Disqus - Latest Comments for Kristin_Ament

Re: Pedigree UK Adopts New Approach to Helping Dogs

Kristin_Ament — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:01:30 -0000

They can't let this Charlie meet a tragic end at Candy Mountain. Sure, it would make an impact, but as advocates for dogs, Pedigree wouldn't let that happen. They're playing out the story just right by scaring viewers into thinking he really will die so there's a huge flood of support through clicks. I think we can all bet episode 4 will end with Charlie frolicking in a lush back yard, chasing a ball thrown by his new, loving family, with the mandatory adorable child in tow.

Re: Brands Go Gaga for "Telephone"

Kristin_Ament — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:22:50 -0000

Don't forget the ever-tasty Honey Bun. Well, I guess they need the ad dollars to offset the tremendous cost of her productions. And there is no more influential cultural figure at the moment than Lady Gaga, so brands are smart to hitch onto that Pussy Wagon. This isn't the first time her videos have included product placement. Bad Romance, for example included Nemiroff vodka, HP and Wii. She's doing a video for "Alejandro" next, so companies best get in line. Hola, Dos Equis.

Re: IKEA's Four Letter Words

Kristin_Ament — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:03:20 -0000

I think this is a great approach, except for one thing: the "shit" image as shown could be misinterpreted as speaking to the product quality, not assembly trauma.

Re: Toyota's Fall From Grace

Kristin_Ament — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:09:39 -0000

Wow. This Danish company has no problem hovering like a buzzard over the Toyota corpse. Ouch.
http://adsoftheworld.com/me...

Re: Apple v. Gawker: Petty Larceny or Brand Theft?

Kristin_Ament — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:15:26 -0000

iMnotsomuchblownaway.

Re: Don't Let the Dumbledore Hit You in the Azkaban on Your Way Out, Mickey

Kristin_Ament — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:41:17 -0000

The tragedy of EPCOT is that it's supposed to celebrate technology and innovation, and it is more outdated than a 1950's rotary telephone. "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" is 15 years old and looks every bit of it. It's embarrassing for Disney to trot that out as a 3D experience when the form has evolved so drastically. I'll take "Avatar," thanks.

Re: GAP Announces End of Recession

Kristin_Ament — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:57:33 -0000

The J. Crew travelogue is beyond hurl-worthy. "Hello, peasants back in middle America, sadly slurping your Top Ramen. We're pushing rowboats up snowy hills in Chile and looking gorgeous while doing it. Can't wait to get back to the five star hotel and warm up with a hot toddy! Whee!"

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: "Mad Men," Season Three, Episode 13

Kristin_Ament — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:54:11 -0000

Thank you, all, for your kind words. I'm thrilled that you've enjoyed our little productions over here this season. I'm really bummed the season's over, since we all can assume January Jones' SNL hosting gig tonight will provide all kinds of tragic comedic fodder.

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: "Mad Men," Season Three, Episode 11

Kristin_Ament — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:29:26 -0000

TJH: Wow, I need to go back and watch "The Benefactor." Has Betty been that much in denial? And, yes, Botany500 (lovely suit, by the way), that indeed was the mother of Mr. Chaz Bono warbling in the end.

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: “Mad Men,” Season Three, Episode 10

Kristin_Ament — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:36:30 -0000

Admittedly, Billy Boy, the Piscopo and Kazurinsky references were rather obscure. In the mid 80's (when SNL was beyond awful), Christopher Guest and Billy Crystal were in a recurring "Willie and Frankie" sketch that had the frequent punchline "I hate when that happens." And for some reason, that came to mind when Peggy and Don were sympathizing with Paul, and then since we went back to SNL in 1984, Piscopo and Kazurinsky popped in for an ADT cameo. Again, super obscure. Sorry for the head scratching.

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: “Mad Men,” Season Three, Episode 10

Kristin_Ament — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:16:38 -0000

Thanks, all. I'm glad you enjoyed it. This was a particularly fun one to write about. I can't remember...is Margaret's wedding the day after the assassination? There definitely should be some drama around that. I can see Suzanne and Danny teaming up to bring Don down after she inevitably goes all "Fatal Attraction" on him. Midwest Expresso has me worried that I misinterpreted Paul's drunken unbuckling. Did others also assume that he was getting a delivery from the little Western Union man? You know, when you care, send one there and all. He came out of his office looking like there had just been a whole lot of caring.

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: “Mad Men,” Season Three, Episode Seven

Kristin_Ament — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:29:53 -0000

Yes, TJ, the three opening shots of Don, Peggy and Betty totally threw me. The writing and directing are so uneven this season. A few weeks ago, we had the David Lynch tribute with Peggy's "Bye Bye Birdie" number and Joan's accordion, and now it's randomly film noir week. Maybe next week, Pete and Kenny will have an epic "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" swordfight in the conference room.

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: "Mad Men," Season Two, Episode Six

Kristin_Ament — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:59:51 -0000

Heavens. Thanks for catching that, sfwmson. I was so distracted while picking fleshy toe bits off of my shirt that I didn't realize the error. It's fixed now. As you were.

