Oprah Announces Her Daytime Show Will End in 2011

Anyone who watches television, uses the internet, or listens to the news knows who Oprah Winfrey is. She is a phenomenon. Oprah currently stands out as the highest-rated talk show in American television history and also has the longest-running daytime television show in the United States.

Oprah debuted her first national broadcast show on September 8, 1986. I have to admit that after I started watching the first show I was hooked. In the mid eighties talk shows focused more on sensationalistic social issues so Oprah initially followed show formats such as Phil Donahue, Arsenio Hall, and Jerry Springer.

Oprah eventually transformed her talk show image as a positive, spiritually uplifting experience by featuring book clubs, celebrity interviews, self-improvement segments, and philanthropic forays into world events.

Some of Oprah’s shows that stand out are when Tom Cruise jumped onto Oprah’s couch professing his love for Katie Holmes, Michael Jackson attempting to clear his name to the public regarding his skin-pigment disorder, Oprah being sued by Texan cattlemen when she said she would stop eating burgers for fear of getting mad cow disease, leading a wagon of fat that represented the weight she had lost, and opening a leadership academy for girls in South Africa.

On November 20, 2009 Oprah stunned her audience by announcing that her show would be ending in September 2011. Oprah said “I knew then what a miraculous opportunity I had been given, but I certainly never could have imagined the yellow brick road of blessings that have led me here. These years with you, our viewers, have enriched my life beyond measure. You all have graciously invited me into your living rooms, into your kitchens, into your lives. Your trust in me has brought me the greatest joy I have ever known.” Source

Oprah will be missed as a day time talk show host as the curtain closes on her show. The press says Oprah will be starting her own 24-hour cable network that “reflects her vision, values and interests” after her daily talk show ends. I feel certain it will be a success. Read More

Who Doesn’t Like a Free Endorsement by a Hollywood Star?

In order to prepare for his latest role in X-Man, Hugh Jackman worked six months with a personal trainer. I found the article interesting because Hugh not only worked with the trainer, but also used a supplement. The all natural muscle builder is called Muscle Might.

Hugh was interview on Jay Leno and said “I'm not much of a scientist when it comes to building muscle, but the results I saw surprised me.” He also said “In three months I gained 33 pounds of pure muscle and lowered my body fat to 5%." Stats

The owner of Muscle Might, John Hullman, was surprised by Hugh’s endorsement and said “We knew he was using our product but we didn't know he would mention us on such a big medium such as the Jay Leno show. This is certainly any business owner's dream, and we are very thankful for him putting us out there in front of more people that want to gain muscle mass and lose body fat in a healthy fast way." Read More

Hugh’s unintentional endorsement helped sales of Muscle Might increase to 15% their average sales. Also helpful was the link listed in this article to Muscle Might’s web site. I was curious and took a look! Muscle Mights

Is Beauty Only Skin Deep?

Most woman (especially in the U.S.) are taught when young the importance of being beautiful. To break the barrier, Dove has been instrumental in spreading word of self-esteem through their “campaign for real beauty” which was launched in 2004. Self-Esteem Messaging

Dove defines real beauty through their mission of making “women feel more beautiful every day by challenging today's stereotypical view of beauty and inspiring women to take great care of themselves.” Beauty

As a marketer, I researched the statistics and found that every three households in the U.S. use a Dove product and it is the number one personal wash brand. I use several Dove products myself. Stats

The self-esteem crisis affecting Austin girls is ranked among the top ten locations with the highest percentage of girls (19%) who believe they’re not good enough daughters. I am proud that Dove is messaging through multiple media outlets the “Dove Self-Esteem Awareness Measurement”. The message communicates that self-esteem encompasses “an overall sense of self-acceptance, confidence and emotional orientation among American girls.” Read More

Knowing the message that Dove portrays and watching this video opened my eyes to a new perspective on the internal and external view of beauty.

Mud Fest at the ACL Did Not Ruin the Event

Austin City Limits Music Festival, ACL, was a big hit this year, despite the weather conditions.

I attended all three days of the event. Every day was a bit different due to mother nature. Friday the temperature was 85 with a nice breeze. We could not have asked for better weather as last year it was around 100 degrees. On Saturday it rained most of the day, but I was prepared with a heavy raincoat and hat. The weather was not going to ruin the event for me. Sunday we were fortunate that it did not rain all day. But the mud festival was a different story.



