Articles

If it were an MTV reality show it could be called “Pimp My Dog’s Ride.” Del Monte’s Pup-Peroni dog snacks brand is partnering with Jeep and real “Pimp My Ride” auto customizers Galpin Auto Sports to give away a tricked-out one-of-a-kind 2008 Jeep Liberty. (Dog-friendly amenities include washable seats built-in water and kibble bowls a shower nozzle for paw washing and a Pup-Peroni dispenser.)
 

In a move the company is calling reverse product placement 7-Eleven has given extreme makeovers to 12 of its stores in the U.S. and Canada to make them resemble the fictional Kwik-E-Marts made popular by “The Simpsons” animated TV series. The one-month co-promotion with Twentieth Century Fox leads up to the July 27 “The Simpsons Movie” release and features limited-run products on store shelves including Squishees Buzz Cola KrustyO’s cereal and Homer’s favorite—the pink sprinkliciousdoughnut. Squishee’s come in collectible Slurpee cups with magnetic straws.

Geico this month took its recent spring break activation—which centered around a gaming zone that gave students the chance to play the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox 360—to Chicago where it used the same approach to target consumers in the 18-34 demographic. The company is focusing on Chicago because it recently lowered rates in Illinois.
 
The 40-foot-by-40-foot space was located on Chicago’s North Avenue Beach. Consumers could play video games and check email at Internet kiosks. Brand ambassadors handed out visors t-shirts coasters and other premiums.
 

Diageo’s Johnnie Walker brand has teamed up with PGA player Jim Furyk currently ranked No. 2 in the world to promote the blended Scotch whiskey brand for three years. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
 
The iconic ‘striding man’ logo as well as Johnnie Walker Apparel Collection branding will appear on the back yoke of the neck of Furyk’s golf shirt when he appears on the PGA Tour as well as at U.S. Golf Association events. Johnnie Walker also is sponsoring Furyk’s lifelong coach his father Mike Furyk.
 

The smart fortwo car (check out smartusa.com for a visual of the diminutive two-seater) is making its U.S. debut in U.S. car marketing style: by getting as many butts in seats as possible. But unlike the big auto campaigns smart is skipping the SUV-sized advertising blitz and is instead going grassroots.