http://www.bnet.com/5799-14024-0.html?type=18 Blog Recent Discussion Activity http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004733/qa-why-eric-dezenhall-thinks-goldman-sachs-apology-may-be-a-waste-of-time-and-money/#18914_91650 The issue of their image has more to do with the moral integrity of destroying - by admission and "feeble" apology - not only our economy but that of the world.<br><br> This latest PR but feeble attempt to improve its'image with a mere pittance of a morsel (no not redundant) is a slap in the face to Americans and a show of arrogance on their part.<br><br>No, they are not a consumer driven company - as Mr. Dezenhall points out - but it was the result of consumer spending that allowed them to prosper and ultimately craxh economies.<br><br>Currently, they use consumers money -the taxpayer - to survive and prosper even more. By virtue of giving them commercial bank status we again allow them to borrow from The Fed - at little or no interest - trading this "free" money to make so much more that they can pay themselves more in bonuses then most large companies make in a year.<br><br>While not a consumer direct company, they certainlly depend on the consumer or the consumer money to make theese profits and pay. After al, if the government is giving them money - is not the government "the people"? Then they are dependant on the people -the consumer.<br><br>Is image important to them? It should be. When it is all said and done, it will be the "will" of the people that will prevail. Without us - the consumer - they cannot survive.<br>Larry Rubinoff, Editor<br>www.GoldmanSachs666.com Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:54:29 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004733/qa-why-eric-dezenhall-thinks-goldman-sachs-apology-may-be-a-waste-of-time-and-money/#18914_91650 2009-11-20T06:54:29Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004679/3-ways-clients-can-push-ad-agencies-to-save-money/#18791_91541 The best place to go to make high quality custom printing items <br>is www.PrintsMadeEasy.com. They specialize in designing <br>custom postcards, business cards, stationery, labels, brochures, <br>invitations, envelopes, flyers, greeting cards, letterhead, pens, <br>& labels.<br>If you?re looking for business cards, PrintsMadeEasy.com is <br>giving away 100 Free Business Cards without their ad on the <br>card. Just go here:<br><a href="http://www.printsmadeeasy.com/log.php?dest=free-business-" target="_blank">http://www.printsmadeeasy.com/log.php?dest=free-business-</a><br>cards.html&from=bl-us-intpost_111909-blog-all<br>The easy to use customization tool allows you to upload your <br>own photos or edit one of their templates. High quality, fast <br>shipping, and great customer service. Advertise your business <br>efficiently<br> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:30:51 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004679/3-ways-clients-can-push-ad-agencies-to-save-money/#18791_91541 2009-11-19T20:30:51Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004635/this-miracle-whip-thing-is-getting-out-of-hand/#18870_91412 Well, it's publicity. Now,thanks to Colbert people are talking about it mayo. <br><br>- ella (<a href="http://www.randmediagroup.com/blog" target="_blank">http://www.randmediagroup.com/blog</a>) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:52:44 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004635/this-miracle-whip-thing-is-getting-out-of-hand/#18870_91412 2009-11-19T00:52:44Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004679/3-ways-clients-can-push-ad-agencies-to-save-money/#18791_91343 "Obsessed with ROI?" Why wouldn't a client want to know they're getting a good return? The measurability is the problem. But some of your suggestions have flawed reasoning.<br><br>Creative directors are highly paid to come up with creative marketing ideas, not simply layouts. In this article and in others, you, Mr. Edwards, seem to equate "creative" with graphic design, which is only one element of the creative process. Great ideas can be expressed in many ways and in many media. They motivate entire companies to become better brands. They grow sales. They are simply layouts. <br><br>The idea of an exchange for media is also one that shows little understanding of what is really being sold. The media is not an investment or a commodity. It the right to place an ad of specified size or length, nothing more. Media companies, like any other company, have a right to (within the law) market their value as they see fit. Don't like the upfront? Ignore it and see if you can find the value your client needs for the coming year elsewhere.<br><br>As for the idea that agencies should go virtual and move to less expensive cities, it's been done. There have been a few successes, but those big cities are big because people want to live and work in them. And that demand drives costs.