Posts Tagged ‘social responsibility’

What’s that smell?

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010


What is it: ScentAir Technologies is building a billboard that emits a particular smell. Shaped like a giant fork holding a piece of steak, the billboard fans a pepper steak and charcoal smell onto passing traffic and pedestrians, aiming to promote a new line of beef available at Bloom grocery stores.

Why is it cool: Using smell in marketing is not a new idea –supermarkets place the bakery section near the entrance to draw shoppers in. It’s powerful because of how closely smell is linked to memory and emotion.

On the other hand, the powerful emotions elicited aren’t always what you want; PETA plans to build a billboard displaying a skinned cow’s head on a slaughter hook, emitting a smell of rotting flesh, urine, faeces and blood.

Where to find it: Article here! PETA’s response here!

Submitted by: Bernard Visperas

Earth choice

Friday, July 23rd, 2010


What is it: Although launched quite a while ago, this is an ad for Earth choice cleaning products.

Why is it cool: The latest Green Pulse results show that individuals feel responsibility for recycling. The Earths choice ad really pushes responsibility onto individuals in terms of the products they choose to use, it would be interesting to see how well this ad performs in terms of converting this responsibility into behaviour change! What‘s next for Green Pulse is to investigate top brands in being green, and investigate what makes people change their behaviour to buy/be green.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Erin Hearn

The snack boat

Monday, June 28th, 2010


What is it: World food giant, Nestle, has invested in a floating supermarket, which will plie the rivers of the Amazon to reach remote communities, who they see as an emerging market opportunity.

Why is it cool: In terms of innovative thinking, it’s hard to fault Nestle. The strongest growth in food and bev sales is in emerging markets, so locking their loyalty early is a valid strategy. The use of a floating supermarket to reach remote communities is similarly a creative use of capital.

On the other hand, branded goods are a poor value for those who cannot afford them, and packaged goods in general are considered less healthy. Add to this that the boat will be stocked with “small sizes” to make price points more affordable, and you have accusations of Nestle taking advantage of the already disadvantaged.

Where to find it: news release here! social commentary here!

Submitted by: John Cucka