Be Careful What You Click.

Be careful what you click. Re-marketing means you're being watched and followed on your computer

I’m being watched.

I’m being followed.

I’m being trailed and I don’t like it.

I didn’t realize how slyly it was all happening of course but one day, I innocently went to the online site of a retailer of shoes (Zappos.com, looking for a pair of Skechers).

I found a pair that I liked, but I wasn’t ready just yet to click on to the check-out page to buy the shoes.

I left the site and for weeks now, the company has been trying to sell me that pair of shoes every chance it get. Whenever I open up one of their unrelated partner websites there’s a banner headline and advertisement.

They catch me when I open up any number of well known sites and lo and behold, there usually at the top of the page is an ad for those shoes. Again and again.

Is it a coincidence? Not at all.

Turns out this behavior has a name, remarketing. And I wasn’t the only one who has been remarketed.

Turns out none other than The New York Times plastered a similar story to me being followed right on the front page this week under the heading, “Seeing That Ad on Every Web Site? You’re Right, It’s Tracking You.”

Can you say “Big Brother is watching you and you don’t like it and you can’t do anything about it?”

Be careful what you click. Because remarketing is a remarkable way for marketers to get a second chance to sell you…and a third chance…and a fourth, fifth, sixth opportunity to get you to buy, and on and on.

My remarketing experience has literally been ‘one really big shoe’ pain in the foot.

Think about traditional shopping experiences. You walk into a shoe store (as I happened to do this week). A friendly salesperson comes up you (as she did to me) and offers to help you as she sees you browsing. Perhaps you politely say, “No thank you, but right now I’m just looking.”

End of discussion. No pressure. The salesperson doesn’t follow you from the shoe store to the furniture showroom and then stop to ask you if, before you look at furniture, whether you are now ready to buy that pair of shoes that you were looking at earlier in her store, does she?

Of course she doesn’t. Yet that’s the way it has been on the Internet.

Remarketing on the Internet is a growing phenomenon used by major marketers and advertisers. Some industry analysts are saying that this concept goes too far.

It’s a little eerie to be followed like this. Watching what I almost buy on one page and then catching me on another page. Gotcha. And gotcha again. I wonder how effective it all is.

Be careful what you click: Marketers are being sly, as they continue to try, keeping an eye, on what you’re looking to buy

Bottom line: Remarketing sounds like an Internet marketing click trick that’s sick and hopefully won’t stick.

Sweet 'N Low: Pouring Out a Sweet Advertising Campaign.

Sweet 'N Low Sugar Substitute pours out a new, cool, pink, hip, psychedelic advertising campaign.

The news recently that Sweet 'N Low was changing its advertising (and ad agency) again made this writer think about their ad campaign from 2010...

Psychedelically speaking, the new Sweet ‘N Low advertising campaign is one big high.

Think Woodstock. Think cool. Think hippies. Think maybe the feeling of something even illegal?

One thing’s for sure, Brooklyn, New York based, Cumberland Packing, the company responsible for creating and manufacturing Sweet ‘N Low Brand Sugar Substitute is definitely sweet on high class marketing and advertising.

It takes a smart client to buy an advertising campaign that’s innovative, breakthrough, clever, original, you name it, man.

It also of course takes a smart advertising agency to create a campaign that breaks through the clutter. Mother NYC is the unusual name of the ad agency that won the account for Sweet ‘N Low and developed this winning work.

Through the years, Sweet ‘N Low has had a number of different advertising campaigns. Recently they utilized the Pink Panther character to get consumers to think pink.

Regis Philbin was a spokesperson for the brand as well.

Decades ago, long time radio host and comedian Joey Adams (husband of gossip columnist Cindy Adams) was the voice of Sweet 'N Low.

The new psychedelic Sweet ‘N Low advertising campaign is starting to be seen nationwide, including in publications, the company website, on huge billboards and even on bus shelters.

Of course it’s hard to say how much more Sweet ‘N Low Sugar Substitute packets will be sold based on the new advertising campaign.

Just don’t be surprised to maybe see some cool looking dudes or hippie-types standing in front of one of those big psychedelically inviting bus shelter Sweet ‘N Low advertisements and inhaling it all in.

...All that being said, it'll be interesting to see how their new Sweeter World ad campaign takes hold.
 

The View to Return With a New View.

The View to returns with MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace and Actress Rosie Perez. 

Talk about Hot!

Just a couple of days after the unofficial end of summer, TV’s The View comes back with a big news announcement that their new panel will include Nicolle Wallace and Rosie Perez, joining Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie O'Donnell.  

When it comes to generating it's own hot topic news, The View is right up there. Whether it's a new logo, new set design or the departure of executive producer Bill Geddie, when The View talks, the media covers. Of course, there's been no shortage of speculation all summer who would take over following the departure of  Barbara Walters, Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy all of whom left the show earlier this summer. 

