Ever Thought About Modeling?

In an effort to further personalize the advertising experience, Slate Cosmetics is asking consumers to upload photos of themselves to feature them as the "model" in their ads. Slate Cosmetics is the first brand of its kind to attempt an "entirely digital launch, with distribution, at least initially, through only e-commerce." 

Using technology from Looking Glass, Slate calls for consumers to sample cosmetics virtually, by uploading photos of themselves into their online display or native advertisements. One hurdle that Slate will face is that many consumers are quite loyal to makeup brands that they know and love, and have grown to trust over the years. Another hurdle that Slate will face with this strategy is that they lack physical-store presence. Without sample-kit distribution and the ability for consumers to try the product in person, Slate may face difficulties; however, Slate hopes to bypass the sampling step by using technology developed and executed by ModiFace. 

According to ModiFace's website, "ModiFace powers apps that bring skin-care products to life by simulating how they will look on a consumer's own photo. Based on ModiFace's patented face and skin mapping technology, every detail of the skin is carefully analyzed and photo-realistically rendered for accurate life-like visualizations." 

Slate is the first brand to use the current version of this technology for a "full-scale launch in paid media." Hopefully, the technology will allow consumers to see advertisements featuring themselves as the model, even when visiting other websites. 

SOURCE: http://adage.com/article/digital/coming-cosmetics-ads-featuring-model/295715/

Cupcake Unicorns and a little company called Coca-Cola

Being consistently ranked as one of the most valuable and recognized brands in the world is no mean feat and when your product is sold in over 200 countries worldwide, it definitely makes sense for the company to invest highly in digital media so as to capture the biggest audience with a fraction of the cost it would take to market on-ground. 

Here are some of the recent marketing campaigns by Coke. Their messaging has always revolved around “sharing” and by making their softdrink share worthy on ground, they have made their campaigns share worthy online. 

1) A video that is naturally close to my heart given my Indian roots is the Happiness without Borders Video. An uplifting Coca-Cola film shows that what unites us is stronger than what sets us apart. High-tech vending machines installed in two popular shopping malls in Lahore, Pakistan and New Delhi, India – two cities separated by only 325 miles, but seemingly worlds apart due to decades of political tension – invited consumers to put their differences aside and share a simple moment over a Coke. 

2) Coke Can lets you twist and share 

3) Share-A-Coke campaign in Britain 

4) Recently Coke came up with a clever new way for students in Colombia to make friends. With the help of Leo Burnett, they designed a bottle called “The Friendly Twist” that can only be opened with the help of another person. Apart from an interesting mental challenge, the design also helped students to socialize without them even realizing it was happening. Watch the friendly twist campus bottles video here. 

Lastly check out Coke’s new digital marketing campaign: featuring 61 websites starting from ahh.com, that are focussed on engaging teens but clearly have a wide appeal. Note: these websites are highly addictive, my favourite is the cupcake unicorn!

While these campaigns may not always lead to a purchase it definitely creates a positive impression in the mind of consumers and the next time one wants to buy a softdrink, all things being equal, you’re more likely to opt for a Coke. 

PART 2: Absolut-ly Expanded - The LongTail of Absolut Vodka

Who ever said that vodka has to be plain or flavorless? Absolut took a page from Chris Anderson’s Long Tail and applied it to vodka. The demand phenomenon of the blockbuster mega-hit of Absolut Vodka was huge, but they understood early on that constant consumer engagement could not be had unless there was a vehicle for the obscure and the niche products to come out of the woodwork, profitably. Enter the Absolut Vodka Long Tail…the ability to market their Vodka to the outliers…people who were looking for more than just a buzz from their alcoholic beverage of choice.


As marketers, there is an influx of new and old niche products that have the potential of being marketed to the end consumer. These campaigns need to be very narrowly targeted to the individual’s interests and tastes. The recommendation can both “drive demand along the Long Tail” and give a voice to the smaller, less mainstream flavors.

