Donna's Promo Talk - Promotional Marketing that Creates Excitement and Gets Results

Jackson Five Singing Jackson Browne's "Doctor of My Eyes"

In memory of Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five here's a great version of Jackson Browne's "Doctor of My Eyes!". I can't remember ever hearing this before! Great cover!

Courtesy of Imeem.com.

Doctor My Eyes - Jackson 5

You can also listen to it here on YouTube.

HBO Promotes Season 2 of True Blood With Sweepstakes & Social Media Created by Vampires

I didn't get a chance to write a blog post yesterday because I was preparing for my daughter's graduation party which we hosted at our home. I believe it was a success and think that everyone had a good time. We were a bit anxious when some huge thunderstorms came rambling through late yesterday morning and some hail was reported. But it cleared up and ended up being a beautiful night.

I've been trying to write my Friday/Saturday posts about interactive promotions tied in with entertainment marketing since there as so many big moives released during the summer season. However, I already wrote earlier about the Transformers, Transform Your Dad, a big promotion Kmart did for Father's Day. The movie opened nationwide this past Wednesday instead of Friday and it's been way in the lead at the box office. So there really isn't another movie coming even close to it this week to report on.

What has been big this week is the start of the second season of HBO's TrueBlood which premiered last Sunday. HBO really used social media in some innovative ways to promote the return of season 2 such as creating a blog called BloodCopy which is written by true vampires and creating a microsite, The American Vampire League, which is all about protecting the rights of vampires. Then there is The Fellowship of the Sun which is the ministry created to protect their members against vampires. HBO also set up Facebook Fan Pages for each: here's the BloodCopy Fan Page, the AVL Fan Page and the one for Fellowship. Fans can follow them here on Twitter as well as various vampire character pages such as @SomniusX. Plus they have developed this BloodCopy Wiki.

HBO is running the Escape the Everyday Sweepstakes with a grand prize of $10,000 towards HBO, TV service, Internet, phone and so more courtesy of HBO. There are also instant win prizes consisting of the True Blood Season 1 DVDs, Fangtasia, Fellowship of the Sun and American Vampire League t-shirts and True Blood Logo mugs. The sweepstakes began on May 23 and ends July 3. 

To play the game you first have to choose if you want to be on the side of the mortals or the vampires. There's a viral marketing component to this as well where visitors can "Suck in Your Friends" by sending them an email post card inviting them to play or posting this widget on their Facebook page or many other social media options.

BMW's Mini teamed up with HBO with a co-branded print and digital ad campaign. Their Mini was one of several real brands being pitched to vampires. The campaign is comprised of national print, online and out-of-home outlets. The ads featuring blood-red versions of the Mini Cooper and Mini Clubman, have headlines like: "Feel the Wind in Your Fangs" and "Type GO." Digital ads ran on Yahoo, CNN, AOL, the TrueBlood home page on HBO.com, and the show's microsites.

Refections from a Mom on this Graduation Day

Today being Wednesday was my guest blogging day over at Lip-Sticking.com. It was also the day that we attended the high school graduation ceremony of my youngest daughter. So since I've been feeling a bit melancholy today I wrote about her in my post and how time keeps going by way too fast. So please hop on over and read it which also talks about some recent online visitation stats that comScore released this week that pertain to this season of gifting, whether it was Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduations or Weddings.

As I anticipated tonight I took many photos during and after the ceremony of my daughter and her friends. Many with her posing in groups with friends in their cap & gown and many of her with just one special friend. Some of these girls she went to school with since kindergarten and we've gotten to be close friends with some of the parents as well. Will we stay in touch? Perhaps with some, but it will not be the same. 

I thought the valedictorian did a great job tonight with her speech in which she talked quite a bit about relationships and questioning if they will stay in touch with their fellow classmates. I was thinking that they have it easier now since we didn't have Facebook and Twitter and blogs back in the day that I graduated. In fact many of us are just now reconnecting with our long lost high school classmates now after many years. Boy, how times have changed. 

My daughter attended an all female private school, so they were a small, close-knit class, even though there were specific groups that hung around with each other. The valedictorian made jokes about how they didn't need to worry about their appearance and could really be themselves because they were all just girls. She ended her talk using words from St. Gabriel, the Archangel "Do Not Be Afraid".  So, let us all remember that as we move forward in the pursuit of new opportunities and challenges that we face in our lives and in our business.

So congratulations again to my daughter, Alex, on her graduation day and here's to the next chapter in your life. We are very proud of the smart, young woman that you have become.

