Sunday, January 24, 2010

Social Media Gains Yardage In Super Bowl Marketing

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

Social Media Gains Yardage In Bowl XLIV Marketing
Jan 16, 2010
- Elaine Wong via Brandweek 
In keeping with tradition, an ad slot in next month’s Super Bowl XLIV won’t come cheap ($3 million will buy 30 seconds), but brands willing and able to drop that kind of cash seem determined to get more yardage out of their buy—largely through digital, search, mobile and social media efforts.

Virally extending the life of a half-minute spot is not a new idea for the big game. But Jon Kaplan, financial services industry director at Google, observed that this year the trend is toward “integration” and a new “level of sophistication”—both for first-time advertisers and for veteran brands returning with digital strategies more elaborate than last year. “If you’re going to spend $3 million on a Super Bowl spot,” he said, “you want to have some ‘wow’ factor that keeps it living on.”

For instance, PepsiCo snack foods division Frito-Lay will reprise Doritos Crash the Super Bowl (now in its fourth incarnation). The contest selects and airs the most popular consumer-generated ads. But this time, it’ll allow contestants to post and share video submissions via Facebook, Digg and Twitter, and alert friends which ads they voted for.

“When you consider the thousands and thousands of views the videos get—and how many times they’re shared—it’s a pretty viral piece,” said Frito-Lay rep Chris Kuechenmeister, who explained that the contest enhancements stemmed from company marketers noticing that consumers were already sharing the videos through social-networking channels. In a related strategy, Papa John’s will be using mobile banner ads and SMS text messaging to launch its new, Super XL IV pizza. (The Roman numerals stand for “extra large” and “four-toppings.”)

Meanwhile, first-time advertisers like Boost Mobile are seeding popular online video sites such as YouTube with 15-second teaser versions of its Super Bowl ad. The goal is “to create excitement even before the [TV] spot airs,” said Caralene Robinson, brand marketing and communications director for the Sprint Prepaid Group Search is also boosting the reach of traditional ads for brands like Diamond Foods (advertising both Emerald Nuts and Pop-Secret popcorn in a single spot this year) by driving consumers to a microsite that hosts not only the Super Bowl spot but also a game and links to the brands’ individual sites.


More and more, companies are recognizing the ability of Google and YouTube to increase and extend brand awareness after the game ads run. Following Denny’s 2009 Super Bowl spot that advertised a free breakfast offer, Google searches for “Denny’s” rose by 4,100 percent. And after Doritos’ 2009 spot, YouTube search queries were up even more—by 4,300 percent. Kaplan said that these figures are prompting brands to consider “how to use YouTube to promote your videos, [and] how to use Google when people will be searching for your brand.”

According to Papa John’s vp-digital marketing Jim Ensign, marketers have clearly evolved from viewing the big game as merely an ad platform to seeing it as an anchor for a variety of audience-participation initiatives driven by the social Web. “It used to be that consumers would just go to the [advertiser’s] site to see what spots are there, but now they’re [logging onto Facebook and Twitter and talking],” he said. “They’re not just observing; they’re participating in the marketing.”

Even inaugural advertisers, like online vacation rental home management site HomeAway, are recognizing social media’s benefits. “Part of what [made us advertise in the Super Bowl in the first place is] all the social media and online [buzz] that happens after the game is over,” said global brand marketing director Matt Cohen, who added that the most watched sports event is “a catalyst for a lot of the [brand chatter and consumer] activity that follows.” 
Search is also boosting the reach of traditional ads for brands like Diamond Foods (advertising both Emerald Nuts and Pop-Secret popcorn in a single spot this year) by driving consumers to a microsite that hosts not only the Super Bowl spot but also a game and links to the brands’ individual sites.

More and more, companies are recognizing the ability of Google and YouTube to increase and extend brand awareness after the game ads run. Following Denny’s 2009 Super Bowl spot that advertised a free breakfast offer, Google searches for “Denny’s” rose by 4,100 percent. And after Doritos’ 2009 spot, YouTube search queries were up even more—by 4,300 percent. Kaplan said that these figures are prompting brands to consider “how to use YouTube to promote your videos, [and] how to use Google when people will be searching for your brand.”

According to Papa John’s vp-digital marketing Jim Ensign, marketers have clearly evolved from viewing the big game as merely an ad platform to seeing it as an anchor for a variety of audience-participation initiatives driven by the social Web. “It used to be that consumers would just go to the [advertiser’s] site to see what spots are there, but now they’re [logging onto Facebook and Twitter and talking],” he said. “They’re not just observing; they’re participating in the marketing.”

Even inaugural advertisers, like online vacation rental home management site HomeAway, are recognizing social media’s benefits. “Part of what [made us advertise in the Super Bowl in the first place is] all the social media and online [buzz] that happens after the game is over,” said global brand marketing director Matt Cohen, who added that the most watched sports event is “a catalyst for a lot of the [brand chatter and consumer] activity that follows.”


Thursday, January 21, 2010

Auer Agency Teams up with Zorrel Apparel

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com





Auer Agency recently teamed up with Zorrel, a leader in performance gear.
We noticed that more and more  sports events were increasing the value of the goody bag by adding a performance TEE vs a standard cotton one,( soon to be the next car waxing rag. ) Although Auer Agency offers many other brands, we are proud to be part of the Zorrel apparel company.

Zorrel offers performance t's to compression apparel that we can print,   put your own  event logo  on , and make it your own. With an eye to fashion and  comfortable fabrics, we are excited about the offerings Zorrel has for our clients. You will always reach for it first when you are getting ready to workout or head out for a meeting.

You may check out the online catalog at Zorrel Online Catalog for the latest in sportswear fashion,  colors and fabrics.

Performance Knits
Polos
Compression
Fleece
Jackets
Dress Shirts

Mission statement
At Zorrel, our commitment to style, comfort and innovation drives all aspects of our business. When combined with our state-of-the-art technology, this commitment guarantees that you perform your best in all conditions and environments.

Apparel from Zorrel is designed to look and feel great, whether it's worn biking down a mountain trail, rafting through whitewater, playing a round of golf or simply shopping for groceries. Our garments are stylish enough to wear to a business meeting or an evening out on the town. You will always look your best. That's why we call it performance wear for anywhere.


Corporate Responsibility
Enlightened consumerism - doing business with those who do good - is a growing value to the progressive mainstream consumer, so there is something else you should know about Zorrel.

We take our environmental, ethical, and labor standards seriously. Each of our factories adheres to the strictest standards in dyeing and manufacturing in order to protect local environments and waterways. Employees and partners are treated fairly and ethically, and we pay our employees a living wage.


Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Go Cause Something - Auer Agency's 2010 Mantra

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com




This year it's all about hope, change and living for a cause. We feel that everyone has something they are passionate about; therefore, Go Cause Something!

We are presenting ; new for 2010 - a  Sports Event Service that covers everything from event logo design, brochures, advertising, t-shirts, awards etc. That's our Cause, helping those to help others for the cause. 


We are working closely with a lot of non-profit events and hope that by providing professional services, they will create an experience that all participants will remember for years to come and come back the next year to ask others to join the event. 
Our hope is that attendees will wear the apparel, in turn elevating  others to join and take notice of the cause. Whether they are wearing it running to the store or running in their next triathlon, they wear it with pride and stand for a cause. So decide to
Go Cause Something, NOW!

The word CAUSE can mean a lot of things to many people. So stand up, be noticed and set your goals high.

1.a. The producer of an effect, result, or consequence.
  b. The one, such as a person, event, or condition, that is responsible for an action or result.

2. A basis for an action or response; a reason: The doctor's report gave no cause for alarm.

3. A goal or principle served with dedication and zeal: "the cause of freedom versus tyranny" (Hannah Arendt)

4. The interests of a person or group engaged in a struggle: "The cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind" (Thomas Paine).


We are out there making a difference, are you?




Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Charlotte Aquatics Cinch Bag Design

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com






Charlotte Aquatics was acquired a year ago by Kelly Gaines. The previous owner hadn't changed a THING in 18 years.
But Kelly is ready for fresh, new and exciting new stuff. She came to us looking to share her new brand in a different way.
So we came up with the hot and trendy, cinch bags used by kids and teens.



It's not as easy as it looks either. We had to convert the current logo to one that could be silk screened onto the bag. The effect is amazing and we feel that our superb customer service, ordering a sample to begin with, convincing our printer to print just one bag for a sample and then running the samples back and forth and hand delivering the bags to the client's front door on a Saturday shows just how committed we are.





Swim little fish, SWIM!

Share The Damn Road Apparel and Website



Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com




Share The Damn Road was created by professional cyclist Phil Gaimon. 
Phil was tired of being honked at, buzzed, and cussed out while he trained, and frustrated that the speed of motor vehicles made witty and insulting replies impossible. To solve that problem, he set out to create a line of jerseys that express what he's always wanted to say to passing cars. Get one yourself, and finally experience the joy of having the last word.





The goal is to convey messages of safety and cyclist's rights, but there is an element of humor and frustration, which we feel cannot be denied in the cyclist/motorist relationship, so while some of our products are family-friendly, other designs are not for wimps.

Monday, January 4, 2010

The ATP Kicks Off its '10 Tour On a Flying Carpet

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

Are you looking for new ways to drive awareness for high-profile events? Are you looking for new ways to leverage tennis personalities?

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal recently kicked off the 2010 ATP Tour by performing a unique publicity stunt. The two (2) superstars played a game of tennis atop a flying magic carpet in the Souq Waqif in Dohar, Qatar - a PR stunt that served as a great photo opportunity for the media and a memorable experience for onlookers.
The tennis stars were in Qatar to kick off the ATP Tour at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. Check out the unique magic carpet ride PR stunt below:


Jan 9: Help set Guinness World Record for Largest Fitness Boot Camp

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com



Here is my personal invite email from Coordinator/Jason Rhymer


Mariellen,

I have a very cool fitness event that she thought you and your friends and family
might be interested in hearing about.

We are setting a Guinness World Record this Saturday for the largest international
fitness boot camp.  All donations go to the American Heart Association.  Everyone who
attends is entered into a raffle for free training sessions with us and they will receive an
in-home workout program called "Drop a Dress Size in 21 Days." 

I was on Fox News Rising last week to demo some exercises and talk about this
great way to kick off the new year.

This link has all of the details of where, when, how to give, etc.  We hope to see you there:

==> http://www.workoutworldwide.org/locations/nc-cha

Thank you!
Jason

--
Jason Rhymer
Z-Health Level IV Trainer
Rhymer Fitness, Inc.
www.rhymerfitness.com
704-661-5301



Charlotte Personal Trainer Partners with American Heart Association to Host World’s Largest Simultaneous Fitness Boot Camp Workout for Charity

WHAT
Charlotte Personal Trainer Jason Rhymer will be hosting the inaugural Workout Worldwide. It will be the world’s largest international charity fitness boot camp workout of all time with all net proceeds going to the American Heart Association. There will also be over 50 remote locations worldwide performing the workout on the same day.

WHEN
Saturday, January 9th, 2010 from 11 am to noon US EST

WHERE
Carolina Courts, 7210 Stinson Hartis Road, Indian Trail

WHO
Anybody 18 years of age and over who is looking to jump-start their fitness for the New Year

ADMISSION

Minimum donation is $20 for non-bootcamp members.
Click here to read descriptions of all of the Donation Packages. Donation Packages