I continue to immerse myself in advertising examples - online, print, mail, and TV. As much as TV costs, clients are continuing to push agencies to create advertising that really connects watchers (me) to the product or brand. TV needs to get people stimulated, driving them to do something. Well, ever since I saw Sony's European ads for their BRAVIA TV, I have been using it as the standard for wonderful advertising that truly delivers a message. I have posted just one video. I enourage you to watch it. See the links for more.
It will be really interesting to see the results of these ads - hopefully Sony Europe will publish a case study on the ROI. Highly unlikely if flat screen sales go flat this Christmas though. All said, I am wholely impressed by the creative nature of these ads.
The most recent BRAVIA ad - where they blow up a building with environmental paint is suprisingly a bigger step to preach the message of COLOR LIKE NO OTHER. Here is the link to the site to watch the ad. http://www.bravia-advert.com/
The first original advertisement Sony and Fallon (ad agency) created. Click here.
Here is the Making Of... Watch 250,000 bouncy balls hit the streets of San Francisco. Be amazed, awed, inspired. I went into work and immediately sent this to our entire advertising group - with a message asking, "how can we match our internal beliefs in the promise of our brands with one compelling reason for our consumer to feel the same way?" Thats how this ad is. It makes me believe in Sony as much as Sony believes in themselves.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Whoa! Isn't Christmas only like 19 days away?
Thanks to www.thinkslant.com, here are the "supposed" Top 10 gifts for those Gen Yrs. Not sure what to get your friend/granddaughter/college age son/etc...look below.
Top 10 Gen Y Holiday Gifts
1. T-shirts from Threadless
2. Water Bottles by SIGG
3. Belkin SportCommand for iPod
4. Crocs Prima Ballet Slip-On
5. Golden Tee Golf Plug-n-Play TV Game
6. UglyDolls
7. The College Humor Guide To College Book
8. Timbuk2 Custom Laptop Messenger Bag
9. OPI Holiday Collection Nail Lacquer
10. Pyramat S2000 Sound Rocker Chair
Now, do I agree with this whole list? Absolutely not. Threadless.com has a current sale with ALL t-shirts listed at $10 - that will probably serve to bolster my closet and serve as definite presents in the near future. Past that, I have some additional ideas on what to give for Christmas.
One thing I want to add to this list...
The "toy" of the year. The Samsung SC-X105L Sports Camcorder. This thing is totally sweet and way too expensive - but for roughly $400 you can put it in your pocket and use it for pictures and video any time you are out. Never miss the moment! I stood in Best Buy and played with this jem for nearly an hour. No, I cannot afford it, but that doesn't stop me from recommending it as the essential family need that every man should own. Just consider - you are out with friends/family/work, want to capture some event and send it to others, no better way to flip out the handheld and do it all! I saw this thing in action when I was in South Africa doing a zipline adventure - one of the guys on the trip was using it as he ziplined through the jungle. Totally sweet.
Top 10 Gen Y Holiday Gifts
1. T-shirts from Threadless
2. Water Bottles by SIGG
3. Belkin SportCommand for iPod
4. Crocs Prima Ballet Slip-On
5. Golden Tee Golf Plug-n-Play TV Game
6. UglyDolls
7. The College Humor Guide To College Book
8. Timbuk2 Custom Laptop Messenger Bag
9. OPI Holiday Collection Nail Lacquer
10. Pyramat S2000 Sound Rocker Chair
Now, do I agree with this whole list? Absolutely not. Threadless.com has a current sale with ALL t-shirts listed at $10 - that will probably serve to bolster my closet and serve as definite presents in the near future. Past that, I have some additional ideas on what to give for Christmas.
One thing I want to add to this list...
The "toy" of the year. The Samsung SC-X105L Sports Camcorder. This thing is totally sweet and way too expensive - but for roughly $400 you can put it in your pocket and use it for pictures and video any time you are out. Never miss the moment! I stood in Best Buy and played with this jem for nearly an hour. No, I cannot afford it, but that doesn't stop me from recommending it as the essential family need that every man should own. Just consider - you are out with friends/family/work, want to capture some event and send it to others, no better way to flip out the handheld and do it all! I saw this thing in action when I was in South Africa doing a zipline adventure - one of the guys on the trip was using it as he ziplined through the jungle. Totally sweet.
Monday, November 27, 2006
A big down day (finally) and my four horses
I have avoided discussing any of the really hot stocks until today because we needed a pullback to get in. Today the S&P 500 was down over 1% for the first time in 94 days (that's a very long time). But considering the market has moved straight some ~15% up since August a round of profit taking was well overdue. The next few days (maybe weeks) should tell us whether this is just a healthy correction/consolidation or the start of a more serious correction. I'm optimistic. I think things will come in a little, profits will be taken, and shorts will be placed, all in preparation for another bull run or continuation of this one. If I had some big winners at this point, I'd be selling the bounces and taking some money off the table, if I hadn't already. The other thing i would do, is build a position in some of the best names, but do it in increments over time.
