It would be a stretch

10-billionApple sends me emails. I’m happy about that.

The most recent had a little feature on the coming sale of their ten billionth download. That in itself is amazing. And I could preach about how the artists would be so much better off if Apple would give them just one cent more for each song they provide! (But I won’t.)

My single comment is… if I won a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card, I wouldn’t know what to do with it! In my wildest dreams, I might be able to burn through about $2,000 of iTunes songs and movies – but it would take me many hours to spend it! I could not afford the time it would take to do such a prize justice.

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Whatever happened to prunes?

dried-plumsAh, marketers, you gotta love em.

I got a good laugh when I saw this ad. When I was a kid, these things were called “prunes”. Now they are “dried plums”. Same thing – but “prunes” has too many negative connotations.

Love it!

What product or thing would you rename? (And please, no one say “iPad”.)

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Acura vs Mercedes

acura-v-mercObvious competitors.

Acura is winning the race, in terms of their literature. Notice the size difference between their brochures. And the Acura brochure’s design is far nicer than that of the Mercedes. It has more pages as well.

The cars themselves? I can’t say that I have ever driven an Acura, though I have driven (and owned) several Hondas. I have driven a few Mercedes cars. The feel of quality is in the same ballpark.

Mercedes had a very dark time in the 90s. I remember when their ML-Class SUVs were at the very bottom of the JD Powers survey in the UK. But supposedly their quality has improved. Maybe leaving Chrysler behind has allowed them to focus a bit more. But Mercedes still has the edge in terms of their image and name. Honda made the mistake (in my opinion) of launching a separate brand in the USA. (Acura does not exist outside the borders of the US of A – whereas Lexus, Toyota’s equivalent, does.) And what’s the brand of choice for any African dictator? Mercedes.

I just wondered why Mercedes decided to cut their brochure budget. Maybe they feel secure enough that they don’t think they need brochures to sell their vehicles.

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Some really really bad copywriting

crosstourThis appeared in the American edition of the new Honda Crosstour ads. (That’s a new car that is basically a bloated Honda station wagon. I like it on some levels and hate it on others. The same footprint could yield far more utility than the Crosstour delivers.)

Incidentally, the ads are really unappealing, design-wise. (My suggestion? Use regular color when visually describing a product.)

And by the way, there is a much cooler Honda in a similar vein that one can buy if they live in Japan: the Stream. It doesn’t have America’s unfortunate SUV aspect in its flavor mix.

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Maybe a wrong decision

stihl-adStihl makes chainsaws. The recently ran this ad campaign trumpeting the fact that they do not sell their products at Home Depot or Lowe’s (giant DIY stores for those of you outside the US). They sell exclusively through independent dealers and want to keep it that way.

When the iPod was introduced, it was only sold at Apple Stores or online through Apple’s Store. Maybe a year later, they opened it up to just about any retailer. Good choice. Stihl? Pay attention.

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

A great Christmas present for the business person in your life

tacoversmallTrust Agents by Chris Brogan & Julien Smith.

This is without a doubt the best business book that came out in 2009. It’s readable, interesting and filled with great illustrations. It is laced with application sections, so you can grab things to use in your business or organization.

Chris brings something new to the field of business communications – humility. He proves that you do not require a big ego to get the job done well. He cites many stories about how the best way to further your goals is to help someone else. What a refreshing voice!

Julien adds a lot of stimulating insights to the mix. However, since I don’t know him like I know Chris, it’s harder for me to really sift out exactly the part he had in the book’s creation.

Most books in the business category I read or skim and then sell on Amazon. This one? It stays on my shelf.

What’s the best book you added to your keeper shelf this year?

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail