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Archive for category Advertisers

Better than a Good Guy

Aug 19

Posted by admin in Advertisers, life

healthy_lunch_slideshow_splashEverybody needs a friend; how about a whole business that is based on the premise that we can all live better lives if we know what’s in our products. Welcome to The Good Guide, a business that started from mere curiosity (what’s in a product) to a full-fledged operation which focuses on separating fact from fiction. Its main goal is to decipher the contents of a product instead of merely accepting a claim. This is a site that leads you to find safe, healthy, and green products.

Let’s take a common grocery item: Cold cereal. Instead of merely purchasing an item off the shelves that you’ve been buying for years, you can access the site and learn about the product. Look at the very popular Cheerios as an example. It receives a much better than average score for nuturitional value, and the company (General Mills) gets high marks for its focus on environmental issues. The product analysis confirms what the company has been saying for years: It is a low-fat, low cholesterol, low sugar, and low sodium start to a day. Or for very tiny fingers learning dexterity, it is a reward of taste when you manage to pick up the tiny “o”. Yum.

Not every popular product comes out as you anticipate. Organic milk has some disparity ratings. Organic Valley, a well-known brand, scores significantly higher than its competitors in overall nutrition and its commitment to the environment. Stonyfield Farm’s organic milk runs a very close 2nd, but Horizon, another common brand, is much further down the list. You need to study the Guide to grasp the fine points of separation.

There’s a lot of information to digest. That’s the secret: You want to find products that you can digest. The range of products the Good Guide covers enables you to take better care of yourself and your family whether it is food, cleaning supplies, or personal care items.

They’ve done their homework with an impressive list of assistants.

They’ve got my attention.

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What's Good for the Goose

Jun 16

Posted by admin in Advertisers, Environment, grocer, health, life

..may not really work for everyone. Trends are like that–they come; they go. No matter how many superfoods, aka, miracle ingredients or products that get special label marketing can survive the reality test. There is no cure-all for life’s realities: Aging and all its precursor cousins. Sure some fruits and vegetables are particularly healthy in and of themselves, but we cannot live on them alone. No matter what. It’s becoming a challenge to separate the wheat from the chaff. Ok enough of that.

Realistically, confusion centers around the importance of antioxidants. It seems if you write high in antioxidants on the label, that almost guarantees high sales! How do these claims get tested? Who monitors reality? My favorite antioxidant claims are on products that are well known antioxidant fighters–fruits already high in antioxidants now jump out of the bins and off the shelves if they have the antioxidant banner.sunsweetantioxidant

What are these antioxidants and can we really get enough or the right amount from food? The foods that are naturally high in antioxidants are the easiest to take. If you’re going to concentrate on antioxidants and its benefits, summer is a wonderful season for you with its own natural bounty of antioxidants: BERRIES. Eat up, enjoy, skip the hype; it’s a natural occurrence. On the vegetable side, gardens are just beginning to produce the ultimate summer joy: TOMATOES. Sure there are numerous other foods high in antioxidants, and many antioxidant health claims may actually bear fruit.

Then there’s the whole beta carotene discussion. The old universe said eat your carrots. Limited explanation followed other than the statement: They’re good for you.  Now they are not just carrots but a food high in the all-important, necessary beta carotene, an important antioxidant. Don’t forget when you visit the farm markets, there are other easy choices: beets, cabbage, and kale, for example.

Then there is the new wonder product, the acai berry.  It seems to be touted everywhere. Unclear what it really does for you. It’s possible that no one knows the real answer, but when a product gets so heavily promoted so quickly, it moves into my suspect category.

Foods that promise can only promise more than they can deliver. Great skin, perfect eyesight, immune boosters, anti-aging, diet loss are just some of the claims that are part of the promise universe. We are looking for too many cure-alls.

What works is the same thing that has always worked: Smart eating. Not overeating.

That I am sure of.

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So Comforting To See the Familiar

May 5

Posted by admin in Advertisers, life, news

Remember Uncle Ben the Rice Guy, all of a sudden, he’s just plain Ben. What happened? Always thought you first supported the family, but the company has decided that Ben, Ben in and of himself  is an even warmer feeling. OK.

And what about that commercial for spam that then spells out the product’s solution to all the world’s ills. The message is clear: get on the spam bandwagon, right now, immediately.

We are in a risk averse period. Companies do not feel this is the best time to roll out a new brand. Staying with the familiar adds a protective cocoon zone around an otherwise uncertain time.

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Yes, I know we are all trying to wrap our arms around the familiar brands and products that guided us through our youth. Tuna, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and jello have not fallen out of favor. Maybe we eat a little more of all of them. Yet, the idea of a treat remains near the top of the wish list. Here’s a good one.

How about Baskin-Robbins’ month of May special. You combine the original ice cream store (and now the world’s largest chain of ice cream stores) with a soft-serve intro. This is a tough one to beat: an 88-cent Vanilla soft-serve cone (through May 25). They have a few more tricks of note: Magic Sprinkles which change color as you eat them off the cone and a new 31 Below line of pies and blended soft serves.

OK, get in line right behind me.

