Like any massive corporation that has a lot of dough and a lot of interests, Coca-Cola has tangled itself in plenty of politics, though your average soda drinker couldn’t likely care less. However, there are some that do and Coke doesn’t want to lose their dollars.

That may be why the company has ditched out of the conservative lobbying group American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a group that denies the existence of climate change, helped author a law in Florida that some believe helped cause the Trayvon Martin situation to arise, and is pushing for voter ID registration (which critics deem a form of voter suppression), according to TriplePundit.com.Continue reading...

Why not ruin a good thing?

That’s apparently the prevailing sentiment at Starbucks these days. After the feverish push behind Via instant coffee, the brand continues their off-brand stumble.

This time, Starbucks is doubling down on its relationship with MSNBC’s Morning Joe, the cable morning show hosted by Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist. The company will rebrand their Gold Coast Blend to become Gold Coast Blend: Morning Joe Edition. The packaging will prominently feature the television show's logo -- larger than Starbucks' own logo.

The coffee empire calls the move part of an effort to increase awareness of its community volunteerism efforts. Together with MSNBC and the Morning Joe cable show, Starbucks will kick off their “Brewing Together Day of Service,” a call-to-action campaign beginning on Nov. 21, encouraging citizens to volunteer in their communities.Continue reading...

When I saw the new Reebok campaign for its new line of athletic shoes, I immediately put on some Axe deodorant, had a can of Coors and went out to get a pair. Imagine my surprise then when I arrived at the store to find the brand's East Tone line is for... women. Specifically, women who want a better "booty."

The brand's microsite says "88% of men are speechless." And that certainly might be true of a campaign that seemingly uses tactics straight out of men's deodorant or beer ads: women in underwear ogled, sweeping perfume camera angles, headless female torsos.Continue reading...

Microsoft thought it would be a good idea to promote Windows 7 to the kids by sponsoring the upcoming Fox special "Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show," starring “Family Guy” creator Seth McFarlane.

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the animated hit is aware that its shotgun-comedy strategy is “Who can we offend next?” But as Variety reported, Microsoft executives were taken aback when watching the October 16 taping of the episode that included the planned Windows 7 pitch:

For most of the special, however, MacFarlane and Borstein made typical "Family Guy"-style jokes, including riffs on deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest.

Such material was apparently a bit much for Microsoft.

Microsoft, which will think twice next time before asking an intern what the cool kids like, decided to abandon its marketing plan, which included promoting the brand throughout the November 8 show so it could run commercial-free.Continue reading...

Corona may be dealing with some bad PR over a fake ad, but its real advertising campaign may also be losing its way.

Corona's parent Constellation Brands appears to be having a good year. Hard times may be good for alcohol makers. But that's not the case for the group's Corona beer brand, which, as a premier label, is suffering as strapped consumers turn to lower tier beer brands. The brand is hoping to counter this by introducing 24-ounce cans of Corona to the market soon.

Corona is also bumping up its ad exposure during premier sporting events such as the Major League Baseball playoffs and National Football League games. Any football fan is aware of this, as Corona ads have become more numerous and subtly different in tone.Continue reading...

Has fashion-related television turned tacky? With so many power players in that particular industry landing their own shows (Rachel Zoe, Kelly Cutrone... and I wonder if Tyra Banks counts), has America had enough, or is this just the beginning?

Now, Vera Wang is in talks to create a reality-TV show based on her life and career. The designer was recently rejected from Dancing With The Stars; rumor has it that producers refused to allow her to create her own costumes.Continue reading...

You know what would look great on your new, beautifully tiled bathroom floor, according to ads from Italian mosaic tile company Bisazza? A bound and gagged geisha, imploring you for mercy with her big soulful eyes.

The UK Advertising Standards Authority begged to differ. They quickly yanked the ad –- though not before it had appeared in high-profile publications such as British Vogue.

Bisazza argued that bondage images are common to the work of respected Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki. The regulators begged to differ, more concerned about the implicit sexual violence than the renowned artist's larger body of work.Continue reading...

After an embarrassing first-round elimination by the International Olympic Committee as the site of the 2016 Summer Games, woe is Chicago’s new brand.

Just months ago, Chicago was on a high -- bestowing a popular president on the nation, with local congressman Rahm Emanuel tapped to help run things as White House Chief of Staff. The antics of Illinois' buffoonish, corrupt governor (once a Chicago congressman) Rod Blagojevich seemed little more than a comedic distraction.

And then, just as Chicago put its best face forward with its high-powered Olympics bid, the news was flooded with the video of a 16-year-old Chicago honor student's brutal murder by fellow teens.Continue reading...