Wednesday
February 22, 2012

Everything Else.


Pinterest sparks creativity.

It is invitation only, unless you want to wait months for your formal invitation from the creator. Pinterest: it’s a virtual pinboard that lets you organize and share interesting things you find on the web. You can browse other people’s … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


25 years. 25 hours. A million thanks to e3communications!

Anniversaries can be important to a company and its employees, but often go unnoticed by the outside world. We wanted to make sure that didn’t happen to Crowley Webb. Our mission was simple – celebrate our 25th anniversary with a memorable … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , , ,


Twenty-Five Hour Workday in 3, 2, 1 go!

1/27, 10:04 am: You and Who liked the campaign! And we couldn’t be happier. Or tired-er. What an amazing opportunity for us at Crowley Webb to really know what we’re capable of when given a mission and a deadline. The folks … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Hello, my name is Moisés Chiullan, and I’m a cleaner.

Moisés Chiullan is the guy who took over marketing and sales for game product manufacturer N-Control from the now defunct Ocean Marketing. He’s been assigned the Herculean task of cleaning up N-Controls’ former PR representative, Paul Christoforo’s, customer service debacle, and … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , , ,


Souped up.

It was a hot and steamy Friday night at the Crowley Webb office. The air was thick with intrigue and onions. Something big was cooking, all right, and I was determined to find out what it was – even if … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Tuning out.

Do you have a pair of friends who are dating each other? It’s usually pretty cool. Until they get into a fight. Then it’s terrible, especially when they drag you into their little squabble. They make you listen to their … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


I wanna be, I wanna be like Tim?

If you follow the NFL, or have a pulse for that matter, you’ve probably noticed that most American sports fans have fallen under the enchanting spell and electrifying play of the once controversial Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Coming into … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , ,


“Believing” in engagement.

The Macy’s brand has been synonymous with the holiday season since 1924, the year of the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over the past three years, Macy’s has continued its holiday marketing with its “Believe” advertising campaign, inspired by a … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


Skip the media one-day sales.

Call me a skeptic. Call me strategic, research driven, and client focused. Just last week I received an email from “Good Buys Media” an online, flash-sale company selling – get this – advertising space for me to buy on behalf … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


M&T Bank Chairman named Banker of the Year.

American Banker, the most trusted source for news on the banking and financial services industry since 1835, named M&T Bank Chairman Mr. Robert G. Wilmers the 2011 Banker of the Year. Kudos to you, Mr. Wilmers – and the entire … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Right on Target.

A gift card is often regarded as a cop-out—a present you give when you can’t think of anything better. But Target’s new Bullseye Flyer gift card is a gift actually worth getting excited about. This creative contraption, designed by artist … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


17 days left to vote!

On Monday we opened voting for the three finalists for our Twenty-Five Hour Workday contest; Triad Recycling and Energy, You and Who, and Community Beer Works and, boy! The response has been amazing. A veritable frenzy of voting. As of this morning, … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Responsible advertising.

The recent sex abuse scandal at Penn State has us shaking our collective heads in disgust. We ask how Penn State officials and coaches could have let such horrific events happen for so long. We wonder what possesses a man … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , , ,


Selling the land of the free.

Being that it’s Veterans Day and all, here’s something that never really occurred to me – our country is a brand. I don’t know why this came as such a surprise. After all, everything else is a brand these days. Colleges. … Continue reading

Tagged with


The “Moneyball” of marketing?

In Brad Pitt’s latest box-office venture, he plays Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A’s. Beane uses sabermetrics, a type of statistical analysis that places more emphasis on a player’s contributions to his team’s success than sexy numbers … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


You must cease your trucking.

As the food truck debate rolls on here in Western New York, I can’t help but be utterly aggravated by the issue. On one side you have a set of spunky, upstart entrepreneurs (any of whom would be perfect candidates … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Let’s roll.

At Crowley Webb, we love any chance to show off our athletic abilities and have fun with our clients. Tuesday afternoon was filled with strikes, spares, and even a few gutter balls as we joined M&T Bank folks for a … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Hey there, sponsorship deals.

Pop culture quiz. Remember the song “Hey there, Delilah” by the Plain White Ts, circa 2007? Well, did you know that it was inspired by a real-life Delilah? Maybe you did, smarty-pants. But I bet you didn’t know that she’s … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


Sales in the toilet?

Yes, for those of you who still remember your high school Spanish, “Mano a Mano in El Baño” does mean “hand to hand in the bathroom.” More specifically, it refers to the duel between once-upon-a-time heartthrob Fabio and the Old … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


Think about this.

We are thinking this is pretty cool today. Google has created an online magazine, Think Quarterly. The first U.S. issue focuses on innovation. “In 2003, a total of five exabytes of data existed. Now we generate that every two days. We are, literally, … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Don’t-look-down-there wear fuels debate.

My husband keeps a copy of the United States Constitution in his car, and he reads it at red lights. Sure, he’s a lawyer, but there’s still no excuse for this level of nerdiness. Jabs at the hubby aside, I … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


Social media marketing: spending v. ROI.

This article by Fiona Swerdlow, head of research at shop.org, reports on a survey conducted to ascertain whether the money spent on social marketing strategies is recovered in sales. The answer: kind of. Retailers did not find Facebook or other social media sites particularly effective … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Commercial firsts.

We, as Americans and advertisers, have a pretty significant celebration coming up in July. I know, you’re thinking “Duh, the 4th of July…” but as Americans and advertisers we have something maybe even more exciting to celebrate. Seventy years ago, on July … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Movie phone.

Here is a beautiful short film, shot entirely on a Nokia N8 mobile phone. Incredible. Splitscreen: A Love Story was the winning entry in the 2011 Nokia Shorts competition. I’m always a sucker for the split screen effect, and here … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , ,


Dot-anything.

It’s “the most significant change to the Internet, really, since it was created,” says Peter Dengate Thrush, the person behind said change. Do we have you hooked yet? Good. The organization that oversees Web addresses, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


This is why we can’t have nice things, internet.

Halfway through writing this article, I started feeling slightly gluttonous since it’s my second consecutive entry that defends a fast food chain. But here we go. One of my guilty pleasures is reading the featured stories on Yahoo.com. Don’t judge me. By … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


USPS has it their way.

Here’s my question – do lawyers at major brands get a bonus if they exceed a litigation quota? A sue-mission, if you will? Because that’s my only explanation for this. The United States Postal Service has sued Burger King for negatively portraying mail … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Please make it stop.

About a month or so ago I saw this commercial for AT&T. I liked it. I liked it a lot. Saw it again, liked it again. Then I saw it three more times during some of my favorite shows that same … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Shoemaker seeing red.

If you’re like me, tottering around on 3.5-inch stiletto heels, and you love fashion, you undoubtedly are aware of – or maybe are even fortunate enough to own – Christian Louboutin shoes.
Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


It may not get better than this.

If you haven’t heard of the It Gets Better Project, it’s an effort started by a man named Dan Savage in response to tragedies involving gay teens who were bullied into suicide. Well, I hadn’t heard of it until I … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Things that disappointed me this week.

Let’s have a pity party.
Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Beer TV.

Who knows, maybe Bud can make your dreams come true.
Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


The poop on animal ads.

Are advertisers barking up the right tree when it comes to branding with critters?
Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


You now have zero connections.

This is social media Darwinism all over again.
Continue reading

Tagged with , , , ,


HD caffeine.

Brite will take care of the cup, coffee, and distribution by providing the sleeves to your geo-targeted selection of its network of more than 7,000 cafes.
Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , ,


Colorful ideas.

It seems like lately I have been noticing the name Pantone being advertised more – and not just for the color books we designers know and love
Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


When you’re here, you’re family?

The Olive Garden was recently outed in the press when an anonymous manager posted a statement revealing that their “Culinary Institute of Tuscany” is not a private chef school, but rather a hotel that the company rents in the off-season
Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Pay to say.

Slovakia Erects Country-Wide Paywall Charging for commenting? I don’t think so. What do you think?  Feel “free” to comment.

Tagged with ,


Google’s +1 share feature.

Google recently released their newest addition to Google search experience, the +1 share feature. It is essentially the “like” button for Google search results or, as the Google’s blog puts it, the digital shorthand for “this is pretty cool.
Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


PSAs have come a long way, baby.

It’s Wednesday night. You’re watching reruns of The Office. Life is good. Then it happens – the public service announcement. Sure, they’re usually promoting a good organization or cause. But Michael Scott’s ineptitude isn’t as hilarious when you feel guilty … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Awesome FB Fan Pages.

Inc. put together a list of 20 Awesome Facebook Fan Pages chosen from nominations by entrepreneurs, social media experts, editors, and Facebook.
Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


I love Franklin Gothic.

There’s a great article in the latest issue of Communication Arts about fonts, and which ones are favored by famous designers. There seems to be two schools of thought. Those who love the classics — Helvetica, Garamond, Bodoni — and … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Manage your social media.

When your business has a presence on Facebook (and it must have a presence on Facebook), you need to be savvy about managing your (potential) customers’ experience.
Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


This just in: your URL is too long.

Last night I saw a TV spot for overstock.com, which told me I could now find them at O.co. Which I suppose makes them nine characters more convenient. And that little move will probably net them a few million more … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


It’s beginning to look a lot like tax day!

I don’t know about you, but around the Low household, April 15 is eerily similar to that most jolly of holidays our nation celebrates at the end of December. We spend the weeks leading up to this special day preparing … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


This is too easy.

The story of an arson case in Iowa City has been spreading around the internet like, well, wild fire. It started when police released a sketch of a potential witness to the crime. And it just so happens to slightly … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Media Party math!

It’s time to party, media-style. So grab your calculators, kids – we’re going to do some Twittermath! According to Forbes, as of January 2011, there are nearly 200 million registered Twitter accounts tweeting about 110 million tweets per day. So, what happens … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


I think I’ll rent 8 Mile tonight.

Let’s face it, it’s Wednesday now and everyone’s over talking about Super Bowl commercials. So I’ll spare you my in-depth opinions on the creative merit of this year’s lineup. Instead let’s talk celebrity endorsements for a moment. There’s something I … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


I feel like an ad nerd during a Super Bowl timeout.

Just last night, forty or so Buffalo advertising professionals ventured out into the February nastiness to keep the Super Bowl magic alive and discuss, what else, the ads. The Buffalo Ad Club held its second annual Uber Bowl with superstar … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Weathermen = great marketers.

Let me start by saying, yes, I know weather prognosticators get a lot of flak. The accuracy of their work is always in question. They’re the butt of countless jokes. All in all, it’s not the most glamorous profession (though … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


I can’t wait for the Super Bowl (to be over).

Sunday family day? I’m not sure I remember what that is. What used to be an early-to-rise, out to breakfast, visit family and friends with the kiddos kind of day, has now become a wonderful 12-hour stretch with demands that often … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


This just in: Fast food is bad for you.

You might want to sit down for this one – your Taco Bell taco may not be authentic Mexican food after all. Actually, it’s debatable whether it’s considered “food” period. From the useless information section of the news comes the … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Friday Frivolity: Peeing is fun again.

Sorry ladies, this one’s just for fun-loving guys with full bladders. From the country that brought both genders the grass toilet seat comes – wait for it – urinal video games. Ah, what a time to be alive. That is, if … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Great news! (If you’re hot.)

I saw this article from Psychology Today posted on Facebook this morning. In case you don’t like to read, let me break it down for you – basically it says that attractive people are smarter than their ugly counterparts. I … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


Configuring your welding machine? Now there’s an app for that.

Move over, Shazam. Take a hike, Bejeweled. There’s a new smartphone application on the market, and it’s about to take the world by storm. Well, at least the welding world. We’re super excited to announce the release of a new … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


And that’s why Nike is Nike.

They say it’s not whether you win or lose – it’s how you play the game. Well, in that case, Nike came out of the college football national championship game brilliantly triumphant. No, their swoosh-clad Oregon Ducks didn’t raise the … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Burned into our brains?

Did BMW pull this one to impact a crowd of moviegoers or to generate a buzz afterward (which we’re now contributing to)? You decide.

Tagged with


All the cool kids are doing it.

This morning, Lady Gaga posted this on her Facebook: “Lady Gaga is dead. I will sacrifice my digital life to fight HIV/AIDS. No more updates little monsters until we buy life.” Her post then directed me here. Talk about a … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Thanks again, Thanksgiving.

Since reading our blog is the highlight of most people’s lives, I’m sure you all remember last year I complied a list of the things I was most thankful for. Well, Thanksgiving is back, and so is my list. Sure, … Continue reading

Tagged with


Who’s the crazy here?

a. The wide-eyed, cackling Target Black Friday lady, who puts herself through various ridiculous training sessions while wearing questionably fitting garb to ensure she’s ready to “win” at the Target 2-day sale this coming weekend. b. Target, which is clearly … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Take it down a notch, Activision.

I’m in a quandary, blog readers. I can’t decide how I feel about this commercial for Call of Duty: Black Ops. On one hand, it’s one of the most creative spots I’ve seen for a videogame (usually they show a few … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


I don’t know if I’m impressed or appalled.

So I was skimming through the latest issue of Ad Age, when I saw this ad for Kleenex. Excuse me, I mean Kleenex® Brand Tissue. According to a quick glance at Ad Age’s rate chart, that puppy cost them roughly … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Stuff I like.

The reason I haven’t written on here in half a year is because I’ve been saving all these goodies for the spectacular post that is about to be. So here are some random things I’ve stumbled across lately that you may … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


The most ridiculous thing I saw over the weekend.

Walgreens is suing Wegmans. Really? Come on.

Tagged with ,


Snookie and Rob Blagojevich as model spokespeople? Awesome Idea? Worst Idea Ever? You decide!

Paramount Farms, makers of POM and Teleflora, recently announced they’re going to use quasi-celebs Snookie (of Jersey Shore fame) and Rob Blagojevich (of Illinois political scandal fame) to promote their pistachios. I can only imagine the decision process to come up with … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


High def equals higher recall.

Interesting article about the permeation (and lack there of in certain categories) of high definition TV commercials. Check it out.

Tagged with ,


When theater of the mind goes horribly wrong.

I’ll admit it – it would be awesome to have OnStar in my car. And I’ve always thought their radio commercials were pretty good. You know the ones – where they use “real life” subscribers calling in to the service for … Continue reading

Tagged with


My how times have changed.

Anyone else click through Google’s logo tribute to the Flintstones last week? Among all the goodies, I stumbled upon this – which almost seems likes an ad from another planet. Or just the 60s.  

Tagged with ,


Cool bus wrap.

Found this yesterday. Pretty cool, huh?

Tagged with ,


Our thoughts are with you.

Today we were all saddened to hear of the tragic events of last night. It is almost unimaginable to think there were people shot down right at our place of business, in front of the doors we have passed countless … Continue reading

Tagged with


Oh, Google, you sly foxes.

Did you hear the big news? Google is changing the way advertisements appear in Google Images. (Gasp!) It’s true. The new format allows advertisers to include a thumbnail image along with text. Sure, Facebook already does the same thing with … Continue reading

Tagged with


Nice job, copywriter.

I saw this billboard for McDonald’s Premium Roast Coffee on my way to work today. It made me smile.

Tagged with ,


Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with the plate.

An account of actual events, as told by the investigator. It was a dark and rainy Tuesday in the office. (It may or may not have been raining, but it sounds more interesting this way.) There was an ominous smell of coffee … Continue reading

Tagged with


I smell a winner.

Scented billboards? How cool is that?

Tagged with


What a mess.

Check out the paid search ad that shows up when you Google “oil spill.” Not surprisingly, it’s prompting a lot of discussion about ethics in paid search advertising. And when you consider this along with BP allowing their twitter account @BP_America (5,700 followers) to … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


This commercial hits a little too close to home.

While The Home Depot is unsuccessfully instructing me to turn up something called a “Doing dial”  (sorry, HD, I have that baby set to the low setting), Lowe’s really hit the nail on the head with their latest TV spot. … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


I wonder what the Real Housewives of New Jersey are up to.

I remember last year while talking with a coworker, I discovered she and her husband didn’t have cable. I couldn’t believe it. How could someone live without TV? I honestly couldn’t comprehend such a life. No shows about rich people. … Continue reading

Tagged with


Found: Some awesome Target spots.

Whether you loved, hated, or completely ignored the incredibly hyped-to-the-point-of-exhaustion (even for people way into the show, like me) Lost finale, there was one clear winner last night: Target. Now here’s a brand fully taking advantage of a large, captive … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Media Party! With Jessica and Erin.

