Judging books by their covers, or titles at least, the Bookseller magazine has recognised Bombproof Your Horse with an award for the oddest book title of the year for 2004. Previous winners include these classics:
Living With Crazy Buttocks,
Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Nude Mice,
Oral Sadism and the Vegetarian Personality,
How to Avoid Huge Ships,
227 Secrets Your Snake Wants You to Know,
Celtic Sex Magic: For Couples, Groups and Solitary Practitioners,
Design for Impact: 50 Years of Airline Safety Cards, and
Hot Topics in Urology.
According to a report in the Guardian, the judges thought there were too many self-consciously titled entries, “presumably in a bid to emulate the 2003 champion, The Big Book of Lesbian Horse Stories.”
The fifth annual weblog awards recognize the best of the blogosphere. Exercise your democratic rights; you don’t have to be an Iraqi to vote for the Bloggies!
Of particular interest to Wordlabbers is the category for “best tagline of a weblog.” The nominees are:
Pesky’Apostrophe, “Always better than an unexpected period”.
Scaryduck, “Not scary, not a duck”;
The Gospel According to Rhys, “Chronologically inept since 2060″;
Random Acts of Reality, “Trying to kill as few people as possible…”; and
Dooce, for “Not your average clenched-cheek sprint to the bathroom” although she’s already changed her tagline to “Unleashing the Inner Monologue.”
Surprisingly, there is no category for “best name for a weblog.” But there are some blogworthy names nominated for Bloggies in other categories, including:
This Fish Needs a Bicycle, for best weblog of the year;
Gawker, also in the best weblog of the year category;
My Boyfriend Is a Twat, in the category for best european weblog; and
Tequila Mockingbird is up for best writing.
Perhaps the best blogger’s name is Powazek, who is nominated for “lifetime achievement” for excellence in blogging since 1997.
And the winner, no matter what happens, is Dooce, which means “to be fired from your job because of the contents of your weblog,” for being nominated in four different categories not counting best name for a blog!
The art of sushi, in chocolate, has been perfected by Suedy’s Koo-ki Sushi®. It’s an inspirational little story of entrepreneurial success.
In 1994, Karen “Suedy” Sasaki saw an announcement in a magazine for a national cookie contest and wondered, “What can you do with a cookie that’s never been done before?” Then, one day, when she was pressing a sticky cookie mixture into a pan, it reminded her of pressing rice onto nori (dried seaweed sheets) when she made sushi with her grandmother. That was it! A cookie-based “sushi” with chocolate and confections for the toppings and fillings. She asked her sister, Janice Murai, if she wanted to enter the contest with her. Luckily, they decided not to enter the contest with their “Koo-ki Sushi” but to explore the idea themselves.
If you knew sushi…this is sushi as you never imagined it. What a wonderful name for a unique cookie confection!
The blogosphere is abuzz with all the latest Google News; the Picasa upgrade, the new Google Video Search, and their recent hiring of Firefox browser engineer, Ben Goodger. This hiring has refueled speculation that Google is developing its own internet browser, and some bloggers point to registration of the domain name Gbrowser.com as an indication of what’s coming next, after Gmail. Googler might be their better name for the browser, don’t you think? Either that, or they plan to rename him Ben Googler.
It’s really old news that Google acquired Blogger, the web-based technology that enables virtually anyone to freely publish their written words on a blog. But more recently, Google purchased Picasa, an awesomely free photo management system, with its complementary web utility for posting photographs to blogs, sharing photos online, and talking about shared pictures over an integrated instant messenger.
Speaking of chatting, Google is reluctant to talk publicly about any plans for free phone service. Voice over Internet Protocol, with its insufferable VoIP acronym, is an alternative to landline telephone services. It’s a growing business for new companies with names like Vonage and Skype, and some say it’s the next big thing. But a spokeswoman for Google said recent reports about the company’s possible interest in broadband telephony were “pure speculation” and she was unaware of any “imminent” move into the VoIP market.
Julian Hewitt, senior partner at Ovum, a telecoms consultancy, said: “From a telecoms perspective there is a big appeal in the fact that Google is a search operation — and of course the Google brand is a huge draw.”
Mr Hewitt said that a Google telephone service could be made to link with the Google search engine, which already conducts half of all internet inquiries made around the world. A surfer looking for a clothes retailer could simply find the web site and click on the screen to speak to the shop.
When Google positions its brand to own the conversation about internet telephony, what might they possibly call that? Hello!
