BMW is known as “The Ultimate Driving Machine” for many reasons. BMW designs and manufactures luxury automobiles with performance, handling and attention to detail. In 2010, the automaker singed a six year contract with the U.S. Olympic Committee to serve as the “official mobility partner.” That sponsorship was and still is the automakers biggest commitment ever. BMW is all about performance and so are the U.S. Olympic Athletes which makes this a match made in Olympic heaven.

More Than Just A Sponsor

Yes, BMW is providing substantial financial support, but they didn’t stop there. BMW is supplying the Olympic officials with a fleet of nearly 4,000 BMW hybrid and electric vehicles. BMW is going for the gold by utilizing their “stereo-vision technologies” that are currently being tested in BMW vehicles to assist Olympic athletes by measuring their velocity to increase training effectiveness. BMW’s Olympic ads will begin airing during the Opening Ceremonies on July 27, 2012.

2012 BMW Olympic Ads

BMW M5 On The Beach

“Power vs. Agility. Joy Wins.”

BMW – David Weir in Man and Machine

BMW – Steve Cram in Power, Speed and Endurance

About BMW

BMW (Bavarian Motor Works) began as an aircraft engine company in 1917. After WW1 the treaty of Versailles restricted German arms manufacturing, and BMW retooled to produce motorcycles and automobiles. During WWII the company ceased automotive manufacturing and resumed aircraft engine and motorcycle production. After the fall of Germany, the company made ends meat selling cookware and bicycles. BMW would suffer a rather tumultuous existence for the next 15 years, with a terrible pre-war economy, soviet seizing of factories, takeover attempts by American Motors and the Rootes group, and a proposed merger with Daimler-Benz. However by the 1960s the company was back on its feet with new exciting models and a promising direction. The company would come to be known for producing high quality, fun to drive, well thought out and executed vehicles. The 2002 model is perhaps the best known example of a product concept which turned around the fabled automaker and would lend the criteria for sport sedans going forward through the present day. BMW is now a world leader in automotive engineering and production, as well as motorcycles.

My Personal Favorite BMW

If I had to choose only one BMW for my very own personal use I would go with the new 2012 BMW M5 for many reasons. First and foremost it has four doors. That is important to me because I have a family and if I bought a sporty two door coupe I would never get to drive it. Second is the fact it is still got enough power to knock your socks off. This twin turbo BMW will not only get you to your destination in style, but you’ll arrive in no time at all. I also love the Olympics partially because I do not always have such interesting topics as a writer for an internet marketing company. As always, thank you for reading and here is some more great information for you. Here is some more useful information about the Olympic advertising costs or to watch the “Thank you, Mom” Olympic ad campaign.

Last year Google announced the addition of “Adwords for video” to their sponsored ad program. It comes as no surprise that Google Adwords for video is “Powered by YouTube,” seeing how Google Inc. purchased YouTube for $1.65 Billion back in 2006. Since then,  YouTube has grown to be the second largest search engine in the world directly behind Google.com and it is the third largest site in the world. YouTube has grown so big that over 3 BILLION video are viewed every day!

Google Makes Video Advertising Easy

Google Adwords for video has made it relatively easy to get started by creating 4 different formats and 4 different ways to distribute your video ads that they are calling “TrueView” video ads. There is TrueView In-stream, TrueView In-display, TrueView In-search and TrueView In-slate. If done properly, video advertising on YouTube can be very effective. However, if not properly produced, targeted or presented, your video advertising campaign will likely fail.

Google Adwords for video & local TV ads

Small to mid-sized businesses spend around $20 BILLION on local TV advertising in the U.S. every year and Google wants a piece of that billion dollar pie! Unlike traditional TV advertising, Google’s new premium video ad platform only charges advertisers when the video is actually viewed and not based off of an erroneous estimated number of viewers. So instead of paying more for TV ad spots during programs, shows, or movies that are “supposed” to have more viewers, you only pay for views.

