Banning Things is a Boon for Sales

Chip Martin, Mannequin American

Banning Things is a Boon for Sales

Few statements have the marketing allure of "Banned in Alabama." What people read is "Hey! A bunch of intolerant rednecks can't handle this, so you just know that it's gotta be cool!"

So it goes with the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board telling stores and restaurants in the state to stop serving Cycles Gladiator wine because of the offensive label ... (pictured above, because I'm not offended.)  The board cites nudity as its justification. But the truly shocking thing about the art nouveau label is how completely harmless it is; if you've ever been to a museum and seen, well, anything, you'd write the label off as innocuous.

The AP reports: "Bill Leigon, president of Hahn Family Wines in Soledad, Calif., said Thursday that visits to the company's Web site have increased tenfold since news of the ban broke late last week, and callers from across the country have been asking where they can buy the wine.

Because of the increased interest, Leigon is developing store displays that say ‘Banned in Bama' and ‘Taste What They Can't Have in Alabama.'

Electronic Ads That Caught My Eye

Here's a link to a brilliant five-minute spot in which Robert Carlyle, in a single continuous take, narrates the progression of Johnnie Walker whiskey from the backroom experimentation of a humble shopkeeper to the multinational powerhouse it is today. It's among the best ads of the year. It must be. It's the first time I've ever sat through a 5 minute ad. Because it a continuous take, its amazing that Mr. Carlyle is able to reach specific spots along the trail at just the right moment in his dialog. I can't imagine how many times he had to make that walk. Thanks to AdFreak.

We'd all like to live in a world where we'd never have to look over our shoulders to see who might be lurking in the shadows, preparing to do us harm. This recruitment ad for the Milwaukee Police succeeds because it subverts our expectations, eschewing a violent and loud ending in favor of a subtle and quiet surprise. This spot effectively speaks to those who might consider taking steps to help make that world a reality. And in Milwaukee, it's working. 

We Never Made it Big, but we Know a lot of Others Who Did - No. 6

Here's a photo of Dale with a replica of Fats, the puppet that starred in the movie, Magic, with Anthony Hopkins, Ann Margaret and Burgess Meredith. Magic single handedly set ventriloquism back 20 years by making "dummies" scarier than clowns. After seeing the movie even I began to look under my bed suitcase at night. Click here to see the movie's trailer.  It's still scary even after all these years.

I'm sorry that I don't know the name of the young fellow holding Fats. But I'm sure our friend Tom Ladshaw, who can be seen in the background, knows.

When a "Name" Says it All
London Fog recently announced that international supermodel, Gisele Bündchen will appear in London Fog® brand's fall marketing campaign (sample below). The marketing campaign will debut in October issues of fashion, lifestyle and entertainment magazines, outdoor billboards and online.

There's truly strong brand recognition when all a company has to do is put its name over a half dressed woman, to sell itself.  I wonder if I could use the same approach?

http://bmpr.com/chip_martin/

Or maybe this would be more appropriate.

http://bmpr.com/chip_martin/

I think I just came up with my next direct mail campaign. Excuse me while I go Twitter Miss Piggy to check on her availability.

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Dale said you have to be pretty old to get this cartoon ... and he certainly qualifies. As for me, I'm proud to say that I have absolutely no idea who Alice Kramden is or why she's on the moon.