11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Does Advertising On Report Cards Go Too Far?
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Just how far is too far when it comes to advertising?
How about ads for CollegeInvest or McDonald's on your child's report card?
That's just what a Colorado school district recently decided to do to close the gap in their budget deficit. According to Lorie Gillis, Chief Financial Officer for Jeffco Schools:
"Facing $70 million in budget reductions over the next two years, we really do need to be creative." The CollegeInvest ad will generate $90,000 over a three-year period. In return, a 2-inch ad will be run at the bottom of all elementary school report cards three times a year.
School administrators justified the advertising on the basis of the two organizations having similar missions. CollegeInvest is an arm of the state government which administers 529 college savings programs. According to Angela Baier, Chief Marketing Office for CollegeInvest:
"We have similar missions. CollegeInvest is all about education. It seemed like a win-win for both of us. I really view it as a public service announcement because we're anon-profit and it's helping families that obviously have children."
While Colorado may be able to claim a loose connection to a nonprofit organization that focuses on education, other school boards have been far less concerned with making this tie, printing advertising from companies like McDonald's.
In these days of shrinking budgets, school districts have had to make some rather difficult decisions about everything from the subjects they offer to the technology they buy to classroom size to staffing.
If advertising on report cards allows a school to buy 10 more computers or to continue to teach French or to keep a few more teachers employed, is it necessarily a bad thing?
Just how far is too far when it comes to advertising?How about ads for CollegeInvest or McDonald's on your child's report card?
That's just what a Colorado school district recently decided to do to close the gap in their budget deficit. According to Lorie Gillis, Chief Financial Officer for Jeffco Schools:
"Facing $70 million in budget reductions over the next two years, we really do need to be creative." The CollegeInvest ad will generate $90,000 over a three-year period. In return, a 2-inch ad will be run at the bottom of all elementary school report cards three times a year.
School administrators justified the advertising on the basis of the two organizations having similar missions. CollegeInvest is an arm of the state government which administers 529 college savings programs. According to Angela Baier, Chief Marketing Office for CollegeInvest:
"We have similar missions. CollegeInvest is all about education. It seemed like a win-win for both of us. I really view it as a public service announcement because we're anon-profit and it's helping families that obviously have children."
While Colorado may be able to claim a loose connection to a nonprofit organization that focuses on education, other school boards have been far less concerned with making this tie, printing advertising from companies like McDonald's.
In these days of shrinking budgets, school districts have had to make some rather difficult decisions about everything from the subjects they offer to the technology they buy to classroom size to staffing.If advertising on report cards allows a school to buy 10 more computers or to continue to teach French or to keep a few more teachers employed, is it necessarily a bad thing?
Brita Fuses Mission With CSR Program
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Do you remember the line in the movie Jerry Maguire, "You had me at hello?"
Well, the opening line of the new Brita ad certainly made me stop and take note.
Last year alone, the U.S. used over 39 billion plastic bottles of water.
At first blush, one would think that Brita's TV campaign is rather self-serving. After all, they make water filters, which invalidate one of the key reasons why people buy bottled water. A classic problem-solution ad.
Problem: Americans added 39 billion plastic bottles to the planet last year. That's enough to stretch around the earth 190 times.
Solution: Each Brita water filter can take 300 bottles out of the equation. Simple math tells you that if 130,000 people were to purchase and use a Brita filter, we would eliminate all of those pesky water bottles from our landfills.
It sounds like an environmentally slanted ad that just adds to Brita's bottom line, right?
Well, that's what I thought too, until I took a deeper look into their current campaign:
"Brita® has teamed up with Preserve,a leading maker of 100 percent recycled household consumer goods,to collect and recycle Brita® filters. Preserve’s Gimme 5 Program will transform the plastic from pitcher and bottle filters into new Preserve products."
While Brita will clearly benefit from consumers using their filters, they are making an investment to collect and recycle used Brita pitchers and filters.
It may not be a gargantuan step towards greenifying our planet, but in Brita's words, it is "a small step towards making a big difference."