Levi’s new advert, planned for Valentine’s Day, is an excerpt from Shakespeare’s romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, complete with original Shakespearean dialogue, according to a report in the Telegraph.
Although the language is complex and archaic, Levi’s says it is not worried that it will go over the heads of young jeans buyers.
“I think we underestimate young people today. Our research shows that they understand it immediately,” said Kenny Wilson, brand president for Levi’s Europe.
He said that Levi’s chose A Midsummer Night’s Dream as the basis for its new advertisement to be different and stand out: “It demonstrates independence and freedom of thought. Young people appreciate the fact that it’s not the same as anything else on television.”
Methinks it’s not the same old tits and ass.
In the ad, Bottom exits a factory walking past a gang of older men wearing unfashionably high-waisted jeans. One of the men says, “Bottom, thou art changed, what do I see on thee?”, as he grabs Bottom’s loose fit 501s.
The focus switches to Titania, a waitress sweeping up in a cafe, who says: “What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?” She is mysteriously drawn out on to the street towards Bottom, exclaiming, “Mine eye is enthralled to thy shape”. The ad ends with Titiana whispering to Bottom: “I love thee.”
As is often the case with commercials, it’s the outtakes that are really funny. Those conversant with A Midsummer Night’s Dream will recall Bottom’s quick-witted retort, “What do you see? you see an asshead of your own, do you?”
Trying to come up with a name for his blog, Mike Layden found that all of the good names were taken.
Which begs the question, “What do YOU call your blog?” Elliott Back, a student at Cornell, did a lot of numbers work with computers to figure out what the most popular words are in the names of blogs.
The top word, used in 9.986 percent of the blogs surveyed was “blog.” The next most popular, at 2.619 percent, is “life.” Here’s the top 10 words in a blog’s name:
1. blog – 9.986%
2. life – 2.619%
3. weblog – 1.841%
4. world – 1.296%
5. from – 1.226%
6. journal – 1.139%
7. news – 1.087%
8. thoughts – 1.039%
9. with – 0.670%
10. daily – 0.660%
This leads me to conclude that any blog named, “My blog/journal/weblog with daily world news and thoughts from life!” will be a smash hit.
He jokes, of course, but it’s an interesting exercise that highlights the point of naming and branding, which is to differentiate.
We had a little fun over the weekend, differentiating Jeremy Richey’s Blawg with a new and improved tagline description to replace: “This blog contains opinions and information about law school, the legal community, U.S. law, and other related topics.”
Do you get Full Moon Fever? According to Space.com, lunatic is number one of the Top 10 Luna-Terms.
Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. Those tribes of a few hundred years ago kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon.
These are the full moon names for 2005, derived from native traditions:
- The Full Wolf Moon — January 25
- The Full Snow Moon — February 23
- The Full Worm Moon — March 25
- The Full Pink Moon — April 24
- The Full Flower Moon — May 23
- The Full Strawberry Moon — June 22
- The Full Buck Moon — July 21
- The Full Sturgeon Moon — August 19
- The Full Harvest Moon — September 17
- The Full Hunter’s Moon — October 17
- The Full Beaver Moon — November 15
- The Full Cold Moon — December 15
European settlers followed their own lunar customs with crazy names. As a lunatic from the Great White North, I’m especially looking forward to getting some beaver tail in the nation’s capital during The Full Beaver Moon, which is sometimes translated as The Full Moon Beaver because of our two official languages.
Oh Lord won’t you buy me a AMG Coupe CLK 55: Mercedes has long named their car models using alphanumerics. It’s a system we’ve commented on before that is used by most luxury automotive brands (save Rolls Royce) designed to direct the bulk of brand equity to the Mercedes brand name rather than to a particular model. It’s very effective when you need consumers to remember three basic concepts and one or two specialty offshoots. Audi and BMW get there with the 4|6|8 and 3|5|7 designations, respectively.
Mercedes, however, is trying to get consumers to associate alphanumeric labels with nine-plus different ideas.
The bare basics are: C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLK-Class, CL-Class, SLK-Class, SL-Class, M-Class, G-Class, with a sprinkling of AMGs, SLRs, CDIs and MLs tossed-in where needed for greater obfuscation. And those are just the alpha vegetables in the alphanumeric soup.