Conclusion-More than just video

Google is on the move. Google is combining search display and now video adverting that will reach a whopping 89% of of the online population! Some of Google’s ideas are better than others and I think it is safe to say that Google will never stop trying to make the internet world a better place. Although Google+ is taking a bit longer to take hold than they previously anticipated, YouTube has exploded! It is my personal belief that more and more people will turn to videos for their news, advice, education and everything else. For more information about advertising on YouTube or social media marketing campaign management, feel free to contact us at any time.

No, is what Cook County Circuit Judge Robert Lopez Cepero said to the state of Illinois on April, 25th 2012. Judge Robert Lopez Cepero struck down the 2011 sale tax law that would tax online sales from out-of-state companies. Judge Cepero also ruled that the Illinois law is unenforceable because of a Federal Internet Tax moratorium that runs through 2014. This is clearly the right decision because having an affiliated company that makes sales and or refers customers to an online retailer does not create enough of a presence to justify the online sales taxes.

How can an Online Sales Tax be a bad?

Companies that sell goods over the internet should collect the state’s sales taxes too, right? WRONG! If you try to force an online company to collect a state’s sales tax then the online business will just move out of state. That’s exactly what the CEO of CouponCabin did because Amazon threatened to sever ties with them unless they left Illinois. Maybe a different state should try to collect an online sales tax? WRONG AGAIN! Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Wake up people! If we try to enforce a sate of national online sales tax solution, online companies will not just move out of state to avoid the tax, they will move out of the country!

Where does Amazon.com fit in?

Amazon has been making deals with states left and right over the past few months in an attempt to avoid paying back taxes and penalties. Previously, Amazon had manipulated the fact that they had no physical presence in other states as a reason not to collect taxes from its customers. Now Amazon has changed their tune because states like Texas have stated that Amazon.com owes an estimated $269 million in uncollected sales taxes and penalties from 2004 to 2009. In my personal opinion, Amazon is just “playing nice” and siding with the state because they want to avoid the sales taxes and penalties.

Conclusion

The federal moratorium on internet sales tax will run through 2014. How will the next round play out? Will states be required to pass their own legislation regarding internet sales tax collection, rates, and requirements? A federally mandated online tax rate could be a solution. However, a few states (such as Oregon) have no state sales tax. And are those collected funds then federal (IRS) funds, or do they get delegated down to the individual states? Online sales through Amazon may hurt brick and mortar establishments, however legislation which would “level the playing field” so to speak, may have an underlying effect on the jobs which are created and sustained by Amazon, its suppliers, and shipping companies. Its wholly possible that such companies would move out of the states entirely, taking their jobs with them. Personally, I believe the brick and mortar establishments need to find their own innovations and adapt to the markets with which they operate in, leaving the tax code out of it!

Happy Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday, May 13th, 2012! Get your mother something beautiful. You don’t have to tell her that you got a tip. Surprise her. Be wonderful

Marketing to “Mom”
No, I am not talking about my mom, specifically, but “today’s mom”. The majority of “today’s mom” wants a work and family life balance. She deals with high time constraints and spends a lot of time online: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube.com, and MomCafe.com. She develops networks of other moms where they can compare and discuss their children. (Yes, your mom lied to you… we compare and take notes and tell all your most embarrassing stories while laughing. This helps us keep our sanity.)

“Today’s mom” also compares products within her networks off and online. Tide grew hip to the internet market trend by marketing to moms through laundry discussions on Facebook, and keeping a website that is comprehensive, featuring product information, laundry advice and videos, special offers, and an option to order products online.

However, today’s mom still feels pressure to “do it all” and be the “Supermom” (beyond having eyes in the back of her head). In marketing and advertising to moms, playing on these emotional values is the key.

However, today’s marketers seem to already be aware: This Uruguay phone commercial had me laughing:

 
Zales, Verizon, and JC Penny emphasize the emotional relationships in this year’s Mother’s Days Advertisements:

In Conclusion
This marketing advertisement geared to market to those buying for moms, appealed to me. Can you guess why? (If so, tell my husband for me!)

