Disqus - Latest Comments for Rachel_Newman

Re: A Note of Thanks From the CEO

Rachel_Newman — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:34:56 -0000

This really is an odd move from World Market. "... a daily escape from the current, difficult economic times as well as products that enrich your daily lives" sounds a tad opportunistic.

Re: Pedigree UK Adopts New Approach to Helping Dogs

Rachel_Newman — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:54:59 -0000

I would like to think that the story of Charlie will have a happy ending, and I will definitely be checking regularly to see whether part four of the series has been "unlocked." That said, why does Pedigree U.S.'s adoption campaign pale in comparison? http://pedigree.com/03Adopt.... The commercials are beautifully shot, and pull the heartstrings, but the real-life adoption stories can only be found on the web site. A bowl of food is donated to a shelter with every new Facebook friend (potentially millions of bowls), but big whoop. One. One bowl of food from a company that makes tons of it every year. Plus, the tired approach of having a celebrity (in this case, Carrie Underwood) urge people to get involved and become a fan on Facebook. I would like to see Pedigree U.S. get as creative as Pedigree U.K. In the meantime, Charlie carries a lot on his adorable shoulders.

Re: Puppets Upstage Zappos Zany Culture

Rachel_Newman — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:55:08 -0000

Completely agree with you. Those puppets give me the willies.

Re: 2009: A Space Odyssey

Rachel_Newman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:51:05 -0000

Great post. The Museum of Innocence sounds really exceptional. I love the idea of reading a novel while anticipating the more tangible experience. Not in a Disney World/bring-it-to-life kind of way, but in a way that makes space for personal interpretation.

Re: The Element of Surprise

Rachel_Newman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:05:33 -0000

Bryan, take some more time perusing the Hipstery site. Go to their Journal. Really, really funny writing. Leagues ahead of Jelly of the Month Club. :-)

Re: The Element of Surprise

Rachel_Newman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:03:49 -0000

I agree.

Re: Where's the Sexual Objectification for the Ladies?

Rachel_Newman — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:13:09 -0000

Objectification of men seems to be more acceptable overseas than in the states. Check these ads:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

But then, there's also this ad. Oh.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

That said, the Switzerland ad and the cookie ad aren't what I would describe as "empowering." And, while funny, nor is the Diet Coke ad. Ultimately, it's still more of a male perspective on what empowers women, in my opinion.

The Orangina ad is just creepy, and wrong on so many levels.

Like you say, Bryan, the tables need to be turned in a compelling way, not just flipping and reversing things. A hot guy milking a cow right before saying " ...a country that spends less time on football and more time on you" is pretty bad.

Re: Levi’s: Too Tailored to Fit

Rachel_Newman — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:01:19 -0000

Thanks! Agreed. The louder you yell "I get you!" at the PBR dude, the less likely he is to listen, whereas the 'intentional bed head guy is always interested in suggestions. :)

Re: Levi’s: Too Tailored to Fit

Rachel_Newman — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:53:04 -0000

It is hit-or-miss, that's for sure. It would be nice to see the brand go back to just carrying a few styles of jeans, corduroys and the classic and sherpa-lined jackets, all of which done well. I think the cracked black jeans and all the added styles and variations dilute the brand and play in to wanting to be everything to everyone. Levi's never needed to be "fashionable" before. They just fit well and got better with age. I'd like to think it's not too late to recapture that and, like you say, let the cheap fashion reside elsewhere.

Re: Ad Execs and Other Bloodsuckers Revamp TV Marketing

Rachel_Newman — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:35:56 -0000

I appreciate it when historically traditional brands like Clorox shows us another side of their personality - especially when that side is surprisingly funny and edgy.

Re: Putting the "Wee" in Tweet

Rachel_Newman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:47:15 -0000

GlastoPoem -- Glastonbury 2009 interactive Twitter poem: http://www.psfk.com/2009/06...

Re: Smoking 2.0

Rachel_Newman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:43:28 -0000

Points well taken, GingerShane. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint as a blu customer. How have you found public reaction when using them?

Re: Wherever Two or More are Gathered in TED's Name

Rachel_Newman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:53:22 -0000

Excellent piece. I am very interested to see what local talent and ideas are discovered through TEDx.

Re: Smoking 2.0

Rachel_Newman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:42:16 -0000

There's just too much gear that goes along with e-cigs for them to be cool or clandestine. Too much USB porting going on. "Hold on - gotta charge up my smokes" sounds silly. And what if - heaven forbid - there's a long-term power outage? The horror.

Plus, it's freaky that it blinks several times to signal to the user that maybe they should step away from the blu for a bit. Easy on the vapor there, buddy.

Re: Smoking 2.0

Rachel_Newman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:37:40 -0000

I think this product could find a market if it unapologetically owns being an e-cigarette and doesn't pretend to be a 1:1 substitute for actual cigarettes. And for goodness' sake, lose those YouTube videos.

Re: "Yesterday" is so Today in The Beatles: Rock Band

Rachel_Newman — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:22:12 -0000

I hope the Guitar Hero guitar becomes a more intuitive prop for my sake and others like me who lack hand-eye coordination. I'm more of an Air Guitar Hero.

Re: The Sham Wow Factor

Rachel_Newman — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:45:52 -0000

LOL! Plush.

Re: Microsoft’s Fembot Strategy

Rachel_Newman — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:44:51 -0000

Creatures, indeed. Women are a different animal, therefore we will take a Wild Kingdom approach and narrate their movements, from a distance, in hushed tones. "Let's observe women in their natural habitat. See how they provide for and groom their young..."

Re: Microsoft’s Fembot Strategy

Rachel_Newman — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:27:11 -0000

"Connect with women when *they're* ready?" What are we? Skittish rodents that will scurry away if someone scares us with sudden, large movements? Easy now. Easy ... easy... "Professionals, wives, moms and friends all at once, women." Why thank you, Microsoft, for giving us some dimension. Permit me to break into Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman" in celebration.

It's not just the stereotype of women as gossips that's fueling this. The "giving them their space" bit perpetuates the age-old belief that women will fly off the handle at the drop of a hat. Hysteria = from hystericus, which means "of the womb." Hi, Microsoft. It's 2009, not 1615.

Re: The London Olympics Logo: A Five-Ring Circus

Rachel_Newman — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:08:27 -0000

Thanks for commenting! You make a great point. It sets the stage for London 2012 to provide a new and different experience than past Olympic games, capturing the spirit and humanity of the event throughout, as opposed to being an expected, one-dimensional "stamp."

Re: Brand Bizarro World

Rachel_Newman — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:00:10 -0000

You were ahead of the game with this piece, Kevin.

http://slate.com/id/2215267/

Re: Brendan Canning

Rachel_Newman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:47:07 -0000

If you ever have an opportunity to see Broken Social Scene and Brendan Canning live, take advantage of it. The band puts on an amazing, energetic show that's over-flowing with talent.