SavvySugar

H.S. Valedictorian Paid to Promote I Love You, Beth Cooper

SavvySugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:30:21 -0700

Nearly $2,000 is a lot of money for an 18-year-old headed to college. The marketing executives for Twentieth Century Fox used this fact to their advantage when they created what they considered a viral concept for the film I Love You, Beth Cooper.

As BuzzSugar relays, the teen comedy opens with a valedictory graduation speech that includes a profession of love for a popular girl at school. The marketing company for the movie thought re-creating this moment in a real graduation ceremony would create a viral buzz online, and 18-year-old valedictorian Kenya Mejia of Alexander High School in Los Angeles was paid $1,800 to play actress for a day.

At the end of Kenya's speech, the future M.I.T. freshman said, "I cannot let this opportunity just pass by. I love you, Jake Minor!" The crowd cheered and Jake stood up cheering, too. The moment was a big one for someone who considers herself "the biggest introvert ever" and it earned her a nice chunk of pocket change, but the incident didn't create enough of a buzz to make the movie a success. It doesn't sound like Kenya will have much trouble in that regard, however. She's already taking classes in preparation for Fall semester.

Recession Billboards Encourage Optimism

SavvySugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:30:44 -0700

An anonymous East Coast donor was so bummed about the way the country was reacting to the economic downturn, that he decided to take action in the form of an optimistic advertising campaign. Members of the Outdoor Advertising Agency of America have donated the space, printing materials and labor needed for the campaign which has been dubbed Recession 101. Designer Charlie Robb explained, "The client wanted people to realize the country has been undergone recessions before and made it through."

The campaign began in Rhode Island and more than 1,000 billboards now appear across the country. Check out the messages some drivers are seeing in the gallery below. Have you noticed any in your area?

To see additional photos, read more.

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Match the Brand to Its Value-Oriented Slogan

SavvySugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:30:30 -0700

Consumers are determined to find value during the recession, and naturally advertisers have responded by slinging value-oriented slogans. Have you been paying attention to the in-your-face ads in magazines and on TV? Take the quiz to see if you're able to match the brand to its slogan.

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Brilliant or Baffling: The Wearable Towel

SavvySugar — Sat, 30 May 2009 08:30:15 -0700

Robes certainly have their fair share of critics these days. First, the Snuggie took over the infomercial waves with its robe-hating message, and now, the Wearable Towel ($20 + S&H) is on the Summer scene making claims that robes are just too heavy and hot. According to the infomercial, its leg up on regular old towels is that it "gives you the freedom with your hands" while staying totally covered.

The straight-forwardly named product has no fasteners - it's simply a cotton towel with arm openings that make it possible to wear it in two different ways. Worn "tunic-style" or "toga-style," the infomercial claims it's perfect for activities like getting the paper and ideal for wearing before a swim. What do you think of the Wearable Towel - is it brilliant or baffling?

Obama Lays Down the Law on Free Credit Report Ads

SavvySugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:26:10 -0700

The original jingles for FreeCreditReport.com couldn't save the website from getting scrutinized by the law. The credit card reform bill signals a score of changes for the credit card industry and more, as demonstrated by the action taken against the scammy credit report site.

Notoriously, FreeCreditReport.com advertised its ironically named service through commercials that led consumers to believe credit reports ordered on the site were actually free. Too many trusting customers used the site expecting to receive their free report, when in fact they had to sign up for a $15 per month credit monitoring service before accessing a "free" report.

Under the new law, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will issue revised rules that mandate advertisers to acknowledge AnnualCreditReport.com as the only place for a free credit report. Expect the new FreeCreditReport.com radio and TV commercials to include this statement: "This is not the free credit report provided for by Federal law."

Were you ever a victim of the misleading advertisements?

Have You Ever Purchased Something From an Infomercial?

SavvySugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:01:27 -0700

Late-night infomercials can cause people to act out of character and buy things over the phone that they don't really need. Have you ever fallen prey to the often-convincing advertisements?

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FTC Calls Out Lies in Free Credit Report Commercials

SavvySugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:30:43 -0700

We've all heard the silly, catchy commercials for the hidden-fee-ridden FreeCreditReport.com. The Federal Trade Commission wants to ensure consumers aren't paying for something they can get for free - in this case, credit reports.

You are eligible for three free credit reports every year, one from every credit bureau, and you should access the reports from FTC-approved AnnualCreditReport.com. The FTC has released its own commercials in response to the misguided "free credit" opponent - the spots aren't sensational, but they serve their purpose. Check out one of the parodies in the video below, and remember to steer clear of sites other than AnnualCreditReport.com.

Brilliant or Baffling: Snuggie, the Blanket With Sleeves

SavvySugar — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0800

Have you noticed there's been a whole lot of gab about a blanket with sleeves lately? The Snuggie ($19.95) has taken the infomercial scene by storm, though it's not the first invention of its kind. Two other blankets with sleeves were on the market for a few years before the Snuggie appeared in 2008.

The Snuggie has obviously captivated many, as four million units have sold since advertisements started rolling in October. The ads are memorably over the top, and Scott Boilen, president and chief executive of the company that makes the Snuggie, said, "We had seen products like these in catalogs for a while - even before the Slanket came out, I think. And we thought if we could put a clever commercial behind it and offer it at a better value price, then people would buy it."

What do you think of the blanket with sleeves - is it brilliant or baffling?

How Money Are You: Celebrity Endorsements Gone Bad

SavvySugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:30:16 -0800

Reputation can play a big role in your professional life, and nobody can attest to this more than celebrities. Last week we heard about Michael Phelps losing his endorsement deal with Kellogg's because of his bong behavior, but the young swimmer is hardly the first celeb to have deals pulled because of a bad rep. Do you know which other celebrities have been involved in short-lived endorsement deals?

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Are Super Bowl Ads Worth the Money?

SavvySugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:30:46 -0800

Every year at game time, advertisers commit millions of dollars for 30 short seconds of commercial airtime. They have a guaranteed audience of Super Bowl viewers, and the expensive ads have come to be a part of the overall tradition - people often talk as much about the ads the next day as the game's outcome. What do you think, are they worth their weight in ad dollars?