Category — Non-traditional Advertising

A disturbingly effective awareness campaign was created this spring by Duval Guillaume Modem and produced in Amsterdam by monodot in support of STOP THE TRAFFIK.

Loving this “making of” video – behind the scenes of MANGO’s Summer 2012 campaign with Kate Moss. Clean, simple, fresh – all the things summer should be. And Kate Moss just keeps getting more stunning as the years go by. Love the killer black dress, all whites and pops of color. Bring on the sunshine.

It seems companies everywhere are launching Open Innovation Platforms. Unilever launched theirs last month and Heineken launched Ideas Brewery a few days ago, inviting ideas to make packaging and delivery more sustainable. Not that I’m complaining, the fact that companies are thinking about reducing their environmental impact is a great thing. It’s just that for something all about innovation the model itself feels a little 2008. Basically crowd-sourcing mixed with user-generated content.

But, I’ve been wrong before and the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. So I’ll be curious to see what ideas come out of this. Submission deadline is May 8th and the winner will be announced in June 2012. $10,000 cash prize.

And though I really do want to love this campaign because I admire the sentiments behind it, the intro video on Ideas Brewery definitely isn’t helping me get excited about it. Great message, mind-numbing delivery. Maybe it’s the remaining effects of all those dirty kettle one martinis last night but my mind is still spinning from this closing quote: “Because none of us is better than all of us.” Huh? I’m tempted to send them a copy of Eats, Shoots & Leaves.

Happy Good Friday everyone!

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Kiehl’s is not perfect as an eco-conscious skin-care brand – their products are not exclusively paraben or PEG free that is true. But, they are well marked and with a cautious eye you can find loads of products that are all natural and good for your skin. They are also expanding their offerings such as their Ultra Facial Oil Free line and reformulating their classic products to include more paraben-free options. They’ve never tested on animals, their customer service is great, and they encourage a culture of engaged consumption and make recycling easy with their rewards program which I am a huge fan of:

Photo credit: Kiehl's

Photo credit: Kiehl's

All in all they’re a brand I think gets a lot right, makes solid products and I’m happy to support. Keep advocating for more all-natural products by reading labels and being conscious of what you consume. Elections may come only so often but we vote every day with where we spend our dollars – make them count!

The second annual Small Business Saturday is coming up November 26th and I’m loving the promotional weight American Express is putting behind the concept. It is so important to remember that we vote every day with each dollar we spend. So next weekend, when you’re getting a jump on your holiday shopping, turn some of your attention to the local boutiques and artisans in your community, check out that friend’s new online site or etsy page you’ve been meaning to support. And if you’re a small business, visit AMEX’s Small Business Saturday site for great promotional resources and social media tools.

Because I’m both a Mainer and a New Yorker – here are some of my pics:

Hot Blondies Bakery: Without exception the world’s best blondies and brunettes (brownies).
Tin Mustard: The caviar of mustards.
Remade USA: Gorgeous recycled leather handbags.
Fiddler’s Green Farm: Wholegrain goodness from Maine – organic!
The Good Table: My favorite cooking supply store ever.
The Belfast Coop: Open since 1976.
Power Chocolates: Super nutrients from super foods.
Jerri Finch: Beautiful oils of Maine’s many landscapes.
The Reel Project: Using media to transform lives.

Where are your favorite places to shop local?