Got to love companies that take Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seriously.
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| In 2010, Americans deposited 39 billion bottles on the planet. |
Well, the opening line of the new Brita ad certainly made me stop and take note.
Last year alone, the U.S. used over 39 billion plastic bottles of water.
At first blush, one would think that Brita's TV campaign is rather self-serving. After all, they make water filters, which invalidate one of the key reasons why people buy bottled water. A classic problem-solution ad.
Problem: Americans added 39 billion plastic bottles to the planet last year. That's enough to stretch around the earth 190 times.
Solution: Each Brita water filter can take 300 bottles out of the equation. Simple math tells you that if 130,000 people were to purchase and use a Brita filter, we would eliminate all of those pesky water bottles from our landfills.
It sounds like an environmentally slanted ad that just adds to Brita's bottom line, right?
Well, that's what I thought too, until I took a deeper look into their current campaign:
"Brita® has teamed up with Preserve,a leading maker of 100 percent recycled household consumer goods,to collect and recycle Brita® filters. Preserve’s Gimme 5 Program will transform the plastic from pitcher and bottle filters into new Preserve products."
While Brita will clearly benefit from consumers using their filters, they are making an investment to collect and recycle used Brita pitchers and filters.
It may not be a gargantuan step towards greenifying our planet, but in Brita's words, it is "a small step towards making a big difference."
Got to love companies that take Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seriously.
Lu Lu Lemon Manifesto Blankets Store Front
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After walking by the Lu Lu Lemon store on Water Street in Milwaukee nearly every day for the last 1-1/2 years, a new site popped up a few weeks ago that took me by surprise.
Their store front had disappeared behind a giant-sized Lu Lu Lemon company manifesto.
Admittedly, I was intrigued. Was Lu Lu Lemon's awareness so high that the store would be instantly recognized, even embraced, by those who live by the company's mantra? Or had they just committed a marketing faux pas?
As I turned this question over in my mind, I came to realize that Lu Lu Lemon and their manifesto are synonymous. You really never see one without the other.
I remember the first time I came in contact with Lu Lu Lemon. My daughter had visited their Chicago store for the first time and was so inspired by their manifesto that she purchased me a water bottle for my birthday. I loved it! A few years later, I was thrilled to see them open a store in the Third Ward in downtown Milwaukee.
How can you read the words of this manifesto and not be inspired? Some of my favorites include:
Friends are more important than money.Your outlook on life is a direct reflection on how much you like yourself.That which matters the most should never give way to what matters least.Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.Successful people replace the words "wish," "should," and "try" with "I will."
So, go out and do something today that scares you...
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| Lu Lu Lemon, Milwaukee |
Their store front had disappeared behind a giant-sized Lu Lu Lemon company manifesto.
Admittedly, I was intrigued. Was Lu Lu Lemon's awareness so high that the store would be instantly recognized, even embraced, by those who live by the company's mantra? Or had they just committed a marketing faux pas?
As I turned this question over in my mind, I came to realize that Lu Lu Lemon and their manifesto are synonymous. You really never see one without the other.
I remember the first time I came in contact with Lu Lu Lemon. My daughter had visited their Chicago store for the first time and was so inspired by their manifesto that she purchased me a water bottle for my birthday. I loved it! A few years later, I was thrilled to see them open a store in the Third Ward in downtown Milwaukee.
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| Lu Lu Lemon Manifesto |
Friends are more important than money.Your outlook on life is a direct reflection on how much you like yourself.That which matters the most should never give way to what matters least.Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.Successful people replace the words "wish," "should," and "try" with "I will."
So, go out and do something today that scares you...
Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" Has Jumped The Cow
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In 1984, Wendy's launched a campaign designed to get people to notice that their hamburgers were full-sized, unlike some of the other fast food chains selling burgers.
The campaign, dubbed the "Where's the beef?" campaign ran for what seemed like years (but was probably only months). It featured little white-haired ladies cackling out the words, "Where's the beef? Where's the beef?" Their tinny voices wormed their way into your ears, leaving you begging for a reprieve.
In a word, the campaign was annoying. The little old ladies were annoying.
But, just like Wisk's "Ring Around The Collar" campaign, it appeared to do its job and to do it well. People parroted the words back, successfully making Wendy's ad campaign part of pop culture.
Now, 27 years later, Wendy's is at it again. This time, though, they are using a younger, hipper, social media savvy man to spread the news that Wendy's is revamping their single, double and triple burgers.
Is it just me or does this campaign feel like an idea past its prime? Why take something that had become an icon back in 1984 and try to force fit into 2011? Or is Wendy's trying to tell us that their hamburgers are about as fresh as their advertising?
It feels like Wendy's has jumped the shark ... or is that the cow?
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| Wendy's "Where's The Beef?" 1984 ad |
The campaign, dubbed the "Where's the beef?" campaign ran for what seemed like years (but was probably only months). It featured little white-haired ladies cackling out the words, "Where's the beef? Where's the beef?" Their tinny voices wormed their way into your ears, leaving you begging for a reprieve.
In a word, the campaign was annoying. The little old ladies were annoying.
But, just like Wisk's "Ring Around The Collar" campaign, it appeared to do its job and to do it well. People parroted the words back, successfully making Wendy's ad campaign part of pop culture.
Now, 27 years later, Wendy's is at it again. This time, though, they are using a younger, hipper, social media savvy man to spread the news that Wendy's is revamping their single, double and triple burgers.
Is it just me or does this campaign feel like an idea past its prime? Why take something that had become an icon back in 1984 and try to force fit into 2011? Or is Wendy's trying to tell us that their hamburgers are about as fresh as their advertising?
It feels like Wendy's has jumped the shark ... or is that the cow?
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| Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" Facebook Campaign |
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| Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" New Spokesman |
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| Wendy's "Where's The Beef?" 2011 Ad |
Brooks Brothers Asks You To "Share The Sheep"
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How can you not be pulled into a commercial that has seven adorable, fluffy sheep singing Jingle Bells in childlike voices? As much as I wanted to turn away from this ad, I just couldn't do it...especially when the little guy with the blue scarf timidly stepped towards the front of the herd to shyly and hesitantly sing a solo. (He kind of reminded me of Rudolph when he was trying to hide his shiny nose.)
The ad is on the front page of the Brooks Brothers website where they encourage you to "SHARE the SHEEP" with a friend:
This whole campaign is brilliant for a number of reasons:
- How can anyone resist singing sheep?
- Who doesn't like hearing a lively Christmas tune to help get in the holiday mood?
- Who can resist the urge to share a cute ad with friends? (Case in point, the Office Max Elf Yourself)
Plus, it's a great way to increase awareness of Brooks Brothers and to add to their prospective customer database.
Jingle bells
Jingle bells
Jingle all the way
... to the bank
The ad is on the front page of the Brooks Brothers website where they encourage you to "SHARE the SHEEP" with a friend:
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| Brooks Brothers Share The Sheep |
- How can anyone resist singing sheep?
- Who doesn't like hearing a lively Christmas tune to help get in the holiday mood?
- Who can resist the urge to share a cute ad with friends? (Case in point, the Office Max Elf Yourself)
Plus, it's a great way to increase awareness of Brooks Brothers and to add to their prospective customer database.
Jingle bells
Jingle bells
Jingle all the way
... to the bank
8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
Greek Pasta Salad
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This summer I've really been into prepared salads. I made them at the beginning of the week and keep them in the fridge so I have something easy for lunch that is a little better than a PBJ. I copied this salad from mt local favorite, Verrill Farm. I had it for lunch one day then immediately bought all of the supplies (there) to make it for myself.
Greek Pasta Salad
1/2 pound of penne pasta, cooked and rinsed
1 cucumber, peeled sliced
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup of kalamata olives, chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
4 ounces of crumbled feta
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon of dried italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Combine cooked pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, parsley and feta in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over pasta and vegetables, toss.
