One of the more subtle consequences of GM’s plan to shutter 1,100 dealers is the huge amount of ad dollars that will be disappearing from the local markets they serve. Many small to midsize agencies specialize in and depend on work from car dealers. Admittedly, these commercials are universally obnoxious but the fallout in the media industry will be much worse.
Navteq, who enjoys a near-monopoly on embedded maps, has launched an ad network in Europe offering advertisers a chance to target users of navigation devices and mobile phones based on their location. The Nokia-owned company is calling the new platform LocationPoint. Ads on the platform can offer users real calls to action, for example: click to search, click to call, click to navigate and click to coupon.
LocationPoint offers a new way for clients to license Navteq’s map data greatly expanding the company’s pool of potential clients.
Vespa is selling their biggest scooter yet with a series of ads featuring hefty people and their helmets. It’s mildly offensive but gets the point across. More ads at Copyranter.
This 3d model superimposed in your webcam video is a neat trick. Jack Links Beef Jerkey is using it to bring Sasquatch to your iPhone (or printer) with Living Sasquatch. I’m not sure how it sells beef jerky but I am sure that tons of flash developers at agencies of all sizes are selling it to clients right now.
General Mills has launched a new website, MyBlogSpark, that helps them distribute free products and coupons to bloggers who frequently run giveaways for their audiences. MyBlogSpark currently has more than 900 bloggers, more than 80% of which are mothers.
Bloggers are seen by some as wildcards, amateur journalists with no formal code of ethics or editorial integrity. General Mills is asking members of MyBlogSpark to consult with the site before posting negative reviews. From the site: “If you feel you cannot write a positive post regarding the product or service, please contact the MyBlogSpark team before posting any content.”
Even if its approach is somewhat flawed, General Mills is ahead of the curve for a company of its size. MyBlogSpark is an interesting experiment to watch, and if it works, one to copy.
Agency Layoffs