Lips on Display

Thought this was an interesting lip display at the pharmacy. 

And under it, is says:

Lip Bar

What's a lip bar?

Uh, Chapstick and lip gloss! 

Just give your customers a kiss and don't charge them a copay today.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lips on Display

Trashy Advertising

Great advertising by this garbage company.

On the back of the truck, it says:

Let's Talk Trash 

And there is a garbage can afterwards for emphasis!

I like this trashy trash company brand because it works.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Trashy Advertising

Turn On The Donut Light

Like these donut-shaped lights @Dunkin' Donuts. 

You can't eat them, but they reminds you why you're there.

Donuts and coffee—make mine a signature latte, iced with some mocha and whipped cream—always yum.

Always, Dunkin' delicious!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Turn On The Donut Light

Porsche Branded Excellence

I have never seen such a clean garage.

Whether on the ground or suspended on the lift, the cars are immaculately cared for. 

Porsche displays excellence in every aspect of their brand. 

The perception is tangible and real!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Porsche Branded Excellence

Ice Cream Correctness

Thought this was a nice advertising for ice cream in the food court at the mall. 

It's funny that they painted this over some doors, and you can see the lock in the center, right under the "Bomb Pop."

In the age of radical terrorism, I wonder if that's the best name for ice pops geared for children (and adults). 

I think we need to consider being emotionally intelligent and politically correct.

Since it's red, white, and blue, how about rebranding it as the American Pop (with no ticking time bomb association)!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Ice Cream Correctness

Laundry is a Colorful Cleaning Affair

It's great when laundry goes from smelly and dirty to fresh and clean!

Some nice refreshing laundry detergent is just what's needed. 

When the detergent comes in big, bright bottles like here, then it's even a more inviting experience. 

Clean laundry, clean mind, clean mouth way to go! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Laundry is a Colorful Cleaning Affair

Porsche Lovers

Awesome Porsche "Teddy Bear"!

For Porsche lovers, I think it's mighty hard to resist it. 

Now that's a brand that inspires with its meticulous eye toward design and quality. 

The result is even a huggable Porsche is sweet! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Porsche Lovers

Tunnel of Luggage

Tunnel of love?

No, tunnel of luggage. 

Nothing comes out the same on the other side. 

This is called bumps and bruises. 

Still it's a long way to paradise. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tunnel of Luggage

I Say Upside Down You Turn Me

I liked this advertisement for WOOW eyewear. 

Like the faces, the colors, the upside down and right-side up orientations. 

Seems cool, hip, with it. 

Happy hippie times. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Michelle Blumenthal)

I Say Upside Down You Turn Me

Gucci Bee Bag

Thought this was a pretty nice Gucci bag. 

Large decorated bee with expansive wings on the flap. 

Beautiful pink with white pearl studs. 

Brass chain and red, white, and blue shoulder strap. 

Priced around $1500! 

Small shoulder bag yet plush oversized and ornate make a big statement. 

Nice gift for that special someone or to treat yourself to Gucci! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Gucci Bee Bag

Superhero Dress

This dress was a standout. 

Superhero dress by D&G. 

Comic style with the pow and bam!

I don't get the pig superhero logo on the jacket and other merchandise next to it. 

Uh, who wants to wear and look like a pig?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  

D&G is off the deep end. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Superhero Dress

Ferrari Motor Furniture

This was very cool. 

The first is a coffee table for the living room.

The second is half of a nice desk.

Both are made out of working Ferrari engines.

The coffee table goes for $50,000.

And the desk goes for $75,000.

I will told that this is a bargain based on what a working Ferrari engine goes for. 

In a sense you can take your table for a spin around the block...LOL.

Truly the engine (and not just design of the car) is a work of art. 

It merits being a centerpiece of your office or home. ;-)

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Ferrari Motor Furniture

Sizzle Is Not Steak

There was an interesting quote in the Wall Street Journal the other day.

It was about how the stock brokers all too often hawked hot stocks to their unsuspecting and foolish clients:

You sold the sizzle, not the steak!

Wow, isn't this all too often what happens with products and services in the marketplace?

People get you hyped up on all the excitement of something.

The latest and greatest widget or whatever. 

It's gonna revolutionize the world!

Even when the thing itself may not be all that it's cracked up to be.

Or in fact, it may be a complete dud!

But whatever sells goes, unfortunately, whether it's right or wrong

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle. 

Doesn't that sizzle really make you want to buy the steak?

