Notorious Beam Team

Our chilie plants are growing apace. As are our sunflowers...

Here's a quick update and some ingenious horticultural techniques.

How it all started





And look at them now. Ed is the proud owner of the largest plant which is now beginning to flower!



Meanwhile Oli has been very successful with his sunflowers...



If you look closely you can see Oli's ingenius bulldog clip method. Charlie Dimmock... take a leaf!



And here are Mary Anna's mini sunflowers...



We are anticipating our first harvest in May!

From the Consumerist:

"Absolut is running an ad in Mexico that some in this country are finding offensive because it favorably depicts our borders as they existed before the 1848 Mexican-American war. We're going to bite and talk about the ad even though it means that the advertisers win and America dies just a bit more.

The campaign taps into the national pride of Mexicans, according to Favio Ucedo, creative director of leading Latino advertising agency Grupo Gallegos in the U.S.

Ucedo, who is from Argentina, said: "Mexicans talk about how the Americans stole their land, so this is their way of reclaiming it. It's very relevant and the Mexicans will love the idea."

But he said that were the campaign to run in the United States, it might fall flat.

"Many people aren't going to understand it here. Americans in the East and the North or in the center of the county — I don't know if they know much about the history.

"Probably Americans in Texas and California understand perfectly and I don't know how they'd take it."

Meanwhile, the campaign has been circulating on the blogs and generating strong responses from people north of the border.

"I find this ad deeply offensive, and needlessly divisive. I will now make a point of drinking other brands. And 'vodka and tonic' is my drink," said one visitor, called New Yorker, on MexicoReporter.com.

Reader Paul Green goes into a discussion on the blog Gateway Pundit of whether the U.S. territories ever belonged to Mexico in the first place, and the News12 Long island site invited people to boycott Absolut, with one user, called LivingSmall, writing: "If you drink Absolut vodka, you can voice your approval or disapproval of this advertising campaign with your purchases. I know I will be switching to Grey Goose or Stoli and will never have another bottle of Absolut in my house.

Um, honestly, we didn't pick up the history thing at first glance. We heard it was running in Mexico and immediately understood the intrinsic appeal. As far as we can tell, it's cute and funny and will obviously incite hordes of Mexicans to race north against earthquakes to reclaim our once-picturesque frontier. Watch out, Alta Californians!"

People are certainly talking about it! You can vote on whether you think it's cool or crap or not worth bothering about here. But if you think it's not worth bothering about you might want to consider contradicting yourself by voting!

For what seems like a fairly comprehensive collection of Absolut's new range of ads click here.

Probably best to let these images from the Darling Barred campaign speak for themselves along with this article from Sky News.

From the Publicis Contagious Newsletter:

"Traveling abroad can be tricky; coping with language barriers and jet lag puts us in a state of almost constant confusion. When touring for sporting events, these effects can be multiplied, thanks to the heady potential of victory -or dramatic failure - mixed with alcohol and adrenalin.

In a nifty and insightful campaign to mark its sponsorship as the official beer of the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, Guinness, through OgilvyOne Worldwide, Hong Kong, has launched a mobile application to help the estimated 20,000 overseas visitors to navigate the city and cope with the language barrier.

The campaign, supported by mobile experts the Hyperfactory and mobile city and phrasebook creators XS2TheWorld, offers a ‘passport to greatness’ containing useful information about the tournament to be accessed via mobile. Fans can use their mobiles to discover match schedules, team selections, stadium information and a city guide to Hong Kong, as well as reviews of matches and maps, with locations of Guinness-serving establishments highlighted.

But all that is nothing compared to the application’s top feature, broadcasting key phrases in Cantonese through mobile handsets’ loudspeakers, to help visitors make themselves understood. The pre-progammed phrases include asking for numerous addresses around the city, including key stadium locations, directions to ATMs, and, of course, another round of Guinness please.

The passport can be downloaded from www.guinness.com.hk/xtra and then Hong Kong is your oyster."

From the ever brilliant Springwise...

"The personalization trend shows no sign of abating, and companies far and wide continue to step up with ever-new ways to let consumers customize their tea, their cereal and their Fruit Roll-Ups—among many others. Now spirits maker Pernod Ricard has come up with an interesting twist on the idea by giving consumers the ability to order customized product labels alone.

Pernod Ricard's customized label program, which has actually been around for a few years, allows US residents (over 21, of course) to order personalized labels for Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Jacob's Creek, Kahlua, Mumm Napa and Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve. What's interesting is that rather than offering custom label options as part of a larger product order for the drinks themselves, such as what myJones does, Pernod Ricard lets customers order just labels, and at no charge. An assortment of styles are available for each brand, including holiday, wedding and sailing themes, with room for up to seven lines of text. Consumers can then affix the labels over the original ones on bottles they obtained elsewhere; up to 5 labels can be ordered per e-mail address.

By separating the label offering from orders for the core product, Pernod Ricard achieves a number of desirable ends in one easy step. Not only does it reduce the associated shipping costs and broaden the audience that will be interested in engaging with the brand, it also gains the tremendous goodwill associated with giving away something for free. Free love is attractive enough, but when it's personalized? It doesn't get much better than that!"

Impressive to see this being rolled out across a range of brands rather than just the isolated use of personalisation by Johnnie Walker.

From Brandrepublic

"LONDON - Groove Armada have become the latest pop act to break out of the record company mould by signing a one-year music deal with alcoholic drinks firm Bacardi-Martini.
The British dance music duo, who recently parted ways with Sony BMG's Jive Records label, will release music via the Bacardi brand and play live at Barcardi-branded events. As part of the recording contract, the first involving a band and a drinks brand, Bacardi will fund the production of a four-track EP, which will be released digitally and in hard-copy format.

The agreement also allows Bacardi to commission tracks for use in advertising and other promotional campaigns.

For Bacardi, the deal is a close fit with its two-year old B-Live project, a series of live streamed dance music events that the drinks brand has hosted in more than 25 countries across the globe. Groove Armada are due to play at a number of these over the coming year.

Andy Cato, one half of Groove Armada, said: "After Groove Armada's 10th anniversary year of huge gigs, we were looking for ways to take things to another level. Working alongside Bacardi we have the chance to take the GA travelling show to new people and places, find innovative ways of getting our music out there and keep the stories flowing for the GA Road Movie with Bacardi B-Live."

Groove Armada are no strangers to licensing their music for use in marketing -- their track 'I See You Baby' was used to promote the Renault Megane in a long-running TV campaign.

The ad was been banned from being shown when children were watching TV after complaints that some were copying the language and the ad's bum wiggling.

Bacardi's marketing strategy is particularly focused on attracting young consumers through its involvement in music. For example, it has a heavy presence at UK music festivals, hosting a B-Live Arena at the V Festival and T in The Park.

Groove Armada's deal with Bacardi is the latest in a growing trend in which bands are eschewing traditional ways of releasing music.

Most famously last October, Radiohead let punters pay as little or as much as they wanted for the release of studio album 'In Rainbows'. Just days before the Radiohead news broke, The Charlatans announced that they were to give away their forthcoming album 'You Cross My Path' as a free download in a deal with Xfm; and, in July, Prince sparked a major row with retailer HMV when he gave away his latest album 'Planet Earth' with The Mail on Sunday."

Brilliant presention...

I found this on Coolhunting:

"Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Photography recently announced the editions for their 2008 Fine Print Program. The program offers the opportunity to collect contemporary photographs by internationally recognized artists while supporting the Museum. Definitely a win-win for all involved.

An exceptional standout in the group is “Boy with Stockings / Whiskey and Cigarettes” (pictured) by New Catalogue. Luke Batten and Jonathan Sadler are the two Chicago-Based artists whose collaboration forms New Catalogue. The artists' characterize their work as “a visual research project that mirrors a stock image bank." Their series of work have provided extensive examinations on subjects ranging from the mundane (suburbia) to the controversial (Hitler), all blended with satire creating imagery reflecting the postmodern world and all at once lyrical, sharp and humorous. To see more of New Catalogue, their first monograph entitled “Big Ten Co-Eds, Preppy Girls and The Lost Cheerleaders” is available through Nazraeli Press."

These photos won a photography competition and are on sale for $300 here.

What will J&B make of someone who looks under age, smoking and drinking J&B with hints of cross dressing being associated with their brand?

Persaonlly, I think it's pretty cool and adds to J&B's arty, irreverent feel. The concept of photograpy (and other creative) contests for premium, introspective spirits is, very interesting. Especially when you get to sell the work and bring out the best in artists as well.

From Coolhunting

These are pretty cool. I've been tempted to get the swan like one for Dad a few times now. But the price tag has always stopped me...

"New from the generations-old family glassware-makers Riedel, this series of decanters takes its inspiration from birds for a collection that's as striking as it is functional. Designed by Maximillian Riedel (also responsible for leading the stemless revolution) and his father Georg and handmade by artisans in their Austrian factory, the leaded crystal vessels are all aerodynamic lines and dramatic dimensions.

While the Swan (above right) and Paloma (top) feature sloping tails that double as handles and a curved neck serves as a drip-free spout, the Flamingo (above left) takes a cue from a traditional wine bottle. A deep indent in the bottom for the thumb provides stability with which to pour wine out of the nearly two-foot tall decanter. Each holds a bottle of wine and all are limited in quantity."

You can buy them on Amazon.

Could you do a "Buy a decanter inspired by brand x promotion that comes with a complimentary bottle"?

From Springwise:

This looks very cool indeed and I wonder whether it would work for whisky and cognac? Or any other spirit that derives its quality from being blended...

"Dedicated readers may recall Crushpad, an urban winery we've already discussed on two separate occasions, and now the busy vintners there have given us reason to cover them yet again. Just before the holidays Crushpad introduced fusebox, a wine blending kit that lets users experience the wine-making process at home.

Crushpad's 15-pound fusebox was created to contain everything a group of four might need to explore how some of the world’s greatest wines are blended: Six 375 mL bottles of blending wine from some of Napa's finest vineyards, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc; one 375 mL bottle of Mystery Wine; one graduated cylinder and 4 pipettes; four wine evaluation cards; four tasting place mats; recipe cards, a vinography aroma card and a corkscrew. Using the kit, wine enthusiasts can try to re-create classic Cabernet blends or invent their own; they can also test their discernment skills on the included Mystery Wine by playing the “Guess the Mystery Blend” online game at fuseboxwine.com. fusebox is priced at USD 120 and available for shipping only within the United States.

“Crushpad’s mission is to turn consumers into creators,” explains Michael Brill, CEO of San Francisco-based Crushpad. “Whether it’s the multiyear experience of making a wine from vine to bottle or just spending a few hours with friends enjoying a blending session with fusebox, we want to give individuals the opportunity to experience the fun and sense of creative expression that comes from making wine.”

Crushpad has always specialized in helping enthusiasts understand and make their own wines, providing desirable status skills along the way. With fusebox, that experience becomes an insperience, making for a winning combination. Crushpad is in the very early phases of signing up fusebox retailers and distributors. One to bring to the rest of the wine-loving world!"

This is fascinating. It goes to show that people are becoming increasingly interested in buying experiences. There is a human need to do things that make them becoming more interesting. More rounded. And they are happy to pay for it!

From Springwise:

"We wrote recently about the interactive wine bar at Adour in New York City's St. Regis Hotel, and since then we've spotted several mentions of iBar, a related innovation by UK-based Mindstorm.

Unveiled in 2006, the iBar is a customisable surface technology that turns any bar into a giant version of an interactive, touch-sensitive screen. Integrated video projectors can display any content on the bar's milky surface, while built-in intelligent tracking software continually maps the position of every object touching its surface. That input is then used to let the projected content interact dynamically with the movements on the counter, allowing coloured lights, for example, to illuminate, link and follow every movement of hands, bottles and glasses. Multiple people can interact with the iBar at once, and virtual objects can be "touched" with the fingers, enabling a game of pinball where players shoot with their thumbs, for example. Content that can be displayed on the iBar includes internet content, interactive games and advertising; bars can also be fitted with Bluetooth technology to allow consumers to download their own content. The iBar is a stand-alone system comprising modules 2m long, and it can be networked wirelessly to allow interaction between two or more separate units.

The iBar has already been used in events, exhibitions, product launches and top night spots all over the world, Mindstorm says, including BMW's head office in Munich, Geneva's Pimp Club and a gala dinner at Google. Such technologies certainly have the potential to transform the consumer experience at bars, restaurants and other venues, as well as providing a wealth of new advertising and point-of-sale opportunities. One to try out early!"

Check out the YouTube version of it.



Great piece of talkability for bars and brands. Have a look at this page for the branding effects they are capable of.

I found this on PSFK and Springwise so it's pretty hot. It picks up on a desire of food and drink brands to tap into the burgeoning world of food and drink blogging.

"SOOPZ is a network of food bloggers. Ever so often, we’ll get approached by someone who wants to raise awareness for their food products online (like me and my dulce). The SOOPZ network is perfect for this, because I haven’t met a food blogger yet that doesn’t love free food.

Over time, the network will grow and the amount of food we give away will increase. For now, we’re a happy family of about 200 food bloggers (we call them Sooper Heroes) ready to taste some of what you’ve got. Want to become a Sooper Hero?"

Here's the chat from Springwise:

"There's no such thing as a free lunch—unless, of course, you happen to be a food blogger. Food manufacturers tend to be liberal with their samples when it comes to gaining exposure through influential voices, and one New Orleans-based blogger has turned that into a defining feature of his site.

On BlakeMakes.com, Blake Killian has developed SOOPZ, a network of 200 or so readers who are also food bloggers—"Sooper Heroes," as he calls them. Manufacturers send multiple samples of a particular item to Blake, who announces that they will be given away through his site. Registered Sooper Heroes can then sign up to receive some in exchange for at least the possibility that they'll write about them on their own blogs. Most recently, for instance, TCHO—the chocolatier we featured not long ago on our own pages—donated a bunch of its chocolate bars for giveaway to the SOOPZ network. Before that it was Sucre chocolate. Since the site's founding last May, Blake has even started developing a line of his own products, starting with Peanut Butter Dulce de Leche—of which he's given away more than a hundred jars through the site. Future plans include videos and a cookbook as well, Blake says.

Whereas food brands have increasingly begun seeking out blog exposure, traditionally that's happened just one blog at a time, and on the brands' own initiative. By acting as an intermediary, BlakeMakes.com is turning that model on its head and giving companies quick access to many bloggers in one shot. Bloggers get free food, companies get free publicity, and everyone gets happy. If you're in food, better start lining up now...!"

I wonder whether this would be a good move for any of our brands?

From Springwise:

"More than a century ago, citizens of the Czech city of Pilsen pioneered new methods of brewing and storing beer. Now a new franchising concept called the Pilsner Unique Bar is mixing the town’s venerable brewing tradition with leading-edge technology. The establishment’s main innovation? Patrons no longer have to line up at the bar or wait for a server. Instead, they serve themselves from taps installed at the bar’s tables. A display keeps track of how many beers have been poured. Technology has also been integrated in other ways: the Pilsner Unique Bar is connected to sister franchises elsewhere in the country, so that patrons can challenge barflies in other towns to contests. And wireless internet is available for customers who want to surf while they sip.

Like many successful franchises, the Unique Bar makes optimal use of its floor space. During the day a coffee shop and restaurant attract most of the patrons until the early evening, which is when the pub transforms into a nightspot. However, Unique Bar’s self-service tap could be the feature that most endears the concept to customers and prospective owners. Not only does it cut down on staffing needs, it also lets customers get their brews as soon as they want them, and attracts parties and groups. We’ve spotted this system in Dublin, too, where patrons of The Baggot Inn swipe a credit card to pull their own beers. Staff is on hand to offer tips on how to pull the perfect pint. Next up: DIY cocktail bars for wannabe mixologists?"

Interesting to see if bars take up the idea of robotic mixilogy machines... they still seem to be a bit in their infancy:

From Luxist:

"Our faltering economy is starting to hit the cocktail culture. MarketWatch reports that while alcohol manufacturers usually do just fine in a tough economy, bars and nightclubs may find themselves in trouble. As the purse strings tighten people tend to opt for drinking at home versus spending their cash on pricey bar cocktails. Currently liquor is still seen as an affordable luxury, it is far easier to buy top shelf booze than a top-of-the-line car, but that may change over time. As we've mentioned before on this website, the current economic climate is having more of an effect on the middle of the wealth spectrum rather than the upper end. Therefore casual dining restaurants are feeling more of the pain thus far and the bar tab makes up a significant portion of each sale. Brand loyalty will protect many labels especially in the cases of people who have ordered the same drink for years.

Wine Spirits Daily has also been on the case trying to predict what will happen to the various liquor ranges. Most of the people in the industry that they surveyed believe that the $20 to $30 "premium" spirits are probably safe but the "ultra premium" bottles that are in the $50+ range might not be so appealing as the aspirational consumer starts to pare down. Most feel certain that the middle range of the market will remain safe. One of their respondents echoed the concerns expressed in the MarketWatch article that where people drink may change more than what people drink. Most people, regardless of the economy, won't be willing to give up their cocktails but if they can get them for cheaper they will."

Another classic from Slashfood:

"The more crazy stories I hear about the goings-on in Texas, the more I want to go. Apparently a business proprietor in Palo Pinto County has been arrested for selling alcohol without a permit and possessing it with the intent to sell.

Well, what he intended to sell was vodka, each bottled with a 10" rattlesnake. The owner of Bayou Bob's Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch could face up to a year in jail and $1000 in fines for the 411 bottles that he had on the premises.

The police said that they had received a tip, and that the rattlesnake booze had to be asked for - it wasn't out. They believe the liquor was intended for sale in Asia, where apparently they drink all kinds of alcohol with snakes and lizards in it. This kind of beverage supposedly induces hallucinations.

I have never heard about this kind of thing, except that some tequila's have worms in them. I don't think I'd even try liquor with some kind of reptile or insect in it. What do you think - regular or snake flavored?"

Hopefully not one for the Beam porfolio. Although it does have a stong USP!

From Slashfood.

"It seems that wine is really in with the 20's crowd and they're a changing force in the market. Starting around 2003 their impact on the industry started to show. The "Millennial Generation" love wine, and what they like isn't all big Cali Cabs or Oaky Chards. For them it's all about fun and offbeat wines like Malbecs from Argentina or a Tempranillo from Spain. And I can relate. These are the wines I love. Sure I'll dive into an Old Vine Zin, or Big Bold Cab, but show me something new, interesting, and different, like a golden and lively Ribolla Gialla , a Sangiovese blend from Maremma, or a dry sparkling wine like Gruet from New Mexico; and I'm all over it.

As one of the early Gen X crowd, sometimes called Gen Jones, I saw the whole change in the wine industry first hand; working in wine shops in the NYC area in my late teens and early 20's. When I started, French wine was it. Old world, elegant and refined, somewhat snooty; and not very accessible. Boring, just like the older Baby Boomers before me who had brought back an interest in wine to the US. These were wines that seemed more for show than enjoyment. (The younger Baby Boomers were more into vodka and illicit substances.) To a few of us young Gen X'ers, German whites, dry or sweet; were daring and fun. Most of the rest had a White Zin as their first wine, sort of a Gateway Wine that led to trying something a bit more serious, but not stuffy. Californian wines started to make a showing, and slowly took over to become the Big Jock on the Block. Later The Aussies stepped up to the plate where they overwhelmed the world with good wine at a low price and in Quantity. The wine industry keeps tabs on these trends and just love where it's heading."

There is a very good article in the LA Times about Young Wine Enthusiasts. Here's the picture:



And here's the article.

If people are keen to become connoisseurs / more knowledgable about wine at a younger age the implication is that the same could apply for cognac, whisky and tequila.

Just spotted this on Londonist:

"For those of you in London this Easter weekend, there's a treat for you. Oh yes.

Good Friday will indeed by very good because that's the evening of the Hendrick's Spring Masked Ball, a most glorious night of gin-flavoured hedonism, elaborate costume and fantastic facewear. Organised by the decadent chaps of The Last Tuesday Society, we know from their reputation at previous balls that this is going to be rather fabulous and as well as an intriguing musical line up of DJs and the frankly disturbing Punch & Judy show, there will also be the chance to...

"...Gorge Yourselves at Suzette Field's Famous Cheeseboard, Viktor Wynd's Midnight Feast of Yesterdays Cakes & The Fruits of Ridley Road & Their Chocolate Fountain

Detox Whilst You Tox as Martin Ahearne Brings The Little Organic Juicebar from Upper Street and helps you juice the surrounding fruit and vegetables and mix them with Mother's Ruin

Amuse Yourselves With the Broken Toys of Dalston Oxfam Shop & Their Preplayed Games"

So leave that full face zip-up gimp mask at home and wear something with room to sip a gin cocktail and nibble one of yesterday's cakes. It never suited you anyway. Apart from obligatory masks, the dress code is opulence, ball gowns and 'fancy' and prizes will be given out for the best dressed people, the most virginal smile and the greatest mask. Rah. See you there?

Hendrick's Masked Spring Ball, Arts Theatre (Covent Garden), Friday 21 March. Tickets are £12 in advance or £15 on the door, £50 for a family ticket for 5 in advance only. For more information and to book, go here."

What's great about this is that the event is very Henrdicks. It's niche. It's interesting. It's surprising. And they're doing brilliantly to sell tickets to the event and get publicity as a result. The readers of Londonist have all been exposed to a cool piece of Hendrick's activity. And at very low cost.

A sweet little viral video by Saatchi & Saatchi for Carlsberg.

This badge first popped up on Etsy and has since emerged on NotCot and Boing Boing. Not surprisingly it has sold out.

If only I had decided to use my philosophy degree more profitably by making badges. For more background on the liar paradox have a look on Wikipedia.

It shows that creative ideas can take any form and often can make money in their own right. Self funding creative ideas. Now there's an idea.

From Ad Week

"Not so long ago it was all about its iconic bottle. In Absolut vodka's new campaign breaking this week, however, fruit will take center stage.

Dubbed "Streams," the new TV and print campaign, from TBWA\Chiat\Day, New York, plays up the all-natural ingredients in the Swedish brand's nine flavored vodkas. In he ads, colorful streams flow by pears, mandarin oranges, peaches, lemons and other featured fruits. Tagline: "True Taste Comes Naturally."

"The campaign is designed to showcase the real fruit flavor inherent in all of our flavored vodkas," said Ian Crystal, brand director, in a statement. "We've noticed that the cocktail community has followed our lead by trending towards the use of fresh ingredients as well, and Absolut represents what flavored vodka is supposed to be."

The print campaign breaks this week. The TV spots begin airing March 10 on FX, E!, Spike, A&E, Comedy Central and Logo. An international version of the campaign, dubbed "Dissection," launches in the spring with TV and in-cinema spots appearing in Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

"With the launch of 'Streams' and 'Dissection,' our creative goal was to differentiate the brand further from the competition," said Rob Smiley, group creative director at TBWA\Chiat\Day, in a statement. "The creative is visually striking and bold, emphasizing the truly natural ingredients consumers can expect when drinking Absolut, and clarifying the rational benefits [to the consumer]."

Campaign spending was not revealed. In 2006, Absolut spent $25 million on measured media in the U.S. and $20 million through November 2007, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

The brand is currently up for sale, to the reported tune of more than $6 billion. Bacardi, Fortune Brands and Bacardi are among those vying for the prize. Diageo had also been in the running, but dropped out late last week, when it purchased Ketel One for $900 million."

All natural.

The Beam Team garden is coming along leaps and bounds despite a major set back last week when our chile plants were savagely "weeded"!!! Disaster! The culprit has more than made amends however by introducing an ornamental tomato plant to the garden.

We planted them about a month ago. About 2 weeks ago the progres was encouraging as you can see here.



Here's how the chile plants are progresssing:







And we have also started growing cress at an alarming rate.



And our ornamental tomato plants courtesy of the "weeder" is doing very nicely too.



Stay tuned to see how our garden is growing!

So cool. And fits in with the R8 work as well.



Engineering. Craftsmanship. Quality.

ING's foray into Second Life has come to a close because of the fact that they are pumping their marketing dollars into their merger. For me it signals an end to all the hype and hysteria about Second Life. There is definitely a role for virtual worlds as a way of getting people together digitally and building communities of creative people who like a bit of escapism. But as an advertising channel it was never going to deliver.

ING's email explaining the end of the project is also interesting as it shows how to wrap things up. All too often engaging intitiatives just get pulled and no one hears anything about it.

"After a year of pioneering, learning and innovating ING Retail Netherlands has decided to close down the Our Virtual Holland activities in Second Life.
The main reason is the current merger of the ING bank Netherlands and the Postbank. The focus of our activities will be directed to the merger.

Virtual Worlds continue to be an interesting and for ING relevant development. Virtual worlds as a communication platform as well as virtual economies are important developments for a financial institution like ING. ING Asia Pacific will keep the presence in Second Life with their 'Cha Lounge' on our own ING island. In this way the knowledge about virtual worlds inside ING is not lost and we are ready to make a quick restart in the future.

We have learned a lot this past year and it was a pleasure to facilitate the Our Virtual Holland community. 50 % of Our Virtual Holland partners will continue their activities in Second Life. We are happy to tell you that community member willl take over part of the OVH community activities. The name of the community island will be changed to Virtual Holland. We wish the Virtual Holland community good luck.
We aim to finish our activities in Second Life by the first of March. At the Our Virtual Holland site you will find updates on the activities of ING Asia Pacific in Second Life and about the partners and community members.

Kind regards,

Gertjan Kaaij (Gavin Market) and the Our Virtual Holland team"

I don't bank with ING. But this email and their foray into Second Life has made me warm to them. It makes me think that they are innovative, forward thinking and are something I'd like to be part of. As opposed to Barclays who can't even manage to send me a cheque book. It's not like I've asked for one 4 times!

From the ever brilliant PSFK:

"Creative Review points to a project Mike Figgis is running for the London Underground where he is trialing different graphic designs to “improve behaviour”. From 14 Feb 13, London Underground will test different markings on Jubilee line platforms to see which ones encourage riders to stand aside rather than duck in to get that single free seat before the pregnant woman does. The London Underground says:

"The key objective [of the exercise is] to assess the influence of the markings on passenger behaviour and its impact on cutting delays."

If it all goes well it will show the power of good design and the power it has to make a real impact on society. I really hope it works and the tube becomes a more civilised place.

For more pictures and banter see the Creative Review blog:

by Trey Shelton in Trends In The US, Food & Drink

A new drink is rising up in the bars of LA, Tequila Espresso. Served over ice and in a rocks glass, it’s an interesting alternative for anyone looking for the simultaneous caffeine and alcohol buzz. As for the origins of the drink, the farthest back we can trace it is to a rather mischievous bartender at the Chateau Marmont, where many a great thing has begun and ended.

Directions are simple: Pour your choice of tequila over ice, pull a fresh espresso, and pour the espresso into the glass.

The drink often creates a polarizing love/hate reaction depending on your passion for the ingredients. Word of caution: drinking more than 2 of these is probably not a great idea if you plan on getting any sleep that evening. Patron has even come out with an espresso flavored Tequila as well.

From Slashfood:

"You've probably seen those Burger King commercials where hidden cameras capture the reactions of customers who are told that they've discontinued the Whopper. Some folks get mildly irritated while a few people go ballistic. They're probably lucky someone didn't go over the edge and injure someone because of it. My favorite is the woman in the car who tells the person taking drive-thru orders that she wants to talk to the manager. As if he would have any say in what corporate decides will be discontinued.

But the ads have worked. The sales of Whoppers increased by a double digit percentage. It's not the only hoax BK pulled on customers. Another day the Burger King locations (in Las Vegas) said they didn't have Whoppers but gave the customers McDonald's and Wendy's burgers instead.

Customers didn't like that, but I wonder how many customers actually didn't get upset?"

Here's part of the article from WSJ

"Burger King, which began running the TV ads Dec. 9, credits the campaign for helping boost Whopper sales in the quarter that ended in December by a double-digit percentage. It "drove significant brand relevance and incremental sales," executives said on an earnings conference call last week.

The videotaped hoax was a twist on a market research technique called "deprivation research," in which marketers measure how loyal consumers are to a brand or product by taking it away from them. The insight gained helps marketers design new marketing and ad ploys that will resonate better with consumers."

This video will explain it better than a few quotes ever could.



What's brilliant is the way that it has self selected Burger King's outraged fans and made them into super charged brand advocates with their vociferous passion for the Whopper spread all over YouTube. It's also positioned the Whopper as America's favourite burger - just what it set out to achieve.

Hoopla. Well done CP&B.

I love this and am going to try to find a pot. As ever great stuff from Marmite. A good build on their Guinness collaboration last year.

I first wrote about Stormhoek in September 2006, so we are long overdue a catch up!

The Stormhoek story is fascinating and full of depth. The more you look into it the richer it gets, just like the guys who own the brand!

Is there scope to come up with a viral way of getting people to understand the complexities of the taste of cognac?

vs



From Ian Buxton's Whisky Rumour Mill pointing out the excess of some so called Luxury marketing:

"I shuffled to my desk with the heavy sigh of last night's hangover as the invigilator, evidently a teetotaller, eyed me suspiciously.

Yes, it's end of term exam time here at Rumour Mill Towers and I wondered darkly what the Grand Inquisitor (aka the Editor) would have in store. Turning over the paper I observed at once that there was only one question though, terse to a point, he'd omitted to note that it was compulsory.

"Compare and contrast the Ardbeg Double Barrel and The Macallan Linley Cabinet as alternative approaches to luxury brand marketing."

Well, dear reader, whatever do you make of that?

Unlike most of the whiz kids who constitute what the whisky industry is pleased to call its marketing experts, I'm old enough to have lived through the last nasty recession and I seem to remember that, just before we nose-dived into several years of non-stop sales, plunging house prices and mass wailing and renting of garments, there was any amount of froth on the top of the economy. There was, I recall, an investment fund that sold you "units" in a portfolio of classic sports cars and other similar nonsense.

So, being a bit of a Jeremiah, I tend to worry when I see things getting 'bubbly'. "Irrational exuberance" a financial commentator much wiser than me once called it. (Alan Greenspan, actually, at the Francis Boyer Lecture of The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Washington, D.C. on December 5, 1996).

Could the same be happening to whisky, just as a tsunami of sub-prime debt threatens to overwhelm the global banking system? Well, let's look at exhibit A, Ardbeg Double Barrel.

For those who don't know it, a brief description. Ardbeg Double Barrel is a limited edition release of two bottles of Ardbeg 1974 ("hand-blown bottles" naturally, a stylish touch for connoisseurs of these matters), packaged with eight sterling silver drinking cups, two nice tasting notebooks, a pen ("bespoke...crafted out of mature oak and engraved with the Ardbeg zoomorphic knot design" - that's a posh way of saying there's a picture of some animals on it), the whole packaged in a replica gun case, such as a chap might use for his 12 bore shotgun.

There are 250 of these creations, for which Selfridges of London are asking a cool £10,000. If you like that kind of thing, it's undeniably handsome. All the elements are the best of their kind: noted silversmiths Hamilton & Inches of Edinburgh made the silver cups; the gun case is by the same folks who supply Purdey; the little notebooks are hand-stitched and the pen is an Omas no less (like Ardbeg, an LVMH company).

But still - £10,000? I decided to be awkward and deconstruct the whole thing.

At this level gun cases are bespoke (you knew that of course) but Holland & Holland will sell you a very similar cartridge case in oak and leather for £1,850. A 12 bore gun case is a little bigger - we'll call it £2,500.

Hamilton & Inches make all kinds of lovely things, but looking in their current catalogue a silver 'tumble cup' is £300 and they do very pretty little dramming cups in the form of a thistle for around £200. So I'm going to put the Ardbeg beakers in at another £2,500. All these are the full retail prices, by the way, with Alistair Darling's 17.5% VAT on top.

The pen is trickier. Omas do a wide range of editions. Let's take the limited edition Krug as an example, which retails at around £500. Allow a bit of exclusivity for the Ardbeg version and call it £750. (If you've never looked, you'd be surprised what folks will pay for a fountain pen when they're feeling exuberant.)

You can get very nice little leather manuscript books from Smythson for £115 a pop, so I've priced the two Ardbeg tasting note books at £250. That leaves us with the whisky.

Bit of a problem. By rights, it should be "worth" £2,000 a bottle to get to £10,000. But that was last year's price for Ardbeg 1965 in its museum case. Right now, the oldest Ardbeg you can buy (off the distillery's own website) is a limited edition single cask from 1975 at £399, including shipping. Admittedly there are 522 of these babies compared to the 250 bottles of 1974 in the Double Barrel but still it's a big step up from 1975 at £399 to a year older at £2,000.

Could the Double Barrel's pricing be a trifle, how shall we put this?, ambitious? We'll park that question for a moment and consider what this is all about and how it fits into Ardbeg's image.

Who exactly is going to buy the Double Barrel? Whisky aficionados are, presumably, as capable as we are of doing the arithmetic and comparing the price of bottles so it seems unlikely they'll make up a large part of the buying population. Rich people, in our limited experience of the breed, didn't get and certainly don't stay rich by spending £10,000 on £7,500-worth of stuff so that rules them out and anyone with a shotgun requiring a lavish carrying case has almost certainly already got one. So at the risk of boring you all to death, who is this for?

Turning to The Macallan Linley Cabinet we see an alternative, but equally elevated approach. This is a one-off - a custom-built 'one of a kind' drinks cabinet by Viscount Linley's workshop complete with six single malt vintages from The Macallan's Fine & Rare collection: 1937, 1940, 1948, 1955, 1966 and 1970.

Handcrafted from English Oak and Burr Oak, the drinks cabinet also includes six bespoke crystal Linley whisky tumblers, cigar humidor and the secret compartment which has become a signature feature of Linley furniture. If you're interested it might still be on sale in Harrods though no need to hurry - it didn't fly off the shelf (at a cool £55,000) during their World of Whisky and Watches evening. However, as the Macallan PR coyly put it "it has generated considerable interest". Mind you, I'm considerably interested in the Ferrari 430 but it doesn't mean I'm going to buy one.

Still, the whisky here must make up a healthy part of the price, though The Macallan wouldn't be drawn on this when we contacted them. However, back in 2002, Macallan themselves priced these vintages at £11,400 and prices have risen significantly since then. We wouldn't be surprised at a price tag of around £25,000 which means you're paying £30,000 for a unique Linley drinks cabinet with glasses, built-in humidor and not forgetting the secret compartment. There might, just, be an argument for that, though here at Rumour Mill Towers Ikea is more the decorative style.

At least a drinks cabinet has got something to do with single malt whisky, which is another problem with the posh person's party bag that makes up the Double Barrel.

So, there we are - two contrasting approaches to luxury marketing. Of course, if you're interested in whisky (perish the thought) you could just pop in to Glenfarclas and snap up one of their superb Family Casks collection for £14,500. That's an average of £337.20 a bottle for quite outstanding whisky dating back to 1952. No fancy packaging, no pens, no notebooks, no secret compartments, no crystal tumblers or silver drinking cups - just whisky. Just fancy that. I know what I'd like for Christmas.

A Ferrari 430 actually, since you ask.

Now, since it's Christmas, you're getting some bonus extra rumours this time.

1. Probably the most exciting news out there is the impending sale of Highland Distiller's long-silent Glenglassaugh Distillery. It's been mothballed these last twenty years and one presumed would never re-open. However, our moles tell us that a Russian-backed consortium has money in place and, pending some legal formalities, the deal is done. Look out for an announcement early in 2008.

2. Michael Collings' new offering Imperial Tribute (a limited edition blended malt, with more than a passing resemblance to Chivas Regal) seems to have been stalled somewhere, with an apologetic email balanced perilously between the twee and the tragic suggesting as an excuse for the non-

appearance of the website that "all the IT elves have been diverted to Mr S Klaus. Being a long established customer he has had priority." Mmm.

3. We're probably all in favour of the rebuilding of the old Islay Hotel in Port Ellen. Over the years the derelict building has turned into an eyesore that's all the more unfortunate for being virtually the first thing visitors arriving by ferry will see. The news that it's been demolished and is being rebuilt is very welcome. Two cheers for local accountant chappie Roland Worthington-Eyre (you can tell he's a local by the distinctive Ileach moniker) - but no cheers at all for his "innovative" financing scheme.

This involves taking £25 off you for a lottery ticket in which you're asked to guess where a whisky barrel dropped on a parachute from a plane flying off Port Ellen will end up after bobbing around for 5 minutes in the briny. You couldn't make it up, though evidently someone did. Roland hopes to sell 60,000 tickets, against a prize fund promising around £650,000. Or to put it another way, he plans to trouser a cool £850 grand. That should buy a few bricks.

Moreover, it looks very much as if the best possible complexion has been out on the prize fund. First prize is a building plot "worth" £150,000, "plus £100,000 in cash towards the building costs of the home of your dreams..." Well, take it from us, £100k isn't going to look at the building of the home of anybody's dream, let alone on Islay with its attendant additional costs.

Then, there's the 2nd prize - accommodation at the new Islay Hotel! We emailed the promoters 3 weeks ago requesting further information but curiously have had no response.

A neat marketing scheme, then, but like the barrel probably destined for Davy Jones' Locker!"

There's a bid difference between superficial luxury products and really well crafted high quality goods.

From The Coolhunter:

"It's not easy these days to create a point-of-sale display that truly stands out in the hectic visual environment of an average busy department store, yet alone one for Selfridges in London.

Manchester based True North were given the task to create a 'can't miss it' bespoke display system for Adidas Originals within the Offspring concession at the Oxford Street store.

Taking inspiration from the product itself where an Adidas shoebox becomes a table and the shoebox lid, a chair, they have created a display and "trying on" area where customers can fully immerse themselves in the brand. Launching this week, we suspect these will be the hottest chairs in London. By Brendan McKnight"

I really want those tables and chairs for my house!

From The Coolhunter:

"The beds have been made, the concierge desk polished and the piano in the lobby has been tuned. On its tour around America, the Stoli Hotel has set up shop in Miami where it will host a variety of invite only music, fashion and sport events over the next two and a half weeks.

Designed by creative architecture agency Pompei A.D, the 10,000 square foot hotel-themed space is inspired by the iconic Hotel Moskva which features on Stolichnaya's labels.

"Each facet of the hotel has been carefully selected to incorporate Stolichnaya's authentic heritage, while drawing upon the modern day qualities that top metropolitan hotels possess" says Adam Rosen, Senior Brand Manager of Stolichnaya vodka.

"Guests can browse (but not sleep in) rooms designed around Stoli blends, enjoy Stoli cocktails and indulge in manicures, facials, scalp treatments and chair massages.

You are, however, going to need to be wearing some serious bling if you want to enter the elit suite. Paying homage to Stoli's high-end range, it is only open to celebrities and VIP's.

Heading over to New York next, the Stoli Hotel adds yet another milestone to Stolichnaya's unique history of innovation and championing all things Russian. By Brendan McKnight."

Great bit of brand behavoiur that is interesting, PR able and fits in well with Stoli's Russian heritage. But wouldn't it have been better if you could actually sleep in the hotel... and the website feels just like playing Command and Conquer in 1995. I like the Progagandist look and feel.

Aimed at younger drinkers with a penchant for customising their own cocktails, this concoction by an Anheuser-Busch subsidiary is just waiting to be slammed by those who are wary of unskilled tipplers. We've all been out on the town with someone whose personality changes after a snort or two, but actually calling a drink Jekyll & Hyde...?

From cognac-world.

After spending 3 days in Cognac for the International Cocktail Summit, top bartenders and mixologists from around the world have created a new cocktail made with cane sugar, fresh ginger, lime, artisanal lemonade and cucumber. The cocktail has been imaginatively named "The summit".

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel Du Cognac site should have more details shortly.

All from The Scotch Blog back in October 2007. Not quite sure how I missed it?!

"Canadian Club, a product of Beam Global Spirits* is about to roll out a new ad campaign.

The concept of the campaign? Your Dad was much cooler than you are.

Yep that's right - they are saying it's cool to drink whisky BECAUSE your dad drank it, not despite it.

They are also saying that your Dad was probably more of a man than you are.

According to the press release:

The thought-provoking campaign challenges consumers to embrace their dads classic masculinity, most visibly expressed through their choice to drink Canadian Club whisky cocktails. In launching Damn Right, CC invited Beam Global employees to search through their photo albums to submit images that epitomize the campaign."

And here are some of the comments. It's certainly getting talked about. But for the right reasons? You decide.

"Bravo to Beam for missing two HUGE problems in one ad campaign!
The first, more obvious one, is that the modern drinker barely resembles the drinker of the 60s and that's a good thing. Today's drinking culture in the 25-40 range is way more realistic about how alcohol fits into their lives. My dad's generation of drinker drank for a lot of the wrong reasons and attempting to make nostalgia from that is, well, pathetic.

Second huge problem is further alienation of the female whiskey drinkers at all ages. How many women want to idolize their fathers when he was aimless and drunk? It's not so much that this ad campaign isn't tartgets towards women... that's 95% of all drinks advertising. It takes an extra special effort by a drinks company to insult female drinkers with an ad that's misogynistic today and nostalgic for more misogynistic times in the past.

Oh, and a small aside. What the hell is that lime wedge doing in that drink? Are they implying that drinkers from the 60s drank CC with a wedge of lime? Maybe Darcy from Art of Drink can help us figure that one out.

Posted by: Brian | October 25, 2007 at 08:29 AM

- Your Dad didn't hug you because he knew what a baby you'd grow up to be anyway

- Your Dad didn't have AAA

- Your Dad smoked while pumping gas

- If Dad was doing the dishes, it must have been Mother's Day

- Dad is the reason they call Vegas "Sin City" now.

Posted by: Rick | October 25, 2007 at 03:01 PM

Love this story, but the campaign is totally off the wall (even if I might get a little 'respect' from my kids!). What were the CC guys smoking when they signed this off?

And why does the ad only show the top half, and not the body copy when you click on it?

Posted by: Ian Buxton | October 25, 2007 at 04:31 PM

My Dad drank wine.

Posted by: Japanesewhisky | October 25, 2007 at 08:33 PM

"Your Dad wasn't your Mum's last."*

*A new neanderthal nostalgia styled Ad for white wine spritzers?

Posted by: Japanesewhisky | October 25, 2007 at 08:46 PM

If the expression "this is wrong in *so* many ways" didn't exist, it would have to be created for this ad.

Posted by: James Campbell Andrew | October 26, 2007 at 03:50 AM

How original. Another ad campaign that reinforces stupid ideas of masculinity and femininity. CC, it is disappointing that this is the "best" that you can come up with. Indeed, I have thought more about CC in the past 24 hours than ever before, but I will not be stopping for long, and, yes, I will be "drinking smart."

Wendy
Ontario, Canada

Posted by: Wendy | October 26, 2007 at 09:12 AM

Your dad sometimes hit your mom.
Your mom was kinda slutty.
Your dad didn't cry at the end of grays anatomy.
Your dad did cry at the end of cheers.
Your dad was a homo.

Posted by: pat vipp | October 26, 2007 at 10:24 AM

Your dad's crewcut had your mother's blood in it.

Posted by: Bob | October 26, 2007 at 03:35 PM

Well, one thing's for sure: in advertising there's no such thing as negative publicity. The campaign hasn't even officially started, has it? Yet it is being blogged all over the place. They don't need to pay Playboy to run the ad, who will love it BTW, we're running it for them. The word of mouth of it will be great. The underage crowd, who are also a huge market for them, will eat this stuff up. Sure beats their pretend Russians ordering CC ad.

Will it make me buy CC? Um, no, not before and not now. Will it make me drink whisky cocktails? Um, no, not before and not now. Will it make me buy faux wood paneling for my basement? Well, actually I like faux wood paneling but that's beside the point. I don't want my old skinny leather tie back either... but it is an effective ad as it makes you think and Real Men(TM) are back for sure today. Tough is back. Will and Grace are off the air.

My real problem with the Canadian Whisky market today is that they are being rewarded for 'innovations' such as $150 no age Canadian Whisky. Crown Royal XR started it and now Wiser's Red Letter is next. I would never buy them even if they came with a coupon for fake wood paneling.

Posted by: Harry Pulley | October 27, 2007 at 07:12 PM

Ian- You have to change the zoom level to 50 or 75%.

Posted by: docholiday | October 28, 2007 at 11:41 AM

Thank you, docholiday. I found the little critter and now it works fine - you learn something new every day!
I've got real wood panelling in my study - well, traditional painted tongue and groove, but not as 'groovy' as the swinging cat in the ad.
And love that copper galleon - where can I get one of those?

Posted by: Ian Buxton | October 28, 2007 at 01:45 PM

Remember an ad is aimed at a target audience, they don't care about what anyone else outside the target audience thinks. Therefore, I think it's a successful campaign because the demographic they are aiming this campaign for is going to eat it up and love it.

Posted by: Rod | December 25, 2007 at 12:31 AM

Not sure I agree with your idea that ads like this are aimed at a target audience - as far as I can tell This ad was meant to be placed in a variety of periodicals (Not just "Guns & Ammo")

But even if it were a true statement, how can you measure the success of an ad like this? If self-proclaimed misogynists start buying more CC?

Posted by: Kevin Erskine | December 28, 2007 at 09:08 PM

Great advertising! Provocative, runs against standard PC, and brings all the 'hate-male'rs out in force! Sod 'em, I love it (but then, I liked my Dad, too).

Just needs a little more irony to be truly cool.

Posted by: Stuart Mackay (a Scot) | January 22, 2008 at 06:04 AM"

The advertising has tapped into something of a zeitgheist. Let's see what impact it has on sales and how it gets activated in bars and on the internet and outside of the USA etc.