Marketing

Major League Baseball Balks on Sweatshop Allegations

by Jonathan Rosenblum — July 31, 2006 - 1:16pm

For years, a group of fans and antisweatshop advocates has called on the Pittsburgh Pirates to source their souvenirs from factories that ensure fair labor conditions. The Big League response has been something of a greaseball: Major League Baseball (MLB) is "proud of the accomplishments of our licensees [who] provide gainful employment to tens of thousands of people" under "what we understand to be" full compliance with labor laws, wrote Ethan Orlinsky, general counsel MLB Properties (MLBP).

Main Source: 
The Nation (U.S. Online Edition), July 14, 2006

It's a Game, It's Junk Food, It's Advergaming!

by Judith Siers-Poisson — July 28, 2006 - 3:23pm

Ritz Bits Soccer Shoot Out Game

The Kaiser Family Foundation has released a study titled "It's Child's Play: Advergaming and the Online Marketing of Food to Children," which found that more than eight out of ten (85%

Main Source: 
Science News, July 19, 2006

Long Island Drug Bust

by Bob Burton — July 26, 2006 - 6:49am

In March this year Dr. Peter Gleason, a Maryland psychiatrist, was arrested by the FBI at a Long Island train station and later charged for promoting off-label use of Xyrem, a prescription drug manufactured by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. The New York Times reports that federal prosecutors allege that "at hundreds of speeches and seminars where he was rewarded with generous fees, Dr.

Main Source: 
New York Times, July 22, 2006

Why AOL Can't Understand "Cancel the Account"

by Sheldon Rampton — July 19, 2006 - 3:55am

Vincent Ferrari managed to make a recording of his hilarious phone conversation with a customer service representative at America Online, in which the service rep repeatedly stonewalled and ignored Ferrari's request to cancel his AOL account.

Main Source: 
Consumerist, July 18, 2006

"Cause-Related Marketing": Why Social Change and Corporate Profits Don’t Mix

by Inger Stole — July 14, 2006 - 4:32pm
  • Topics: Corporate Social Responsibility, Marketing, Public Relations

    • In the 1980s, a new form of marketing was born: Cause-Related Marketing (CRM), a hybrid of product advertising and corporate public relations. CRM aims to link corporate identities with nonprofit organizations and good causes. As a tax-deductible expense for business, this form of brand leveraging seeks to connect with the consuming public beyond the traditional point of purchase and to form long-lasting and emotional ties with consumers. However, what might seem like a fair exchange between corporations in search of goodwill and non-profits in search of funds also raises a range of troubling social, political and ethical questions.

    CRM is, first and foremost, a market-driven system. Therefore, a non-profit organization's chance of obtaining CRM funding hinges on its ability to complement sales messages. However, it is often the case that vital social issues are only -- or are best -- addressed by "edgy" groups or by using controversial tactics.

    The ABCs of Adult Marketing to Children

    by Jonathan Rosenblum — July 11, 2006 - 1:13pm

    "Adult shopping decisions might be affected by a sociological change called 'age compression'--the idea that kids may be getting older younger and demanding adult products," reports Andrea Canning. By ABC's count, kids are demanding cell phones, iPods, and may even want Japan's nonalcoholic "Kids'Beer." The story twice quotes Paul Kurnit, president of KidsShop Youth Marketing Company: "There is focus on a more savvy, more informed, more inclusive kid today," he notes.

    Main Source: 
    ABCnews.com/Good Morning America, July 8, 2006

    Blogging for Dollars (Again)

    by Diane Farsetta — July 10, 2006 - 5:35pm

    "Media today is so cynical that you have to come out and say that shilling without disclosure is a bad idea," writes BusinessWeek's Jon Fine. Fine reports on product placement on web logs or blogs. Ted Murphy of the Tampa, Florida ad agency MindComet launched the BlogStar Network in 2004, which paid $5 to $10 per post. He said "a couple thousand" bloggers had cashed in, via the network.

    Main Source: 
    BusinessWeek, July 10, 2006

    Wal-Mart's New Targets

    by Diane Farsetta — July 10, 2006 - 5:16pm

    Latinos, African-Americans, baby boomers, high-income and rural shoppers -- Wal-Mart wants you. Those are the key communities identified in a six-page document that outlines Wal-Mart's future marketing plans. The giant retailer is reviewing its marketing strategy, due to slow growth. The document asks advertising agencies to describe how they would handle Wal-Mart's $570 million account.

    Main Source: 
    Advertising Age, July 2, 2006
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