Special thanks to the author: Valerie Carsey
Valerie Carsey is a Marketing Business Administration student at Portland State University. She is currently in the Honor’s Track and expects to graduate in June 2013. She became passionate about marketing through owning her own massage and aromatherapy practice and an online punk baby superstore (think Hot Topic meets Babies R Us online with a gift registry). Valerie is married, with a 7 year old son and an 11 year old step daughter.

Having trouble finding what you’re looking for on Google? Are the search results cluttered with useless junk? Then you may need to adjust your Google search behavior. I found this useful piece of information floating around the interwebs and I thought some of you might like it. Try using some of the techniques shown below to help narrow the search results and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Here is an infographic that shows you how to adjust your Google searches to find what your looking for:

My Dirty Little Secrets:

• I once owned a Gillette Razor with multiple blades, a moisture strip and a wide “silky” handle that had me convinced of its “gentle glide” against my legs.

• I loved the Dove commercials that portrayed their products to make my skin “smooth and soft as a baby”. I not only purchased their soap, but I also purchased their lotion based on this campaign.

• As a teenager, I planned my outfit for the next day the night before, because this process could take up to an hour. I planned outfits like my blue striped blouse, my tight jeans, my bare feet, my clunky heeled shoes, my gold dangly earrings, my matching blue and white beaded bracelet and my bobby pin hair clips to compliment the whole entourage. Today, I do all this and more (in a much more mature and expedited manner). Now, I also pay attention to matching my make-up to my outfit. Why does this matter? I purchase my products to match, and I am not alone; and even more importantly marketers know this secret.

Men are From Mars and Women are From Venus
Men are profiled as brand loyal consumers. For example, if the Fruit of the Looms underwear is sufficient for comfort, he will buy it for the next twenty years. In fact, he may buy the next twenty years’ worth of packages at that moment and never look back. Women are more likely to switch brands. (Women understand the value of 3 adorable pairs of lacy underwear for $15 in comparison to 1 pair for $10.) Women are profiled to be “Chatty Cathy” social shoppers and to have emotional connections in relationships and with products. My favorite example of this is Lowes vs. Home Depot. Home Depot has positioned its brand towards a male market with a warehouse atmosphere. Lowes has positioned its brand towards a female market with more lights and demonstration displays in their stores. And I know this works, because I will tail my husband around Home Depot but I will gladly browse for hours alone through Lowes.

What is She Doing Here?
Today’s women are smart, strong and capable, but still want to be catered to. Today’s woman is researching and buying herself a car on her own; she is purchasing her own sport’s equipment and protein bars; she shops for her own technological devices; she does her own home repairs on her own house; she works out and she cares about health. Brands are getting smart to this in their advertisements targeting women. Luna (vs. the more masculine Powerbar or Cliffbar), Diet Coke (vs. Coke Zero positioned for men), vehicles sold with more female curves to match her body than angles of a man’s jawline (Honda CRV vs. Jeep Cherokee), light versions of beers, McDonald’s with other fast food brands have added salads and more health conscious items to their menus, and computers come in rainbow of colors to choose from (ex. Dell and Apple).

On Her Own
Many of today’s women are holding off relationships, marriage and babies. She focuses on herself and often her career. She creates families through her network of friends and co-workers. She feels empowered by her sense of independence and is likely to make large purchases on her own. Wells Fargo clued into this segment by developing an empowered woman hitting personal milestones in their advertisement:

In Conclusion
I am beautiful and narcissistic enough to know that products shaped smooth and curvy like me (a woman) feel feminine and appealing. Products that smell good feed my fantasy that I smell lovely (I personally love vanillas and lavenders). Dim lit environments appeal to my sense of romance vs. fast, loud and well lit environments that appeal to my sense of fun. Dear Marketers, woo me, because I am worth it.

