November 24, 2009
Just last Monday SC Johnson launched a new web site (www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com) that discloses all the ingredients in the company’s cleaning products. Having worked in the cleaning products industry for many years, this is an excellent step in the right direction. Rather than having the government regulate the industry, leading companies like SC Johnson and Seventh Generation are taking matters into their own hands.
I took a look at SC Johnson’s new site (www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com) and Seventh Generation’s “Show The World What’s Inside” (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/show-whats-inside/cleaning-products-ingredients-guide) to see how helpful the information really is. Below is a side-by-side comparison of each company’s description of “sodium hydroxide” – a common ingredient in cleaning products.
SC Johnson
A builder that enhances cleaning ability. It can also be a pH adjuster that alters the pH of a product to improve stability. In high concentrations (such as in drain cleaners), it can be a caustic that helps dissolve organic matter like drain clogs.
Seventh Generation
What is it: Also called caustic soda or lye, it is a chemical used as a pH adjuster. Commonly used in automatic dishwashing compounds.
What is it used for: Used to maintain the pH of a product.
What effect does it have: High concentrations can be corrosive to skin and eyes. Sodium hydroxide made with older, mercury cell technology pollutes the environment with mercury. Therefore Seventh Generation uses only newer, membrane technology.
From a consumer standpoint, both sites provide useful information; however, Seventh Generation’s site goes a step further to provide the effect of the chemical on humans and the environment, which is what most consumers want to know. I also like the fact that the Seventh Generation site allows you to download the ingredient guide onto your computer and provides an iPhone application. This can be very helpful when shopping for cleaning products (even if they are not Seventh Generation), especially if you are looking to avoid products with certain ingredients.
November 19, 2009
If you’re a Leggo my Eggo fan, you better stock up now because Kellogg’s is experiencing a shortage and is rationing Eggos to retailers based on past business. The waffle shortage occurred because of flooding at the Atlanta bakery during a fall rain storm and equipment problems at a Tennessee plant. The shortage is expected to last until mid-2010 as Kellogg’s works as quickly as possible to ramp up production. 
Kellogg’s has addressed the problem by communicating effectively with media and posting the following message on its Leggo my Eggo web site:
You may have noticed that some of your favorite Eggo® Products are out of stock. We are working hard to get all of our products back into grocers’ freezers as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your continued support.
If you are interested in receiving periodic updates from the Eggo® brand about your favorite products, including news about when they will back on shelf, please click here. Thank you for your patience. Learn More
But it wasn’t enough to ease consumers’ concerns as they voiced their opinions on Twitter and Facebook:
“Suddenly “Leggo my Eggo!”® sounds a lot more threatening.”
“Giving “Leggo my Eggo” a whole new meaning. hmm-maybe I shoulda given in at the grocery store last week.”
“Leggo my Eggo, dammit!”
This is certainly a window for competitors to gain some market share.
November 11, 2009
The day after Halloween, I started seeing Walmart and Kohl’s holiday television ads. Pottery Barn already distributed its 1st holiday catalog, Target featured a toy guide in Sunday’s paper, Santa is already appearing in the malls, and just this week I started seeing direct response televisions ads for holiday music CDs. It is like we skipped Thanksgiving and went straight to the holiday season.
I completely understand why retailers are starting the holiday season advertising and marketing sooner, and it is apparently working because I’m already feeling like I’m behind with my holiday travel plans, holiday cards and holiday shopping. And I don’t think I’m the only one because the city of Wilmington put up its holiday decorations downtown last week and my sister has already been bugging me for gift ideas!
Personally, I think we as consumers need to take a stand. If we don’t, Christmas in July will soon be a reality! Join the “It’s Too Early for Christmas” Facebook group and take a stand http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=318417645693
November 4, 2009
For probably at least four years now, I have been getting Kraft Food & Family magazine for free. It is a quarter magazine that includes great seasonal recipes for appetizers, meals, snacks and dessert. Of course, all the recipes feature at least one Kraft product and there are also full-page ads for Kraft products. 
I have to admit that it was more useful to me as I began cooking more because the recipes use a lot of shortcuts. Nonetheless, I always read the magazine and usually take away a few recipe tips (for example, cooking quesadillas on the grill).
Just this past week, I received my last free Kraft Food & Family magazine. I was shocked when I saw it was my last issue and assumed the publication was going electronic. To my surprise, there was a bill included for $6.99 to continue to receive the magazine. What? Kraft wants me to pay for their advertising! I was shocked and threw away the bill.
While I read the magazine and $6.99 is minimal (it probably covers the cost of shipping), I refuse to pay for Kraft to market to me. I guess from Kraft’s perspective, they can reduce their printing and shipping costs by only sending consumers the magazine who truly want to read it and eliminating those who simply toss the magazine in the trash. Of course there is an assumption here that only consumers willing to pay $6.99 see the magazine as worthwhile.
October 28, 2009
This past weekend I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. In our race day packets, runners received a sample of KT Tape. The tape claims to relive muscle soreness. Even though I had never heard of this product before, with both my IT bands hurting beyond belief, I was willing to try anything.
I ripped open the KT Tape packaging and followed the application instructions. I had no expectations, but was extremely surprised when I woke up the next day and my IT bands were feeling great. The KT Tape had completely taken away the pain. In my past experiences running marathons and ½ marathons, nothing really helped my IT bands but ice, ibuprofen and time.
I’m now a believer in KT Tape and will certainly be purchasing a roll (or maybe even two)! After reviewing the KT Tape web site, I’m not the first person who has become a customer because of the company’s excellent marketing strategy. It appears KT Tape is hitting all the big marathons (and probably other sporting events).
While sampling can be an expensive investment, if you have an excellent performing product and a good distribution outlet, the results can certainly be effective. You better believe that I’ll tell all my running friends about the KT Tape! I’m sure my endorsement will gain KT Tape a few more customers beside myself.
October 21, 2009
Retailers including Target, Walgreens and eBay have pulled an illegal alien costume from online and retail stores after complaints from immigrant-rights activists. The costume featured an orange prison jumpsuit, green card and space alien mask. 
It seems that nothing really surprises me anymore, but how did this costume get into the stores in the first place? Did the buyer think it was funny or did it just get overlooked? According to Target, it was a data entry error (sounds unlikely to me).
Nonetheless, at least retailers like Target, Walgreens and eBay listened to consumers, reacted immediately and pulled the costume from their stores. Next Halloween, I’m sure these retailers will be paying closer attention to what costumes they sell.
October 14, 2009
In less than 2 weeks, I’m running the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) in DC and cannot wait. Just this week I received an email from the event coordinators highlighting Brooks Sports VIP Porta-Potties that made me chuckle a bit and then give kudos to Brooks for such a great guerrilla marketing concept. 
The concept is simple, wear official 2009 MCM or Brooks Sports gear and you get access to Brooks’ VIP Porta-Potties! The VIP Porta Potties will include men’s and women’s suites, flushing toilets in private stalls, a stainless-steel sink with running water, mirrors, lights, climate-controlled temperature, and paper towels. The Brooks VIP treatment will also include:
- Valet attendants
- Hand Soap
- Fresh-cut flowers
- Individually wrapped mints
- Lotion
- Feminine products
Considering the MCM is the 10th largest marathon in the world with more than 18,000 runners and 150,000 spectators, this might actually be worth it. This isn’t my first experience with large marathons (I ran the Disney Marathon in 2008) and I know the porta-potty lines will be long prior to the race. I am seriously considering purchasing some Brooks gear!
October 8, 2009
Just this week we received the following email from a blogger requesting free product to conduct a product review for a client. I removed the name of the blogger as my intentions are not to call out this blogger specifically, but to show why the FTC’s new blogging regulations are a move in the right direction.
Without regulations or guidelines, the blogging community is simply a free for all or as some might call it “the wild wild west”. While I agree it would be better if the industry self regulated, that hasn’t happened and the government needed to step in to protect consumers and remove the curtain from corporations paying for blogger reviews
In the case of this blogger’s request, we declined because the blogger had very little credibility online and little traffic from what we could tell. It was apparent the blogger was simply looking for free product, but had nothing to give in return.
I’d like to introduce myself, my name is _________! The reason I’m writing is because we’d like to invite you to allow us to do a review for you on our site. There are some sites/blogs that do this, and a small percentage of those charge a fee, plus test product, plus a giveaway product. We do not charge a fee. It’s wonderful advertisement for you! We only ask that you send a test (review) product(s) and offer an item(s) (and/or an assortment) for giveaway that you will mail when the drawing has been concluded. Unless we discuss my shipping the item. The giveaway is not required, but usually is a great event. We’ll happily post pictures of your product provided by you, and link to your site, as well as carry your logo of choice, and size, reasonably sized please. If you don’t have a “button” we’d be happy to make one for you for an additional minimal charge, depending on what you would like. We will do our best to make sure you are pleased! We currently have giveaways on our site right now. Reviewed products, under the same circumstances of your own. No payment, only product. Which I might add I think is tax deductible under research purposes. Possibly even under other deductions. I’m not a tax whiz! 
Word of mouth advertisement is excellent, and honestly that’s how I make many of my purchases, is looking around to see who thinks what of said product. I would greatly enjoy welcoming you to our site for a review. We have had more than 2 of our articles featured on large blog networks. I’ll include a couple of links at the bottom of this email. We do work together, and we proof read for one another. We make a great team, and would like to welcome you to our sites if you’d like to be featured. Thanks for taking the time to read this, if you would please let me know a positive answer, I’d be very appreciative. Thank you
October 1, 2009
Six months after announcing it would be developing a green seal, 7 consumer products have been awarded the Green Good Housekeeping Seal:
- Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment
- Physicians Formula’s Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer
- Green Works’ Natural Bathroom Cleaner
- Nature’s Source Laundry Stain Remover
- Nature’s Source Glass & Surface Cleaner
- Nature’s Source All Purpose Cleaner
- Nature’s Source Natural Bathroom Cleaner
However, just as with the other “green” certifications available to CPG companies, the Green Good Housekeeping Seal is catching some heat that it is simply a moneymaker for the publisher. Well… isn’t that why all these “green” certifications are popping up.
I’m in total agreement that there needs to guidelines for “green” products, but until the government steps in, green certifications will basically be a free for all with consumers totally confused about what these seals actually mean.
September 23, 2009
A new breast cancer PSA (Save the Boobs) has hit the airways just in time for breast cancer awareness month and the ad is already creating controversy. Showing women in scantily clad bikinis seems more like a Victoria Secret commercial and deemed by some as being inappropriate or not taking a women’s health issue seriously.
In fact, the “Save the Boobs” PSA content is considered too inappropriate to view on YouTube unless you sign in or sign up to confirm you are 18. Now that is certainly a roadblock that will limit views because it requires time to either log in or create an account.
On the other hand, Los Angeles Times reporter Dan Neil feels the ad is memorable and will help to create awareness.
I’m all for PSAs that increase awareness of an important mission; however, when the message gets lost what is the point?
