Tetris and the Art of the Pack

So a little while ago I decided to write a book about packing your suitcase. No, I'm serious. It's like a mix of a ''how-to-book'' with a coffee table book feel, littered with thoughts, comments, and picures from various musicians. Today I just finished the 3rd (of many) photo shoots for the book with the band An Horse.

I'm pretty excited about the book, actually, I'm really excited, especially since I am starting to pick up some momentum with it. Anyways, all this to say I'll keep you posted as to how it's coming. Oh and the reason for the surveys in the past (and the new survey up now) is all directly related to the book, so thanks for doing them.

Speaking of the new survey... Tetris... you know the old school video game, how do you feel about it?

Doritos; Brilliant.

Have you seen the new marketing campaign for Doritos? The white bag with a huge money sign on it? They are offering anyone a chance to name this new flavor of chips... oh and if they choose your name, you'll win 25 thousand dollars and 1% future (Canadian) sales! That's amazing, but more importantly, what a brilliant way to market a new product! I don't even like Doritos, but I couldn't help but buy a pack. I just had to taste them and see if I could come up with a clever name?!

I also forgot that Doritos came up with the best superbowl ad this year too, and once again, it was also a contest. Smart. Competition brings out the best in people I suppose, and when you have the whole world of talent to draw from... I could be wrong, but it may also be easier to pay for good work here and there when you don't have to pay salary to a mediocre in-house ad man?

Side note: Sara and I have really gotten into the tv show Mad Men; So do you think that maybe my 'marketing senses' are becoming hightened because of this?

TAP OUT!

Do you remember when No Fear clothing was a big deal? Do you remember when cool No Fear stickers were all over cool cars and cool trucks? I getting a sense that we have a modern day No Fear creeping up on us, and maybe not so creeping up either. TAP OUT is the new No Fear, just look around you. Picture anyone you can think of that may have worn a no fear shirt in high school, chances are they are now wearing Tap Out and have a decal on the back window of their vehicle. Cool high school kids? Tap Out.

No Fear was a trendy little slogan that spawned a whole bunch of things, much of which coincided with sports. Timing was key for them as I feel this was in the early stages of the world's acceptance to 'extreme sports' (Dirt biking, BMX, Surfing, Skating...).

Now fast forward 10 or so years to the newest, not to mention the most trendy of sports, mixed marshal arts and you'll see Tap Out right in there... along with No Fear energy drinks, of course. Other companies associated with MMA are definitely around and doing well also but I feel Tap Out is hitting up the general market. Scrawners like myself are the ones wearing these shirts to look tougher or at least 'knowledgeable' in the 'arts'. Actual MMA athletes tend to stick to companies like Affliction or Warrior. OK, this isn't totally true, but it does seems this way.

I could go on for quite a while, but I'll just leave it at that, as this should be enough to get you thinking. Oh and don't get me wrong, I have nothing against extreme sports, or fast growing companies even, I'm just pointing out my what I see. Agree? Disagree? Any other companies unafraid to take the torch?

... and don't worry, I'll tackle energy drinks (including No Fear's) next blog.