Taylor Swift Secures Sneaker Partner For Upcoming Album

Keds, the Massachusetts-based sneaker brand established in 1916, today announced a multi-year partnership with six-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift. Keds, which will tie in to Swift's upcoming album entitled "Red," says the country music star "embodies the Keds spirit, style and sensibility." "I'm so excited to be partnering with Keds," said Swift. "I've been a fan of K...

Marketers React To Red Bull's Record Breaking Stunt

Yesterday, Red Bull pulled off what is likely one of the greatest sponsored expeditions ever. "Fearless" Felix Baumgartner, after countless delays, finally achieved his 24-mile freefall from 120,000+ feet, in the process breaking the sound barrier and the record for highest ever freefall jump. With Red Bull's marketing machine operating on all cylinders, the energy drink also shattered several...

[VIDEO] Pocket Like It's Hot: Snoop Teams Up With Snack Maker

In what may be his first endorsement deal as Snoop Lion, "Pocket Like It's Hot", a music video/ad featuring Snoop was released by the marketing folks at Hot Pockets brand sandwiches over the weekend. Pretty funny stuff. Check it out below... “Everyone loves Snoop Dogg because he’s fun and IRRESISTIBLY HOT just like HOT POCKETS,” said brand manager Daniel Jhung of Nestlé USA. “Snoop Dogg ...

Kings Crown New Arena Partner

Sacramento-based mattress retailer, Sleep Train, already an official partner of the Sacramento Kings, has signed a five year deal to put its name on the team's home venue. The deal comes after the team's former naming rights partner, Power Balance, declared bankruptcy last November. The deal comes amid ongoing uncertainty about the team's future in the Sacramento area. "On behalf of the...

The Price Tag For Red Bull's Space Jump

While opinions differ widely on the ROI that Red Bull received from the Felix Baumgartner space jump, the I part of ROI is being pegged at 50 million euros or $65 million in U.S. dollars. That sounds like quite a number to make back until you put it alongside the company's other marketing expenditures. In fact, it's just a nudge over 20% of the $300 million that Red Bull CEO and founder Dietric...

Nike Terminates Lance Armstrong Relationship

Nike this morning released this statement: "Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner. Nike plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives...

Airline One-Ups Competitor With Clever Election Campaign

Southwest Airlines may be the official sponsor of the presidential debates, but budget airline competitor, JetBlue, has found a creative way to turn the national event into its own big marketing opportunity. Here's the ad that ran immediately after last night's debate. While Southwest Airlines is in their first year as a debate sponsor, JetBlue customers can visit JetBlue.com/election...

Consumer Products Out, Networks In: 2012's Most Valuable Sports Brands

Forbes annual list of the world's most valuable sports brands is out. Newcomers to the business list include MLBAM, NESN and IMG, while Under Armour, YES and IMG made the biggest jump in this year's rankings. Conspicuously absent from this year's list are consumer products heavyweights EA and Gatorade, while sports networks now make up half the list. Apparel holds its own in this year's list wi...

This Marketing Firm Wants To Make Your House A Media Buy

Taking OOH media to the next level, one experiential marketing agency has decided to make a unique proposal. Brainiacs From Mars is asking homeowners to let the company paint their house with a client ad and in exchange, the firm says it will pay the homeowner's mortgage for as long as the ad stays. For real. Apparently, 40,000+ homeowners have applied and the company's goal is to have 3,000 ho...

Coke Opens A Big Fat Can Of Awesomeness On Unsuspecting 007 Fans

Vending machines these days can do all kinds of things... even inspire the 007 in you apparently. Coke Zero, an official partner of Columbia Pictures' James Bond movie Skyfall recently challenged unsuspecting train passengers to unlock the 007 in them for their chance to win exclusive tickets. The catch? Fans had to avoid unsuspecting obstacles in less than 70 seconds to win the tickets. Check ...