Your Business Wisdom

AM I IN TROUBLE FOR BEING A SHILL ??

Ok, so here is the deal. I really, really like going to the AB&G  for lunch and dinner. If you have not had the opportunity you MUST go. The food & service are TOP  quality, and the prices are great!

I go there all the time for both lunch and dinner. One additional reason. they have this VERY large salad that has only 470 calories, and I think it tastes GREAT ! (especially with EXTRA Salsa). 

I liked it so much I wrote and tweeted about it about it a a month ago, I even commented on my Facebook Page!

So yesterday, I went back again. I had the salad and a diet pepsi. Total listed calories, 470. Perfect. Tastes good. Low cal. Makes everyone around me happy!!!

Then horror of horrors, the owner/manager comped my lunch that day!!!

He thanked me for spreading the word about the salad and the place. He couldn’t understand why I was visibly shaken.  I thanked him. Left a $20 tip  ( I wanted to be able say I left enough to more than pay for the meal). Today I read this article, and I just don't know what to do !  I immediately called my law firm of Nabem, Shakem and Fryem to figure this out!

I don’t know what my disclosure requirements are going forward and whether or not I need to fill out any forms. Can I write and tweet about the AB& G again after Dec 1st ? Am I under some special reporting obligations? Will the FTC show up at the office and marshall me out in handcuffs, need to prepare, have a raincoat in the office to throw over my head and shield my face from the paparazzi!

Does any one have any connections at the FTC that can clarify things for me ????  I just don't know what to do ! I am open to all advice !! HELP!

In all candor: Think about this next time you read a blog,  tweet, or a Facebook post ! The FTC has a point, but policing it is not the cure!

PS: in the interest of full disclosure the above event did not happen, with that said you still should visit the AB& G and sister restaurant MB& G-  Two of the highest quality and best buys in Northern NJ!

GUERILLA MARKETING MEETS "X GAMES"

,Or shall I say XXX Games. . .

 MSI Computer manufacturer is doing a big promotional push for a series of notebooks called the X-Slim. As you might expect, their big selling point is their size: they’re less than 3 pounds and, according to the ads, are less than an inch in thickness.

Core to that promotion is a YouTube contestto win a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and a new notebook. The goal is to create an “extreme crazy video” with an MSI notebook; the company will then choose 15 winners.

However, it isn’t the contest that’s making buzz, but apparently one of the insane demo videos. One where acrobats catch laptops with their butts.

Yes, seriously. The video, launched two days ago (August 10th) has become a viral sensation, growing to over 75,000 views – this is up from just 7000 a few hours ago. The video literally depicts one man in tights using his rear to grasp onto laptops thrown at him.

The video’s so insane that many YouTube  commenters think this is a fake video or that the footage was done backwards. How you’d throw a laptop out of your butt though…we won’t even begin to speculate. Regardless, this is great publicity for MSI. Clearly it’s a slim laptop if you can catch it where the sun don’t shine.

As always you be the judge, if the campaign and video is rigged does the computer company gain ADvantage?

Last point you must consider,  when you open your Viral Advertising Campaigns to Viral Online Contests, you must consider the world and quirks of social media. Chances for adverse Viral  ads overshadowing content you seek is always present.

Good Luck and Happy Marketing 

The ESSENSE of GRASSROOTS MARKETING

When you consider Web 2.0, consider Viral Marketing Campaigns!

The Ad Marketing Guy did exactly that, and watch this success.

A FEW IDEAS on ADVERTISING

Courtesy of Comedy Central

As funny as this is, there is a lesson to be learned! Any ideas?

A FEW CREATIVE MEN

The Humor in this extends beyond the AdMarketing World.

THE PHOTO BOOTH

This is Laugh Out Loud, Funny!

Click on the triangle to activate.