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What's Old is New

Apr 20

Posted by admin in Advertisers, news

post_recipe_r42132v0e_tnMy favorite news of the food world this week was the announcement by Post Cereals that Shredded Wheat is just that–its wheat, its shredded–it’s a product that has not changed and will not change. Their new ad campaign says they do not need to add any super ingredients or spice up the vitamin count, they are what they are, and that is excellent.

They have taken the posture that no change is needed, and they celebrate the fact that they represent non-innovation with a headline: “Innovation is not your friend.” They tout the fact that their product, “with one honest ingredient,”  has not changed since 1892!

They might just have it right as we continue to look for the next super food that promises longevity and good health. That we continue to buy products with fortification such as juices with calcium and D. According to their logic, we have forgotten the basics. Their only concession to modernity is to offer flavored wheats such as frosted or honey nut.

To lend support to their theory that no change is necessary, they created a humorous selection of YouTube videos at www.thepalaceoflight.com. The tagline says it all: Progress is overrated. That in itself offers a double entendre message as the modern world communicator, the Internet marries the old and the new.

Go get milk.

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Still NOT Quite Right

Mar 4

Posted by admin in Advertisers, Pairings, coffee

OK, remember me, I said you could pull it out. Well, I was almost right, and almost only counts in horseshoes. For Starbucks to borrow a word from the food and wine world and come up with an affordable “pairing” is the good news. The bad is the insensitive, limited thinking approach.

It is true that bacon, sausage, and ham sandwiches may sound like the universe of sandwiches to many people. NOT everyone eats pork products. The new pairing promotion offers a 12-oz tall brewed coffee and a choice of a pork off-shoot sandwich. Or a tall latte and a slice of coffee cake or oatmeal. What happens if you want an egg sandwich, a turkey sandwich, or any number of other non-pork possibilities?

Seriously, who is doing your market research? The concept is good; the estarbucksxecution is a killer.

Think. Make the changes.

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Lovin' It–Bull's Eye

Feb 19

Posted by admin in Advertisers, Economy, coffee, restaurants

Wednesday’s food section insert got my attention with an interesting surprise. An unexpected insert. One that made me wonder if it was just a lost one that got restuffed from Sunday’s ad sections. No. Something new, something better.

A whole new way to view our current economic environment. Thank you, Target. Yes, Target which traditionally has a sizable insert on Sundays had a new direction insert yesterday called “a new day. new ways to save.” A true Target Bull’s Eye Winner!

Target

Target

Each page showed the old world, for instance, room service and the new one, a smiling young face holding a tray with cereal bowls and orange juice–touting “the new room service.” Very clever. Each page had a new approach to a lifestyle we once patronized but currently needs major reworking. How about a trip to the spa–old world! Target world:  a terry robe with skin care products and makeup.

The ad gets the point across: life does not have to stop. We just have to approach the familiar a little differently. Love the reinvention; actually love shopping at Target in any economic environment!

Look at the world of dining. Lots of mid-tier chains such as TGI Friday’s, Marie Callender’s, Chili’s, and Ruby Tuesday are offering a variety of specials to their e-mail subscribers. Sign up. Each has a little different approach, and I believe the concept will spread to your favorite spot.

More expensive dining places throughout the country get it, and are offering similar promotions. People need to treat themselves. Maybe at different price points, but they need to dine out. It’s the real trickle-down effect.

Yet, the all-time winner this week is Tom Colicchio, chef and owner of the Craft food empire and well-known celebrity chef from Bravo’s “Top Chef”. Last week he rolled out his latest dining strategy in New York:  smaller plates and lower prices in the front room of craftsteak, calling the new mid-week enterprise, halfsteak. The line of people waiting to get in, said it all. We appreciate these changes; what’s next?

Yes, we are all in this together. Every business needs to rethink its business model to accommodate people and get them in the door for multiple visits. That way the business survives as a business, and the dining, shopping public responds by purchasing.

This will work.

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Coupons: The Cure-All–NOT

Feb 6

Posted by admin in Advertisers, Economy, FDA, food

So how safe do you feel right now about your food? What you currently have on hand, and what you need to purchase? What about the food supply?

These are all major topics for anyone concerned about recent recalls and salmonella outbreaks. Would you feel better, if you received a 35-cent off coupon? Well, it depends, you say. How about if it was for peanut butter? Would you run out and grab as many of those coupons as possible and rush to the store believing that this one company sending the coupon really was 100% positive about its products? Or would you wait?

That is the problem. Today’s local paper had a Jif coupon. The content surrounding the coupon had a statement regarding the purchasing and testing of all the J.M. Smucker peanut products. We should feel great about their message, but I am not certain that everyone is ready to get out the jelly. I’m not.

In our house we have taken  the approach of not buying peanut butter until the “All Clear” siren is sounded. We have also stopped using the peanut butter on hand as we are part of the “who knows” category of consumers.  We realize we are not the norm on this topic, but defer to our personal comfort level. We can wait.