As a local Portland internet marketing company, we are striving to reduce our carbon footprint every day. While other marketing companies are cutting down trees for useless print ads, we are using sustainable business practices and renewable wind energy to operate while reducing our environmental impact. Print advertising is becoming obsolete and for the first time ever, online advertising methods are expected to surpass print ad spending. Although these changes make us very happy as a community, we should all be looking at other ways we can help the environment, like using renewable wind energy! One of the things that our online ad agency does to help the environment is to use renewable wind power energy to host many of our websites. These high-efficiency servers use approximately 60% less energy per server for operating and cooling. Recent EPA studies showing data centers consume over 3% of all energy produced in the United States. Internet marketing companies must use sustainable business practices, and switch renewable energy too!

Oregon Wind Energy Ratings

The best sustainable wind energy resources in Oregon are more concentrated along ridge crests. As you can see in the map below, the Oregon Coast has many good-to-excellent areas for wind energy production. These readings show wind speed estimates at 50 meters (50m) off the ground, which is the height needed for the larger wind turbines of 50-60-m hub heights. If an area has a Wind Power Class 4 or higher at 50m, it is perfect for generating “community scale” renewable wind energy. This map from The U.S. Department of Energy‘s Wind Program and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) show how much renewable wind resources the state of Oregon actually has.

Renewable Wind Energy Production by State

Renewable Energy Awareness

As you can see in the renewable energy production statistics from Iberdrola, the United States is a leader in renewable energy productions. However, that was not always the case. In fact, in 2010, Spain lead the charge in renewable wind energy production. The U.S. has taken the lead because of the increase in renewable energy awareness. Help us in making the world a sustainable place by advocating for more renewable energy.

2011 Top Renewable Wind Energy Production by Country (GWh)

Conclusion

Of course wind energy has it’s minor set-backs just like any other form of energy production. However, renewable wind energy is one of the best solutions to the problem. By transforming this abundant natural resource into clean and renewable energy, we can help reduce the impact on our planet. Our customers can rest assured knowing that the internet marketing company you have chosen is not destroying our earth’s natural beauty. Our office specifically employs clean and environmentally responsible policies regarding paper use and recycling. If you’re not a client, we urge you to call your current internet marketing company to ask them about what they are doing for the environment and demand that they use wind energy. It is always nice to know that you can join the energy efficient and sustainable advertising agency to harvest the wind!

Banner advertising can be so boring at times. The IAB has got us nailed down to these rectangles with names like “Leader board”, and “Skyscraper” and “Square button”. With limited real estate, and limited shapes our real estate can take, what can an advertiser do to cut through the clutter of the same old flash, bang banner ads? The answer: Gamification.

What is Gamification?

Gamification can be described as giving the qualities of gaming (challenge, daydream, interest and control) to a non-gaming platform. In the marketing world, we can apply these characteristics to advertising. And more importantly, we can apply these engaging characteristics to objects that otherwise would be scenery, banner ads.

Over the years the most memorable ads online have had a game aspect to the. State Farm had a great baseball game in a large rectangle (336×280) on ESPN.com during the home run derby a few years back. The coding was very primitive, but the game was engaging and therefore memorable.

Gamification & Branding

Allow your target consumer to engage with your brand by playing a game and you are connecting your image to the intrinsic value of gaming (Malone). By intrinsically linking brand to your target consumer you are building the foundation for a relationship that has excellent lifetime value. That is not to say that your game (ad) doesn’t need to be played (viewed) numerous times before the player links to your site, or offer. I’m just saying that your brand can be getting a foot-hold that can be long-lasting by tying said brand to the internal value that games give to the players.

Game Advertising is a Science

There is more to Gamification that just the fulfillment that the players feel while they are playing. Another key element is the use of sound and colors to complement the message that you are trying to convey. If your brand sells cheeseburgers in Dallas and you want to compete for the cheeseburger market in hungry Dallas, you better know the yellow, orange and red make people think they’re hungry. You better know that music linked to the “Golden Era” of rock’n’roll makes the consumer feel nostalgic and nostalgic for a good old fashion cheeseburger. I know I just described McDonald’s, but if they produced a rich media ad with gaming features you bet they would incorporate those aspects into the game play. So do the research on your consumer’s motivation, attitudes and opportunities and incorporate the data into the Gamification of your advertising. And part of what makes a game memorable (and addicting) is the use of resistive lights, colors and sounds.