Wildfire's Online Promotions App Helps Promote AT&T's Favorite Foursome Sweeps on Facebook

I first wrote this post called Interactive Promotions Together with Blogs Create a Winning Combination back in February of 2008. Well now that social media has really gone mainstream, it's not just integrating promotions with blogs, but also with social networks like Facebook, which is now the largest social network, and Twitter, which has become the fastest growing web brand. Back when I wrote this post I coined the term "Social Sweeps" and I've seen quite a lot of these types of promotions make their appearance since then.

Interactive promotions are highly measurable and most of the time can be very effective when integrated with the right incentive, however they certainly can't achieve defined objectives if proper awareness of the promotion is not created. Well now this new company called Wildfire Interactive has created a web tool and Facebook application that can help do just that. With the Wildfire App you can create an integrated promotional campaign for your brand on Facebook, Ning, MySpace and your website that includes a sweepstakes or a user generated contest.

Wildfire is currently in beta and it's been by invite only. I requested an invite, so I'm on board and just dying to try out a first promotion utilizing it on Facebook. I've got a couple of small programs I'm working on that may be a good fit for this.

A current promotion that I entered and have promoted on my Facebook Page is for an adventure travel agency called Access Trips that's based in New Zealand. They are utilizing the Wildfire App to promote their Brazil Surfing Trip Sweepstakes. So I entered the sweeps and invited two of my friends on Facebook to join me if I win. Then I invited some of my other Facebook friends to enter the sweepstakes.

AT&T has integrated the Wildfire App into one of their big summer promotions. Up until just yesterday, June 22, golf fans could enter the AT&T “Favorite Foursome” sweepstakes to win a VIP trip for themselves and three friends to the final two days of the 2009 AT&T National Tournament, to be played July 4 and 5 at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD.

AT&T offered three different ways to get into the game. One was through mobile using any wireless carrier in which fans could text TRIP to 21234 to be automatically entered for a chance to win. They could also visit AT&T’s Facebook page in which they could enter using the Wildfire App and they could also choose to invite three of their Facebook friends to join their own “Favorite Foursome” and in exchange could get a special AT&T national sweepstakes graphic posted to their Facebook Wall.

The third method of entry into the Favorite Foursome Sweepstakes was by clicking through a banner ad at the AT&T Fan Zone web site and filling out an entry form there. The winner will be selected by a random drawing from all the entry methods and win four round-trip flights to Washington DC, two nights of lodging, transportation passes and access to the Grey Goose lounge at the event, and a $400 gift certificate redeemable at the competition’s Front 9 merchandise area, among other perks. I entered, so wish me luck!

The new twist that the Wildfire App brings to the promotion is the viral marketing component on Facebook. Those that have hundreds of friends on Facebook can promote it on their wall and very easily invite their friends. So I believe it is this type of brand awareness that is a perfect fit for social networks. If anyone would like more information you can contact me or Wildfire. I would be happy to toss around some ideas on how it may be a good fit with your marketing objectives and get one of these started!

Father's Day Photo Blog Sponsorship Giveaway

In light of Father's Day being tomorrow I'm writing this post regarding a Father's Day Blog Giveaway promotion. Now I usually don't do these sponsored posts because I write mostly to marketing folks about online promotions. But I thought that since these types of blog contests and giveaways are becoming so popular, why not see how they actually work. Plus, all of us marketing folks are consumers as well and the majority of us will be celebrating Dad's day in one way or another.

So this giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting.com who even sent me a jpeg image of their logo so I could easily include it in my post, so here it is. They are offering $250 in prize money and and a free 16"x20" Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print to the blogger that they randomly select who follows the criteria for entering. So far I've said that UPriting is the sponsor and I've included their logo. Now I have to post a photo related to Father's Day and include some captions describing it. Here goes:

This is a photo of my dad, Alfred, with me taken back in early March of this year. I went down to visit my parents who now live in the Myrtle Beach area for a long weekend and we had some beautiful weather. We're sitting out by the pool here in my sister Fran's backyard.

My father has been a hero this past year. He's been supporting my mom who has cancer and who had to go back on chemo treatment after a recent surgery to remove her gal bladder. So we're are all so grateful to my Dad for all he's been doing to help our mom and all that he will continue to do. My father has always been so strong and supportive during any major crisis in our lives. It was always the little stuff that we fretted over too much. We love you Dad!

So perhaps I'll win the top prize and get to take everyone out to dinner on my next visit down south. If not then at least my sister will hopefully show this to my Dad since he still doesn't have his own computer.

Now back to the promotion. I also have to tell you a little bit about our sponsor. UPrinting.com is a leading online provider of business cards, color brochures and mailing postcards. They started this Blog Sponsorship Program earlier this year and invited me to register, so I did. I didn't participate in their first promotion in which they gave away $100 last month. Now I wasn't going to participate in this one either, but they were persistent and sent me another email message that they were extending the deadline for Father's Day till June 29. The winner will be selected on Tuesday, June 30th, so wish me luck. The next one is a Summer Photo Contest, so stay tuned for that.

You can learn more about UPrinting and their Blog Sponsorship Program on their UPrinting Blog. They wrote that they weren't sure at first how bloggers would react, "but that all changed during March and April. Applications from those that had participated in our competitions and promotions began streaming in at an alarming rate." So if you're a blogger and interested in registering to participate in their Blog Sponsorship program you can here.

My fellow Kodak friends should take note of this promotion. Hopefull they'll see it posted on my Facebook page! Many other brands are starting to participate in social media marketing programs like this for bloggers. If anyone is interested in doing something like this please contact me. We have a great network of women bloggers and readers you can tap into through the Lip-Sticking.com network. And again, a Happy Father's Day to my Dad and to my husband, Kevin, and all you dads!

A Thanks To Dads Along With a Few Father's Day Promotions

Today is Wednesday, which is my day to blog on Lipsticking.com, and this Sunday, June 21, is Father's Day. So I thought I would write a post about Father's Day promotions that I know of in order to help celebrate dads.

First I wanted to update the Lipsticking readers about Kmart's “TRANSFORM YOUR DAD” promotion which I wrote about here in my last blog post. This is a integrated entertainment marketing campaign that Kmart developed that they've tied into the upcoming theatrical release of the film “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” which will be in theaters beginning on June 24.

After that I felt I had to write about at least one Father's Day promotion that has a golf-theme and I came across this one. McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants are celebrating Dad's day with a sweepstakes called "Something Special Fore Dad". One lucky dad will win the grand prize of a set of custom-fitted Titleist golf clubs and golf bag and a first prize winner from each restaurant will receive a free round of golf for two at any ClubCorp course. Entries are being accepted both online and in-restaurant. They are also offering menu specials during Father's Day weekend and a complimentary dessert for all fathers on Father's Day.

Also this weekend in honor of Father's Day, Wendy's restaurants will be giving 50 cents from the sale of every frosty to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. You can also purchase a Frosty pin for $1 each to support the organization. Or you can make your dad a Father's Day e-card at frostycard.com and 25 cents from each card will go to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

So I reminded all the women to not forget to make this Sunday a little special for the men in their lives. Plus I just want to say a quick thanks to my Dad for all the year's he's had to deal with a mostly female family... there's three of us girls and one younger brother. Now my husband has had it very similar with a house of females as well... two daughters, no son, just a male golden retriever. I wish a very Happy Father's Day to you both as well as to all the other great dads out there.

Kmart Promotion Wants to "Transform Your Dad"

Kmart is gearing up for Father's Day which is next Sunday, June 21 along with and the upcoming theatrical release of the film “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” . They're encouraging consumers to “TRANSFORM YOUR DAD” with a variety of merchandise along with a free movie offer good for two tickets when they make a $50 menswear purchase.

This new film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, is scheduled for release June 24th. Kmart kicked-off this multi-channel entertainment marketing promotion June 7 and plans to run it through July 4.

Kmart is supporting the promotion with a national television spot (in both English and Spanish) highlighting men’s apparel, the movie ticket offer and the film. The interactive promotional micro-site is where consumers can redeem codes for movie tickets, download “TRANSFORMERS­: Revenge of the Fallen”-themed content, watch movie trailers and purchase TRANSFORMERS merchandise.

For the second half of the promotion, June 22 – July 4, Kmart teamed-up with Hasbro to create a dedicated Transformers in-store destination boutique. “Headquarters for TRANSFORMERS" will be located in the front of each Kmart store which will include everything TRANSFORMERS: toys, video games, men’s and boy’s apparel, bedding.

Kmart also created synergies with fellow “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” movie partners: Burger King and Mars M&M's. Participating Burger King restaurants will distribute TRANSFORMERS toy and footwear coupons, redeemable at Kmart stores through its BK Kids Meal. Kmart will also be featured in its kids-directed “BK Adventures” newsletter and email newsletter. Mars will bring the cross-partnership with Kmart to life by creating “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen”-themed window displays and hosting in-store events at both the Kmart Penn Station and Astor Place, New York City store locations.

