Have a Seat -- at your own risk

There is no question that an "earned" beer always tastes better. Whether, it's the one you proudly imbibe after finishing off some handyman work around the house or the Apres-ski one you toast after a day on the slopes, or heck, simply the one that marks the end of a long Tuesday at work... a beer that follows effort is a beer that brings with it the taste of victory.

In the below marketing stunt, Carlsberg, a Danish beer, takes this insight and expresses it in a unique way. You'll see how 2 people are put to the test of fear, sterotyping and the fear of stereotyping. The concept is nicely paid off by their tagline, "That calls for a Carlsberg." It works great in this situation and no doubt sets the table for many other executions. Up next, a standing-room only bus filled with a half-naked, fully-tattooed, senior citizens.

Tongue Tastic

The story behind Orabrush, a brand new way to fight bad breath, is a lesson both on marketing in today's youtube world and one of perseverance by a little product that could. Invented by Dr. Robert Wagstaff (Dr. Bob), this tiny tongue scraping instrument went from something no company wanted to recently the shelves of 3,500 Wal-Mart's. Yeah, for the little guy!

And the story of how that all happened is told in the first video below. As you'll see, Orabrush proves to us that good products that solve real problems demonstrated in the right way (see the other below video) will find a market and will sell, even if you have to do it yourself and make the retailers come knocking.

Orabrush also shows us how to capitalize on one's viral success. After finding an online audience, they then added a vast youtube library featuring their irreverent Tongue Mascot, also seen below. While it's a simple invention, it takes a not-so simple path to getting to market. Good job, Dr. Bob -- who is probably relaxing on his new yacht treating his tongue to the tastes of champagne and caviar. Afterall, who cares if you fish egg breath, when you have a yacht.

A Disgustingly Smart Idea

Contagion, the new action thriller starring every other popular actor in Hollywood and co-produced I believe by the Hand Sanitizing Association of America, just finished #1 at the box office in its first weekend. While I was not one of the 23 million to see it, I did catch this very clever billboard created to hype the film.

[Insert bad pun here -- on how this idea really grows and presents the opportunity to go viral.]

Warning: While watching this clip, Germaphobes may find themselves experiencing cold sweats, hot flashes, wooziness in the leg region and a dying need to take an emergency shower followed by a week-long vacation in a sterile plastic bubble.

A Visual Diary

So, I keep thinking that stop motion will soon feel old and boring.

Then comes along something like this.

Created by designer Joe Hollier, this stop motion piece details out a month in his life. He takes us on a little day-by-day journey of his activities and thoughts. It's a super-creative, super-fun diary. And as a marketing person, I have to add that it makes for an incredible self-promotional device -- showing off both Joe's skills and his personality.

Occasionally Perfect Billboard

Heineken, known for a more clever brand of beer advertising, has created a billboard that carries that torch and does a great job getting people to take notice. Because this particular billboard is sometimes just a plain, old billboard, and "occasionally" as they say, it becomes much more than that.

On Aug 17th, for example, it transformed into a stage for the group TV on the Radio. What a cool experience for the band and the people gathering on the street. I love that the billboard is a little cryptic. It doesn't say, "Hey, see what's happening here next." It also does a terrific job of connecting a product and brand with the people without feeling forced or disingenuous. And certainly, if Heineken is trying fit into the "cool" space, this helps that cause.

Reporters without Borders

Journalism is dying, right? Reporters have no idea how to connect with today's tiny attention spans and paper-phobic, technologically-savvy consumers. Hell, who needs reporters when we can have twitters?

This campaign for Reporters without Borders does a terrific job of squashing all that rhetoric in one mighty swoop. It uses the very technology everyone thinks these people don't understand while arguing the case for assisting reporters and the important role they play. It uses QR codes and smartphone to turn a print ad into something much more. Very cool.

Pool Ball

From darts to bowling to Golden Tee, man has long searched for ways to combine two of his favorite pastimes - competition and beer drinking.

So, it seems oh-so appropriate that Budweiser offer up a little help and inspiration in this endeavor. Introducing Pool Ball, a game that marries the internationally popular sport of soccer (or football as the Europeans insist) with billiards.

For Budweiser, this creation helps build an even greater bridge between beer, sport and nightlife. Love the execution. And really could see this becoming both a spectator and recreational sport for soccer, ahem football, fans everywhere.