Archive for November, 2006

Color-coded links

November 27, 2006 at 12:14 pm · Filed under Love, advertising, promotional

I love this idea: color code the sponsored links on a reviews site!

Am I naive that I’ve never seen this before? Or is it a new idea? Whatever, I like it a lot!

I appreciate the ability to see if the link you’re going to follow is advertising or not. It’s not because I want to avoid advertising. Sometimes — especially when I’m shopping for something like, say, a new cell phone — I’m very ready to look at ads.

This website, MobileBurn.com, is doing something I like:

Review: Samsung SGH-T619 MobileBurn
Note: Sponsored advertising links, if any, are in green.

Update: Aha! It’s a new way of delivering ads.

What is IntelliTXT
IntelliTXT In-Text Advertising
A relevant, convenient, user-driven ad unit. IntelliTXT helps you view advertising on your own terms.

My early comment is: yes, this is good, because it puts the user in control. I find the pop-up boxes to be a little annoying, but you can avoid them if you simply don’t hover your mouse over the well-identified link (in green with double underlines).

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Polly Pocket magnets

November 24, 2006 at 8:48 pm · Filed under brand awareness

I was dismayed to hear that the Polly Pocket magnets injured several children, leading to a massive recall announced earlier this week.

Mattel recalls 4.4M magnetic play sets – Consumer News – MSNBC.com
The Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories featuring small magnets measuring 1/8 inch in diameter. The magnets are embedded in the hands and feet of the dolls, plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories that attach to the dolls.

The recall applies to about 2.4 million sets that were manufactured before April 1, 2005 and sold at department stores and toy stores in the United States from May 2003 through September 2006.

I’ve played with Polly Pocket dolls, but not the ones with magnets. From what I understand, the ones with the magnets are for smaller kids to play with. (Tiny magnets + small kids = disaster.)

I hope Polly Pocket bounces back from this recall and any resulting bad publicity. The non-magnetic Polly Pocket dools are great products. In my opinion, they’re more fashion fun than Barbies.

Polly Pocket yellow

Polly Pocket has more interesting fashion choices, even if they’re made of stretchable rubber instead of fabric. But Polly is more fun to dress. Have you tried to change the clothes of today’s Barbie dolls? They’re difficult to put on and take off!

Polly Pocket pink

I can’t end this post without some lyrics.

Pa-la-la-la Polly!
Playing in my band, so much fun it’s true
With my friends beside me, there’s nothing we can’t do!
Pa-la-la-la Polly!

Polly Pocket vest

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FOOL-PROOF™

November 24, 2006 at 8:19 pm · Filed under Marketing, consumerism

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Why? Because it’s a GUARANTEED four-day weekend! Woohoo!

Last week I saw a TV commercial for a product that’s been overdue for several years now. The turkey you can take straight from the freezer to the oven to the table.

Jennie-O Turkey

Jennie-O Turkey Store Oven Ready
Toss out everything you know about making the perfect turkey. Now it’s easier than ever. Our pre-seasoned, fresh-frozen turkey doesn’t need thawing, cleaning or prepping. It goes straight from the freezer to the oven to tender and tasty every time. It’s just one more thing to be thankful for.

Seriously, why hasn’t this product been on the market since the 1980’s?

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VW Rabbit Commercial

November 24, 2006 at 8:10 pm · Filed under Love, TV Commercials

VW Rabbit Commercial

In general, VW commercials are cute. I especially like this one for the Rabbit that came out earlier this year. It shows a black VW rabbit chasing a white VW rabbit. Next thing you know, they’re breeding like… well, rabbits! The Rabbits roam all over different city streets. Some of the cars are grey. And a couple are both black and white!

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iPod Socks

November 14, 2006 at 3:00 pm · Filed under Materialism, consumerism

My stolen car was never recovered and neither was my backpack locked in the trunk that contained a laptop and my iPod Mini.

I’m settling with my car insurance company for the loss of my car and I’m also getting some compensation from my homeowners’ insurance company for my personal belongings.

(I’ve learned many things from this whole stolen car episode and my best advice to anyone is: buy insurance.)

So I’m going to get a new iPod, courtesy of insurance. I’m springing for the new video iPod — only the 30 GB one, though. I checked out the accessories for it and did you know you can buy socks for your iPod?

The Apple Store U.S.
Socks

Dress up your iPod in any of six vibrant color socks — green, purple, grey, blue, orange and pink. This set of six knit socks provides a stylish, fun and practical way to protect your iPod.

blue iPod sock

Frankly, I think it’s kinda ridiculous. There’s a good comment in there from someone who said you can buy generic socks for your iPod at Wal-Mart.

Socks for an iPod. For $29!!! There’s something about it that says “sign of the apocalypse.”

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