R.I.P Ms. Winehouse

I  got familiar with Amy Winehouse via blogs back in 07, way before she made her U.S. debut. There was something about her that I was drawn to. From watching her videos on YouTube to her interviews she came of so innocent, relatable, a little crazy, but bottomline line she was just genuine. Yes, she was singing blues and soul music, but it was not  gimmicky, it was just pure talent. It wasn't too long before "Rehab" was such  a big track dominating urban and pop radio.

First semester in college  'Back to Black' was on constant replay, next to M.IA.'s 'Kala.'  I think I became an even bigger Winehouse fan when my friend gave me the 'Frank' album. For me, songs evoke certain memories, and without a doubt 'Frank' was the soundtrack  to my first semester of college. Despite her personal woes, I really hope that she will be remembered for her timeless classics and not the drunken performances, and antics. Addiction is a disease, let us not forget that.

I was in the fitting room yesterday, and the sales girl announced that Amy Winehouse died and  everyone just carried about their business. I checked my Twitter to verify but I still could not believe it. It was like just the other day she was in St.Lucia, going through detox making progress. There was that Belgrade slip up but still I really thought her career would out live most of these talentless "artists" currently saturating the airwaves. Even though I could not relate to some of her songs I was able to connect with her music because I was actually able to feel what she was going through. It was like her pain was tangible. The last time I was this affected by an artists' death was  Aaliyah's untimely passing... I'll stop rambling but seriously this is just deeply saddening. I hope they release the material she worked on in St. Lucia, it was a reggae inspired sound.

R.I.P. Amy Jade Winehouse. May your music live on forever.

I leave you with some of my favorite works from 'Frank' and 'Back to Black' in no particular order:

(Love that Nas Made You Look sample)

                                           Timeless music.

MasterCard X Your City

I saw overnight safari sleepover at the Bronx Zoo, and was immediately sold. That's the animal lover in me (when I was younger, I was the proud parent of a Bengal Tiger at the zoo. Don't judge me). Anywho MasterCard holders out there, pay attention!

MasterCard is bringing it's Priceless campaign to life. The brand is launching a new intiative, Priceless Cities giving cosumers exclusive offerings such as V.I.P. treatment at the Red Rooster restuarant in Harlem, access to Batter's Eye View a new section at Yankees Stadium, and my favorite an overnight safari at the Bronx Zoo. NYC will be the first city to be featured in this campaign.

Cheryl Guerin, SVP of marketing comments that Priceless Cities is a “a real evolution of our brand promise,” and that MasterCard will continue efforts of emotional differentiation with their "Priceless" ads. Supporting this intiatve will be a series of social stunts, like placing Yankees stadium seats all around the city.

The campaign will advertise on radio, print, online, transit and outdoor platforms.

Source

MOI / Park Wrap-Up

This video is the perfect wrap-up for this Marketing on the Internet course, and everything else I've been learning in Park for the past four years. It's based on the book Socialnomics by Erik Qualman.

LINKS OF THE WEEK ...Hiatus

Today is the LAST DAY of classes. It's not the last for this blog though...yea I know I haven't been updating as regularly but life calls. The journey will continue.... -A

As usual, here are the links of the week:

Facebook pay users to watch ads

Al Qaeda confirms Osama's death, vows revenge

Michelle Obama & Beyonce surprise students and dougies for 'Let's Move' health initiative

Best cars of the New York Auto show

Case Study 3: Starbucks X Foursquare

In the 4th quarter of 2010, Nielsen reported that there are twenty eight percent of smart phone users in the U.S. mobile market. Of the different categories of applications, location based apps saw a rise in 2010 (tripling users from 12.3 million in 2009 to 33.2 million in 2010) with men as the predominant users. Marketers are noticing the potential for growth on this platform and are utilizing apps like Foursquare, Gowalla, SCVNGR to integrate in their mobile strategy.

Starbucks jumped on the geo based app train, using it twice in the last year. In the past the brand teamed up with Foursquare to award their most loyal customers. Last summer, brand loyal consumers, affectionately called mayors on Foursquare (people with the most check-ins) had the opportunity to unlock the Mayor Offer which offered money saving perks, like $1 off frappacinos.

Earlier this year Starbucks launched the celebration of it’s 40th anniversary by rolling out new products, a new in store look, and mobile strategy to reward consumers. Starbucks partnered with Foursquare again to extend brand promotions on the mobile platform. Users had the chance to win a $40 gift card if they unlocked the “Tribute Badge.”  There were 500 gift cards available nationwide up for grabs.  According to Technorati blogger, Steve Holt the brand got it wrong. He checked in but did not get the Tribute Badge. Curious to know if any other customers received the badge at his location, he asked the barista. He was met with a blank stare. None of Starbucks’ employees, or their brand ambassadors as they are known on the corporate level, did not know about the Foursquare promotion. Holt felt like this made their social media initiative look lame

The main target for this campaign are brand loyal customers. Terry Davenport, svp of marketing built the mobile strategy with these tech savvy, brand loyals in mind. He comments on the brand’s position in the digital and social platforms:
 

We’ve become a leader in social media and in the digital space, and with our Starbucks Rewards program we continue to grow in how we engage with customers. We have a million registered cardholders. So we have an ongoing conversation with consumers in social media and the digital space and with our cardholders.

 
The brand’s efforts in the mobile and digital realm have not gone un noted. In 2010 Starbucks won the Mobile Marketer of the year award.

Sources:
http://technorati.com/technology/article/a-social-media-house-of-cards/
http://mashable.com/2011/03/10/starbucks-foursquare/
http://blog.fahlgrenadvertising.com/2011/02/the-rise-of-location-based-applications/

It will cost 1mil to place ad in Oprah series finale

Oprah's series finale will air on May 25. The finale is expected to draw in  20 million viewers or more. "Oprah" is charging advertisers 1 million for a 30 second spot making it the most expensive ratecard asking price in daytime history.

The most expensive price was NBC's "Friends" finale, with 2 million for a 30 second spot.

It is truly the end of an era. I remember I used to come home from school and tune in after my TRL, Say What Karaoke  line-up. Oprah brought a lot of pressing  issues to the forefront to me, as a 13 year old my school did not teach me about child rebel soldiers, diamond conflict in Sierra Leone, educatonal disparities in America and abroad. I can truly credit this show for enhancing my knowledge base as a youngin. Oprah if you're reading this THANK YOU!

-AV

Links of the Week

Meet the man behind Victoria Secret's PINK brand 

Hatchback of the Future: Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class

The Beginning of the Google Takeover: Google  gets Green Lit from the Justice Department

How to improve international SEO strategy

Ivory Coast Human Rights violations