Bringing attention to California resident's lack of healthcare coverage

Impactful and arresting way to bring attention to the fact that 6.7 million Californians don't have healthcare coverage through 40 life-size statues. Agency is Taxi NY. Effort has a strong social component, as people will certainly be compelled to share with others.

Client/agency relationships - a lot like the best brand/consumer relationships?

Seems to me that the client and agency relationships that thrive are a lot like the best brand and consumer relationships, based on:
• mutual respect
• open communication
• understanding
• interaction
• collaboration
• transparency
• shared passion
• exploration and innovation

Direct-to-consumer drug ads losing their punch

If you are in the healthcare or healthy lifestyle industry you probably aren't surprised.

So all the messages that would make one think that they're watching the pharma drug channel (mixed in with some college and pro sports) aren't delivering results. This shouldn't be a surprise. How much can you possibly interrupt people with messages that begin to blur together before you start to re-evaluate your practices. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28584952/

Lessons from Microsoft: When not to revitalize a brand

Saw the brilliant Apple tv spot (for the umpteenth time) in which "Bill" is apportioning dollars between funding Microsoft advertising and fixing Vista. Started to think about how Microsoft should respond to Apple's attack ads, separate from their multi-hundred million dollar "I'm A PC" campaign.

Vista-specific advertising isn't the answer, because the product is inferior. So why fuel the fire even further. In addition, why spend more money giving Apple any more air time. Also, what could Microsoft possibly say that doesn't make them look foolish – "we've finally fixed a product that we know really sucked; sorry to the millions of people who suffered through the Vista experience."

I think that Vista's reputation is so tarnished at this point that it doesn't pay to try to revitalize it. And how do you tell people, without acknowledging that you screwed up in the first place (along with consumers knowing full well that your apology isn't quite as sincere as when J&J masterfully handled their Tylenol scare).

How about evolving away from Vista. From a product with an awful reputation that's a drag on the corporate brand. Introduce (and fix) the next generation of operating system. It would certainly give Microsoft a cleaner slate. And a new platform to drive what can only be a more positive message. Give all those people who proudly stand up and say "I'm A PC" something to be proud of -- because they're most likely using PC's now only because they have to. Otherwise, why would they want to. Unless you're prone to lemming tendencies.

And when they do introduce the new operating system – look beyond advertising. Consider the strategic use of PR – to help impart a message that sounds strong enough to come from a leader but humble enough to acknowledge that you screwed up - and it won't happen again.

Imagine what good health+ healthy lifestyle brand marketers could do with $300MM

Microsoft just broke their new three hundred million ad campaign -- designed (I presume at some point) to sell more PC's by creating a more favorable impression of Microsoft's Windows operating system. Well, I don't get it. The spots are humorous. It's fun to see Jerry and Bill side by side. But they're actually kind of boring (reinforcing the image Microsoft is trying to dispel). And don't get how it's going to move the sales needle when Microsoft equals Vista – the enemy of all who work on the PC.

Imagine what  good health+ healthy lifestyle brand marketers could do with $300MM. 

Imagine you did. What BHAG's (big hairy audacious goals) would you set out to achieve. Now open your eyes, but don't let reality set in. How could you achieve these same goals with available resources. How can you be more insightful about your audiences (and your audience segmentation), more creative about what you provide that others don't, and more imaginative about your tactics? Just a thought.