Start your lunch with AdForum’s daily round-up of the latest news, trends, and notable work in the advertising industry.
Coca-Cola, Iconic Brand and Advertising Veteran, Struggles with Public Image
Apparently, Coke’s strategy to hire its own scientists to emphasize that a lack of a regular exercise – rather than decisions regarding what we put into our bodies – is mostly to blame for an epidemic obesity that continues to haunt our society and kids. Today’s public is much too informed and cynical to trust corporations that hire their own scientists to discover evidence that supports their sales and bottom line. Not surprisingly, Coke is backtracking.
“At Coca-Cola, the way we have engaged the public health and scientific communities to tackle the global obesity epidemic that is plaguing our children, our families and our communities is not working. Our company has been accused of shifting the debate to suggest that physical activity is the only solution to the obesity crisis. There also have been reports accusing us of deceiving the public about our support of scientific...” Read the full story at The Wall Street Journal.
McDonald’s Is So Sorry for Stealing Loving Burrito Content
“McDonald's has apologized to freelance writer David Sikorski and photographer Kristina Bakrevski after they accused the fast-food chain of copying their cheeky ‘engagement’ photos in which the object of Sikorski's affection is a burrito.” Read more at Adweek.
One Answer to Ad Blocking Is Fewer (Yes, Fewer), Better Ads
Writer Ifron Watkins discusses the critical importance of quality over quantity in advertising. “Consumers have fallen out of love with advertising. What once was celebrated as an art form became a relationship of passive tolerance before moving to annoyance, irritability and eventual disengagement.” Read the full article at Ad Age.
Job of the Day: Digital Director at MEC, New York City
You’ll be responsible for all day-to-day digital operations on an account. You’ll provide strategic direction and leadership within the digital group to deliver the most effective and innovative communications plans, and manage the career paths of supporting digital staff. You will be responsible for: Plan Development and Maintenance. Formulate digital strategy for client businesses and ensure that recommendations and decisions are consistent with client’s objectives and strategies.Assume lead role in integration of client’s media efforts and demonstrate full understanding of client’s businesses as basis for all future work.Demonstrate understanding of 3rd party research methodology and how data can be used to shape client conversations…Learn more about this opportunity at MEC.
Sorry Subway, But The Jared Fogle Story Just Keeps Getting Creepier
As more details continue to surface about former Subway spokesperson and super creep Jared Fogle, the brand finds itself in an increasingly precarious situation about what it knew and when. “Former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle once tried to persuade a journalist to put hidden cameras in her young children's rooms, according to the woman's claims. ‘I had two young children at the time, and he talked to me about installing hidden cameras in their rooms and asked me if I would choose which child I would like him to watch," Rochelle Herman said on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360.’” Read more at BusinessInsider.
Stephen Colbert Takes Advertising for The Late Show to Another Level
“Earlier this month, Stephen Colbert and his team stamped the Ed Sullivan Theater with their own insignia, replacing David Letterman's old marquee with the updated Late Show with Stephen Colbert one. Colbert himself popped into a Reddit thread last week to thank fans and praise the design: "Thank you! I love this shot at night. That's what it's built for....but the sign still isn't done." It seemed mysterious at the time, but now we know he was referring to the giant COLBERT lettering that has gone up today, and is now rising above Broadway like a comically raised eyebrow.” Read more at Gothamist.
Droga5 Taps Chris Wollen as First Chief Marketing Officer
“Droga5 has had a good summer. After Chase announced that it had awarded the bulk of its account to Droga in July, the scope of the work became clearer when a client rep told us that the business had officially moved downtown after nearly 11 years with mcgarrybowen. In the wake of what proved to be a very big win, the agency is thinking about new hires and promotions. First, it swiped a recruiter from R/GA. Today, Droga announced that it has also appointed its first CMO.” For more details visit Agency Spy.
Agency of the Week
BMF Media: We ideate innovative ways to tell a brand's story and align them with relevant cultural movements, transforming them into palpable and share-worthy experiences. Our goal: to build interesting experiences that have depth while never losing sight of the audience and brand message.
Because it’s Friday, enjoy this ad below that showcases how Bob Dylan changed the world by cranking it to 11.
(Lunch photo courtesy of JP.)