As a marketer, I was interested in the sponsors of the event. They included AMD, Xbox360°, Austin Ventures, BMI, HEB, and Heineken. It was exciting to have causes represented this year through local non-profits including LIVESTRONG and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. With all the sponsors support we were fortunate to have the “greatest and most affordable music experiences in the world.” Read More

Some statistics of the event included: Read More
o 130 bands performed on 8 stages over 3 days of music
o 700 bartenders served beer, wine and water to thirsty fans
o 650 port-o-potties lined the park
o 700 trash and recycle containers were scattered throughout the park
o 300 guards and 150 police officers helped watch keep everyone orderly, safe and secure
o 50,000 feet of fence lined the park.

Some of my favorite bands were Kings of Leon, Thievery Corporation, and Asleep at the Wheel, (Friday), Dave Matthews, Ghostland Observatory, and The Scabs, (Saturday), and B52’s, Toadies, Ben Harper and the Relentless, and of course Pearl Jam (Sunday). See the Bands

All the hoopla about the mud and ruining the park was misconstrued. The “grass and root system are still intact, C3 said” and they are prepared to “repair any damage to the park.” C3 Comments

A Nostalgic Look at the Houston Rockets’ Branded Uniforms

Men and sports. Two things that go together like apple pie and ice cream. Since my dad and brother were sports enthusiasts, I would watch them glued to the T.V. any time a sports event was on.

When I was a kid I was lucky to get prime seats for some of the Houston Rockets’ basketball games. My cousin was a score keeper and my family knew friends that also had season tickets. It was most exciting for me to go and see the live games.

As a young marketer in training, I enjoyed looking at the uniforms and the brand that the Rockets had generated. Recently, when I heard about the unveiling of their new uniforms, I was interested to see them. I decided to go down memory lane and think back to history of their gear: The Rockets were the San Diego Rockets from 1967-1971, where they became the Houston Rockets in 1971 and remain today. The Houston Rockets’ colors in 1971 were red, white, gray, and yellow and have had variations over the years.

The new marketing campaign and brand that the Rockets fired up is called “We Are Red Nation” and included the unveiling of the new Rockets’ uniforms. The statement was intended to “Unite the Rockets global community and build on the ‘redification’ of the city of Houston….with the launch of the Rockets’ enormously successful ‘Get Red’ campaign,” said Rockets’ Marketing Director Ken Sheirr. With “Get Red! We wanted to stress fan, partner and community-wide activation.” Read More

The new uniform is somewhat retro with the ketchup and mustard color and bring back the nostalgia of the “franchise’s glory days of the early 80’s and mid 90’s when Ralph Sampson, Moses Malone and Hakeem Olajuwan patrolled the paint.” Read more

What do you think of the Rocket’s new gear?

Rockets unveil new uniforms @ Yahoo! Video

A Brand Built Around a Band. “Livestrong” Concept Branches Out.

Nike in 1996, was searching for “a way the company could recognize the cyclist ahead of his bid to win an unprecedented sixth Tour de France.” When the Nike executive made the proposal to Lance’s agent Bill Stapleton, he thought it was a “stupid idea”. Who knew the wristband would raise money and awareness in the battle with cancer?

As a marketer I was most interested in learning about the wristband supporters and media exposure. (and of course the money that was raised) Some of his supporters include: Nike, AMD, HP, American Century Investments, Oakley, and most recently Dick’s Sporting Goods. The media that raised awareness was the “Today Show”, Nike athletes, Oprah, Senator John Kerry, and many more.

Most people have a passion for Livestrong and the brand’s recognition is astronomical. “The brand’s success has allowed the Lance Armstrong Foundation to create its own endowment and raise more than $300 million to fight cancer.”

Read More

Who Said Commercials Lose Their Touch after 30 Years?

For an advertising junky, super bowl ads are some of my favorite. I have to admit that my breaks are NEVER during the commercials.

Who around the age of 40 and above does not remember 1979's famous "Mean Joe Greene” Coke ad? Admit it, you do! The price of a 30-second commercial in 1979 was a cheap $185K. Read the Stats:

This year was the 30 year anniversary of the Coke ad featuring Troy Polamalu and Coke Zero®. A average 30-second ad was a pricey $3 million. Read More:


Mean Joe Greene Coke Ad:


Troy Polamalu Coke Zero® Ad: