CapsuleBlog

American Craft Council, Minneapolis welcomes you

The New York City-based nonprofit American Craft Council announced last week that it is relocating to Minneapolis in 2010. We think they'll find lots of inspiration in our vibrant arts scene, our beautiful natural environment and our national treasure known as the hotdish.

“The council is proud to have been headquartered in New York for 66 years, but the high cost of doing business in the city is not a sustainable financial model for our organization given the current economic climate,” said Leilani Duke, chair of the American Craft Council Board, in a statement. “As part of a year-long strategic planning process, the council board determined that relocating to the Midwest – with its rich craft traditions and energetic artist communities – is an exciting and positive step.”

According to its announcement, “The council plans to open its new office in July 2010, and is currently in negotiations for a space.”

(From Finance and Commerce)

 
(You can purchase these cute tea towels here)

Stuff that you really should know - like, really

Ever get sick of the same old stuff on the radio? We do. That's why when we drove three hours to a client in a quaint little Minnesotan town recently, Dan was smart enough to have a slew of Stuff You Should Know podcasts at the ready. Genius. Want to build your own personal reserve of random but interesting information? Go on and check out their blog then... the boys are waiting.

I was assaulted by Kid Rock

Visually and aurally, that is.

I went to see our own Minnesota Wild play hockey last night at St Paul's Excel stadium. Obviously, there is violence to be expected in this sport. Body slamming, puck whacking and yes, the occasional punch-up.

What I was not prepared for though was the pre-game ad spot for the National Guard, a joint effort by Kid Rock and some NASCAR dude. It's 2:36 of sheer testosterone, us versus them, and America hell yeah. I felt like I was watching a shoot 'em up video game.

Regardless of my personal opinions on the war, and American foreign policy in general, the messaging behind the ad simply highlights how dire things must be for military recruitment. For the U.S. military brand, the Hero archetype obviously makes the most sense, but let us not forget that this archetype's shadow/downside (ie when the archetype is taken to the extreme) is arrogance. And in this case, it's a very fine line.

I don't have the magical solution. The military has been recruiting for an extremely controversial conflict for a long period of time. People are more and more skeptical of our involvement with it, and of the human cost it brings. Perhaps the brand has no other choice but to try to energize potential recruits with blaring rock music and lyrics such as

So don't tell me who's wrong and right/ when liberty starts slipping away/ and if you ain't gonna fight/ get out of the way/ cuz freedom ain't so free when you breathe red white and blue/ I'm givin' all of myself cuz that's what I do.

Is there a better alternative?

Lame 'Loser' product placement

I've never been into The Biggest Loser much. This season, I've been sucked into a few episodes. Call it curiosity. Or perhaps I'm just trying to understand the Capsule office obsession with P90X a little better.

Whatever it is, the most standout thing about the show is not the incredible transformations, the tears, or the throwing up after a particularly strenuous workout. It's the horrible product placement. 

Last night I watched Aussie chef hottie Curtis Stone touting Jennie O ground turkey burgers to the team: a giant disconnect if I ever saw one, given that his usual style leans towards local, organic and gourmet. Jennie O mass-produced ground turkey meat is none of these things. The close-ups of the product packaging, over-use of the brand name, and general clumsiness of the segment made the product placement unnatural and icky.

I've seen the same thing before with Yoplait yogurt. In one of the first episodes of the season, we see one of the contestants upset over something - possibly a poor weigh-in result. Bob consoles her. WITH A YOPLAIT YOGURT.

I don't know about you, but when I'm upset, the last thing I feel like reaching for is a low-fat strawberry yogurt. Another example of an unrealistic and forced scene. Poor Bob must have been cringing beneath those gigantic tattoo-covered biceps.

I understand that brands are seeking new ways to promote themselves - new causes, new associations, new ways of connecting with consumers. But they're putting themselves at risk of insulting the audience instead. 

I found a transcript online of a blogger's conversation with Jillian Michaels and Mark Koops, executive producer.

“One of the other questions that’s been brought up by a lot of the readers on [DietsInReview.com] is the product placement that takes place on this show. Everyone [feels it is] very cheesy and it’s very obviously placed. Is there any plan to tone that back in the future or to maybe do it a little differently?”

Jillian: “Mark? I’ll have to defer to my boss on this one because I cannot talk about this at all. I’ll get in trouble.”

Brandi: “Product placement is obviously paying the bills for the show, but it seems to be striking a strange chord with the audience.”

Mark: “I think, you know, it is sort of, no pun intended – part of the reality of where television is moving to in the 21st Century. The 30-second spot, you know, goes away and (DVR) penetrations, it’s a longer topic of conversation.

We’re approached by a number of companies wanting to, to get involved in the show. And I think we’re very selective in terms of who we take. We’ve been approached in the past by all the fast food companies, you know.

I think we do try and have a selective process about who we pick and about the message they’re trying to (sell).

Could at times it be done, you know, cleaner and better? I think there’s always room for improvement."

Seems like Jillian's not excited about it either.

I have three words of advice for The Biggest Loser and its sponsors: Make It Subtle!

I recommend saying it like Tim Gunn.

The power of color

Color is something that's all around us, yet we often overlook its powerful ability to impact both mood and perception. Pantone is often looked to as the color gurus, so lets take a look at what they earlier predicted to be the big color hits of fall/winter 2009/10.

Pantone says, "A natural choice during uncertain times, patriotic American Beauty,a wonderfully balanced, true red, speaks to the need for cohesiveness. Perfect for all skin tones, American Beauty is a feel-good color. Purple Heart connotes a sense of refinement and sensuality, adding an air of creativity and excitement to the top 10, especially when paired with American Beauty."

Congratulations, Pantone. You were right on the money with American Beauty and Purple Heart. Jewel-toned shades certainly become more popular with the cooler weather, and this is more apparent in 2009 than ever. From cosmetic companies to haute couture fashion houses, fabric designers to interior decorators, purple isn't going anywhere anytime soon in the creative industries