This summer I've really been into prepared salads. I made them at the beginning of the week and keep them in the fridge so I have something easy for lunch that is a little better than a PBJ. I copied this salad from mt local favorite, Verrill Farm. I had it for lunch one day then immediately bought all of the supplies (there) to make it for myself.
Greek Pasta Salad1/2 pound of penne pasta, cooked and rinsed
1 cucumber, peeled sliced
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup of kalamata olives, chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
4 ounces of crumbled feta
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon of dried italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Combine cooked pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, parsley and feta in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over pasta and vegetables, toss.
Lightened Up Summer Supper and Photos from Our Trip Home for the 4th of July
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Sorry I've been gone so long - we're (finally) back in the swing of things after our trip back home for the 4th of July. We came back stuffed. When we go back to visit it seems like every meal is an event- whether it be a huge family dinner or lunch at one of our old favorites.
I mowed through baskets of chips and salsa at my favorite Mexican restaurant, we had barbeque at least twice, 2 chocolate cakes (one topped with a warm peanut butter icing...) and lots of milkshakes before bed. Funny- before Emma was born we usually had a couple of glasses of wine before bed. Now, it's milkshakes.
So I didn't need to get out my old maternity 'stretchers,' we majorly lightened up dinner when we got home. Except for the fresh mozzarella. And the pancetta. And the butter on the corn.
Here are some photos of our visit. I don't have very many- I'm so bad at taking pictures when I'm 'off duty!'
Our wedding photographer, Claire Ryser, came out to my parents' house to take photos of Emma and Sam on Sunday morning. I can't wait to get her images. Here is a link to our wedding photos, if you haven't seen them yet. Claire is the absolute best- I can't say enough about her.
Do you want to know just how good Claire is? She said she likes to wear graphic black and white clothes when she is doing a baby shoot so they find her interesting. How great (and smart) is that.
Emma really liked the grass. Even more than she liked looking up and smiling for the camera... which she only did for about 30 seconds the entire morning.
Gotta love a baby in a basket.
I should've taken a video of this... Mike playing peekaboo with the basket. It was a major workout to try to get Miss Emma to giggle at 7am.
I think the poor thing was teething... finding comfort in the flowers on her dress.
Sam and Emma getting ready for their scene.
Sam has graduated to the big swing!
And pink toenails.
Here is Emma meeting her new cousin, Murphy.
I think she likes him.
Nevermind.
Here's a little video of Sam playing with Emma. It might be the cutest thing I've ever seen. Except my voice on the video. Please ignore it - it is so annoying. Ick! Does everyone feel that way about hearing their own voice?!
Sorry I've been gone so long - we're (finally) back in the swing of things after our trip back home for the 4th of July. We came back stuffed. When we go back to visit it seems like every meal is an event- whether it be a huge family dinner or lunch at one of our old favorites.
I mowed through baskets of chips and salsa at my favorite Mexican restaurant, we had barbeque at least twice, 2 chocolate cakes (one topped with a warm peanut butter icing...) and lots of milkshakes before bed. Funny- before Emma was born we usually had a couple of glasses of wine before bed. Now, it's milkshakes.
So I didn't need to get out my old maternity 'stretchers,' we majorly lightened up dinner when we got home. Except for the fresh mozzarella. And the pancetta. And the butter on the corn.
Here are some photos of our visit. I don't have very many- I'm so bad at taking pictures when I'm 'off duty!'
Our wedding photographer, Claire Ryser, came out to my parents' house to take photos of Emma and Sam on Sunday morning. I can't wait to get her images. Here is a link to our wedding photos, if you haven't seen them yet. Claire is the absolute best- I can't say enough about her.
Do you want to know just how good Claire is? She said she likes to wear graphic black and white clothes when she is doing a baby shoot so they find her interesting. How great (and smart) is that.
Emma really liked the grass. Even more than she liked looking up and smiling for the camera... which she only did for about 30 seconds the entire morning.
Gotta love a baby in a basket.
I should've taken a video of this... Mike playing peekaboo with the basket. It was a major workout to try to get Miss Emma to giggle at 7am.
