Welcome 2009 with a Kiss!

by erica ~ January 2, 2009

Happy New Year!

As thousands of people come to New York City to see the largest ball drop in the world, they don’t expect to be bombarded with brands that are working hard to gain some attention! As the battle of the brands continue, Nivea, a skin and beauty care company, launched a campaign in hopes of getting smooching consumers to ring in the New Year wearing its Nivea Lip Care.

According to Brandweek, the “Kiss and Be Kissed” campaign included kissing couples captured on camera; pamphlets that offered tips on how to turn first-time kisses into “sizzling smooches;” and consumers who visit Niveaxoxo.com will be able send a free digital kiss that will arrive to recipients at midnight.

Nivea was also a major sponsor of the New Years Eve evening in Times Square, which included the Nivea Countdown Stage, where major artists like Taylor Swift, Ludacris, and the Jonas Brothers, shined on stage; and a Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform, where couples practiced their best midnight kiss.

As you can see, Nivea was really trying to create a buzz for themselves for 2009. Considering that they are not really known for their lip care products, I think that this concept was well thought out and works extremely well with all the smoochers on New Year’s Eve. Coincidentally, I bought a Nivea lip care product this past weekend to protect and moisturize my lips on the ski slopes, and I must say that it is the best lip product I’ve used in a very long time.

             

Only Two More Shopping Days Until Christmas

by nicole ~ December 22, 2008

Or 48 Hours if you’re planning to shop Toys R Us in Times Square, which will be continuously open from now until 8 PM on Christmas Eve.  According to this Wall Street Journal article, more retailers are offering “extreme” hours to attract as many consumers as possible during these rough economic times.  The article states:

“In the final countdown of one of the worst holiday retail seasons in decades, more retailers have extended hours and are staying open for 24-hour periods or more in a last-ditch effort to capture sales. Macy’s Inc., L.L. Bean International, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Hennes & Mauritz AB’s H&M chain added extreme hours at select locations this year, they said, as a way to enhance customer service, reduce congestion and compete for last-minute sales.”

I always felt that part of the allure of late-night shopping is the novelty of it. Perhaps not so much in New York City, but I’ve been to the L.L. Bean store in Maine at midnight, not because it was a necessary trip, but just because I could. Of course now these late night hours come as a necessity to retailers in the lat shopping hours before Christmas.  The article goes on to say:

“Snowstorms across the country during the last shopping weekend before Christmas are expected to make the already-dismal retail season even worse, some retailers said. Numbers weren’t available Sunday, but ShopperTrak RCT Corp. said that the final weekend before Christmas typically accounts for 11.5% of holiday sales. Last year, Super Saturday brought in $8.7 billion in retail sales. Retail sales for the six weeks to Dec. 13 are down 2% from a year earlier.”

There is no doubt retailers are trying extra hard this year.  As I was typing this entry an e-mail popped up from Apple reminding me that their stores are open late so I can “find something for everyone on my list.”  I would hardly be surprised if I get another one of these emails tomorrow and probably another on Christmas Eve.  This may be a dismal shopping season, but it’ll be interesting to see what that means for the after Christmas sales.  Until then — have a happy and safe holiday!

             

Profnets of the Week

by admin ~ December 22, 2008

It’s time again to take a look at some of the strange and/or interesting stories being written about this week - thanks to Profnet, a service that sends us journalist queries and calls for sources dozens of times throughout the day. Enjoy!

BEHAVIOR: Obsessed with Cuteness — Athens Banner Herald (GA)
I am looking for experts to discuss why the modern Internet surfer is so obsessed with cute animals. Why do videos of someone bathing their pet guinea pig, a pug twirling in response to the sound of a blender, or a water-skiing squirrel rack up thousands more hits than videos about Bush’s auto rescue plan? What’s up with us and our love of cute? Contact: XXXXXX, xxxxxxxx@onlineathens.com

RESTAURANTS: Doggie Bagging — Freelancer
I am writing an article — in the query stage (possibly for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and/or Washington Post) — about doggie bagging. Today, with our economy in the dumps, we all feel poor. Are takeaways and doggie bags more prevalent than ever? Are guests not just taking away “little stuff,” but stealing? Are they lifting articles that may surprise us? What are restaurant owners/managers doing to thwart and discourage this activity? What *can* they do — arrest you? I will focus on doggie bagging in the modern age. I will interview people who take stuff, as well as restaurateurs, managers, psychologists and the police. I’ll include information about the origin of doggie bags — how it got started as a bag for unfinished dinners to take home for a customer’s dog (often a pretense to just take it home). I hope to find celebrities who are notorious for doing this. Contact: XXXXXXX, xxxxxx@aol.com

MEMBER INQUIRY/TODAY: Celebrities Who Recovered from Caffeine Addiction — Caffeine Awareness Alliance
For a book published by our non-profit organization, the Caffeine Awareness Alliance is seeking celebrities who have recovered from caffeine addiction and would be willing to be profiled to help create awareness and support the efforts of our organization. There may also be host committee opportunities with gala events and future editorial opportunities. Contact: XXXXXXX, xxxxxx@yahoo.com

BEHAVIOR/TODAY: Why Are Men Such Techno Geeks? — Reader’s Digest
I only need one response on this one, so I apologize in advance to anyone I do not get back to. I just need one amusing, insightful shrink or shrinkette who can explain why men like high-tech gadgets, extra buttons and anything cool that requires a manual. Contact: XXXXXX, xxxxxx@yahoo.com