Super Bowl=super[Lame]bowl.

Okay. Before any of you readers out there get mad: Yes, the game was pretty exciting.

But just like everyone else and their mom, I would like to take a moment to discuss Super Bowl VLIII.... I don't know about you but I was thoroughly disappointed by the superbowl commercials. Being a huge marketing fan, I could really care less about the game (I mean, afterall, that is the time to use the bathroom and top off my drink)... instead, similarly to me reading magazines for the ads, I watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. 

My first and (practically only) favorite commercial was Pepsi's first one... the one featuring Bob Dylan & Will.i.am. I loved the song and how they managed to compare "then and now" popular things- things that have stayed the same or come back in style (sunglasses for instance) and things that have changed dramatically (like that hip dancing... haha). Its fun to see the comparisons and really summarizes our culture. Oh, Pepsi. Genius.

Another commercial that I thought was funny/memorable was the Doritos commerical when the guy has a "crystal ball" snow globe that he uses to see if there will be "free Doritos at the office today?" His voice when he says "I think thats a YES!" is just PERFECT. The commercial definately caught people off guard and caught their attention.  Nicely done, Doritos.

Finally, one of EVERYONE's favorites (mine included) is that E-trade baby (and his singing friend). (I love that baby... and those parents must be mega rich.) I think that although this commercial has always been memorable, the brand hasn't always been. My favorite one of these commercials is when he's like "Hey girl, can I hit you back?" Love it. People are finally starting to connect the two, though, which is great! Go Babies! 

Here's my favorite and then the superbowl one.

Unfortunately, with the good comes the bad.

Budweiser, for instance... come on!

A couple years ago, they had those little green frogs belting "bud" "WEIS" "er." Everyone loved it (and, more importantly, remembered it- and the brand.)! Or, someone at the party I was at, mentioned the ferrets. Now all we have are clydesdales fetching sticks and falling in love. They had potential, I'll give them that... but they never peaked. Couldn't the horse have dropped the stick ON the dog? (or the dog's foot at least... although PETA would not have been happy...). That would have been funnier and would have given the commercial more closure at least. Or don't have closure and keep the story going all through the game so people are waiting on the edge of their seat to find out what happened next to that damn horse. (If you forget any of the commercials I just mentioned, they're linked. I did not want to dirty my blog by including them here... ;-)

Another commercial that kind of bothered me was the GE "Wind Energy" ad. Don't get me wrong... Love me some wind energy, but it was the same commercial as LAST YEAR! who DOES that?! It's a cute commercial and obviously I remembered it so it was at least somewhat effective but the superbowl is not only the biggest day of football, but also MARKETING. I found that very disappointing.

To summarize, Superbowl XLIII was an exciting game. I was cheering for the Cardinals and although the outcome was disappointing, I believe the overall quality of the ads were even more disappointing. 

Better luck next year, guys.

Second (and hopefully final) Look at the Economy

In that same class where my instructor is "the smartest man you'll (n)ever meet," we had to do a paper on corporate ethics in light of our recent economy. It was interesting because my initial thesis was along the lines of "desperate times make desperate people (or call for desperate measures, if you prefer. same gist). I figured that when people and companies were under stress because of the economy, the would be more likely to act unethically. Instead, what people were finding is that that is simply not the case. As one article puts it "With the economy's current troubles, many people assume a crime wave is just around the corner. But criminologists say that's just an American myth...Experts say there will always be some people who take to robbing liquor stores in tough times. But those people were already likely to rob stores even in good times, making it a statistical wash. And there's something else: When the economy goes bad, many people move in with parents or relatives, and they stay home more — both of which appear to have a calming effect, experts say." Basically, instead of the economy CAUSING unethical behavior, it is merely REVEALING preexisting unethical behavior. Think about it. When things are running smoothly, corporations are flourishing and it is a lot easier to skim off money or commit fraud & etc; nobody notices "chump change" is missing. When things are tight, however, it is more difficult to stay on the "DL." That is why Madoff and all his unethical peers are finally being found out. It was amazing how many influential, well off people would risk their future, their family's future, employees' future, and company's future just so they can afford the coolest new personal jet or island. It's nice that all these people are getting caught but, at the same time, rather disheartening. I guess the economy i seven hurting the people who would normally be rather "recession proof." Karma's a bitch, huh.

Quick Chat on the Economy- everyone's doing it.

Okay so I'm not one to watch video blogs but I ran across Chelsea OMG the other day and, although she thorougly annoyed me at first, I found myself watching a whole lot of her videos and unbeknownst to me, became a fan.

What initially caught my attention to even click on the link to her video was the title "What's on My Mind- Economic Crisis"

Although I haven't really been directly affected by the economy yet, (I came {THIS} close though), that is all that seems to be on the news and on people's minds. And I'm aboutu to get a HUGE, GINORMOUS dose of reality. As a girl who is supposed to graduate and enter the real world very very soon, I am legitimately terrified that I will take my double degrees (markeitng and art) and go don the classic red and khaki attire as I stock shelves at Target. Don't get me wrong... LOVE LOVE LOVE that store and would LOVE LOVE LOVE to work for them but... at the headquarters. Unfortunately, it's located in Minnesota. I've lived in MN and MAN does it get cold. Anyway, my [use your imagination here] of a professor, who takes up an entire class period giving us "advice" (aka telling us how smart he is- talking AT US), told us that he bets that only 40% of graduates will have a job. FORTY. that's like.. failing in terms of grades... thats like.... DEVISTATING in terms of life. I need a job. And, although I will look for my "dreamjob" (whatever that is...) I am aware that, in this economy, "beggars can't be choosers"- and college grads have become the "beggars."

F My Life.

Okay so maybe not MY life persay... but I just discovered this website... www.fmylife.com. its pretty much the funniest, most messed up website. People merely post reasons why their life sucks. for instance:

"Today, I walked past a girl in the cafeteria and she threw up. Naturally, a crowd was drawn. Her friend asked her what was wrong. She pointed at me and said, "Get him away from me!" I had never met this girl. FML"

or

"Today, I was looking down at my paper in class and my spanish teacher asked if I was sleeping or not. I'm Asian. My eyes were open. FML"

hahahahhahaha

You almost feel bad reading them and laughing at them but... I would bet you money that you will laugh. A lot. The site is genious. and kinda reminds me of a "Twitter." I guess it's just the way that it is set up. 

But check it out. It will at least give you something to do during those clock-stopping hours after lunch.

No one on the corner's got swagger like this.

After sharing utalkback.com with one of my coworkers (she's a believer now!), she returned the favor and introduced me to www.swagbucks.com Although I am an entire newbie at this one, I'm already sold. What swagbucks.com does is simply reward you for using them as your search engine and spreading the word. It rewards you not only when you search, but when you buy something off one of the stores that they sponsor (legit stores. they have a list) ((they'll give you swagbucks for every $x that you spend!)). I mean... how hard is that?! You're buying stuff and searching stuff anyway- just do it through swagbucks.com and get some points toward free stuff! The best part is, you don't even have to give up your beloved Google (I'm obsessed with Google so if I'm telling you this, its serious). In fact, Swagbucks has combined Google and Ask.com to give you your search results- what is there NOT to love?! Unfortunately, I am fairly new and don't have any swag secrets yet but I will definately let you  know what goes down. Meanwhile, check out the video below, sign up and get started. (For those of you who are afraid of spam and junk main, my trusty gmail has yet to deliver any such message to me :-)). I know that this blog has seemed like a total promotion but I'm just... excited about it :-) I'm trying to save up for that iPhone!! (ha. good luck, Emily.) 

But anyways... Click here to sign up! (or just visit www.swagbucks.com)... but if you want to help a sister out (did I mention they give you swagbucks for recommending people?) and let them know that I introduced it to you, sign up via this link:

http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=318655

Now go swag it up!

Maybe I'm More of a Lewis & Clark

I discover things that have been discovered before... but are just not common knowledge.

Another great discover I've made (not all that recently) is utalkback.com. It's an online surveying company- and as a marketer, myself, I just love it. Basically what this website/company does is dispurse big-named companies surveys (I've filled them out for large phone, TV, washer/dryer, fast food & etc. companies) to their appropriate target audiences (you fill out a lifestyle-type profile/questionnaire when you sign up).  It's a great way for companies to get more information on their market! Plus, because it's voluntary, they are more likely ot get legit information versus someone who puts "3. Neutral." for everything- totally skewing results and wasting time. I know you're thinking "yeah yeah whats in it for me?" (its okay. EVERYONE asks themselves that.) Well, when you fill out the survey, you earn points towards prizes from places like American Eagle, Ticketmaster, Starbucks, & etc. These companies then offer gift cards, free products, and discounts that you can "purchase" with the points you have earned through survey-filling-out. I am 8... yes EIGHT points away from the two prizes I've been working for. I can't decide though. Would I rather have a $25 gift card to Starbucks or iTunes? iTunes is slightly less... perishable (and bad for you) but Starbucks is just so darn good! You should look into it- earn points while killing time in class, at work, in a meeting, wherever! Plus, you're helping companies better satisfy your every desire. www.utalkback.com.

I'm like an Online Christopher Columbus!

Okay... so maybe not... but lemme tell you, I'm pretty much obsessed with finding new/weird/unusual things online! I find myself discovering new products and such through my favorite website of all times...www.ThisNext.com (Check it out!!! But be careful- it will suck you in). I'm actually so into that I am in the top 25 or 30% of all thisnext-ers (not sure if I should be bragging or keeping that to myself...)! I've told people about ThisNext and although they all like it, the navigation takes some getting used to. Here's the rundown....

The homepage features different products that ThisNext-ers have recently recommended. When you click on the product, you will find the recommendation, more pictures, a link to where you can find/buy it, and a whole bunch of other products that are related/similar! (You can also type key words into the search box to find stuff! The most recent search I've done was for "engagement gifts." Everyone seems to be getting married these days!) This site is just FULL of awesome things- and, honestly, you can find just about anything there... sexy lingerie, sinks, toilets, clothing, decorations... the list goes on and on and can go any direction you please. One of my favorite parts of this website is finding new products (or ones that other people have recommended that I like, too) and creating themed lists. I have "I love home decor," "I love boots," "I love dandelions," and "His and her gifts." His and her gifts are probably my favorite. Mostly because I think that most His and her figts are just BEYOND tacky. Most of the things I've found are minimally tacky/obnoxious. 

To sum it up, check out this ThisNext.com and befriend me! Careful though, you might get obsessed and maybe even earn the title of "Maven '09" (a very prestigious title, might I add).