Archive for January, 2008

Message on a Bottle

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco made news last summer when he issued an executive order banning San Francisco City and County governments from purchasing bottled water. The order was effective on July 1 and extended to a ban on water coolers by Dec. 1. Newsom made the decision based on economic and environmental factors, citing the environmental impact and the amount of tax payer dollars used to transport and dispose plastic water bottles.

The city of Ann Arbor, Mich. made the next move soon after San Francisco, barring city vendors from selling commercial bottled water at city events. Most recently in late January, Madison, Wis., a city partly known for its eco-friendliness is also considering a proposal to ban both bottled water and plastic grocery bags. City governments are not the only entities jumping on the no bottled water band wagon. Restaurateur and Iron Chef Mario Batali also put an end to bottled water at his Del Posto Ristorante in New York.

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Branding advice for Britney Spears

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

She may hold the title for biggest celebrity meltdown, but that doesn’t keep her from moving forward in the business world. Her new fragrance, Curious Heart, launched a couple of days ago.

Although it sounds like her marketing gurus have it under control with Curious Heart (in addition to traditional marketing they launched an online-viral marketing campaign) her public relations team is at the end of its rope.

Here are a few ideas to help turn the tables, and re-brand Britney into a life lesson.

    • Follow the steps of your mama: Write a book. How about the title “Toxic: How Not to Live Life - The Britney Spears Story.”

    • To support the book, go on Oprah and cry. Cry the entire show and beg for forgiveness. Then hand out Round Bounce Back Stress balls to the audience and discuss everything you learned in therapy about how to handle stress.

    • Tour the country and hold lectures giving an inside-look on being a celebrity.

    • Last but not least, stay out of the bars.

Obviously, she needs some serious help right now, but if she can get her act together she may be able to save face.

Personalized Wedding Favors: Memorable Gifts on a Budget

Friday, January 4th, 2008

 

A couple’s wedding is one of the most special and personal events in their relationship. Preparation and planning for months can be stressful, but it is important to remember who and what this day is for; you and your fiancé! One simple, yet important aspect of the wedding to keep in mind is wedding favors. Wedding favors, while small and simple, can be personalized to thank all attendees in a unique and inexpensive way.

The wedding favor tradition dates back to the Roman Empire. Italian wedding favors were originally in the form of metal, and of fruit and sugar-coated nuts. The sweetened Jordan almond was especially important because it symbolized hope and the bittersweet of marriage. Today, we still see remnants of the original Italian almond. These almond, ribbon and confetti wedding favors are typically wrapped in a small sachet and are now the almond is occasionally covered in chocolate.

Another wedding favor that was traditionally given out during the Elizabethan era was sugar cubes in glass boxes. These favors were called bonbonnière. At first, these gifts were only given by aristocrats because sugar was high in price, but over time, the price of sugar dropped, which allowed anyone to give these unique wedding gifts.

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