What I'll be doing for the Taming Zeus Model Portfolio is buying 1/4 of the position in each of the following names once they come down another ~5% or so. Then I'll buy each of the other 1/4's of the position after an addition drop of 7% or another 30 days. So, 120 days after my initial purchase I should have the entire position on no matter what happens. I chose 7% because I've tried 5% and been unhappy because I felt I bought too early (not greedy enough), and I've tried 10% and had the stock not come in and never bought any (too greedy), plus I just think it's lucky 7's, and at the end of the day it's better to be lucky than good. The 30 days is just as arbitrary, but it makes me be patient, which I am certainly not by nature. It may not be the best plan, but a plan is better than no plan and it is always subject to change. The positions will be around $2k total per stock.
My Horses - Ride 'Em
Google (GOOG), Goldman Sachs (GS), MasterCard (MA), and The NYSE Group (NYX)
The GOOG - There's a good possiblity that in the coming years we could see an echo boom/bubble from the tech boom/bubble of the late 90's, and if we do, Google will certainly be leading the way. I love this company. They've managed to create an advertising marketplace on the internet, bringing together advertisers with viewer, and making a killing on the transactions. The whole idea is still in its infancy and will only grow as younger generations shun traditional advertising outlets for the internet. The company is growing at 33% or better and is estimated to earn $13 a share next yr, which puts its foward P/E around 37 and PEG near 1.0. Not a bad value, not at all considering we should be able to pick it up on the way down. It closed down 4% at 485, I'm going to let it come in another 5% to $460 and try to pick 1 share and then buy the other 3 shares on a drop of 30 points or after 30 days.
Goldman Sachs - If I ever go work on Wall Street, this is the firm I want to work for. Best brokerage, best investment bank, best hedge fund traders, best in nearly everything they do. The company is currently trading at a foward P/E of 11, which is a pretty good value in my opinion. In addition they've been repurchasing shares of common stock, so each one left on the market will be worth more. I just don't see much downside to the this company long-term. They're too good and too balenced to slip for very long. They closed down 4% at $193, so lets look to buy at look to buy at $185 and then a drop of 12 points or 30 days. If after two weeks we're not in at $185 I'll pull the trigger at anything below $190.
MasterCard - There is no better way to play the holiday season. No matter what you buy or where you buy it, you're doing it with a credit card. MasterCard makes 10 cents per transaction. They've just become public and had an unbelievable qtr (IPO at $45, now near $100/share). As an added bonus, they are the official card of the 2008 olympics in Beijing. Do you hear that sound??? Thats the sound of a billion people swiping they're MasterCards to the tune of $100 million dollars! Great toll bridge company; buy, buy, buy! It was down 6% today to $99. I'll look to buy at $95 then on drops of 7 points or 30 days.
The New York Stock Exchange - As long as people are trading stocks, the NYSE will be coining money. They're expanding globally through acqusitions (bought Euronext) and are integrating their electronic platform with the old-style floor system. They have the NASDAQ so scared about global stock market domination that the NASDAQ will bid just about anything to buy the London Stock Exchange. Again, the NYSE makes money on transactions, so the more people buying and selling the better, and the more markets you have (or better yet, have cornered) the more money you can make. Consolidation of markets will give them more pricing power and more profit. It was down 7% today at 101. I've picked entry points of $95, then on drops of 7 points or 30 days again.
Other things.
My past picks faired well today, with Yamana Gold being a big winner. Below is a look at the model porfolio. I have yet to find a good place to do this for easy online viewing but for now I'll post the positions once week.
Good luck,
MC
The Taming Zeus Portfolio
What I'll be doing for the Taming Zeus Model Portfolio is buying 1/4 of the position in each of the following names once they come down another ~5% or so. Then I'll buy each of the other 1/4's of the position after an addition drop of 7% or another 30 days. So, 120 days after my initial purchase I should have the entire position on no matter what happens. I chose 7% because I've tried 5% and been unhappy because I felt I bought too early (not greedy enough), and I've tried 10% and had the stock not come in and never bought any (too greedy), plus I just think it's lucky 7's, and at the end of the day it's better to be lucky than good. The 30 days is just as arbitrary, but it makes me be patient, which I am certainly not by nature. It may not be the best plan, but a plan is better than no plan and it is always subject to change. The positions will be around $2k total per stock.
My Horses - Ride 'Em
Google (GOOG), Goldman Sachs (GS), MasterCard (MA), and The NYSE Group (NYX)
The GOOG - There's a good possiblity that in the coming years we could see an echo boom/bubble from the tech boom/bubble of the late 90's, and if we do, Google will certainly be leading the way. I love this company. They've managed to create an advertising marketplace on the internet, bringing together advertisers with viewer, and making a killing on the transactions. The whole idea is still in its infancy and will only grow as younger generations shun traditional advertising outlets for the internet. The company is growing at 33% or better and is estimated to earn $13 a share next yr, which puts its foward P/E around 37 and PEG near 1.0. Not a bad value, not at all considering we should be able to pick it up on the way down. It closed down 4% at 485, I'm going to let it come in another 5% to $460 and try to pick 1 share and then buy the other 3 shares on a drop of 30 points or after 30 days.
