I want to see Craig not sea containers.

I'm afraid folks it seems to be true. Long serving TV campaigns for carpet companies will never be the same again. Yes 'Craig' from Rugs-A-Million has gone off the airwaves. Disappeared behind a pile of heavily discounted carpets and hall runners. Never again will we hear the 'Owner' telling us he's 'Massively Overstocked' (cut to staff members stroking rugs and pretending to be customers) or 'Being forced at gunpoint to slash prices'. No more 'Sea containers' (cut to footage of sea containers just in case we don't know what they look like) will have 'Just arrived'. Course I'm hoping it's all just a cunning marketing plan by the agency who are giving the carpet retailing brand a new look. That Craig's indentical twin brother El Craigo from Mexico (Craig wearing a big fake tache and an oversized novetly sombrero)will be back to tell that once again he's going out of business. Craig Please come back. I miss you already!

There’s nothing childish about brands; except of course when you’re shopping for toys with an 8 month old, and then it’s all kids play for grown-ups. But please, pardon the play on words (opps,sorry... can’t help myself)

We, Sarah and me, being the parents, realised we were bad (I often hear people talking about ‘bad’ babies – but never about bad parents, so I’m wondering if one leads to the other, or visa versa?) by neglecting to maintain a routine of consistent toy buying as Lola progressed through her developmental stages (where each of these begin and end still has me stumped). By the time Lola had reached 7 months, all her toys were still soft, big eyed and developmental only to the extent that, at the point earth was invaded by soft, cuddly, big eyed aliens of limited stature, our child would be able to converse wit them - effortlessly!

Anyway – the real value of brands and great brand packaging struck me when, faced with what seemed liked no less than 1 million toys in the ‘0-12 month’ isle at Toyworld, I gravitated to boxes that ‘looked’ like they’d fit Lola’s demographic.

It was only after I’d walked out with a heavy bag and a wallet somewhat lighter for the experience, did I realise that it was in fact me, her designer jean wearing father with his limited edition Nike trainers, who'd fallen in love with the packaging and had the good sense to buy the toys.

So what can i say, Mr Tolo, Mrs Fisher & Mr Price , Mr Munchkin and others - great packaging does work -I'm living breathing proof, and I stand once again convinced that great brand packaging is critically important.

Lola’s Dad purchased sophisticated, well rounded developmental toys by companies who understood what design and intelligent brand packaging can do. It impact us, allows us to feel a certain way, and sometimes, when it connects with who we are, leads us to choose one product over another.

A case in point is my very own automotive engine (which l lurve). It just so happens to be wrapped up in a package we all call an Audi TT. So, just like her Dad, I supect our Lola will continue to play laugh and grow (up)

Nirvana smells of teen spirits

Saw this spot via a recent Tweet. Clever, delightful concept and beautifully shot. One of a series not too distant from Carlsberg’s long running ‘Probably the Best Lager in the World’ campaign where these utopian worlds would exist if their particular brand of booze was running the show. Course reality is spend five minutes in any city centre late on a Friday or Saturday night where alcohol IS directing proceedings and it’s a stretch to believe you’ll see the kind of charm filled world seen here! More likely get threatened or vomited on by some ‘Absolut’ drunken youth. But then it’s not about the social problems caused by alcohol abuse it’s just an ad right? And a very good one at that.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT MATTERS

UNDERSTANDING WHAT MATTERS

Frustrated by his inability to explain to the market what he has to offer, a packaging client this week pleaded with me "How can we tell our clients everything we can do for them?" It’s a fair question and one that we hear often.My response was probably not what he was initially after. I suggested that he sit down and talk to his clients, find what they want and what really ‘matters’ to them. Then work out how to meet their needs and wants better than the competition.

I suggested that only by understanding what his customers really need and then meeting those needs, would he be granted an opportunity to build the client relationship to a level that will allow him to connect with the client.From this position, because they’d already have explained what was important to them, he'd then have a much better chance of being able to tell his clients what he could do for them. This simple, direct, customer focused thinking is at the heart of strategic marketing. Unlike marketing communications (or marcoms), strategic marketing answers the strategic questions of when? where? and how? a company should compete.

As for my client? He said I’d given him something to think about.

Thin Blue Line

Whilst away in the UK during the Northern Spring it was hard to avoid all the negative police coverage in the media regarding the death of a protester at the G20 riot in the ‘City’ in London. So it was pleasing to see the Greater Manchester Police helping counter this via billboard campaign. The concept envisages how two recently imprisoned high-profile criminal gang members will have aged upon release. Coupled with some valuable PR in acknowledging the general public for there support with these type of prosecutions. Chalk one up to the boys in Blue! And in a rather bizarre postscript the familles of the convicted criminals featured are apparently taking legal action against the GMP as they feel the ad infringes their human rights! Ad's. You just can't win sometimes....

Winston

Good old Ray Winston! Tough, bluff, authentic and ready to kill someone at any moment. No wonder he played Henry VIII.... West Ham's marketing team did very well in signing up his services for this teaser for next seasons strip. When it comes to celebrity endorsements then this is a winner. And thank goodness Vinnie Jones never played for the Hammers....

iPhone vs Nokia N97 .......no contest.

I've read countless articles recently touting the new Nokia N97 as being a potential iPhone killer. In my opinion, what the articles fail to appreciate is that it's really nothing, or very little to do with the handsets features and useability. Rather, it’s about the total user experience. The iPhone, for all its beauty and shortcoming, is the golden key to the treasures the lie in the Apps store. This is where the real richness of customer experience lies. Together, the iPhone + the Apps store combined that delivers Apple iPhone users a superior, customisable user experience. The N97 + Ovi don't come close...but then there's Intel