The new season begins September 15th. No doubt, since they haven’t been on for more than a month, there will be lots of Hot Topics to catch up on, from the Mid East challenges to 2016 politics.

Sounds like the audience will indeed once again take a little time to enjoy The View.

Howard Stern: Reminiscing Rodney, Milton, Buddy and other Legends of Comedy.

Comic Robin William's death recalls other legendary comedians from the Howard Stern guest list

The announcement last month that actor/comedian Robin Williams has died following an apparent suicide was tragic.

The well-known comic unfortunately has joined a list of names that sadly and coincidentally share one famous name in common.

William's death makes him another of the terrifically talented comedians who have been guests on Howard Stern’s radio program and then, sadly, died. According to Howard, Robin was a guest early on in his career.  Howard reminisced how he regretted not allowing Robin to do this thing, instead treating him like a "prop." 

The current news that frequent guest comic Joan Rivers is still hospitalized makes one think about  other Stern show guests who have met tragic and untimely endings.

The announcement a few years ago that comedian Robert Schimmel had died due to an auto accident was sad.

The well-known comic unfortunately has joined a list of names that sadly and coincidentally share one famous name in common.

Schimmel’s and Williams' deaths them two  of the terrifically talented comedians who have been guests on Howard Stern’s radio program and then, sadly, died.

Sam Kinison was a popular guest on Stern’s early years in New York. Until he died.

Rodney Dangerfield may not have gotten any respect in life but with Stern, he was always treated with reverence and respect for the wonderful comedian that his was. He was a frequent guest until he died.

Until he passed away, Mitch Hedberg was another comic name from the past of the Howard Stern guest list.

Perhaps you may even remember hearing an appearance of famed Borscht Belt comedian Buddy Hackett on the Howard Stern program. Hackett died in 2003.

Comedian Soupy Sales took thousands of pies in the face during his long career and took lots of jabs from Howard Stern especially when they both shared airtime on WNBC-660 Radio in New York City. Before and even after Soupy died, Howard admitted to being a big fan of the pie-in-the-face- star.

The fact is, Howard Stern has been a big fan of some of the great names in the world of comedy and many of the industry’s biggest and best names have passed through his studio before they passed away.

Milton Berle appeared many times, talking about what Howard and Milton didn’t share.

Grandpa Al Lewis was a semi-regular.

Other funny folks who appeared while they were alive included the legendary Bob Hope, Saturday Night Live’s Gilda Radnor, “Tiptoe Through the Tulips’”Tiny Tim and comic-actor Richard Jeni, among others.

No doubt while sharing a microphone with Howard Stern, some of comic legend’s George Carlin’s “7 dirty words” tried to make it on the air…only to be bleeped.

One thing’s for sure, while they were alive, no comedian ever died while being interviewed by the King of All Media, Howard Stern.

Bring back to Broadway: Green Day's American Idiot

Green Day's American Idiot--Broadway supercharged rocking and rolling musical with a blast of a cast. Will it return to the stage?

Unfortunately, one phenomenal Broadway show has left the stage.  Read about it and you'll see why it should make a comeback: 

You want explosive entertainment? Are you ready to be rocked AND rolled in your seat?

In the confines of one elegant Broadway theatre, there’s a sound and light theatrical show that’s louder, more vibrant and definitely more entertaining than even watching that outdoor high-impact sound and light extravaganza that takes place in Times Square every New Years Eve.

From the very first beat and laser flash, American Idiot is a non-stop 90 minute (no intermission) power surge of physical raw talent inspired by the Green Day punk rock album of the same name. It’s a theatrical experience that you’ve just got to experience.

Every decade or so seems to have its Broadway musical theatre stand-out that works to capture the mindset and lifestyle of a certain generation. That said, what Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma’ was to its era, what ‘Grease’ meant, what ‘Hair’ created, what ‘Rent’ showcased—now it’s time for ‘American Idiot’ to musically track the kids of their day and see where they’re headed.

The simple story of American Idiot follows a group of young people from the suburbs to the city then off to war and back again. They travel through life on a musical carpet ride fueled by Green Day’s high powered ‘punkeriffic,’ kick-ass songs served up with more Broadway show-stopping energy than you can imagine and that your ears may even be able to handle. ‘American Idiot’ is not your ordinary chorus line singing and dancing show. We’re talking heart-pounding, room-thumping entertainment that almost feels like the audience members should be strapped in with seatbelts to avoid the on-stage turbulence.

The musical menu is a non-stop blast. From the introduction “American Idiot”, to the emotion of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “21 Guns” to the inspiring “We’re Coming Home Again,” each of the Green Day sounds really catches fire.

And if you’re old enough to think about Peter Pan flying around the Broadway stage, all I can say is Mary Martin never punk-rocked “I’m Flying” anywhere like the twisting, turning duo you’ll witness.