Conclusion

All-in-all, the Gamification of advertising is a win-win-win. It’s a win for the consumer who gets to interact with your brand in a way that is internally fulfilling to them. It’s a win for the advertiser who gets to be the hero to their client by allowing the client’s brand to be engaging and memorable. And Gamification is a win for all the accountants who will be counting all the money marketing has made for the brands.

Update Added by TME Administrator: Alex L

Special thanks to the author: Chris Balfour

Chris Balfour is a dedicated sales and marketing professional with significant experience across many different industries. We have worked with Chris on several projects with great success. Chris is very knowledgeable, creative and works well with everyone within our office. It is our understanding that Chris is currently searching for his next marketing opportunity so if you are interested in speaking with him directly please reach out to him using the link provided above.

The Avengers are back to save the world, again. Some of us Marvel Comic fans have been waiting for this movie for over 5 years! The movie’s production as announced in 2005, but due to set backs and casting delays, the scheduled release has moved back until May, 2012. The wait is almost over and the anticipation is growing as “The Avengers” movie ads are playing everywhere you turn. With stars like Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, and Samuel L. Jackson, The Avengers is one of the most anticipated Marvel movies yet. Enough about the movie, let’s talk about the movie’s product placement and the Acura NSX Roadster.

The Avengers Acura NSX Roadster

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) was caught on set of The Avengers standing next to the new Acura NSX. The new Acura NSX concept car will not even be available to the public until late 2015, but the whole world is buzzing because the Acura NSX is now the official car of The Avengers. This early summer blockbuster should be one of the best superhero movies from Marvel Productions, partially because of the new NSX which could very well be the Honda supercar we’ve been waiting for. However, the new NSX featured in the film may not exactly resemble the NSX that is said to be available in late 2015. Tony Stark’s NSX is a multimillion dollar, hand built, one of a kind car that was made specifically for The Avengers movie and it was actually created from a 1991 Acura NSX. Even the interior has the old NSX tape player! Although Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) will get the honor of cruising around in the Acura NSX concept, people are asking, how fast will he actually be driving? Good question! We were shocked to learn that if the The Avengers Acura NSX goes over 10mph, the body panels will fly off!

Acura’s Deal

Acura has signed a multi-picture deal with Marvel Productions, and needed a car that would live up to Tony Stark’s extravagant, thrill seeking, peddle to the metal life style. To replace Tony’s Audi R8, Acura needed to produce a fast, sexy and over the top vehicle, the Acura NSX Roadster. According to Mike Accavitti, Vice President of National Marketing Operations, “Acura is excited to continue our presence as the official vehicle of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Marvel films.”

Here is Acura’s Official “Re-Re-Routed Commercial

Acura NSX Statistics

How fast will the real Acura NSX go? How much will it cost? Slow down, pump the brakes because we are just as excited as you are. Rumor has it, the new NSX will be priced to compete with the Nissan GT-R with a 3.5 to 3.7-liter V6 driving the rear wheels, and an electric hub motor in each of the front wheels. Although Honda officials continue to deny that Tony Stark’s Acura NSX is what the production version NSX will be, we can all dream!

The Avengers Acura MDX

The Acura MDX is another great Acura that’s featured in The Avengers movie as S.H.I.E.L.D.’s off-road pursuit vehicle. The 2011 Acura MDX is a seven passenger crossover vehicle that has been totally tricked out for the movie. Cinema Vehicle Services added huge fender flares, flat black paint, aggressive cop bash bars, light and much more. Edmunds.com reviewed the 2011 Acura MDX and they said the MDX is “Both sensible and desirable, the 2011 Acura MDX is a standout for its brand and its class. Definitely a top pick.” I love the the way Cinema Vehicle Services customized the 2011 Acura MDX. I only wish that Acura would make a S.H.I.E.L.D.’s off-road pursuit vehicle available to the public.

