Au Paris

I will be vacationing in Paris for the next week, so the blogging will be at a minimum. I will definitely keep my eyes open for any interesting and blog worthy events or marketing promotions, but I can't promise anything.

Check back on May 26th

Window Ads

This economy has left several vacant retail spaces in prime locations. Instead of taking a loss every month without rent landlords are renting out the windows for advertisement. Companies are taking advantage of the the economic climate to further build their brands. This is a great way to bring billboards to eye level to really interact with the market. It is very unexpected and very creative especially by going beyond a banner hanging in a window. These ads include building decals and 2D artwork. Plus, it makes gloomy and depressing vacant retail space look more vibrant and inviting. Brilliant! [source: New York Times]

BMW Z4 Masterpiece

[source: CarType]

The "Expressions of Joy" campaign launched this week by BMW features a football size painting by the newly designed 2010 Z4 Roadster. This elaborate marketing strategy includes print, online, video, and mobile efforts. Inspired by the Art Car exhibit, a traveling exhibit that features famour artists who utilize BMW cars as their canvas, this new strategy utilizes the Z4 as the brush to a masterpiece.

The campaign utilizes the expertise of artist Robin Rhode and Filmmaker Jake Scott and began with an art installation at Grand Central Station in New York City. Scott documented Rhodes creating the art with paint dispensers on the back of the wheels of the Z4 and created a short film. This documentary aired on Saturday on Discovery HD. Footage was also captured for online viral videos. The artwork created will also be featured in out-of-home and print campaigns to help launch the new Z4.



This marketing campaign is ellaborate and creative. It stems from existing arts partnerships and collaborations which assists in its success. BMW didn't just do one component of the strategy, instead they blew it out to encompass several marketing outlets. If the campaign was strictly out-of-home or strictly viral it wouldn't have been as successful. BMW's marketing is always well thoughtout and executed. The campaign is on-brand and truely brings attention to the newly designed Z4. It also brings more attention to BMW's collaboration and dedication to the promotion of art and design. [source: MarketingDaily]



Check out the viral marketing as well.

Gap and Havaianas unite in NYC

To kickoff the partnership with my favorite flip flop brand Havaianas, GAP utilized their flagship store in Manhattan to create a mini pop-up store between April 30th and June 13th. I'm calling it a mini pop-up store because GAP has a small space attached to their flagship store that they use for various promotions and partnerships. Although this is a great "flex space" to feature what is new at GAP, I think that they should have gone a step further.

I wouldn't say that this pop-up is at the caliber of Target or other retailers who utilize different spaces throughout the country with a different look and feel each time. Pop-up stores are known for "popping up" (for lack of better word) where you least expect it and completely blowing out a space to leverage the promotion. It creates a unique experience outside of the typical retail environment that is exciting and fresh. By utilizing an existing GAP store the only newless is the product, which can be found at any GAP store. Why would I go out of my way to go to this "pop-up" store when I can go to my local GAP and get the same product and have the same experience. I'm not sure that they differentiated this store enough from their chain stores. The only difference is that at this store you can embellish your flip flops. Why would I want to embellish my flip flops? I guess that could be cool to some people, but I'm not sure that embellished flip flops are really a trend at the moment. And, I don't know that I would pay extra to embellish my flip flops.

GAP did brand the small space Havaianas, but essentially it is in a GAP store. I'm sure that by utilizing this existing space GAP saves themselves a lot of money, which they probably need to do since they aren't doing so hot, but I would have rather seen GAP take more risks and to think outside of the box. I think overall their marketing is weak and really lacks focus. There is no clear GAP message the is communicated to their audience. Instead, they focus their attention on leverage celebrities to sell their brand. It hasn't been working, so I think it is time they try something new.

Although I feel that the promotion is just as weak as all of GAP's initiatives, I am really glad that they are partnering with Havaianas. I actually think that the two are a great fit. Both are casual, fun, and colorful brands that share the same audience. [source: BizBash]