Who Owns the Nurdles?

A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin American

Who Owns the Nurdles?

Two of our most important toothpaste manufacturers are locked in a legal battle to the death over the future of nurdles.

What is a nurdle? A nurdle is that wave-shaped squirt of toothpaste that appears on toothpaste packages.

The Aquafresh people are suing the Colgate people for using a similar nurdle, and the Colgate people are suing the Aquafresh people because, hey jerks, you're not the only ones in town who like nurdles, and you, the consumer, are caught square in the middle of an old-fashioned toothpaste marketing shootout. "A picture of a nurdle is important because the oral care aisle is so crowded," reports the WSJ.

New Sears Blue Crew Website Hits the Mark

Sears recently launched their Sears Blue Crew HQ Website. It's a futuristic "star trek" panel that serves as the retailer's portal to all its online properties, including: Sears Yard Guru, Sears Chef Challenge, Appliance Matchmaker, Blue Crew Members, Product Categories, and more.

It even has links to funny videos involving the Blue Crew. Obviously, this is a marketing ploy to promote all of its launched micro-sites and place it all in one central location for "ease and convenience," as Sears likes to say.

I think it's a good idea. The layout has a cool "news hook" to it, but the actual Website/portal sometimes makes it difficult to find all of Sears microsites without a lot of clicking. But when you do find them, it's usually worth the effort.

Allen Solly

Once again I admit to not understanding a thing about fashion marketing. Enter Allen Solly, men's and women's wear. Tag line: "My World, My Way."  Well "my way" is to say Allen Solly's web site left me confused, frustrated and feeling sorry for the person who was responsible for approving it. But the company includes a puppet reference in their ads, so I'll just let it go.

Prepare for Even More Erectile Dysfunction Ads

The Viagra patent is set to expire in 2012, after which other drug companies will be free to sell generic versions of the drug's active ingredient, Seldenafil.

But apparently low doses of the erectile dysfunction drug can help children stricken by a rare lung disorder. This could earn Pfizer a six-month extension on the patent. Considering that Pfizer made $1.89 billion from Viagra in 2009, an extra six months of exclusive sales would be a huge financial windfall for the company ... and delay the inevitable onslaught of commercials for new erectile dysfunction products.    

Nothing to do With Marketing

A fellow Mannequin American sent me this link to "Boobies and Kitties". It's one minute of both ... alone and together ... and I have to admit ... it made me laugh ... but it has nothing to do with marketing, puppets or vent, so view at your own risk. Probably NSFW.

And as long as we're including offensive material just for the heck of it, here's a link to "99 Words for Boobs".

Pole Dancing for Kids?

Claiming it's just gymnastic exercise and has no sexual connotation-plus the class is open to boys-the UpYerPole pole-dancing academy offers classes to kids as young as six. Child fitness: good. Pole writhing: questionable?

BTW, here's a link to a clip from the U.S. Poll Dancing Championship, 2009. Seriously, it's a sport.

But the U. S. women could learn something from these male, Indian Pole Gymnists. Click here to see these guys in action and to see the size of their pole ... so to speak. It's amazing that they're groins remain intact.

New Taxes That May Be Coming Your Way

States need more of your money so that they can continue to spend more. Kiplinger tracked down 10 of the zaniest state tax laws that could be homing in on your wallet any legislative session now:

Shoe repair -- The Pennsylvania state legislature is looking to add a 6 percent sales tax to the service.

Watch repair and tailoring -- New York is considering taxing both at 4 percent.

Bowling -- 26 states are already taxing the pseudo sport and several more, including Nevada and New Mexico, are looking to join the fray.

Golf -- Kentucky wants a 6 percent sales tax on greens fees.

Pool cleaning -- Indiana wants to join several other states in adding a 6 percent sales tax to what you pay your pool boy.

Gym memberships -- Alabama wants your license to sweat to cost 4 percent more.

Horseback riding -- Arizona aims to make horse owners pay 5.6 percent more to board horses on farms.

Interior decorating -- Oregon, Colorado and New Jersey want to tack on anywhere from 2 to 6 percent in taxes on pro interior decorator services.

Large vehicle rentals -- Louisiana may add a 4 percent tax to rentals of buses or large trucks.

Here Come the Judges

For the second time Dale has been selected to be one of the judges for the Axtell Video Challenge. (He's third from the left in the top row, above.)

This year's Grand Prize is a Animatronic, Hands-Free Tocan Puppet valued at $5,000.  Dale will judge alongside Nina Conti, Mark Wade, Steve Petra, Bob Abdou and other ventriloquists and puppeteers from around the world.

Any amateur or professional performer - of any age may participate. All puppet characters in "Puppet Video" or "Ventriloquist" Categories must be made by Axtell Expressions.  All magic items used in the "Magic" Category must be Axtell magic.

Click here for more information.