Is anyone else jonesing for some Facebook? Turns out we’re not the only ones.

Tagged with , , , , , , ,


No need for fancy?

Apparently “visually interesting” wasn’t a requirement for Seattle’s Best new logo. Why would it be? While I don’t find the mark offensive, I think that a brand of such magnitude could have whipped-out something a bit more enticing. But who asked me? Check … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


The show that crashed into the mysterious island that is my heart.

Flashback: It’s 2004, and I’m at my parents’ house in Pennsylvania. My mom switched on some TV show I’ve never heard of. Sure, I’ll give it a shot. That lasted about 15 minutes, when a smoke monster chased the characters … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


I wish I were kidding.

Thinking about getting a divorce because your spouse farts in bed? It’s okay, I’m sure it’s crossed every normal married couple’s mind. But not so fast, it’s nothing the Better Marriage Blanket can’t fix. Forget counseling or any of that … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , , ,


Bubble Wrap makes some noise.

I heard about this the other day and found it funny. In response to the New York Yankees’ recent rash of injuries, Bubble Wrap® sent a little present to a healthy Derek Jeter, along with a letter. Yanks took two … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , , ,


Everybody should be excited about this.

Being the thorough Account Executive that I am, I have Google Alerts set for all my clients. So if they’re ever in the news, I’m immediately in the know. Imagine my surprise when my email inbox exploded Tuesday with alerts … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , , , ,


The country’s most popular black couple?

I was in Chicago last week judging the Mature Marketing Awards, a competition that recognizes the best in marketing to seniors. Crowley Webb has developed a niche in senior living branding and advertising, working with retirement communities across the country. … Continue reading

Tagged with , , , , ,


The greatest thing since sliced bread: unbread.

Throughout history, human evolution has been fueled by innovation and progress. Someone invents something. Then someone else takes it and makes it better. The Model T was great, but can you imagine driving one around today? Or how about using … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Media Party! With Jessica and Erin.

We love social media and the potential it offers to develop strong consumer relationships. Many companies are onboard with the social movement, and are using it to build positive brand awareness and address negative feedback. Nestle was recently under fire … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Here’s why this year’s ADDYs was such a hoot.

1. A 175-year-old law firm and a used car lot were competing for the same prize. Only in advertising, folks. 2. M&T’s very own Bob Moody was honored with the David I. Levy Award. 3. Matt didn’t wear jeans. 4. We … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Media Party! With Jessica and Erin.

With our Praxis Risk Campaign, we tell people to be less risky.  This Diesel campaign does the exact opposite, encouraging people to “Be Stupid.”  Good call, Diesel.

Tagged with ,


You have a nice smile. For a dog.

Plain and simple, my dog is the most important living thing in my house with four legs. So any advertising directed at dog owners automatically piques my interest. And the new Pedigree Dentastix campaign not only made me laugh, but … Continue reading

Tagged with , ,


Media Party! With Jessica and Erin.

MediaPost recently announced that they are teaming up with Knowledge Networks to put together a “Faces of Social Media” long-term tracking study to provide a consumer-centric view of social media’s affect on 30 key product categories. For some, this may … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


I wish my parents were this cool.

Can we all forget about Toyota’s little problem for a minute and appreciate their current campaign for the Sienna minivan? Awesome, thanks. Perhaps you’ve seen one of the commercials? Well there’s endless goodness on their YouTube channel that you must … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


Ted is Gaughan.

Every spring, the Irish Classical Theatre Company pays tribute to the passing of a fictitious character at their annual fundraiser, The Wake. And every year, we are fortunate enough to help them bring the character, and the event, to life. … Continue reading

Tagged with ,


I like what I do.

Just last night, the Ad Club of Buffalo treated its members to a captivating little film about our very own business. No, it wasn’t 1990’s Crazy People. It was the aptly named Art & Copy. The award-winning film features such … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,


My parents went to Washington, DC and all I got was a new president.

When I took my son Max to Washington DC, last week, I knew I’d see lots of inaugural souvenirs. But I was amazed to find that our nation’s capitol had become one big Barack Obama flea market. The staggering variety … Continue reading

Tagged with , , ,