Afternoon, peeps!

‘Tis the moment for our weekly update on More than Branding’s Word on the Street… From the Super Bowl to Facebook, here are les news…

The rundown:

• Super Bowl XLV: Brand MVP’s, by Dale Buss
• VW’s ‘The Force’ Wins Online Battle of Super Bowl Ads, but What’s That Worth?, by Michael Learmonth
• Customers Aren’t Loyal Anymore, So Here’s How You Need to Adjust, by Martin Zwilling
• How Brands Can Make the Most of Facebook’s New Pages, by Aliza Sherman
• Forrester Shows Where Brands Need to Better Engage Customers, by Barry Silverstein
• Social Disconnect Between Agencies, Clients, by Brian Morrissey
• Social-Media Skills Top List of Marketers’ Digital Priorities, by Kunur Patel
• Tracking the Generational Shift in Brand Loyalty, by Barry Silverstein
• 10 Excellent Examples of Guerrilla Marketing Campaigns, by Amy-Mae Elliot
• Twitter Reactions To Super Bowl Ads: The Play by Play, by Abe Sauer
• Movie Marketers Can’t Ride YouTube Views like, Say, Volkswagen, by Chris Thilk
• Chrysler’s Eminem Spot Has Lit a Fire in Detroit, by Dale Buss
• Hasbro pushes into Lego’s land with new blocks, by Mae Anderson
• Top Twitter Trends this Week, by Matt Silverman

More Than Branding’s posts:

• Building a brand through color: ‘Let’s Colour Project’, posted February 10
• Favorite Super Bowl Ads of 2011, posted February 12

That’s all folks! Over and out!

By Maria Elena Moré
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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).

Hola, everyone…

Another week, another issue of Word on the Street- More Than Branding’s section dedicated to the talk around town from week to week…

The rundown:

• 13 Lessons in Marketing, Super Bowl Style, by Bobette Kyle
• Lady Gaga Attemps to Make Polaroid Cool Again, by Noreen O’Leary
• Product Placement in 2010 Oscar -Nominated Films, from Barbie to Budweiser, by Abe Sauer
• Brands Increasing Mobile Advertising in 2011, by Mike Shields
• Magazines’ Newsstands Struggles Continue, but Not Without Bright Spots, by Nat Ives
• Social Media boost Super Bowl Commercials’ bang the buck, G. Chambers Williams III
• Report: Facebook Ad Performance is Abysmal, by Mike Shields
• Saab Stages North American Comeback, Shirley Brady
• Top Ten Super Bowl Brands With the Most Twitter Pre-Buzz, by Charlie White
• Coca-Cola’s First Billion Dollar China Brand, by Shirley Brady
• Top Ten Twitter Trends this Week, by Matt Silverman

More Than Branding’s Posts:

• Mini Asks Dominican Republic: “Who wants to play?”, posted February 1
• American Airlines takes the metro in order to promote brand…, posted February 3
• May “The Force” of VW be with you…, posted February 5

That’s all folks… Over and out!

By Maria Elena Moré
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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).

Anyone care for a lift? Talk about an interesting turn of events. (Or transportation device in this case.) American Airlines’ recent marketing stunt literally jumped on the train- the NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Short S train that is:

Even though advertising on metro stops is something that’s been around for quite a while, decorating the actual trains seems like an excellent idea. Just think about the thousands who spend long minutes riding the subway in order to go to work every day. People have a lot more time to see and experience the brand from an early point. And if they’re like me, picture themselves in each of those places…

For me, a stunt like this carries a great message: an airline is not just the vehicle that takes you to your next experience. An airline is the beggining of that experience.

By Maria Elena Moré
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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).

They say the best gifts come in small packages. It seems like today it’s definitely true.

Recently proclaimed as the “Car of the Decade” by German publication Automobilewoche, the MINI brand has been a pioneer in the creation of a new market segment called “the Premium Small Car.” It was also voted as the Best Resale Value Car 8 years in a row*, and as one of the Top 10 Green Cars* of 2010. Adding to all of that grandeur is the fact that the brand is finally available in Dominican Republic.

The European automobile hit the streets of Santo Domingo with its recent campaign called “Who wants to play?”. Inspired by the brand’s new tagline entitled “Be Mini”, TBWA’s Creative, Copywriting and Art Directors Katy Capriles, Fernando Muñoz and Alejandro Capellán say the inspiration came naturally. With the idea of associating the brand with the mindset of playfulness, openness and extroverted personality, a MINI model was strategically placed outside one of Santo Domingo’s most important shopping malls during the past Christmas season, with a giant remote control that made the car seem as a miniature version that a child could play with.

The reaction to the campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. From international automobile blogs giving great reviews, to Facebook mobile uploads from bystanders, to endless posts on Twitter, the campaign was a success in generating awareness, transmitting MINI’s brand values and communicating that it was available in the Dominican Republic.  Its exposure was an excellent tool that generated sales right on the spot. 

It’s only a matter of time we see what other bright ideas are on the horizon for the brand as a new contender in the market…

There was something I read on the MINI USA website that seemed to fit like a glove:

“After 50 years of motoring, we still can’t wait to see what’s around the next turn…”

Funny you should mention that. Neither can we.

By Maria Elena Moré
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* Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).

Hi y’all!

I welcome you to another edition of Word on the Street- More than Branding’s section dedicated to the talk around town from week to week…

In cased you missed them, here are les news…

The rundown:

• The Oscars’ Brand Impact: What is a nomination worth?, by Sheila Shayon
• Does MTV’s Negative Publicity Make it Hot?, by Brandweek and YouGov Staff
• Amazon Kindle e-book downloads outsell paperbacks, by BBC News
• Toyota defies skeptics, stays on top globally, by Dale Buss
• Superbowl Ad Playbook, by Tim Nudd
• Alcohol Lables may have to start going by the Nutritional Numbers, by Jennifer Sokolowsky
• 10 Incredible Interactive Youtube Videos, by Amy- Mae Elliot
• Apple bills iPad as “Iconic”, by Shirley Brady
• NBC logo might be the Gap logo of 2011, by Abe Sauer 
• How to design a winning business model, by Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Joan E. Ricart
• Top Ten Twitter Trends this Week, by Matt Silverman

More Than Branding’s posts:

• Ford injects fuel with latest campaign…, posted January 24
• A stampede called Facebook…, posted January 25
• Apple iPhone: ‘Two is better than One’, posted January 26
• Brands and ‘Random Acts of Kindness’: Actions speak louder than words, posted January 28

That’s all folks! Over and out!

By Maria Elena Moré
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* Photo by Ysel Jáquez

Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).