Here is the whole 36-car pile up: C230 Kompressor Sport Coupe, C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan, C240 Luxury Sedan, C240 Luxury Wagon, C320 Sport Coupe, C320 Luxury Sedan, C320 Sport Sedan, C55 AMG, E320 Sedan, E320 CDI, E320 Wagon, E500 Sedan, E500 4MATIC Wagon, E55 AMG, S430 Sedan, S500 Sedan, S55 AMG, S600 Sedan, CLK320 Coupe, CLK320 Cabriolet,CLK500 Coupe, CLK500 Cabriolet, CLK55 AMG Coupe, CLK55 AMG Cabriolet, CLS500 Coupe, CLS55 AMG, CL500 Coupe, CL55, AMG CL600, Coupe, CL65 AMG, SLK 350 Roadster, SLK55 AMG Roadster, SL500 Roadster, SL55 AMG, SL600 Roadster, SL65 AMG, ML350 SUV, ML350 SUV Special Edition, ML500 SUV, ML500 SUV Special Edition, G500 SUV, G55 AMG, and SLR McLaren 4MATIC.
The vehicles are priced between $25,850 and $452,750, and the names do nothing towards differentiating one from the other; so bye-bye “envy” sales factor. Why pay a hundred and fifty big ones for a car that everyone thinks cost thirty? That’s no fun.
Cadillac, in its quest to muscle Mercedes aside has jumped into the fray with the vehicle “names” ESV, EXT, ETS, SRX and XLR, basking in the image mingling.
The only people crazy enough to learn and love the distinctions between the Mercedes C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLK-Class, CL-Class, SLK-Class, SL-Class, M-Class, G-Class, AMG, SLR, CDI and ML spend the remainder of their time playing “Prince of Persia, Warrior Within” on the Xbox and aren’t likely to purchase a car without parental consent.
Here is how some of the hairs are split:
C-Class Overview
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers more value and choice than ever before with the most models and body styles to choose from, and MSRPs starting under $30,000.
E-Class Overview
Offering European sophistication and performance, the exhilarating Mercedes-Benz E-Class combines the best of sedan luxury with the comfort of a wagon.
S-Class Overview
The premier luxury sedan in the world, the S-Class is the unparalleled expression of elegance, technological innovation, charismatic styling and pure driving pleasure.
CLK-Class Overview
Available in both luxury convertible and pillarless coupe models, the CLK-Class is one of the world’s most desirable and exhilarating forms of pure driving pleasure.
CLS-Class Overview
The CLS-Class redefines what a coupe can be. It offers expressive style, poised performance, a 4-seat cabin, but with four doors.
CL-Class Overview
The CL-Class is not just a distinctive and exclusive leader in the luxury coupe market. With its intense performance and refined style, it demands to be driven.
SLK-Class Overview
From its muscular stance inspired by Formula One racing to its athletic performance, the SLK-Class roadster delivers aggressive sports car styling and an exhilarating driving experience
SL-Class Overview
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the latest incarnation of an unmatched automotive legacy, combining unrivaled technological excellence, passionate performance and timeless elegance into flawless perfection.
M-Class Overview
The M-Class is an ever-ready companion whose exemplary design, comprehensive safety features and unmatched versatility make it perfect for active and adventurous lifestyles.
On the edge of your seat for the Mercedes definitions behind G-Class, AMG, SLR, CDI and ML? Of course not — it’s too much work and there’s no reward — two things luxury should never be.
Brett Yormark, the NASCAR executive who put together the $750 Million deal with Nextel, which is reported to be the largest sponsorship agreement in American sports marketing history, has been named CEO of the New Jersey Nets. It’s a sign of the times that his responsiblities as the chief executive officer are based on a track record in sports marketing.
Yormark will lead the business and marketing operations of Nets Sports & Entertainment, LLC, including corporate sponsorships, marketing partnerships and ticket sales. Yormark also will be responsible for developing the business and strategic marketing for a new arena planned for Brooklyn.
Anticipating the Nets’ move to Brooklyn in 2008-2009, what’s especially interesting to us is his vision for new naming and branding opportunities, as stated in a recent interview.
“I think Brooklyn could be the biggest story in sports marking in 20 years,” Yormark said. “Brooklyn is a brand in itself. I mean, this is ground-breaking stuff.
“I’m a salesman at heart. And when you think of naming rights for the new arena, it’s not really about branding an arena. It’s about branding a city.”
It’s surprising, when you think about it, that a such a naming and branding genius missed the mark here.
Posted: January 29th, 2005 |
Category: Uncategorized