When Miracle Whip first debuted their “snappier” new image with a series of commercials last year, people started paying attention.

The mayo magnate is continuing to spread the message… and in the most interesting arenas. A first glimpse of the new packaging came in the much-hyped recent Lady Gaga/Beyoncé ‘Telephone’ video, and advertising is also integrated into EA’s upcoming ‘Skate 3′ video game.

Women can be fickle. That’s nothing new.

The latest attempt by the opposite sex to evolve and meet those ever-changing needs comes in the form of a new, crowdsourced fragrance (and accompanying campaign) by Unilever’s Axe. Traditionally known for their tawdry, sexy advertisements that feature women regressing into sex-crazed vixens at first sniff, the men’s fragrance developers charted a new course with their latest product debut.

Twist is a new fragrance, co-created by consumers and the brand. The first ad shows a robot repeatedly making over a guy over the course of a date night, supposedly to keep the object of his affection interested.

But perhaps even more relevant than its commentary on the intricacies of dating, is what this new campaign says about the rise in co-creation and the need for two-way conversations between brands and their consumers. The marketing landscape has changed, in large part due to social media and the shift from top-down sales techniques to two-way conversations. It’s nice to see that advertisers are evolving to meet these needs. Women aren’t the only fickle ones, it turns out.

Read more about the campaign here.

Google has licensed technology that will identify images of billboards and advertising within their Google Streetview images, and can replace what’s on said adverts with Google designated paid (to Google) content.

Via Gizmodo

Now there may be some legal issues associated with rights to images and uses of those images, however, Google is a big company… very big.

There’s this new movie coming out, maybe you’ve heard of it. It’s called AVATAR?

James Cameron’s sci-fi juggernaut has been gradually building buzz in anticipation of its December 18th release date. As one of the most anticipated and costly films ever made, AVATAR is bringing the hype—especially with the promotional campaign.

A partnership with McDonald’s was recently revealed that includes sneak peeks of a planned interactive Web site and a Twitter promotion. McDonald’s is pulling out all the stops by incorporating augmented reality into the mix, with “thrill cards” that put customers on Avatar’s home planet. Cool.

The official Avatar interactive trailer is pretty darn cool too. While you watch the trailer, interactive “hotspots” come up where you can learn about the characters. Not to mention the integration of Avatar’s Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube accounts.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you’ve surely seen or heard of the ubiquitous Gap holiday ads by now. The denim-and-chinos retail stalwart recently launched its first television campaign in over two years.

In the new series of ads, scarf-and-sweater-adorned Gap models jump around, exhibit extreme acrobatic dance moves, and even build human snowflakes.

But it hasn’t been without controversy. The American Family Association has planned to boycott Gap and its associated businesses through the holiday season. Labeling the ads “offensive,” an AFA representative claims the “Happy Whateveryouwannakah” campaign patronizes people and makes a joke out of a religious holiday.

Offensive can be a relative term.

Consider Pepsi’s recent ’sexist’ iPhone app debacle a cautionary tale.

Seems like the prevalence of viral marketing and social networking has not come without its share of caveats. Less regulation and more freedom can be a good thing…or in some cases can fall flatter than soda left out in the sun.

The newest member of the ’sexist’ club is none other than Method. You know those devilish little scrubbing bubbles, crudely leering at the helpless naked woman in the shower? Uh yeah, apparently some view it as sexist and even condoning rape.
Method has since pulled the video. But looks like those scuzzy little suds could take a lesson from Spiderman—”With great power comes great responsibility.” Even on the Internet.

Honda and Ford have been at the forefront of the social media marketing shift lately, proving that the auto industry—albeit struggling—has its finger on the pulse.

Case in point: Honda’s ‘Social Experiment’ recently netted 2 million Facebook fans. This cross-platform push urged people to join as fans and also to learn how they are connected to other owners, friends, and fans around the world. It would appear that “Everybody Knows Somebody Who Loves a Honda,” but the real question is: will it sell more cars?

And let’s not forget Ford’s Fiesta Movement. This grassroots social media campaign gave 100 social “agents” the keys to the new Fiesta model and encouraged their feedback through blogs, Twitter, video and events. All without spending a dime on traditional media.

While both Honda and Ford have turned out impressive numbers, the jury is still out on what this will mean for the revival of the auto industry. Perhaps the more important implication here is the extent to which social media is overtaking traditional ad dollars and making more sense when it comes to brand marketing.

Meerkat. Cravat-wearer. Internet Icon.

VCCP has launched a viral campaign starring this Russian-inflected meerkat. Everyone’s favorite mongoose has gotten quite a large share of the spotlight lately, starting with the Discovery channel’s popular show, Meerkat Manor.

But can the popularity of meerkats be leveraged into success for a website about market comparison?

It would appear so, initially, judging by his 570,000+ Facebook fans. And you know you’re famous when you have your own blooper reel.

Read more about this charming meerkat here, here, and here.

 

An interactive video player in the pages of a magazine can’t be cheap. So will readers respond? CBS and Pepsi are hoping so, with an exciting promotion to hype their fall lineup. A paper-thin video player will be inserted into the pages of the Sept. 18 issue of Entertainment Weekly loaded with video content touting CBS’s fall shows.

Perhaps if you want your message to jump off the page, you gotta make it creative. This innovative approach comes at a critical time for CBS who is battling (along with other networks) a ratings erosion due to increased digital options.

Read more about the promotion here.