I think the poor thing was teething... finding comfort in the flowers on her dress.
Sam and Emma getting ready for their scene.
Sam has graduated to the big swing!
And pink toenails.
Here is Emma meeting her new cousin, Murphy.
I think she likes him.
Nevermind.
Here's a little video of Sam playing with Emma. It might be the cutest thing I've ever seen. Except my voice on the video. Please ignore it - it is so annoying. Ick! Does everyone feel that way about hearing their own voice?!
I've Been Baking & Cooking. Here's What I Made This Week!
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| I have been baking and cooking a loy lately and thought I would share a collection of photos of what I have been up to. As an brand ambassador for AllRecipes.com I was asked to make three Al Fresco Chicken recipes this month. This is the Greek Salad with Spinach Feta Chicken Sausage. |
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| Earlier this week I made Garlic Chicken Sausage and Summer Vegetable Saute. |
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| This was the Liguini with Roasted Vegetables and Tomato Basil Chicken Meatballs, which I might add was delicious. |
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| I whipped up some Cream Filled Cupcakes aka Hostness Cupcakes for my husband to take to work. |
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| This was something different that I came across but wanted to try it since I had all of the ingredients. It is the Grilled Brie & Apple Sandwich from the GoBoldWithButter.com website I found through AllRecipes. |
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| My signature strawberry almond vanilla smoothie. It is great that I am throw this tasty drink together quickly. |
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| This month I was also asked to make my favorite cocktail on AllRecipes.com as a brand ambassador. My drink of choice would be champagne. We don't keep any hard liquors in our home, so I searched through many champagne cocktail recipes which I have to say there is a lot to choose from! |
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| I settled on the Champagne Cocktail recipe because the recipe didn't have any reviews or photos yet it sounded delicious. This drink is made with champagne, vanilla ice cream, and lemonade. (I used pink lemonade.) |
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| Feeling inspired one morning, I decided to make a frozen toaster waffle but make it look like a breakfast you would be served at a nice retaurant. |
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| I want to show you all that it is easy to do at home with a little creativity you can serve your guests, or a loved one a speical breakfast at home that looks and tastes good. |
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| Well.....I had an open bottle of champagne so I have to use it up, right? I made another champagne cocktail. |
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| This one is called Pomosa which is pomegrante and champagne. (I used a sprarkling pomegrante juice in mine. ) |
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| My drink of choice lately: Cold Chai or known as an Iced Chai at Starbucks. I have been making them at home since they are super easy to make. Equal parts of liquid chai concentrate and milk. |
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| Put it in your to-go cup and your on your way and saving money. |
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| I made this grilled cheese with brie, swiss, onions, and tomatos. I butter the bread with Compound Herb Butter from GoBoldWithButter.com This butter recipe is a must try! ~Enjoy! MySweetCreations. |
San Diego Fireworks Epic Fail
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| At least I got a fantastic picture of the fireworks last night...er...rather the epic fail that took place in front of our eyes. We happen to be fortunate enough to live along the water so we simply walk across the street to the open park to watch multiple sets of synchronized fireworks each year. |
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| This year was quite different because about 15 minutes too early multiple sets of fireworks exploded at once. At first some thought that it may have been a different way to grab the attention of the 500,000+ people that crowd in many areas around the San Diego bay, but it turned out that all of our fireworks exploded at once. |
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| In less than a minute our entire show was done. I felt bad for the majority of people who camp out all day to get a good spot for viewing and then sit in traffic jams when it is over and everyone disperses to the freeways. |
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| My husband and I figured it out right away...we knew something wasn't right. There was too much smoke as seen in the photo above. Usually towards the end of the show there will be a lot of smoke, but not at the beginning. They exploded in a ball. At once. Too much smoke. Too early. Perhaps it was a military interference or someone who hacked the signal? Our internet and text messages stopped working for about 45 minutes after the firework explosion began. |
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| It was a beautiful evening. We have a marine layer settle over us. |
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| I had champangne mixed with orange sherbet. It was delicious! |
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