Re: Levi’s: Too Tailored to Fit

Kristin_Ament — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:29:55 -0000

I'm obviously not destructive, bitter, jaded or unbathed enough for Levi's.

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: "Mad Men," Season Three, Episode Five

Kristin_Ament — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:31:04 -0000

It's funny you mention that, RedHeadedWonder. I toiled over that damn elevator scene and just couldn't make it any more awkward than it already was. The look on Hollis' face when Pete unfurled his arm and shut the elevator down was priceless.

Re: Attention Deficit Theatre: "Mad Men," Season Three, Episode Two

Kristin_Ament — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:47:56 -0000

TJ! Just thought I'd yell your name. Glad the Bandit drove you back here.

Re: Brand Katie Holmes Gets Ready for the Judgment Day

Kristin_Ament — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:27:24 -0000

Now it all makes perfect sense. Nigel Lythgoe, SYTYCD producer/judge and leader of the Katie Holmes pre-performance hype and post-performance Twitter defense, has Scientology connections. He has been romantically linked to famous Scientologist Priscilla Presley in the past and was seen at the L.A. Scientology Center just last month. I guess Tom Cruise has him on the payroll now and Nigel was willing to sell out . There goes any credibility he had earned as he touted REAL dance all these years on the show. Amazing.

Re: Smoking 2.0

Kristin_Ament — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:13:26 -0000

The videos are laughable and make the thing look way too complicated, what with the 87 steps required to charge and assemble and all. At first, I thought it was the stupidest product ever. Well, next to the Body Snake. But now I think it could find a market. Apparently a lot of people are getting the zero nicotine cartridges, so maybe it is a viable solution for people wanting to kick the habit. Blu really does need to figure out social media, though. Its Twitter page is obnoxiously one-note. http://twitter.com/blu_e_cigs.

Re: Shaken, Not Stirred By Bondsicle

Kristin_Ament — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:38:42 -0000

U.S.-based Del Monte Foods wants to ensure us it wouldn't touch this thing with a pole of its own. The company issued this brief statement to scream from the rooftops, "We didn't do this! Blame the Brits!" http://www.foxbusiness.com/...

Re: Change is Gonna Come

Kristin_Ament — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:19:21 -0000

It's not just you, John. Color me cynical but after the last week, I'm convinced the whole Susan Boyle "story" has been manufactured so Simon Cowell has a more interesting movie to trot out and make millions from. We start with our sad, cat-petting spinster, allegedly plucked from obscurity. She dreams her dream with the first performance and the world pays attention. Then in her second performance, she channels sad cat and totally screws up the beginning of the song. Ooooh, cracks in the foundation! Nerves are getting to our lass! And then, in the week leading up to the show, she has a perfectly choreographed, four-letter hissy fit in front of the media. Cue stories about how it's all just too much for our now foul-mouthed heroine, damn that media! At her final performance, the judges carry on about how they shouldn't play favorites, but SHE SHOULD TOTALLY WIN THIS THING. Of course she will. Wait, WHAT? Some dance troupe wins instead? WHAT A SHOCKER. Or not. Now, our number two, the Gulden's Mustard of the talent show world, allegedly has a perfect Hollywood nervous breakdown. How will she ever climb back to greatness? Yeah, it's totally scripted. Had she won, there wouldn't be a story to sell.

Re: Mommy Bloggers May Grimace, But I'm Lovin' It

Kristin_Ament — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:40:31 -0000

Nice idea with the iTunes-like option, but there's an immediate gratification element with their toys that's important. The Kidz Bop GM pointed out the benefit of parents and kids being in their cars after getting the Happy Meal, and the hope is that they'll put the CD in right away. Smart.

Re: Microsoft’s Fembot Strategy

Kristin_Ament — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:53:03 -0000

Sigh. This may as well have been written by Sterling Cooper in 1965 when demographics were considered new and relevant. I also will point out to Microsoft that if you're going to make a big whoop about how women are "big on social networking," you're pretty lame to look at just that 25-54 bracket. Every piece of research out there now shows women 55+ are the market to pay attention to for social media.

Re: Private Eye: An Investigation of Private Label Design

Kristin_Ament — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:45:26 -0000

During any weekly shopping trip, at least half of my picks are private label from Publix. Quality products at a great value, yes, but design also draws me in. Here are a few favorites from the Ament pantry that use unexpectedly whimsical product shots and copy. Who can resist the Cinna-pede? http://www.twitpic.com/3vzqq

Re: Ford’s Social Media Savvy

Kristin_Ament — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:12:27 -0000

Ford scores points for many elements of a great strategy, but looking at the 100 Agents and reading their rather engineered "insert coolness here" bios, it's apparent that Ford has no desire in marketing the Fiesta to anyone older than 30. What about, among others, all of the 50+ers who are embracing social media? I'll bet they even drive cars, too. Ford stopped short on this one, I say.

Re: Tropicana Line's Sales Plunge 20% Post-Rebranding

Kristin_Ament — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:44:23 -0000

I liked the new Tropicana design too, Bryan. I guess you and I also would have loved driving the Edsel.