Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The MasterCard Moment? Not Really...


MasterCard has a pretty good marketing thing going with their "Priceless" campaign, so much so that last weekend the following was going through my mind when a snapped this photo:


Kneepads for 2 volleyball playing daughters - $50
Court shoes for 2 volleyball playing daughters - $300
Gas and meals for 10 volleyball tournaments - $1,300
Two regional volleyball championship banners – PRICELESS!!

Yes those really are my two volleyball playing teenage daughters, yes their teams really did win both of these championship banners and yes I really am their super proud father (as my bio highlights). 

Unfortunately for MasterCard only their marketing efforts are what I use, not their card. 

One tournament left for each of the girls this fall, both of their teams are competing in the Provincial Finals. Wouldn't it be nice to have the same photo with Provincial Champions banners next month?


Sunday, January 29, 2012

One Week to the Big Game


It is only one week away. Seven days. Where will you be?

The annual ritual that is Super Bowl Sunday lands seven days from now, February 5th. It is the day that grown men will collide and crash in to each other with the purpose being to get an oval shaped pigskin ball across a line to score points. The team with the most points wins the Lombardi Trophy, which bears no resemblance to a bowl.

But that is really just the sideshow…

Super Bowl Sunday is all about entertainment. Many people tune in just for the halftime show, this year’s features Madonna. Past years have featured artists such as the Rolling Stones, Prince, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Bruce Spingsteen, the Black Eyed Peas and who could for get Janet Jackson.

Then there are the commercials, everyone wants to see the commercials. Super Bowl advertising is where creative license is let loose and companies pay huge amounts for 30 seconds of airtime. In my opinion last year’s big winner was the VW spot with a young Darth Vader, Brand Bowl gave the nod to the Chrysler ad Imported from Detroit featuring Eminem. Big brands compete just as hard for attention with these commercials as the players on the field do for the Super Bowl.

The brands however get immediate reaction to their spot via social media, positive or negative, and know if they have a winner. The players have to play 60 minutes to determine their outcome.

This year’s game, if anyone is interested, is being played in Indianapolis by the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. It is a rematch of the 2008 championship when the Giants stunned New England and handed them their only lose of the year. My guess is that will serve as motivation for the New England squad this year.

Are there any Colts fans out there looking forward to seeing the Patriots logo painted on the Colts home field as much as I am?