The Greater Fool Theory in full blossom. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sizzle Is Not Steak

Capital One Cafe Catastrophe

So I've seen the advertisement for Capital One (Bank) Cafes on TV for some time now.

Well I saw my first real one in Fort Lauderdale this week.

It was big, bright, comfortable and had children's games and a host of meeting and breakout rooms. 

They even gave us two cards for some free coffee at the embedded Pete's Coffee.

It was a corner store in a large, expensive space. 

It was great place to get some work done or relax. 

But aside for a cash machine or so, there was nothing that I could see having to do with banking in this place. 

Also, there were also almost no customers for the coffee.

Basically, it is totally confusing idea from a marketing and branding perspective--Is it a bank or a coffee house?  And why would I go to Capital One to get coffee or to Pete's Coffee to do my banking????

While I think that Capital One has literally outdone Starbucks in building a great cafe space, I don't think anyone will actually get what this is or why it is!

My guess is that whoever came up with this idea is going to be looking for a job within about 6 big money-losing months. ;-)

(Credit Photo:  Andy Blumenthal)

Capital One Cafe Catastrophe

Cash Is King

This was a funny shirt this lady was wearing on the Metro. 

It mimics the Sweet 'N Low artificial sweetener logo and says:

Fund R' Low
Need a Sugar Daddy

This was one of those shirts that gets your attention. 

It's different.  It plays off a familiar brand.  It bright pink, red, and blue and stands out.  And it could certainly have a sexual connotation.  

Anyway, this was a pretty bold shirt to wear into conservative Washington, D.C. 

But I guess wherever you go, fashion, sexuality, and cash is king. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Cash Is King

Tie Dye Hammock

Loved this tie dye hammock by Enonation (Eno) from Australia that I saw at REI. 

It's called "DoubleNest," so I guess that means it fits 2 people. 

So open, colorful, and inviting to rest and relax in. 

Sillily, the store only carries the hammock and not the stand...so good luck with that. 

Also REI clumsily filled this gorgeous hammock with Nalgene bottles--on sale 30% off!

Uh, if you make even the nicest stuff look like junk for storage, you're not gonna get the brand image you want. 

Anyway, the hammock was awesome!  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tie Dye Hammock

Sizing Fashion And More

So it was interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today...

There is an obesity problem in the U.S. 

But the statistics in terms of the typical sizes of fashion (for women) has been "largely" overlooked.

The biggest size most fashion brands even bother to sell is: 12

"Only 7% of womenswear stocked at multi-brand retailers is a size 14 or above."

But the average American dress size is between between 16 and 18!

The typical runway model is size 2.  

BTW, I think men have the same problem with sizing.

There was another thing about measurement in the WSJ today having to do with measuring time. 

Day is measured by the earth rotation (on its axis). 

Year by the rotation around the sun.

Month by rotation of the moon. 

Earth, Sun, and Moon...give us time. 

Now we need to take all the wonderful time we have measured and not spend it all eating.  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal @Ripley's Believe It or Not)

Sizing Fashion And More

The Goliath Arab Propaganda Machine

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "The Goliath Arab Propaganda Machine."

It has been 71 years since the founding of the modern State of Israel, and while Israel is thank G-d strong militarily, it continues to be seriously threatened by a relentless Arab propaganda war, which they are winning. This War of Words manifests itself on college campuses, protests and rallies against Israel, “progressive politics,” BDS, and the endless stream of anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations.

Please G-d, He will help us not only militarily to defeat the enemies of Israel, but also to prevail in the battle for truth and justice, identity and history, and ultimately for the Promised Land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ;-)

(Source Photo: here with attribution to Ruediger)

The Goliath Arab Propaganda Machine

Success Anchored in Function AND Beauty

Just a saying from Dr. Ferry Porsche (as in Porsche cars) that I liked:

"It has always been a principal of our company that function and beauty are inseparable."

If you can make something useful and attractive--you have a real winner!

Companies like Porsche and Apple get it (many, many others are clueless).  

Product development is both art and science and therein lay the foundations of their success or failure. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Success Anchored in Function AND Beauty

Really Highest Quality

Just thought this was a funny, educational photo.

Vendor is selling jewelry on the corner (outside the Metro).

They're advertising:

Products Of The Highest Quality

But would you even expect to get the highest quality jewelry off the street. 

As nice as these products may be (and he may be), I don't think anyone would really believe this. 

So while the ad grabs your attention and makes you look, it doesn't make you believe. 

Advertising and branding has to be credible to reach their intended audience or else it'll just come off as fool's gold. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Really Highest Quality