Advertising Age - Songs For Soap

Stephen Colbert: Black Eyed Peas Missed Many 'Advertunities' in Latest Video

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:14:53 -0400

In last night's episode of "The Colbert Report," Stephen examined this year's summer jamz, and in the process took issue with the video for the Black Eyed Peas' latest hit, "I Gotta Feeling." He lamented: "Peas, please! You guys are the masters of the mass-market sell-out. You missed so many advertunities!

Taco Bell Steps Up to the Mic ... Again

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:57:21 -0400

What to say about this Taco Bell "music video" for its song "It's All About The Roosevelts"?

A Taylor-Made Complaint for United Airlines

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:06:24 -0400

Halifax musician Dave Carroll has created a viral hit with a video decrying the behavior of United Airlines and its treatment of his Taylor guitar.

Build Your Band and the Brands Will Come

j_daniel@rockrivermusic.com(Jeff Daniel) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:37:51 -0400

There is no music-branding silver bullet that will skyrocket a developing artist to stardom and riches. Take your time and focus on your own career and we will find you. It's often not the answer these artists want to hear, but it's the truth.

Brands Should Be Wired Into Music Discovery

ko@brandsplusmusic.com(Ko Kawashima) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:53:32 -0400

Music fans care about discovery. Connecting people with what they want and what they don't even know they want yet is the name of the game.

Thank You for Killing Auto-Tune, Wendy's!

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:21:25 -0400

Somehow it took a fast-food restaurant to do for hip-hop what Jay-Z couldn't: kill Auto-Tune. He recently told a Chicago radio station that his latest song, "Death of Auto-Tune," was, in part, a reaction to a Wendy's spot that parodied the ubiquitous pitch-correction technology.

Spin the Red Circle

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:41:14 -0400

That retracted fan account of a Pearl Jam show shot by director Cameron Crowe for a Target ad? Confirmed.

The Green Label Singles Club

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:51:20 -0400

You won't find the word "singles club" anywhere in Mountain Dew's press materials, but that's the best way to describe the current direction of Green Label Sound. Beginning this month, the cola brand's free digital music outlet is shifting to a monthly schedule, starting with a release by Inglewood rap duo U-N-I that drops today.

ReverbNation to Offer DIY Song Sponsorships

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:28:46 -0400

With its new Sponsored Song program, ReverbNation is aiming to give some of its member bands marketing dollars that would normally be unavailable to them.

Only You Can Prevent Music-Licensing Disasters

dawn@agoraphone.com(Dawn Sutter Madell) — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Sometimes I feel like a Boy Scout, always shouting "Be prepared!" But, honestly, it's the best way to get what you want in the end, and music licensing for advertising is no exception. Be prepared!

Branded Records Come Full Circle

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:41:26 -0400

It's been a busy this week, but we're taking a break to bring you an important piece of news: some of the most mundane products in the world once had their own branded records.

Miller Chill's Summer Serenade

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:28:00 -0400

Not only does this Miller Chill spot actually make me want to drink this light beer even though I've had it before and can't handle fruit in my pint, but the track from The Dodos in it is a perfect mix of lush natural sounds and electric urgency that syncs flawlessly with the visuals.

Dwele Sipping McD's 'Liquid Love'

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:06:50 -0400

What, did you think that McNuggets were the only fast-food product with a rightful place in the bedroom? After "nuggnut" Keith Sweat boldly fetishized the deep-fried chicken bits last year, smooth-singing R&B singer Dwele is now trying to do the same for the big McCafe push.

'Celebrity Apprentice' Tackles Jingles

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:03:27 -0400

On this week's episode, 'Celebrity Apprentice' judges -- execs from Chicken of the Sea -- decided that country music was too limiting for their brand, which is questionable given the age and income range of its fans, and they were also worried that Black's jingle didn't pack in a message of convenience.

'Rap Chop' Is Worth the Wait

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:01:41 -0400

Sure, maybe you're totally over the ShamWow guy and his infamous alleged scuffle with a painted lady. But truly superb funny video remixes take time and patience, people. Case in point: Steve Porter's epic remix of Vince Shlomi's Slap Chop infomercial, which will live among the apex of its genre for a long time.

