Bud Light takes over Dallas Hotel

Bud Light is getting into the hotel business for five days starting Wednesday. The beer company is taking advantage of Superbowl weekend purchasing the Aloft Downtown Dallas Hotel and making its own.

The hotel is part of Starwood Hotels' lower-priced alternative to the chic W chain. The Bud Light hotel is expected to be party central, with numerous performers expected to perform. The acts scheduled include performances by: the Fray, Lifehouse, Nelly, Ke$ha, Pitbull, Dirks Bentley and Jack Ingram. Because Aloft hotels don't have Super Bowl-sized lobbies, this Aloft will temporary expand by 53,000 square feet with the addition of a giant tents.

I think this is a smart marketing promotions move by Bud Light. Superbowl weekend is a perfect for the Bud Light brand and is getting the Bud Light name in the news.


http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/blog/2011/01/dallas-hotel-sells-name-for-super-bowl.html

Oh My Ken! Ken Carson makes a social media comeback

As if Mattel didn't do enough social media for Barbie, they have now added Ken into the mix. This year marks Ken's 50th birthday, and according to Mattel, he now wants Barbie back after their break up in 2004. Mattel has been using several social media outlets to promote Ken, his birthday and his pursuit to rekindle his love with Barbie, including Foursquare, Facebook and Twitter to name a few. The interesting part about Mattel's social media efforts for Barbie and Ken is that they treat them as if they are real people. Ken's Facebook features pictures of him going to Magnolia Bakery, which he also checked into on Foursquare, and picking out a special cake for Barbie, which customers will soon be able to purchase. The target audience for the two campaigns is adult collectors of the famous duo. As a collector myself, I find that their efforts do in fact make me want to buy their stuff and know what is going on in the world of Barbie and Ken. In addition to Ken's Facebook and Twitter accounts, Mattel has also started an online show called Genuine Ken - The Search for the Great American Boyfriend. Mattel, or Barbie and Ken rather, used social media to invite their friends and followers to nominate contestants for the show. The show can be viewed online, and you can follow it on Twitter. (#GenuineKen)I think it is very interesting how they have realized what a large market of adult collectors there are out there, and that they are working hard to play to that specific market. Go social media!! http://www.cnbc.com/id/41255096/

"Bite me"

A new advertising and promotional campaign for Bon Appetit magazine (as well as its Web site, bonappetit.com) is scheduled to launch on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011.

The theme for Bon Appetit’s campaign will be ''Bite me.” Bon Appetit hopes this feisty theme will grab the attention of its consumers and increase the number of advertising pages within the magazine.

This atypical slogan is anchored by images from Sam Griffin, the design director for advertising at Bon Appetit. In one image, the phrase ‘''Bite me'' is scribbled in lipstick on a bathroom mirror. In another, it has been tattooed on a man's flexed arm.

William J. Wackermann, the executive vice president and publishing director of Conde Nast in New York, has become increasingly known for the unconventional campaigns appearing in the magazines he oversees. For example, while Mr. Wackermann supervised Brides magazine, it ran the campaign ''stoned and dangerous”.

The "Bite me" campaign is intriguing, and seems likely to create buzz. I think it will be successful in grabbing the interest of consumers, especially the younger market. I am interested to see the outcome of this campaign.

The New York Times

Last week, Walmart and the first lady, Michelle Obama, teamed up to roll out a new plan to fight childhood obesity. The nations’ largest grocer has committed to improving the availability of healthier foods in the stores, as well as the affordability by 2015.

Walmart has decided to reduce sodium and added sugars in some items, build stores in poor areas that don't already have grocery stores, reduce prices on produce and develop a logo for healthier items. The initiative is targeting the company’s house brand, Great Value. Walmart and the first lady hope that major food suppliers, like Kraft, follow in their footsteps.

The Partnership for a Healthier America will monitor the Walmart’s progress over the next five years.

I think the new initiative for Walmart will possibly attract a new kind of customer. Health-conscious shoppers may feel more compelled to shop at Walmart knowing that they have healthier items. It should be interesting to see how the store promotes their new foods and if it affects their suppliers.

Although Walmart is not the first store to roll out a healthier alternative plan, it is the largest.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/walmart-healthy-food-push_n_811473.html?ir=Food