Work Is Taking Me To New Albany

Over the last few months I have been busy with a client in New Albany. It's kind of a new client and kind of not. Last year I worked with The Culinary Table in Grandview owned by Annette Bellisari Johnson.

This spring Annette is expanding her business to New Albany creating a banquet facility and cooking classroom in the heart of New Albany at 29 S. High Street. I've been creating new marketing materials, updating the blog and using social media for awareness. The Culinary Table has a Facebook page. Become a fan to get up-to-the minute info on cooking classes, wine tastings, and special events.

Along with The Culinary Table New Albany I am also working with Annette's husband, EJ on a connecting restaurant he is opening, called Landon's Corners. Landon's Corners has quite a bit a history since it is the location where, back in the 1800's, New Albany founder, Mr. Noble Landon had a tavern of his own in that location called Landon's Corners. The restaurant will open in April and will feature a delicious, unique menu offerings like "juicy lucy" and bison bites. Landon's Corners will also offer happy hour, special nights for families and evenings with live music starting with The Conspiracy Band celebrating their 20th anniversary on April 16th. Reservations are now being taken for the 20th anniversary celebration with Conspiracy. Call 614.855.1901 to make a reservation.

"Where the roads connect and the neighbors meet."

Opening a restaurant is exciting, time consuming, and never dull. For now, my part in the restaurant has been some marketing. I created the logo, tag, free appetizer coupons, gift card and loyalty card and soon will start a Facebook page.

As things continue to progress I'll keep you updated!

New Heinz Ketchup Packet

Forty-two years ago the Heinz ketchup squeeze packet was invented. Now 42 years later, a new and improved packaging breakthrough is introduced.

According to the press release, the Heinz Dip & Squeeze dual-function package will give ketchup lovers two ways to enjoy Heinz Ketchup: either peel back the lid for easy dipping, or tear off the tip to squeeze onto favorite foods.

The new package is said to hold three times as much Heinz Ketchup as the traditional packet and will have 15% less sodium. Be on the lookout for the new ketchup packets by the end of 2010.

I'm sure many ketchup lovers will be happy to be rid of the cumbersome squeeze packets and less sodium is good.

Want to express your love and appreciate? Join their Facebook page and share you feelings.

I'm with Coco Helps Haiti

The NBC late night mess has people picking teams - Team Coco (Conan) or Team Leno. I have to say, for me it's a no brainer, Team Coco all the way! There are a couple ways to show support for Conan and one even helps the earthquake victims in Haiti.

1. Join Team Coco's Facebook page.
2. Purchase an official "I'M WITH COCO" t-shirt by Mike Mitchell for $18.00. $1.00 from the purchase of each shirt goes to PlantingPeace.org.

Planting Peace, one of Haiti's largest relief organizations, is a progressive nonprofit organization founded by Aaron Jackson and John Dieubon in 2004 for the purpose of spreading peace in a hurting world. Even though the organization operates on a global level, they emphasize the power of one; the ability that each person possesses to make a difference in the world.

Planting Piece is raising funds for the Haitian earthquake victims. With the funds Planting Peace will be purchasing and passing our food and water to the many effected by this earthquake. They will also be seeking alternative shelters for those in need.

If you'd like to make a donation without purchasing a t-shirt, you can do so here.

Compared to the mess from the earthquake, the Late Night mess is no mess at all! How quickly it is all put into perspective. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Haiti and everyone connected to Haiti in some way.

No matter the tragedy, life does go on. It's nice to know that a silly Late Night mess can turn into a positive and help those who really need it! I'll be purchasing my Team Coco t-shirt today! Hope you will do the same.

Nestle Crunch Hotline Clever, Humorous and Smart Marketing

This morning I saw a status update on Facebook that instructed me to call 1-800-295-0051 and just listen. This is the number for the Nestle Crunch Hotline. Intrigued I gave the number a call. It was busy for quite a few tries but after about 15 minutes I got in.

At first I heard a welcome ad for a new Nestle Crunch bar. After that I was given some language options. After the usual English and Spanish language options, I was given a rather unexpected, fun third option when pressing the *.

If you don't press * you are then given a fun menu with seven or eight crazy and clever options. Of course, I listened to them all my favorites being the nuggie and cootie options!

This was fun, but no I won't be running out this morning to buy a Nestle Crunch Bar. However, the next time I'm in the mood for a chocolate candy bar, I will purchase a Nestle Bar. Not only because they taste good, but mostly because I like Nestle's personality. On this call they created an appealing brand personality and I really like it! Thanks Nestle for having fun with your customers!

If you call, be sure to stay silent. Prompts are driven by pressing or saying a number.

Busy Speaking

The last couple weeks I have been busy speaking to the Ohio Credit Union League on the topic of social media. Currently, only a handful of Credit Unions are incorporating social media into their marketing plans. I was added to the Ohio Media Training Tour to introduce Credit Union's to social media, with an emphasis on Facebook and Twitter.

Not only am I making an introduction to Facebook and Twitter, I am also discussing the importance of strategy:

• Creating objectives
• Targeting your audience
• Making your footprint
• Crafting content and key messages
• Deciding how much to converse
• Determining your commitment
• Using measurement tools

It's the strategy created behind Facebook and Twitter that will give Credit Unions, and any organization, the best return on investment and social media success.

Social Media IS Powerful

Think social media is on its way out? Think again.

You may have already seen this video before but if not, check it out.

More social media info at Socialnomics.

Bar Hunger for Feeding America

Snickers came up with a very clever cause marketing campaign that involves snacking, celebrity, social media and a good cause. Snickers is fighting hunger with your help. Through this campaign, Snickers and Feeding America will reach the goal of providing over 3 million meals to hungry families in need. Snickers will also match any donation made up to $25,000.

Here David Arquette explains his involvement with the cause and why he is a snacktivist.

David's stunt in Madison Square Garden is helping raise awareness for Feeding America and is getting quite a bit of attention.

Snickers also has a Feeding America Facebook Fan page. Lot of fun video, photos and awareness info on Feeding America on the Causes tab. Snickers also developed a new snack vocabulary that even has a translator. Here is what columbus imPRessions looks like in Snicker snack speak.

That's so AWESYUM!

Creativity and Humor Make A Great Campaign during Cankle Awareness Month

It's Monday morning after a long holiday weekend and I have to admit I'm having a bit of a hard time getting back into the groove.

Reading my RSS feeds, I came across the new Gold's Gym summer campaign, Say No To Cankles. Even though I think I still have sleep in my eyes this caught my attention and really made me laugh. Mixing creativity and humor is definitely one way to get me motivated.

This microsite looks like one of those cheesy magazine ads, injects loads of humor for "Cankle Awareness Month", as well as some serious exercise suggestions. While on the site place a vote for the best legs in Hollywood, and sign-up for seven days of free Canklebusting. There is also a link to join Gold Gym's Facebook page where you can use an application to send someone cankles.

Overall, a very clever campaign to get people's attention to join the gym. These are the kinds of people I'd want to work out with. The only suggestion I would make would be to continue the promotion to the brand's other media channels. Their Facebook page, Golds Gear site and Gold's Gym site do not reflect their "Cankle" promotion but instead their "Know Your Own Strength" promotion. Personally, I would suggest adding some of the cankle pieces to create brand continuity and consistency.

Poppy: Coach Budget Friendly Line

The luxury brand for working, fashion-conscious women has adapted to the economic times. Meet Poppy, the new brand of purses and accessories from Coach priced for today's frugal customer.

Poppy has a youthful feel and is about 20% less than the original coach purse making the average price about $260. Here is a description for Poppy I found on the Internet:

The schoolgirl chic accessory line is handbag heavy using classic shapes with retro pop art colors like bright blueberry, daisy yellow, pale chalk gray, slick spearmint, and black licorice. The Poppy Girl has a little pep in her prep and sass in her class. This is what separates her from the expected Upper East Side boarding schoolgirl. Fresh and affordable (everything is under $400!), Coach’s new line appeals to a youthful audience.

Sure I love Coach and think Poppy is energetic, chic and artsy. But I do have a few issues with it:

1. It is clearly targeted to a younger demo so I'm not sure I'll be rushing out to get one anytime soon.
2. Fresh and affordable? The 20% savings is really not that reasonable for the majority of their younger target audience.
3. My teenage daughter has already strongly hinted how much she loves this new line so the pressure to purchase one for my daughter has already started.
   Perhaps if Coach wanted to make an economic line targeted to teens and 20-year-olds they could have been a little more generous on the pocketbook. I'm just sayin' . What do you think? Am I being to stingy?
   
   
   Coach is using social media for Poppy promotion. You can become their fan on Facebook here.

Non-Profits Why Not Enlist A Social Media Army?

Social media can be a non-profit organizations dream. A relatively new, basically free venue to create awareness, cultivate relationships, and enlist a social media army.

That's right, enlist a social media army. The beauty of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and other social media platforms is that you can spread your message, connect with individuals and create calls to action.

So why not increase your awareness. Instead of voicing your message all alone, why not enlist some of your volunteers who are using social media and ask them to help you create awareness. It could work similar to this old Faberge Shampoo commercial.

This could be a great way to update your speaker's bureau. Using the Internet is a great way to reach a brand new target market.

Before enlisting your army, make sure you select volunteers you know well and have a good relationship with. In order to control the message and keep brand consistency create a daily key message and send to your army. They can then tweet your message, add it to their Facebook page or to any other social media platform they use. Be sure to add your organizations web site in your message to give the recipient a place to find more information.

Tonight's The First TasteCasters Event (#CbusTasters)

I recently joined TasteCasters. TasterCasters is a group of socially networked people that enjoy connecting and meeting with others over food and drink. We taste, tweet, and then repeat. Broadcasting our experience across our social media platforms.

As social media grows, so does the unique ways in which to market your business. TasteCasters helps market various establishments. Business helping business. If an establishment is looking to spread the word about a grand opening, new product, new menu or special offer, TasteCasting can help increase awareness by driving traffic to the web site, and encouraging people to visit the establishment to experience for themselves.

If an establishment is interested in hosting a TasteCasting all you need to do is invite as many TasteCasting members, (currently 22), you'd like to a tasting and tour. In return, each TasteCasting member in attendance will broadcast their event, at no cost, to Facebook friends, Twitter followers and LinkedIn connections. Members will also post photos, videos, comments about the establishment and food at the event on their blogs, Flickr, Youtube and Viddler accounts. Establishments also receive a landing page on the Tastecasting website.

Tonight's TasteCasting is at the Suisse Shope off of Polaris Parkway. We are going to sample cupcakes and other goodies. Watch for my tweets and Facebook status updates starting around 7:30 pm. Tomorrow I will post about the experience.

If you want to see everyone's Twitter comments during the TasteCasting follow along here #CbusTasters and #Suisse.