Google's Brand Strength

How strong is Google's brand identity? When you hit the home page today, you see this image with the search box, not the typical Google logo. Do you think for a second that you've mistyped the URL? No. It's a great campaign. My favorite though, was the interactive (yes!) Packman one.

An Oldie but a Goodie

This Starbucks cup is kind of dated now, but I kept it. Why? It's a great positioning statement for a (nearly) $5 cup of coffee. "We don't just want To Make Your Drink. We want to make Your Day." It's not just the coffee ... it's a lifestyle choice. Apparently.

To be completely truthful, I'm a gold card holder.

Interesting Pick-Up Lines

This bar coaster is a promo for Big Bang Theory, a CBS TV show picked up at the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, IN.

Genius tips for picking up chicks: 

1. Naked is as naked does.
2. If at first you don't succeed, try again, and again, and again. All it takes is one to say yes.
3. Look for women with an ugly friend. Then surprise them by hitting on the ugly friend.
4. Borrow someone's baby and bring it to the bar. Ladies love babies,
5. Lower you standards. Really low.

Off the Workout Wagon?

Love this motivational message from Get Good Sports, a sports equipment company focused on field hockey and lacrosse. I'll even ignore the typo on their home page ... advertising the "comfrotable tees" bearing the logo above. They're $20. I'll be sure to hit the gym today.

Truth in Advertising

I spotted these on the shelf at the Copenhagen airport. Friends in London and Canada tell me this is nothing! Apparently packages there have graphic photos. Would you still smoke after looking at these?

A Classic Beauty with Classic Candy

This was at the 2010 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago. Made entirely of Jelly Belly candies. Pretty amazing, huh? They're launching some new cocktail flavors too, like Mojito, and while not as good as a real Mojito, they're pretty yummy.

Coffee Cup CYA

After the whole McDonald's hot coffee debacle back in the early '90s, Atlantic Bread Company has a hilarious CYA cup. Again, the bberry picture isn't great, but here's what the side says. At the bottom, (least hot) is "Red Stilettos" followed by "The Earth's Core" (mid-range hot) and finally, "This Drink" at the top. If they have to say, "this drink is hot" at least they found a fun way to do it.

Juvenile Humor

So you'd think the bar bill would just have "drink - call" or "drink - well" listed on the receipt. Not the Marriott Marquis Broadway Lounge (bar) in midtown New York.

Cool ceiling in Stockholm

Ceiling of a smoothie shop in a Stockholm mall. Imagine glass, rectangular slides (think high school biology class) wired to an overhead grid. Simple little thing had huge impact.

On "Drop-Off" Parties

Loved this sign at a sportsplex that hosts children's birthday parties.

Only in Vegas ...

Bowling ball at the Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas. Bowling alley unlike most. Swanky setting with comfy, plush chairs to lounge. At this private event I attended, they even provided socks! Really, new-in-package socks. Nice!