When Current Events Spoil Your Ad Campaign

Last week in Canada, some poor guy on a Greyhound bus was stabbed, beheaded and partially consumed by a fellow passenger. Under the best of circumstances, this would be represent a marketing challenge for Greyhound. What makes it worse, according to the Consumerist, is the nature of the company’s recent billboard campaign. How would you […]

Portland Small Business Advertising Seminar

Just a reminder for those in the Portland area — the Portland Business Alliance Cornerstones for Success event is this coming Thursday, August 7 from 4-6pm. It’s at the Portland Business Alliance, 200 SW Market Street.  You can find out more, and register online, here. Once a month, the Portland Business Alliance puts on an educational […]

The Evolving Apology

“When you lay an egg, stand back and admire it!” ~ Dale Carnegie When things go wrong in business, it’s tempting to pretend it’s not happening, and hope folks don’t notice. According to Church of the Customer, J. Crew has taken the opposite approach, admitting their problems fron-and-center on their web site. More interesting, perhaps, […]

Advertise with Smell-o-Vision!

Actually, the product (not actually called “Smell-o-Vision”, I’m sorry to say) isn’t available in the States yet. But here’s the deal, according to BusinessWeek Cinescent, based in the German city of Hanover, has designed a machine that pumps a barely detectable aroma through a movie house’s air conditioning system to accompany on-screen ads. In early […]

Fish Pedicures in Portland?

Tara Bloom’s blog tipped me off to this truly remarkable procedure. If you offer fish pedicures in Portland, please call me immediately. I’ve already written your radio script in my head. Call me — we’ll both get rich. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Click this link to subscribe to Portland’s Finest Advertising Blog. Request your free copy of my […]