Google it

How many times in the last week have you declared "I’ll Google it" about some unsolved mystery? Not Yahoo it, not Bing it, not search for it on the internet but Google it? A similar prompt this morning got me thinking about brands that have, over time, become part of the English language and the impact of brand genericization (which I’m assured is the correct term).

Think about it, do you have an MP3 Player or an iPod? Once a year (max), do you get out the hoover or the vacuum cleaner? Numerous brands have become synonymous with what they do and while some are still enjoying the leverage (eg Google, Coke, Tipp-Ex), others have wallowed away, victims of their own success – like Band-Aid, though Bob Geldof had already marked their card.

Escalator, thermos and aspirin were too once brand names that managed to define the product category, eroding the brand to a point where it lost its value. That said, Google is rapidly expanding into new areas, determined not to become a footnote in brand genericization history but instead with its sights set firmly on world domination. Like Pinky and the Brain, only funnier.

You don't know me

YOU DON'T KNOW MY BLOG

You don't know anything about it. You don't know what I write about or how frequently I post.
You don't why I started it nor where I'll take it. You know nothing of its traffic or engagement.
You don't know its bandwidth, its mobile performance, its page rank. You haven't got a clue how fast I type, what blogs I like or how many inbound links I have. You don't even know how I came up with the name.

BUT YOU WILL

Ad Reel - WKD Missus Alert

Previous ad reels would suggest I only had access to a TV in the 1990's. But here we are in 2011 with WKD's latest TV ad, The Missus Alert.

For many it appears strange that WKD continues to market heavily towards a young male audience, considering alcopops are predominately consumed by females (in my experience anyway, I can't seem to find any consumption patterns online). That said, their lad-focused ads - across all channels - driven by the slogan 'Have you got a WKD side?' strike all the right chords with the target audience and no doubt influence conversation in bars up and down the country.

The Missus Alert is predictably cheeky but funny, though I look forward to seeing how it affects buying behaviour...

Football on Facebook

Ascot and Wembley, two famous names in sport. Over the past week however, the buzz has been focused away from the racecourse and the iconic arches and levelled at non-league sides Ascot United and Wembley FC. The reason? Last night they became part of broadcasting history, playing in the world's first football game shown live on Facebook. It also kicked off this season's FA Cup, and Budweiser's lead partnership couldn't have got off to a better start.

As I had the pleasure of working on this I should state that all views are my own (cover all bases, increasing bandwidth by the second). Exciting to work on for sure, though the football boy inside me was just as excited as the PR man.

The initiative has certainly had its fair share of column inches and kicked off thousands of conversations online this week. The big question as we approached D Day of course, would it live up to its billing?

As it was Ascot's first time in the FA Cup, you may have expected an uplift in attendance - it averages about 90 supporters for league games. Last night 1,149 crammed through the gate, a would-be decent level for any Conference side. While those in the crowd picked up a free burger and had the chance to take a penalty on Dave Beasant or be photographed with Old Big Ears himself (The FA Cup, not Gary Lineker), even more impressive was the 27,000 who tuned in to watch it live on Budweiser's UK Facebook page.

The coverage certainly didn't disappoint. Production levels were slick (I had five monitors in front of me to be sure) and the commentary was brilliant; well researched and showing a real reverence and understanding of the FA Cup. The game itself had everything; goals, drama, a penalty, hope and a late winner (Wembley FC eventually going through).

The reaction has been quite incredible - one look at the Budweiser Facebook page will tell you that. Thousands of tweets praising the idea, FA Cup trending and a real sense that the magic may be back.

Ascot United may have lost the tie but in reality there were no losers, only winners. Ascot United take in record gate receipts. Both clubs take a hefty punch of the broadcast fee. The FA has seen coverage of the Extra Preliminary Round skyrocket, column inches that would be unheard of for this stage of the competition any other year (or even for later rounds at that). Budweiser has clearly enhanced its reputation in seven days, especially over the past 24 hours and gone some way in dispelling any scepticism over a US partner to The FA Cup.

Facebook too will be analysing the data closely - last night proved there is a willing audience for football on Facebook and the largest social network in the world has the ability to provide an alternate and viable broadcasting platform for sporting events. Indeed with its 700m user base, it makes a very attractive proposition for sports bodies.

A busy week culminating in a moment of sporting and broadcasting history, serving as a timely reminder of the magic of the world's oldest knockout competition. Keep your boots by the door, the magic of The FA Cup lives on...

Bringing the Rubik's Cube back

I hate when blogs / sites are left static for long periods without any prior warning or acknowledgement as to why. "Where is this elusive London Brodge?" I hear you scream. "We need to hear more of his anecdotes" cry the masses.

Don't worry, London Brodge is alive and kicking, merely kept at bay by a big office move and lots of late nights watching the news and standing guard outside (inside) my flat. That and my Rubik's Cube arrived from Amazon on Tuesday...

Dennis the Menace takes over 'Gnashional Trust'

Probably my favourite story of the year to date and rather conveniently it had its roots in my agency - the National Trust recruiting Britain's best loved comic The Beano to help change perceptions of the organisation and prove that its doors are open to all.

In the latest issue, Dennis the Menace, his faithful hound Gnasher and rest of the comic crew run riot across 300 National Trust properties and 600,000+ acres of land, conquering castles and causing general mayhem across a variety of gardens and estates along the way.

The marriage of two iconic British brands is a win-win for charity and publisher, and serves as a healthy reminder to children of the great British outdoors whilst also providing a colourful lesson on their history and heritage.

The special edition collaboration has also caused quite the media stir and it will be interesting to see the impact it has/had on comic sales and the footfall of youth it drives to National Trust properties. I've certainly got my copy and will be keeping an eye out for decoy Dennis the Menace shaped hedges at Britain's best renowned landmarks this summer...

Ben & Jerry's Festival London

The best picture I've ever taken
Just when I thought it was time to remove the nifty London tab above, Ben & Jerry's Double Scoop Sundae came along at Clapham Common. As I work with Ben & Jerry's and our agency put the festival together, the weekend's events came as no surprise to me and erm, I should also state that all views are my own (a well trafficked blog like this needs to cover all bases).

Seven years running now the event has sold out in Clapham Common, each year bigger than the last. This year saw 30,000 flavour fans (yes I'm in work mode) take to the Clapham grass for a weekend of sun, fun and ice cream, with a sprinkle of music from Maximo Park, Ocean Colour Scene and Ash amongst others.

Removing my work hat for a minute, this is an absolutely brilliant day out, whether with friends, family or erm, partner, and incredibly good value at that - £17 for the day with all activities and ice cream completely free. While the line-up will differ to what's on offer at Glastonbury or Reading as examples, it always seems to feel just right and this weekend's bill proved no different, capturing that familiar buoyant spirit. Any of those 15,000 people singing The Day We Caught The Train back to Ocean Colour Scene on Saturday will no doubt testify to this. Added to that, there's the Helter Skelter, Vauxhall City Farm, Carousel and Children's Play Area to keep the kids amused and a bar for those a little older and more wise (or seasoned perhaps).

No doubt a huge driver of brand advocacy (one look at the Facebook page will show you that), the festival also gives something back to the community and brings people together in a way that I don't believe any other festival can. A place like no other, where the line between the first ever Ben & Jerry's mosh pit and a sibling squabble for a better view are more than a little obscured...