Will a pretzel bacon cheeseburger promoted by Nick Lachey convince more Gen Y’s to eat at Wendy’s?

Recently the fast-food companies started to realize that Gen Y (19-33 year-olds) prefers fast-food casual chains (e.g. Subway) over them.  In an effort to attract this important demo, Wendy’s created the pretzel bacon cheeseburger.  And then they engaged Nick Lachey to help sell it through social media.  (Morrison, 2013)

They are hoping that consumers will see the item as a “craft” burger, and of course it includes everyone’s favorite food du jour – bacon.  The campaign revolves around consumer tweets, which are incorporated into songs, preformed by Mr. Lachey and Second City members which are then posted on Facebook and YouTube.  (Russell, 2013)

Here’s the launch song which was done as a live feed from the Wendy’s on 34^th Street in case you missed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP8RtEV8eC4&list=SPwq9_yYiQEzllxiGSco-sxqcnlpC0PgVh

So what do you think?  Is this going to draw Gen Y into the chain?

Morrison, M. (2013, July 8)  Wendy’s Signs Nick Lachey to Foist Its Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger on the World.  adage.com.  Retrieved September 26, 2013, from http://adage.com/article/news/wendy-s-nick-lachey-serenade-pretzel-bacon-burger/242982/

Russell, K. (2013, July 8) Wendy’s Believes This pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger Will bring In The Millennials.  businessinsider.com.  Retrieved September 26, 2013, from http://www.businessinsider.com/wendys-betting-on-pretzel-cheeseburger-2013-7

Why I chose Samsung and Sprint – Hint: It was all about the advertising

After years of resistance, I finally caved and decided it was time to get a smart phone.  I had already decided on a Samsung Galaxy thanks to the brilliant campaign the company ran during the launch of the iPhone 5. 

Here’s the tv ad, and the blog I wrote about it, in case you missed it.  As you can see the feedback from my class was very positive and subsequent sales results indicated that the campaign was indeed very successful. 

http://pjlehrer.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-launch-of-iphone-5-made-me-want-to.html#comment-form

As far as the service went, I have tried Sprint, AT&T and Verizon over the years and haven’t noticed any appreciable difference between them.  So, when I saw the new “Unlimited for Life” ad from Sprint, I was intrigued.  Why?  Because I hate all this technology stuff!  How’s that for a consumer insight?  And the idea of taking this decision off my plate once and for all is so appealing that I said: “Sign me up.”  Here’s the ad in case you missed it.  Stand by for sales results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q62RxqoH0s&list=TL8cDwFR5WrSs

If you ask me, Chipotle’s new ad is depressing.

It’s no wonder given the success of Chipotle’s first ad that they would try to repeat the effort.  But to my mind the new film, "The Scarecrow," created by Moonbot and featuring Fiona Apple is such a downer it doesn’t make me want to buy anything.  The animation is gorgeous, and the song is haunting.  But the factory scene reminds me of “Soylent Greens,” which doesn’t exactly stimulate my appetite. 

It’s too bad, because the previous commercial, “Back to the Start” actually persuaded me to eat at Chipotle for the first time ever.  I liked the food and would eat there again, but not after seeing this commercial. 

Apparently, it’s all about the game, which is being touted as a free arcade-style game for the iPhone and iPad.  But what about those of us who don’t play games and have a Samsung?  Maybe they think we’ll eat more if we are depressed.  Come to think of it, they may be right.

Here’s the commercial if you missed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtnas5ScSE

Nudd, T. (2013, September 12, 2013) Ad of the Day: Chipotle Makes Magic Yet Again With Fiona Apple and a Dark Animated Film.  adweek.com. Retrieved September 12, 2013, from http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-chipotle-makes-magic-again-fiona-apple-and-dark-animated-film-152380

NFL nail polish? Sounds like a great idea to me.

I once painted my nails, fingers and toes, navy blue with a white stripe – my swim team colors.  So when I read that Cover Girl was partnering with the NFL to offer nail polish for its 32 teams, I could only think – What took you so long?

Given that 44% of NFL fans are now female, and NFL merchandise bought by women increased by 125% versus year ago in January 2012, I would say the time has come. (Greenberg, 2013)

P&G is going all out for the launch, which will include “fanicures” and “mobile manicure stations” at games, “NFL Style Lounges” at stadiums offering NFL gear and sessions with a stylist, and a Pinterest contest for the best football finger nails.

I say – pass the Gang Green shade please!

Greenberg, K. (2013, September 4)  Covergirl Manicures NFL Team Colors.  mediapost.com.  retrieved September 4, 2013, from  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/208423/covergirl-manicures-nfl-team-colors.html#axzz2dxlH3jKZ

I’m not sure that I want healthy eating tips from an elevator.

Captivate Network, the folks who deliver video to your work elevators and lobbies, have just announced a new partnership with SparksRecipes.  As a result you will soon be seeing recipes and healthy eating tips as you ride the elevator to your floor.  (Sass, 2013)

I’ll admit that I occasionally glance over to see the weather or read a business headline, but recipes?  I don’t think so.  There’s a time and a place for everything and for food edit, that’s not it.

Sass, E. (2013, August 27)  Captivate Taps SparkRecipes For Food Content. mediapost.com.  Retrieved August 28, 2013, from http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/207912/captivate-taps-sparkrecipes-for-food-content.html?edition=63916#axzz2d59WVyUJ

Cloudy with a chance of shampoo ads

Have you checked the weather today?  If you did, The Weather Channel knows what you want to buy.  As the company’s Chairman and CEO, David Kenny points out “people generally check the weather because they’re planning to do something.”  And now that the checking is being done on mobile devices they have been able to piece together patterns that allow advertisers to target their best prospects very precisely.  (Rosman, 2013)

For instance, thanks to this data, Pantene was able to place ads for a new anti-frizz shampoo next to weather reports indicating that it would be a humid day.  Wow.  And a bit of digging has indicated that sales for Michaels Stores crafting materials surge when the forecast calls for rain three days in advance, so they are considering sponsoring long range forecasts.  Hmm.  Maybe Xanax should consider that option too.  Clearly the possibilities are endless.  Color me intrigued. 

Rosman, K. (2013, August 15)  Shopping Up A Storm.  The Wall Street Journal.  pD1

Note to NAD about Coors Light – Really?

The National Advertising Divison (NAD) of the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council has referred Miller Coor’s ad claims for Coor’s Light to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for review.  The claims in question are: “the world’s most refreshing can,” “beer on the inside, science on the outside,” and “smoother, more refreshing pour.” 

Apparently these claims imply that the Coor’s Light can is technologically superior to others and therefore provides more refreshing beer.  Really?  I thought it was all meaningless gibberish.  And MillerCoors has declined to provide substantiation because they too consider the claims to be puffery. (Bachman, 2013)

But, what I want to know is why either organization is wasting their time on something like this when they should be looking at the health claims being made by unhealthy foods which are fueling the obesity crisis. 

Bachman, K. (2013, August 13)  MillerCoors Rebuffs Ad Industry Review of Coors Light Claims.  adweek.com.  Retrieved August 14, 2013 from,  http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/millercoors-rebuffs-ad-industry-review-coors-light-claims-151826