What Brands Can Learn From Jadakiss

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:07:15 -0400

There are numerous differences between an album launch and a product launch, but extracting and highlighting what insights and lessons can be learned from Jadakiss' latest release and his initiatives are not as obvious.

De La Soul Hints at Independent Release

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:00:43 -0400

After putting out their last album, "The Grind Date," with Universal's Sanctuary imprint, the guys in De La Soul suggested their next could be fully independent, perhaps even a digital-only release

An Artifact From MTV's Product Placement Stone Age

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:57:51 -0400

In a blog post yesterday, Businessweek's Jon Fine -- who's also a former Ad Ager -- dredged up the forgotten history of hair metal band Autograph and its pioneering product placement during MTV's wee years.

With Shelf Space Receding, EMI Eyes Grocery Stores

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:27:42 -0400

EMI is integrating its artists into branded impulse buys like pre-paid debit cards and lotto tickets.

Courtyard's Sync Seems Out-of-Sync

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:10:00 -0400

Songs for Soap's little brother would like readers to know that, in an ad that began running this week, Courtyard by Marriott is featuring a bit of the song "Lolita" from indie-pop sensation Throw Me the Statue.

Something to Strive for: the Perfect Moment

dawn@agoraphone.com(Dawn Sutter Madell) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:06:59 -0400

There is a rare occurrence that I hope for -- a perfect moment. It's the one where the song combines with an amazing concept and images to create a sum even better than the individual parts.

Radio, Radio: How to Bring Credibility Back

jon@cornerstonepromotion.com(Jon Cohen) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:30:22 -0400

In a time when we live our media lives huddled around web browsers and staring at our phones, what is the relevance of broadcast radio to marketers?

Peter Murphy Gives Chase 'Instant Karma'

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:12:06 -0400

For its WaMu rebranding campaign in Calfornia, JPMorgan Chase was looking for a tidal wave of optimism; with an "Instant Karma!" cover, they got it, care of Peter Murphy, Bauhaus' "godfather of goth."

Cultural 'War' for Hasidic Music Hits Brands

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:18:49 -0400

Hasidic musicians, once part of a booming industry, are now finding two of their last stable revenue streams -- live music and brand sponsorships -- threatened by conservative religious leaders, according to a piece in Haaretz today.

Transparency. Commitment. Restraint

rob@cornerstonepromotion.com(Rob Stone) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:15:45 -0400

Reputation is the cornerstone of power. It's everything; your brand, your customers, your fans and your die-hards depend on it. If it's weakened, your competitors will prey on it.

Minor Chords: April 9, 2009

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:00:39 -0400

Chilli, formerly of R&B group TLC, has had a difficult time getting off the ground as a solo performer, but L'Oreal and Coca-Cola's Dasani have picked her up as their spokeswoman in a campaign that will be shared by the two brands.

Al-Qaida's Sucka MC

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:39:24 -0400

Al-Qaida and an affiliated group are dipping their toes into the rap game in a new recruitment video.

The Touch, the Feel of Nostalgia

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:51:10 -0400

Polyester and lycra have never seemed all that rad to me, but apparently Cotton Inc. decided its chosen fabric needed to step up its game, and the brand sent its famous jingle to rock-star rehab. The industry organization has enlisted Miranda Lambert, Jazmine Sullivan and Zooey Deschanel to spin the song in TV ads, which began airing Sunday.

Come Together: Opening Hands for Brands

jon@cornerstonepromotion.com(Jon Cohen) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:42:00 -0400

As the traditional record business continues to struggle and figure out how to fix itself, the role of brands in music continues to be debated. Why?

Visa Making 'Freaky' Online Purchases Safer

cmoran@adage.com(Charlie Moran) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:06:24 -0400

Visa's newest ad features the song "Super Freak" by Rick James, and I can't imagine what you were up to in the early '80s if you've gotten yourself worked up about this one. Nevertheless, it is fairly bizarre.