<br><br>Mr. Edwards, your readers would be better served if you reported the ideas of experts in the field that have an understanding of advertising and business, rather than you making this stuff up the day before your deadline. I wonder, have you ever worked in an agency? Do you really understand what it takes to serve a client and help them move their business ahead? Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:09:47 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004679/3-ways-clients-can-push-ad-agencies-to-save-money/#18791_91343 2009-11-18T20:09:47Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004643/christians-boycott-the-gap-for-not-saying-christmas-in-ads-even-though-its-ads-do-use-the-word/#18685_91076 You obviously don?t get it, Jim. Either that, or you refuse to. Let me spell it out for you. <br><br>No other religious festival has been commercialised the way Christmas has. If you know your religions and festivals, you?ll know that the Hindus celebrate Diwali and Holi, Muslims celebrate Ramadan and Id, while the Jews celebrate Hannukkah. (Of course, there are many others; I?ve just mentioned a few of the big ones.)<br><br>So here?s the thing. Which of these festivals, celebrated the world over, have been commercialised to the extent that Christmas has? More importantly (and here?s where Christians like me have a problem), why is it that secular advertisers always mention the names of these festivals in their communications? How come they never have a problem wishing people ?Happy Diwali? or ?Id Greetings? or ?Happy Hannukkah?? Why is it that secular advertisers balk at mentioning the word ?Christmas? when that is what people are celebrating (and that's the reason behind their advertising)?<br><br>I don?t buy the whole politically correct phraseology rubbish. I don?t buy the whole Happy-Holidays-covers-so-much-more-than-Christmas argument because every other aspect of the ommunication is Christmas-based. Whether it?s mistletoe, candy cane, stockings, or even Santa himself, secular advertisers still use Christmas imagery. If their intention is to broaden their appeal to be more inclusive of other religions, how come the imagery is so uni-dimensional? Are you trying to imply that people take offence to the word ?Christmas? but are cool with Christmas imagery? <br><br>Like it or not, Christmas is a Christian festival. Secular imagery (Santa, mistletoe etc) notwithstanding, what we celebrate is the birth of Jesus Christ. You may not worship Him as God and Saviour of the world, and that?s fine by us. But what we do take offence to is someone hijacking what we hold dear in the name of political correctness. <br><br>First, these secular advertisers make money off a very sacred festival of ours by making it into a completely materialistic venture. Then they tell us that they won?t can?t call it by its name! <br><br>Are you blind, Jim? Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:43:39 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004643/christians-boycott-the-gap-for-not-saying-christmas-in-ads-even-though-its-ads-do-use-the-word/#18685_91076 2009-11-17T23:43:39Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004679/3-ways-clients-can-push-ad-agencies-to-save-money/#18791_91022 Most people these days don't trust marketing firms or advertising <br>agencies. Many firms are just trying to make a quick buck. Read <br>"The Trust Manifesto" at <a href="http://www.famefoundry.com/1085/the-" target="_blank">http://www.famefoundry.com/1085/the-</a><br>trust-manifesto<br><br>@FFcommunicator Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:13:04 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004679/3-ways-clients-can-push-ad-agencies-to-save-money/#18791_91022 2009-11-17T19:13:04Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004661/universal-edits-black-actors-out-of-couples-retreat-ad-in-europe/#18784_90997 Even worse, notice that the names of the black actors also have been removed from the names in the poster. This is unacceptable! Blantant racism! Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:06:23 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004661/universal-edits-black-actors-out-of-couples-retreat-ad-in-europe/#18784_90997 2009-11-17T17:06:23Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004643/christians-boycott-the-gap-for-not-saying-christmas-in-ads-even-though-its-ads-do-use-the-word/#18685_90945 @pkrufus: Obviously I'm not on Gap's payroll. If I'm condescending to Christians on this blog, it's only because Christians seem so intent on having secular advertisers cater to their demands.<br><br>The moment the other faiths behave the same way as Christians do on this issue, I'll treat them the same way. It's a promise! Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:04:23 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004643/christians-boycott-the-gap-for-not-saying-christmas-in-ads-even-though-its-ads-do-use-the-word/#18685_90945 2009-11-17T05:04:23Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004643/christians-boycott-the-gap-for-not-saying-christmas-in-ads-even-though-its-ads-do-use-the-word/#18685_90891 Jim,<br><br>I dare you to be as contemptuous of other religions as you have been of Christianity in this article of yours. I dare you to speak condescendingly about the clerics of other faiths who speak out in defense of their beliefs. This is a business blog, Jim. Stick to it. <br><br>I can completely understand if you have personal beliefs for or against a religion. But to lash out against it under the garb of business-speak is lame, Jim. You seem pretty neutral and objective in all your posts. Except here. Why, Jim? Do Christians make you uncomfortable, Jim? How come people from other faiths don't make you react so caustically? Or do you reserve your worst for Christianity only? <br><br>BTW, not sure if you've heard this: "According to a new Zogby poll, 95 percent of Americans say they are not offended by being greeted with a "Merry Christmas" while shopping; but greet them with a "Happy Holidays," and 46 percent say they take offense." Why hasn't this statistic featured in your post, Jim? I'm surprised that someone like you who's so clued into he happenings of the business world could be unaware of this. Or did you conveniently leave this out? <br><br>If you have a problem with the AFA or its proponents, criticize them by all means. But you have no right to speak condescendingly of Christ or The Bible. Not on a business blog. Because, and be honest, you wouldn't dare speak out against Krishna or Buddha or Mohammad. So take your bilious attitude elsewhere, Jim. Unless BNET, too, agrees that it's open season on Christianity.<br><br>Here's my conclusion: You and BNET are on GAP's payroll. What else could it be? Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:57:29 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004643/christians-boycott-the-gap-for-not-saying-christmas-in-ads-even-though-its-ads-do-use-the-word/#18685_90891 2009-11-16T22:57:29Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004581/at-walmart-christmas-ads-began-on-nov-1/#18723_90763 Last Friday, November 15th, 2009, I was unable to find any Thanksgiving paper plates, cups or napkins at Wal Mart. I searched for Nativity lawn decorations for Christmas and found none. I also found higher prices than in Target and regular grocery stores. Two handicapped scooters in a row failed me far away from the entry, with not an employee in sight to assist me. This is the 2nd time that has happened. Since Wal Mart does not care about my needs and wishes as a Christian customer with handicaps, I will shop elsewhere. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:46:53 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004581/at-walmart-christmas-ads-began-on-nov-1/#18723_90763 2009-11-15T15:46:53Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10003439/geico-joins-ad-boycott-of-foxs-beck-over-obama-is-racist-remarks/#15579_90761 Thanks for providing a list of companies I will now <br>boycott...Geico, Men's Warehouse, State Farm, Sargento, <br>Procter & Gamble,Progressive Insurance and S.C. Johnson. The <br>companies that act like immature sniveling snot nose brats <br>that can't maturely handle views that are not their own and <br>easily cave to Racist hate groups that ran this campaign to <br>steer advertisers away from any TV network, are not worth <br>my or my group of friends and families hard earned money. <br>This is typical of this Administrations mission to silence those <br>that oppose their views...is Castro the new media Czar? Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:37:04 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10003439/geico-joins-ad-boycott-of-foxs-beck-over-obama-is-racist-remarks/#15579_90761 2009-11-15T15:37:04Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004504/mccann-is-hemorrhaging-jobs-and-clients-and-ceo-dooner-needs-to-name-a-successor/#18351_90667 getting laid off from mccann in january was a true blessing in disguise. sucks that they are doing worse, and i'm glad i have a stable healthy job elsewhere now. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:17:31 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004504/mccann-is-hemorrhaging-jobs-and-clients-and-ceo-dooner-needs-to-name-a-successor/#18351_90667 2009-11-15T03:17:31Z http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004631/was-kleins-departure-from-burger-king-linked-to-franchisee-ad-lawsuit/#18691_90546 Jim, I think you are dead right. CP+B's days are numbered. The franchisees will get their way. They always do, eventually.<br>Cheers/George Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:57:17 GMT http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004631/was-kleins-departure-from-burger-king-linked-to-franchisee-ad-lawsuit/#18691_90546 2009-11-13T22:57:17Z