Additional support includes: circular ads, email blasts, signage, in-store radio and TRANSFORMERS-themed gift cards. And for the first time ever, Kmart created a 24-page movie-themed comic book which will be distributed in select theaters during the promotional period. The comic book is the movie adaptation of “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” and includes several Kmart ads highlighting the movie ticket offer and TRANSFORMERS licensed merchandise. It also contains a page of coupons designed to drive traffic both in-store and online. The Kmart partnership is being executed by Norm Marshall & Associates.

The Rochester Women's Network Celebrates Local Women & Names the 2009 "W" Award Recipient

I'm continuing my Wednesday gig as guest blogger over at Lipsticking.com. So today I wrote this post about an event I attended last Wednesday, June 3rd, which was all about women. It was The Rochester Women's Network (RWN) 4th Annual SPLASH! which was held at the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa. It was marvelous night with some 165 guests which consisted of enjoying some good food and drinks, visiting with friends, meeting some new friends and celebrating women. Since I'm the editor of the RWN's monthly enewsletter I really wanted to cover the event here on my blog as well. So here it is:

Part of the event was to not only acknowledge the RWN members who have worked so hard in pulling the event together, but also to honor the six "W" Award finalists and name the 2009 "W" Award Recipient. This esteemed award is given annually to a local woman who works tirelessly on behalf of women; supports and empowers women to learn, grow, and succeed by her example, inspires women through her courage, initiative and creative energy, and exemplifies a high standard of integrity and respect for others. Members of RWN first get to nominate women and then cast their ballot from the six finalists selected by the "W" award committee.

This year's six finalists were: Regine Calvar, Jackie Campbell, Catherine Cerulli, Ph.D., Sheila Gaddis, Esq., Angella Luyk, and Mary Catherine (Kitty) Van Bortel and the 2009 "W" Award Recipient went to Mary Catherine, 'Kitty' Van Bortel, President and General Manager of Van Bortel Subaru and Van Bortel Ford. She joins the illustrious group of past winners which include: Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Carol Love, Cynthia Herriott and Germaine Knapp, among others.

Jeff Hayzlett, Kodak's CMO, Talks About Social Media to Benefit the Rochester Ad Council

I've now been a guest blogger for Lip-sticking.com for the past nine months and have been contributing a post every other Wednesday. Well, this week I started my weekly schedule which will now consist of every Wednesday, with maybe a few exceptions here and there. I'm very honored to be one of the five women bloggers on this site and looking forward to continuing my contribution to this girlfriend community in which we cover topics on marketing to women including promotional and social media campaigns targeted to women.

Today was the annual luncheon of the Rochester Advertising Council which I attended as I have done for many years so my blog post on Lip-sticking was about this event. The Rochester Ad Council is an impressive organization unlike any other local Ad Council in the country. It connects many of the local non-profits to us marketing and communication professionals who donate our time and talents to help them with their marketing efforts. This annual luncheon is the organization's biggest fund raiser and has brought in some notable speakers in the past, such as the Domestic Diva herself, Martha Stewart who visited here two years ago as well as Rochester's Mayor, Bob Duffy who spoke last year.

This year's keynote speaker was Jeff Hayzlett, CMO and VP of Eastman Kodak Company who spoke about Kodak and Social Media. You can continue reading about Jeff's presentation here on Lip-sticking in which he totally engaged the audience very much.

I hope you all continue to follow me both here and on Lip-sticking and please feel free to contribute at either blog. I thank you for your continued support.

Bing, Microsoft's New Search Engine Arrives With a Wimper

Well the long awaited and much hyped new search engine from Microsoft is now live. Bing (formally known as Kumo) apparently went live yesterday while it wasn't supposed to debut till June 3. Why on a Sunday? Who knows. Since I wasn't on my computer much at all yesterday I just got a chance to try it out today.

It certainly has a nice design on it's home page and much different from Google's all white page. But then again since the Google search box is right in my toolbar I never see the homepage and really don't need to. I did do a very quick and surprisingly enjoyable search using Bing which is supposed to deliver fewer search results which are more-focused, especially with the video. Scrolling over the video results, prompts the videos to start playing in their windows. May not be great for those searching from their cubicles.

There have been a few people praising the new search engine such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak who said it “was the most astounding software demo I’ve every seen,” after seeing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer unveil Bing at the All Things Digital Conference last week. Search Engine Land says while it’s better than Live Search, it’s no Google killer.