A PR group probably advised the company to spend some serious advertising dollars and send out “a good will notice” in the form of we are not part of the problem and here’s a little token for you. That’s fine. The coupon does not expire until the end of April. We will be ready to cash-in by then. With the economy on its continual downward spiral, the irony of the peanut butter scare is that the product is such a soothing recession-proof item!

Can one company right this mess? I am doubtful, but appreciative that the attempt is being made. I just need more information.

Where is the FDA on this? Speaking of comfort levels, this agency needs a major overhaul, Congress agrees: Food Safety needs to be a reality.

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Sacrilege–It's About the Food

Feb 2

Posted by admin in Advertisers, Economy, food, life, sports

7-layer-dipSo is the Super Bowl really about football? Oh, sure, there are two teams that have bested their opponents and they’re now playing for the big ring of money.

What about the universe that watches but at no other time in the year pays any attention to football? Told you it was sacrilege. They give a passing glance to the game but are there for the other integral parts of a Super Bowl matchup:

  • the who’s who of big name celebrities
  • the back stories like did you know his brother…
  • the food–any self respecting Super Bowl football watcher has plenty of the good stuff–the wings, the guac, the dips, and the desserts–parteee
  • the half-time show–especially this year, with 12 minutes of  Bruce
  • and, of course, the commercials

How can you even think of going to the office tomorrow or even talking to anyone tomorrow without some idea of the best commercials? What about the terrible ones? Can you believe they hired an agency to do that?

Super Bowl numbers are always impressive. The number of people who attend the game, throw a party, or just hole up and watch it. I personally think we should count the number of people who love the Super Bowl so they can have an evening of appetizers without anyone telling them they need to eat healthier.

Told you, sacrilege, but I did get to see the 100-yard interception return, which no matter which team wins,  was quite an impressive display of footwork.

All in all, it was a good game. The food was great, the commercials were pretty good considering everyone was in a stew about how could companies spend money on something so frivolous during these hard economic times. Me, my favorite, the 7-layer dip, even though there are lots of variations, the concept’s a winner. You can’t go wrong, get creative, but make 7 layers!

Who knew!

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What's Wrong With This Picture

Jan 28

Posted by admin in Advertisers, Economy, coffee

Sometimes you read about something and then have to keep re-reading it. It just doesn’t make sense. Try this one on: Starbucks has decided to stop the continuous brewing of decaf coffee after 12 Noon.

What’s wrong with this picture? Don’t decaf drinkers get more focused on decaf later in the day? Is afternoon not a perilous time for those who have a caffeine-sleep problem?

Now Starbucks in its desire to save money has made a major policy shift and plans to have the decaf version available only by request. That’s lovely. You’ll make a fresh cup for me? How old-fashioned!

This is just one more example of a major business looking at the way people are cutting back and trying to stay afloat. Last week the news was about consumer cutbacks at Starbucks. Maybe Mom ‘n Pop can still sell coffee!

It’s just that I’m shocked that the decaf drinkers disappear at 12 o’clock. I figured that’s when they started pumping the decaf barista for more cups of caffeine-less beverages.

I like the idea that the coffee is not sitting around for even 30 minutes. I’m just shocked that this strategy is financially viable. Does this mean that Starbucks does not attract a decaf crowd? What do they know that the heavy caffeinated loyalists are missing? Maybe we should just research that one!

What happens when the regular coffee drinkers say 30 minutes is too old for their pot? What then, Starbucks? A fresh pot in every cup? Maybe it will be all espresso all the time.

Water, anyone?

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A Little Update–Wii Sport Redux

Jan 28

Posted by admin in Advertisers, International Herald Tribune, Wii, life, sports, tennis

OK, I thought it was addictive. That was so yesterday. ”Addiction” may be a bit of an understatement. It’s too timid of a word. Every part of my body demonstrates my participation. I’m not in pain. I just can’t wait to go back to my playing field!

Yippee. it’s a snow day, and I am stuck inside! Not a problem.  I played tennis, actually much better today. I won a match. How ’bout that! I think I even managed to spin and lob the ball and do much better with my corners. Ha. It’s funny to hear yourself say all the usual tennis camaraderie language:  good shot, wow, beauty, you made it; nice set. It’s a video game. Yeah, just like a robot is a person. There’s something terrific about the interactivity.

Did I mention I’m winded? Think I’ll be able to do the Wii commercials for the Sport, make that sports! My scores are nothing to brag about, but the intensity of play is surprising. Was too tired after two tennis matches (best of 5), and two games of bowling (couple strikes and spares) to practice hitting balls out of the park (OK, did hit one homer).  Very little spring training baseball today. Amazing. What a great treat.

The problem with the game is that its popularity has made it hard to find. It’s in very short supply so when a store advertises that it’s in stock. Go. No, run there. As for price comparison. There’s little opportunity as it’s basically a child of standard price fixing. Hard to find it for less than $249. I’ve already had the equivalent of three private lessons so with my logic, I am well on the way to having paid for my personal trainer in just a few short days. That makes it a great purchase. Maybe it should be renamed: My In-House, Use Whenever I Want Personal Trainer. Yep, it’s a winner.

Trust me on this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqaPFAZS1K8

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