Changes to Brandits

brandits — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:23:10 +0000

Well, a lot has happened since my last blog post. To say that I have been slacking is an understatement. I have left Lake Placid for the comforts of small city life– Starbucks, art galleries, diners open after midnight, and music; lots of music. It was not a hard decision to leave, it was time. It was a good adventure and now I am on to bigger, and much better things.

I have taken a job as a marketing manager at a medium-sized IT company in Rochester, ITX. And can I say, the move to client side is the best decision I’ve made in a long time. ONE strategy, ONE focus, ONE brand. It allows me to grow the brand with the help of management. Not just write brand + creative strategy and send them out the door.

The company itself is amazing, with a culture based on integrity. I’m not talking about late 90s integrity. But actual, answerable integrity. Though it has been a challenge, it has changed the way I myself conduct business and make promises. Loosely, for ITX integrity is keeping the promises we make. Whether that is a deadline for a website, a budget for application development, or a simple promise to a coworker. You keep that promise. AND if you can’t you honor your word by cleaning up any mess as a result.

You know, it really works. I’m drinking the Kool-Aid baby, and it is so sweet.

That being said, the Brandits blog will focus more on Branding in a the web world. Rather how to build brands with the help of technology. As this has been my passion (social media, new media, web 2.0, 3.0, 4.0) for a while, I see this is a natural and normal progression.

Thanks for listening. Beth LaPierre signing off. (But not for months, I swear)

brandits — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:23:31 +0000

This is so beautiful. By Y&R. Composed of five videos using slow motion cameras at 10,000 frames per second.

Clearasil Pimple? Eiw.

brandits — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:31:47 +0000

Clearasil attempts one of the smallest tag on ads. They’re adding a zit sticker to the cover of popular (and mostly foreign mags). The sticker is placed over the face of the cover model. Consumers peel off the sticker to reveal the Clearasil logo and website. They could never attempt this in the US as most models would NOT approve the addition of a disgusting whitehead to their perfectly airbrushed faces. After all, isn’t that’s what PhotoShop is for?

Orange Underground

brandits — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:23:22 +0000

Cheetos jumps on the viral/social media/ weird bunny bandwagon with new website Orange Underground. Mr. Rules of the Underground brings us through a Fight Club style code of conduct for the Orange Underground. As he speaks, viewers are encouraged to click the scrolling time code bar to access super “secret” content. It’s a long video but actually enjoyable and easily scrollable for those, like myself, who have little to no patience.

It is a valiant effort on parent company Frito-Lay’s behalf. The website is promoted with web banners, video clips on You Tube, recipe downloads, blog, and TV. Great work by Goodby Silverstein.

For those you think web banners are what ‘interactive’ are, think again my friend. Think again and watch as you get left in the dust.

Burger King Freakout in the Ghetto

brandits — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:39:31 +0000

This spoof on the Bking Freakout is one of the best with almost a million hits on You Tube. Next best thing to creating a multi-million dollar genius campaign? Spoofing it for free.

You Suck at Photoshop

brandits — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:39:25 +0000

My Damn Channel and Donnie Hoyle have released episode #4 of “You Suck at Photoshop”. Donnie shows us how to use the clone stamp, masks, and paths in these great tutorial videos. The only thing is Donnie’s wife is cheating on him. If you haven’t seen episodes 1-3 it’s worth the time, “If you have a stupid cat that pees poop”.

Episode #1

Episode #2

Episode #3

Episode #4

Burger King Freakout

brandits — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:45:54 +0000

This is too good not to share. In a great, experimental video Burger King tells customers the Whopper is no longer available. The video, by Cirspin Porter + Bogusky, is 7 minutes long but is actually entertaining.

Favorite quotes include: “The Whopper is your thing, man!” and “I want your manager at the window.”

A comment left on You Tube: “I don’t know if there are awards for advertising, but this should win one.”

Hmmmm….

brandits — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:05:41 +0000

First look at this…

Now the real ad…

Faithbase.com needs to do a better istockphoto search. Crazy young lesbians or well-behaved Christians, you make the call.

Playtex Fits Me

brandits — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:10:21 +0000

Now this is real. Check out the new Playtex Fits YouTube campaign. A lot of Ad Men aren’t getting this. I don’t see why they have to.

See the entire campaign here

Diesel: Viral Genius

brandits — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:05:22 +0000

What a great opportunity to launch my shiny, new blog.

Diesel has just produced one of the most amazing viral videos. Taking an old disco instruction video and chopping the hell out of it and adding a sweet remix by Hexstatic. (Didn’t Gieco already use the same thing? Does anyone remember this besides me?

Where did this amazing delight begin? It’s actually a Finnish dance instruction video. This guy is dead serious, and he’s bringing disco back. With the rise of the New Disco, electroclash, funk, and New Rave era, bands like the Scissor Sisters, Justice, and Simian Mobile Disco are adding some sweet bass beats that leave us yearning for short skirts and killer hooks.

Go Diesel Go.