by a large, talking stain on the host's shirt. The 30-second ad is one of three finalists from P&G's "My Talking Stain" contest. The online campaign, which ran through March 3, asked consumers to submit videos of real-life situations where Tide to Go came to the rescue.

P&G is using the ads to drive attention to its popular stain remover pen, which this month became available in a lipstick-size mini. The new Tide to Go Mini pen costs $2.99.

"People are so addicted to the Tide to Go pen that they want it all the time," said Suzanne Watson, associate marketing director for Tide, North America. "It's important for them to be able to have it on the go: in their purse, briefcase, pants pocket, car, wherever."

Upcoming ads airing on Sept. 10 and 18 tout the pen's stain-removing properties. Unlike its orange predecessor, the mini version is available in blue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA78zj0nkGE

BRAND REPUBLICEU calls on governments to monitor gender stereotypes in advertising

The European Parliament voted today in favour of a report on how marketing affects equality between men and women and perpetuates gender stereotypes. The EU report, drafted by the Women's Rights Committee, was adopted with 504 votes in favour, 110 against and 22 abstentions.

The Committee is calling on member states to launch education initiatives with the aim of ending gender stereotypes, which 'significantly disparages the relationship between men and women'.

'Gender stereotypes often exist in advertising to the financial gain of big business,' says the report. 'It is self-evident that real differences between the sexes should be taken into consideration, but the point of departure must be the realisation that we as humans have more similarities than differences.'

Although not legally binding, the EU will now send a set of recommendations to the government to enforce tighter monitoring of the use of nudity and gender stereotypes in marketing campaigns. Labour MEP Mary Honeyball said it is also possible that the European Commission will use the report to draft new legislation

http://adage.com/article?article_id=115637

http://creativity-online.com/?action=creativeculture:section&sectId=586

Innovation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATOKXt03PIc

http://www.hulu.com/watch/32556/late-night-with-conan-obrien-wed-aug-27-2008#s-p1-so-i0

http://www.panasonic.eu/everythingmatters/en-gb/