Posted on November 10, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Here’s an email I’d like to pass along, from Erica Monteith, sister of my office mate Ian.
We spend a lot of time worrying about business issues that seem overwhelming. Once in a while reality intrudes with a gentle tap on the shoulder. To better appreciate your circumstances and blessings, read this: Read more »
Filed under: Ad Business | Leave a Comment »
Posted on October 19, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer are one of the year’s big marketing success stories. An expansion team, they’ve sold every available seat and then some; they sold a huge number of season tickets; they’ve become the hot ticket in Seattle. They’ve created a compelling atmosphere inside the stadium. Paying special attention to the on-the-field product, they’ve made the playoffs and may well set even more records.
Yet Major League Soccer hasn’t enjoyed the same success everywhere.
The league has lost significant attendance in some markets, beyond what you might expect from the economic downturn. They’ve experimented with marketing plans that focus on youth soccer players, on Latinos and on young adults, with spotty results. And some of the product is, frankly, disappointing.
What type of marketing effort should the league make in this day and age?
Read more »
Filed under: Communication Strategy | Tagged: L.E. Eisenmenger, major league soccer, social marketing in sports, sports marketing | Leave a Comment »
Posted on October 17, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Posted on October 16, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Posted on September 27, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
That’s a pretty cute headline I saw in the lobby at my local Bank of America the other day. “Buy Pizza, Get Dough.” Get it? Don’t worry, not many other people do, either.

Tabletop poster with flier, at a Bank of America branch
It made me think of some less cute headlines that have been in the news lately:
Is it too much to ask BofA to be less jovial about their schemes to stockpile more of our money — especially when they’re back-dooring fee increases on things like safe-deposit boxes and giving Merrill Lynch executives huge bonuses?
A few BofA headlines I’d like to see… Read more »
Filed under: Communication Strategy, Creative work | Tagged: creative strategy, bad advertising, Bank of America, creative advertising, Merrill Lynch, bank advertising, financial services marketing, bank marketing | 3 Comments »
Posted on September 7, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Richards, founder of The Richards Group, says his agency is a better, happier place for long ago adopting a policy of not defending existing accounts in agency reviews, according to this article in Ad Age. Read more »
Filed under: Ad Business | Tagged: ad agency reviews, Crispen Porter, Stan Richards, The Martin Agency, The Richards Group | Leave a Comment »
Posted on September 2, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Two Western-flavored TV commercials for two western-flavored hamburgers.
One from Burger King, the other from Jack in the Box.
Your thoughts?

Hootie sings of burgers

Jack sings of burgers
Filed under: Ad Business, Creative work | Tagged: Burger King commercial, funny commericals, great creative work, Jack in the Box commercial | Leave a Comment »
Posted on August 25, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know they’re built for different purposes. But which do you prefer: The Wieden+Kennedy official site, or the blog from the Portland office? And why?
Personally, I like the blog infinitely more. My guess is that the fancy corporate site has outworn its welcome. The days when figuring out what a website is supposed to do, what it’s supposed to represent and how it’s supposed to work are long gone.
What do you think?
Filed under: Communication Strategy, Creative work | Tagged: website design, website usability, Wieden, Wieden & Kennedy, Wieden and Kennedy, Wieden+Kennedy | 13 Comments »
Posted on August 24, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
This post by Sean X Cummings covers a favorite topic: the evolution of the ad agency business. There’s plenty to agree and disagree with in Sean’s post. If you’re currently with an agency, or own one, maybe you’ll agree with the post, and at the same time think: He’s talking about OTHER agencies… We’re different. Read more »
Filed under: Ad Business, Communication Strategy | Tagged: ad agency evolution, Communication Strategy, in-house ad agencies, interactive advertising, interactive marketing, marketing communications, Sean X Cummings | 1 Comment »
Posted on August 13, 2009 by Barrett Rossie
Just a reminder of what a tough industry this is: Last week, The Martin Agency withdrew from its bid to retain UPS as a client — a client for which it has created stellar and effective work. Read more »
Filed under: Ad Business, Communication Strategy | Tagged: Ad Business, Expedia.com, Sun Life Financial, The Martin Agency, UPS | Leave a Comment »