Just because marketers are jamming Christmas down our throats earlier and earlier, it doesn’t mean Thanksgiving is going to get here any sooner. That’s unfortunate for Black Friday shoppers, who are already lining up.

Too bad retailers have taken the emotional storytelling out of their creative work. Instead of engaging consumers with a connection or experience that makes them think positively about a brand, marketers are falling back on uninspired work this holiday season.

Maybe that’s because the marketing industry’s confidence level in the economy is depressingly low, at least according to a new poll from Worldwide Partners, an organization of over 80 indie shops.

Still, what can you say? Consumers are crazy for a good door-buster deal. Like Justin Bieber at Macy’s crazy.



Perhaps if you’re out early, you can swing by McDonald’s and grab all those early bird shoppers some egg McMuffins. The fast food chain is looking for a new supplier for its morning breakfast menu, as it will no longer accept eggs from Sparboe Farms, one of the biggest egg distributors in the U.S., which is now at the center of an investigation after it was caught committing significant FDA production violations. Target has also dropped Sparboe from its store shelves.

Southwest has nothing to hide from the cameras. In fact, the airline is the new subject of a TLC reality program that will let the network and audiences onboard and behind the scenes.

From investigative journalism to brand journalism, Brian Solis explains how to do it, and more importantly, do it successfully.

Brand journalism might not have nailed a spot on Optify’s list of its 12 marketing predictions for 2012, but social media sure makes a strong showing.

Speaking of social, online discounter LivingSocial is expected to raise at least $200 million this week in hopes of developing further products that differentiate the company from other daily deal platforms.

We’re not sure what the deal is with NBC, but after leaving the network’s cult-favorite “Community” off its midseason schedule, fans of the show have waged war, vintage-propaganda style.

Meanwhile, the city folk of Vancouver hoped to get Curly Fries—aka: the “People’s Fry”— into the mayoral election this past weekend, reports the Curly Coalition of Canada. Unfortunately, the viable candidate was denied entry. In the end, the city re-elected Mayor Gregor Robertson. If only Curly Fries fans had better communicated their stance on the real issues—we’re sure they would have garnered more support.

Everyone could learn a thing or two about communication from University of Oregon fans. Seems in American Sign Language, the “O” athletes and crowds make with their hands in support of the team has quite the different message.

While Occupy Wall Street’s message has made us all aware of the staggering difference between the 99 percent and the 1 percent, something you might not know is that within latter group, 68 percent of sons work at their father’s company.

We’re not sure about daughters of the 1 percent, but no matter whom you’re born to, it’s safe to declare that some kids are just born evil. (via The High Definite)



And no matter what company you work for, there’s something to be learned about PR from the 99 percent. In fact, Forbes outlines six things.

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