Goldman Sachs - If I ever go work on Wall Street, this is the firm I want to work for. Best brokerage, best investment bank, best hedge fund traders, best in nearly everything they do. The company is currently trading at a foward P/E of 11, which is a pretty good value in my opinion. In addition they've been repurchasing shares of common stock, so each one left on the market will be worth more. I just don't see much downside to the this company long-term. They're too good and too balenced to slip for very long. They closed down 4% at $193, so lets look to buy at look to buy at $185 and then a drop of 12 points or 30 days. If after two weeks we're not in at $185 I'll pull the trigger at anything below $190.
MasterCard - There is no better way to play the holiday season. No matter what you buy or where you buy it, you're doing it with a credit card. MasterCard makes 10 cents per transaction. They've just become public and had an unbelievable qtr (IPO at $45, now near $100/share). As an added bonus, they are the official card of the 2008 olympics in Beijing. Do you hear that sound??? Thats the sound of a billion people swiping they're MasterCards to the tune of $100 million dollars! Great toll bridge company; buy, buy, buy! It was down 6% today to $99. I'll look to buy at $95 then on drops of 7 points or 30 days.
The New York Stock Exchange - As long as people are trading stocks, the NYSE will be coining money. They're expanding globally through acqusitions (bought Euronext) and are integrating their electronic platform with the old-style floor system. They have the NASDAQ so scared about global stock market domination that the NASDAQ will bid just about anything to buy the London Stock Exchange. Again, the NYSE makes money on transactions, so the more people buying and selling the better, and the more markets you have (or better yet, have cornered) the more money you can make. Consolidation of markets will give them more pricing power and more profit. It was down 7% today at 101. I've picked entry points of $95, then on drops of 7 points or 30 days again.
Other things.
My past picks faired well today, with Yamana Gold being a big winner. Below is a look at the model porfolio. I have yet to find a good place to do this for easy online viewing but for now I'll post the positions once week.
Good luck,
MC
The Taming Zeus Portfolio
Sunday, November 26, 2006
The internet, the great equalizer and market maker
The best new blog I stumbled on - http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com/. I guess this guy went to buy new glasses from a retail store, and when he was presented with a price of $500 for the glasses and lenses, he finally realized there should be a better way. This is the post for him that started it all - http://3mew.wordpress.com/2006/11/10/eyeglasses-stores-are-for-suckers/.
I am amazed that one man's blog, informing the public about using the internet to purchase eye glasses, became such a hit that he started another blog JUST to support those that had more questions and needed direction on how to follow his lead. Its the great equalizer, this internet. Allowing consumers to inform others, make educated decisions, and then using the forum to converse. I will be purchasing my next pair of glasses off the internet, saving roughly 300-400 dollars, all thanks to directions and information from glassyeyes.blogspot.com. The point is that retail optometrists are making ridiculous margins and using strong arm tactics to keep business. My favorite post so far from the site is below.
Your Prescription is YOUR Prescription!
There are a number of truths out there that many in the optometry field would like to keep hidden from you.A big one is that they are required to give you your written prescription. You can take that prescription anywhere to have glasses made. Obviously it isn't in their best in interest to offer this up.Demand it!
And, the writer even posted the law (code) that specifically was written for this purpose. When I called my last optometrist they were highly hesistant to fax me my prescription, wanting to know why I needed it and instead wanting to refer me to one in Dallas! When I finally explained that I read online that they were required to give it to me, I was faxed a copy, that had obviously been crinkled up to create poor readability. Yes, I called back and asked for another copy...
The glasses I am "eyeing" to buy. And, they are only cost me $39.95, $5.00 for shipping. Unreal.
I am amazed that one man's blog, informing the public about using the internet to purchase eye glasses, became such a hit that he started another blog JUST to support those that had more questions and needed direction on how to follow his lead. Its the great equalizer, this internet. Allowing consumers to inform others, make educated decisions, and then using the forum to converse. I will be purchasing my next pair of glasses off the internet, saving roughly 300-400 dollars, all thanks to directions and information from glassyeyes.blogspot.com. The point is that retail optometrists are making ridiculous margins and using strong arm tactics to keep business. My favorite post so far from the site is below.
Your Prescription is YOUR Prescription!
There are a number of truths out there that many in the optometry field would like to keep hidden from you.A big one is that they are required to give you your written prescription. You can take that prescription anywhere to have glasses made. Obviously it isn't in their best in interest to offer this up.Demand it!
And, the writer even posted the law (code) that specifically was written for this purpose. When I called my last optometrist they were highly hesistant to fax me my prescription, wanting to know why I needed it and instead wanting to refer me to one in Dallas! When I finally explained that I read online that they were required to give it to me, I was faxed a copy, that had obviously been crinkled up to create poor readability. Yes, I called back and asked for another copy...
The glasses I am "eyeing" to buy. And, they are only cost me $39.95, $5.00 for shipping. Unreal.
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