Blogs about marketing from Pew Pew Laser Blog

Things I Bought Because of PAX.

Because PAX is just a few weeks away, I thought I'd take this moment to reflect on the commercial aspect of PAX. Here is a list of things that I have bought as a direct result of attending PAX:

• Munchkin, as well as numerous expansion packs and spin-offs: Technically, Munchkin was a present, but it was bought for me.
• Comic Jumper T-Shirt: As a glassblower, I need more long-sleeved t-shirts (are you listening, Woot?). So I snapped this up when I saw it.
• Zombie Dice, Cthulu Dice, Revolution: After playing these in the demo area, we purchased each of them by the end of the year.
• Bomberman Blast (Wiiware): The nostalgia is strong with this one. This is all the multi-player Bomberman you need for any party fun times.

Links.

If you like Clients From Hell, you'll love Things Real People Don't Say About Advertising. Warning: these sites can sometimes be not safe for work.

Nicely Done Google.

Google created this little video to "individually" thank each one of its advertisers. It's pretty funny, actually.

Premiums.

Remember the free toy that came in your Cracker Jacks or Happy Meal? Such giveaways or "premiums" can be tremendously motivating.

The local blood donation collectors are offering a free cookbook if I donate blood twice this summer. I confess, the thought of a free cookbook pleases me just as much as the normal altruistic feeling of giving blood.

The Pike Pub in downtown Seattle is offer a free engraved growler (full of Pike brew, of course) if a patron signs up for their frequent visitor's club and orders one of each of the beers that Pike serves. It's been a nearly a year, and the husband is about 3/4s of the way though the 2 page list of beers.

Still, I was surprised by boldness of Zynga / 7-11's recent promotion of Mafia Wars and Farmville freebies with Slurpees.

Lastly, there's the recent battle of Carvel Ice Cream vs. Mama Lohan.

Best Yet Interaction With a Clipboard-Holding Petitioner.

Summertime is a very popular time for those clipboard holding signature seekers to be stalking the downtown populace. Alas for them; I have well developed methods for shutting down their game. They just keep trying, though. Recently, I encountered one while walking to the bus home after a long day of work.

I saw him from a block away; alone, clipboard in hand, trying to engage passers-by. He saw me from half a block away; business clothes and no companion; and thought he found a mark.

I saw him noticing me - he open his arms and smiled. I rolled my eyes, smiled a little, and shook my head. He kept trying.

Him: Hey, how ya doin'?
Me. Not interested, thanks. (I turned the corner and kept walking.)
Him: Oh. Oh, I'm not interested in you either. Ha ha. (As I walked away. Still friendly, but disappointed.)