So, are you ready to grab hold and join the loud crowd? Good. ‘American Idiot’ is blasting off at the St. James Theatre on West 44th Street and it will make you feel that you’re sitting right in the wake of the rocket’s blast-off.

Hold onto your seat…or maybe even your ears.

Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ shoots off a musical explosive blast, powered by a remarkable raw talent cast.

Hopefully, it's make a return engagement sooner rather than later.  

Getting Ready for Season 14 of American Idol.

American Idol, the Fox reality-show money making machine is still months away from its January 2015 season premier but the American Idol press and marketing multi-media machine has been working at a fabulously feverish full time pace. 

 The show's upcoming 14th season may make it the granddaddy of reality singing competitions but this former ratings blockbuster is certainly not  considering itself the senior citizen of reality shows. Just when the news quiets down, wham, bam, thank you, the official judges were announced earlier this summer. Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. are on the show this coming season along with (no surprise) Ryan Seacrest as host.

American Idol media watching fans and news junkies can remember when the bulk of the summer news meant the coming and going of judges including Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi.   And when Simon Cowell announced he was not returning, his departure led many to speculate about the potential downfall of the American Idol franchise. Didn't happen nor did the ratings perspicuously suffer when Paula Abdul and long time 'ol reliable  Randy Jackson left the judging table.  And remember Steven Tyler?
 

So who’s officially back at Camp Idol? ‘Ol reliable Randy Jackson returns, and after signing a new contract last year, it’s Seacrest In—Ryan Seacrest will be hosting again and looking to hold the American Idol talent and judging table team together. 
 

Reports have circulated naming a variety of potential judges taking over where Cowell, DeGeneres, DioGuardi and even Abdul have sat. For awhile, the news reported Howard Stern was in consideration. There were pretty much denials all around. 
 

Besides Elton John, Jennifer Lopez is reportedly in one day, out and then back in again. J-Lo could join S-Ty since Steven Tyler is another name that’s been speculated about of late most notably because they all have musical industry experience and American Idol is, after all, a musical entertainment program.
 

With the summer season 14 national auditions wrapping up, and the months of editing continuing, the "Camp Idol" weekly television audience awaits for the new season to hit the airwaves. 

The Emmy's seemed to ignore American Idol again this year. No problem. No doubt there will still be an audience of over 10 million ready to watch and electronically vote. With its huge weekly television audience and with tens of millions of dollars in marketing and merchandising at stake and behind the franchise, don’t expect to see any less interest, excitement, speculation or news about American Idol in the days, weeks and months leading up to the January 2015 premier.

 After all, this is American Idol.  

Which means that wherever in the media world there’s news to be heard, read or seen, expect to follow and tweet that American Idol news will be made.

Foods of the Famous.

Foods of the Famous: A new book serves up some quirky culinary peculiarities of "What the Great Ate"

I love being served up huge portions of information about new books.

From The New York Times Book Review to a publication called Book Page to online literary searches, reading about what new books and e-books have been published, and what’s about to come out is, well, simply delicious.

It all just whets my appetite for more!

Today, the marketing of any new book takes heavy servings of publicity, advertising, and public relations all served up with a big tasty portion of luck.

All of which just happens to be the entre into one new delicious book.

The book focuses on the quirky culinary peculiarities of some of history’s famous names.

I just happened to catch an inviting two-page spread in The Week magazine. The article was a smorgasbord of tasty morsels adapted from a 2010 book titled ‘What the Great Ate’ by Matthew Jacob and Mark Jacob. Published by Three Rivers Press, a division of Random House, the book takes a more than random look at historically famous icons and what they bit, chewed and swallowed down the hatch.

For example, everyone can recall the stories related to George Washington and his wooden teeth. We learn that Washington claimed his dental problems were due to his use of his real teeth to crack open walnut shells. Ugh! And Mr. Washington, the President, was known for having uncouth table manners, to the point of playing on the table with a fork and knife like a drumstick!

Maybe Martha should have sent George to his room.

Remember hearing about how Ronald Reagan kept a jar of jelly beans on his Oval office desk? I learned that his favorite jelly bean flavor is the same as mine: licorice.

This book explores the food and dining habits of a wide variety of famous folks from Thomas Edison (the story of what happened when he invited friends to a steak dinner is the kind of prank you’ll be glad you weren’t part of) to Apple computer founder Steve Jobs (can you guess what his favorite fruit is?) to General Dwight Eisenhower who in 1941 right after Pearl Harbor, made some vegetable soup to help him put his thoughts together.

The book is a genuine feast of huge dietary proportions. The menu of people who are served up in ‘What the Great Ate’ will fill you up. In fact, it will stuff you with a tremendous portion of stories and anecdotal information.

Take it from me; this is one book you’ll definitely eat up.

Bon appétit!