The line-up according to Wikepedia…
Absolut VODKA is available in many varieties. These varieties are unflavored beyond the standard process:
Absolut VODKA (40%, blue label, launched in 1979)
Absolut VODKA, Red Label'(50% alcohol is 100 proof, instead of 40% of the 'Blue Label' one). Its production has ceased in 2006
Absolut BRITTO (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a special edition design by artist Romero Britto, launched in 2003)
Absolut LEVEL, a super-premium vodka, launched in 2004)
Absolut BODY ART (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a special edition design by artist Jean-Luc Moerman, launched in 2005)
Absolut 100 (100 proof, black bottle, launched in 2007)
Absolut DISCO (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a special edition disco cover, launched 2007)
Absolut C'N'C FASHION ANIMAL (limited edition by Ennio Capasa, launched in 2007)
Absolut GREENSAVER (limited edition, launched in 2008)
Absolut BLING-BLING (normal Absolut vodka, limited edition golden bottle, launched in 2006)
Absolut CHROME (1 - 2 - 3 - 4) (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a special edition design, launched in 2006)
Absolut COLORS (40%, blue label) Limited edition celebrating 30th anniversary of the Rainbow flag, launched in 2008)
Absolut MASQUERADE (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a sequinned red sleeve, launched 2009 with the slogan "In an Absolut world every night is a masquerade."),[5] launched in 2008)
Absolut ROCK (normal Absolut vodka, limited-edition bottle with studded leather cover, launched in 2009)
Absolut GLIMMER[6] (normal Absolut vodka in a limited-edition bottle that mimics a crystal decanter, launched in 2010)
Absolut 72 BIAN (Transform) (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a special edition design by artist Gao Yu, launched in 2010)
Absolut ZENG FANZHI for Joyce (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a special edition design by artist Zeng Fanzhi, launched in 2010)
Absolut ELYX (a super-premium edition, launched in 2010)
Absolut WALLPAPER I (Alessandro Guerriero the limited edition are available only in Italy since March 2010) Both of them had designed the famous wall during 2009, Absolut Vodka has chosen these two Absolut Wallpaper for the new editions.
Absolut WALLPAPER II (Gio Pagani the limited edition are available only in Italy since March 2010) Both of them had designed the famous wall during 2009, Absolut Vodka has chosen these two Absolut Wallpaper for the new editions.
Absolut ILLUSION (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in special bottle where the label is an illusion)

Flavored varieties, in chronological order:
Absolut PEPPAR (Roasted Jalapeños, Green Tomato and Dried Herbs flavor – the first flavored Absolut Vodka, launched in 1986)
Absolut CITRON (Lemon flavor, launched in 1988)
Absolut KURANT (Blackcurrant flavor, launched in 1992)
Absolut MANDRIN (Orange and mandarin flavor mix, launched in 1999)
Absolut VANILIA (Vanilla flavor, launched in 2003)
Absolut RASPBERRI (Raspberry flavor, launched in 2004)
Absolut APEACH (Peach flavor, launched in 2005)
Absolut RUBY RED (Grapefruit flavor, launched in June 2006)
Absolut PEARS (Pear flavor, launched in January 2007)
Absolut MANGO (Mango flavor, launched in 2007)
Absolut FLAVOR OF THE TROPICS (Tropical flavor including orange, mango, lychee pineapple and melon launched October 2009)[7]
Absolut BERRI AÇAÍ (blend of açaí, blueberry and pomegranate, launched in 2010)[8]
Absolut WILD TEA (black tea, elderflower, launched in 2010)
Absolut WATKINS (Travel-retail exclusive, with notes of ground coffee, almond, caramel and chili, launched in 2010)[9]
Absolut ORIENT APPLE (red apple and ginger flavor, launched in 2011, the same taste as Absolut BROOKLYN only that is not a city limited edition.)
Absolut SVEA (Apple and ginger flavor, limited edition launched in 2011)

City series, in chronological order:
Absolut NEW ORLEANS (Mango and Black Pepper flavor, launched in August 2007).
Absolut VANCOUVER (City themed bottle series limited to 60,000 bottles, launched in 2010, different to all other city series this one is a normal absolut vodka, blue label)
Absolut LOS ANGELES (Acai, Acerola, Pomegranate, and Blueberry flavor mix, launched in 2008 and rebranded as Absolut BERRI AÇAÍ in 2010).
Absolut BOSTON (Black tea and Elderflower flavor with Clear bottle, green label, launched in 2009 and rebranded as Absolut WILD TEA in 2010).
Absolut BROOKLYN (City limited edition; red apple and ginger flavor, launched in 2010 and rebranded as Absolut ORIENT APPLE in 2011)[10]
Absolut SAN FRANCISCO (grape, dragon fruit, and papaya flavor, launched in 2011)


RESOURCES....Thank you for helping me recover these treasured memories:
My memory

http://press.absolut.com/upload/507/New%20ABSOLUT%20VODKA%20campaign%20in%20the%20US.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolut_Vodka
http://www.facebook.com/ABSOLUT
http://www.liquorone.com/abflvo.html
http://www.amazon.com/Absolut-Biography-Bottle-Carl-Hamilton/dp/1587991373/ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.amazon.com/Absolut-Book-Vodka-Advertising-Story/dp/1885203292
http://www.amazon.com/Absolut-Sequel-Advertising-Story-Continues/dp/B000Y4OBMA/ref=pd_sim_b_1
http://www.absolut.com/us/about/qna
http://www.absolut.com/us/products
http://img46.xooimage.com/files/c/e/b/snow-18e5624.jpg
http://www.bedstuyblog.com/2010/06/absolut%C2%AE-vodka-donates-50k-to-habitat-for-humanity/
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2011/5/24/absolut-vodka-illusion-edition.html
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/absolut-vodka-drinkspiration/
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/absolut-vodka-drinkspiration/
http://noogan.org/?p=324
http://woooha.com/2011/06/video-absolut-vodka-x-cee-lo-distilled-part-1/
http://trendland.net/2008/12/11/absolut-ad-compilation/#
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/absolut-vodka/