The Avengers Movie Release

The Avengers #1 first started appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics in September 1963. And, after many delays, The Avengers are back. The movie has experienced many setbacks due to casting issues, and the addition of Scarlett Johansson in March of 2009. Although the release has been pushed back until May 4th 2012, we believe it is well worth the wait! We can’t wait to watch The Avengers team up to save the world, again. We hope that the movie does not disappoint. Here are a few of the current movie posters.

Many of our readers already know Google Adwords and their Keyword matching system inside and out. Well things have changed over the last week and we are going to tell you how and why. For those of you who don’t already know, Google uses three different kinds of keyword match types; [exact match] which only matches the exact keywords, “phrase match” which matches the keyword phase regardless of what comes before or after the matched phrase or broad match which is the broadest match of all. Google Adwords updated their “Advanced Settings” early last week to include keyword variants matching. This is actually a good thing because approximately 7% of all search queries contain a misspelling, and according to Google, the longer the search query, the higher the misspelling rate.

Keyword Variants Matching

The Google Adwords Keyword Variants Matching is also a good because many Google’ers will type slightly different search query variations in when searching for the exact same thing. To better help you visualize what I am talking about, I have adapted an example from Google’s official Adwords blog to help you understand. When someone searches for “children bicycles” or “children’s bicycle,” they are basically searching for the same answer. If someone searches for “hardwood floor” or “hardwood flooring,” they are most likely searching for the same answer as well. This is what Google Keyword Variants Matching is all about.

Keyword Variants Example

For experienced Google Adword users, below is a more in depth look at the system changes. Let’s assume that the line directly below is your keywords and settings:

        [Cabin Rental]      “Swim Toys”      [Fishing Charter]

Now look at these three keyword examples, exact and phrase match, within Google Adwords.

1. Cabin Rental     Safe Kids Swim Toys            Fishing Charter
2. Cabin Rentel     Safe Kids Swimming Toys     Fishing Charters

With Google Adwords’ current keyword matching settings, only the keywords in line #1 would be considered a match that would trigger your Google PPC Ad to appear in the sponsored search results. Unfortunately, with the current keyword match settings, line #2 would not be considered a match by Google Adwords so it would not appear in the search results even though they are very similar. Although the keywords are very similar, these slight variations will cause your ad not to appear even though it is safe to say that the user is looking for the same results.

Check Your Adwords Settings

According to Google’s official blog, the change is not supposed to take place until “mid-May” but we have noticed that many of our Google Adwords campaigns have been updated automatically. This is troubling to us because Google’s official blog clearly states that the keyword variants changes would be “starting mid-May.” So check your settings. Here are a few screen shots that I took from one of my accounts that may help you out.

Google Adwords Alert Displaying “In mid-May”

Go to your Adwords “Advanced settings” Section

Go to your “Keyword matching options” Section

Make An Educated Decision

Now that you know a little more about Google’s Keyword Variants matching settings, make an educated decision on whether or not you want to include “plurals, misspellings, and other close keyword variants.”

Final Thoughts

These new Keyword Variants matching from Google Adwords will definitely increase clicks and costs because more impressions equals more clicks. Google provides a “Did you mean:” search suggest directly under the search query every time you misspell a word. I think these changes are somewhat unnecessary, especially if you’re searching for something that’s uniquely spelled. Personally, I search for business names and other keywords that Google has deemed “misspellings” when they are correct and I don’t want Google trying to tell me what I am searching for. If you have ever searched for something correctly and Google prompts a “Did you mean” or “Showing results for” search suggest underneath, then you know what I’m talking about. Furthermore, the fact that Google decided to spring this on everyone early has me a bit concerned. Combine that with the fact that this Google Adwords update is retro-active. If you don’t want keyword variants matching within specific campaigns you will have to go back through every account to manually select “Do not include close variants.” I find this change very frustrating. Seems like Google has made these changes retro-active in order to make more money from their Adwords platform while justifying it all in the name of creating a “better user experience.”