The NY Times has an interesting article about the air freshener companies starting to target college kids (it’s about time isn’t it?). Beer breath and the smell of rotten Ramen noodles you left under the footon will be history when you buy air fresheners. More and more college campus students are starting to buy air fresheners and pay extra for ones that plug into outlets. Some companies are even making air fresheners that resemble cd players to target young people. Advertisements on television will be geared towards young people too (hopefully not in the lame McDonald’s Dollar Menu soft-of-way).

That’s right folks. Those idiotic Bedazzler bead commercials and informercials are back on the viewing air waves for all to enjoy. I thought this product was a flop and just disappeared but it is making a second coming. The ads encourage ‘going bedazzler crazy’ but for $19.95 you only are provided with 300 rhinestones which really isn’t enough to ‘go crazy’.

Kellog is banking on printing trivial pursuit questions on their famous Pop-Tarts to help boost sales. There are over 200 varieties of edible “Trivial Pursuit for Kids” questions and answers that will be imprinted on millions of Strawberry Pop-Tarts in the year long campaign titled “Printed Fun Pop-Tarts.”

The promotion began last week and this is the first time that Kellog has used ink-jet food technology on their best selling brand. “Pop-Tarts are enjoyed by kids of all ages,” said Marta Cyhan, vp-promotions, Kellogg. “By incorporating this breakthrough ink-jet technology, we are able to deliver added fun to one of their favorite foods.”

A German Drugmaker (Boehringer Ingelheim) accidently stumbled upon what could be the next Viagra-For-Women when working on an anti-depressant drug (what a coincidence). The company used clinical trials just like any other pharm looking to develop an anti-depressant. During clinical trials, female participants noticed a “sudden surge” in sexual arousal. Doctors investigating new treatments for women retort that men’s problems were also seen as largely psychological until Viagra came along, and that loss of sexual desire isn’t trivial to many of those who experience it.

Indeed, Boehringer says it’s having no trouble recruiting women for the trial, some of whom travel long distances for the chance to try the drug. Even if flibanserin doesn’t pan out, understanding how it boosts desire should point the way to better versions—and perhaps give women a choice about whether or not to pop a little pill.

Quaker and KellogÂ� will be launchingÂ� a new ‘chocolate’ version of their Life and Special K cereals which are traditionally aimed at ‘health-seeking’ breakfaster monsters. The belief the companies are trying to convey is that chocolate isn’t as unhealthy as it is made out to be by integrating the flavor into their cereals. Both cereals will be advertised as a late night snack for health conscious individuals who want to satisfy a chocolate-y craving. Available now in the midwest (select stores), the Special K Chocolatey Delight and Life Chocolate Oat Crunch will be available nationwide early next month.

On the upcoming sixth season of ‘The Apprentice’ with Donald Trump the company Dial will be placing their products throughout episodes to promote their new ‘Renuzit Super Odor Neutralizer’ and the ‘Soft Scrub Deep Clean Bathroom Cleaner’.

The first episode of ‘The Apprentice’ will involve teams competing to develop an internet web-i-sode for the ‘Soft Scrub’ product. For the task, the Apprentice teams will have to develop a 60 second advert spot which will be shown before AMC movie theatres.

When NBC debuts the new season of ‘The Apprentice’ with Donald Trump you can expect to see this massive list of product placements.

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Ready Set Holiday is a new website with useful features for holiday shoppers. Launched on behalf of M80 and Sears, the new service website enables visitors to prepare for the holidays with a complete holiday planner and recipie guide including a message board forum to discuss gift giving ideas. The website also includes merchandise from Sears, KMart, and Lands’ End while allowing users to shop with price comparison and by cateogry of interest.

The website as a whole is a terrific example of blending traditional holiday gift items (some organized as under $25) with new age online shopping. I would highly recommend checkin out Ready Set Holiday.com for your gift giving this year.

Coca-Cola plans to launch a new version of Diet Coke in 2007 that is fortified with vitamins and minerals, according to a report published Friday.

Diet Coke Plus, slated for a spring launch, will be the first nutrient-enhanced carbonated soda to be offered by a major brand, said Beverage Digest.

“We’re always looking to innovate around existing brands,” he said. “And we’re also looking at new opportunities. We’ll have lots of news to share on the innovation front in 2007,” he added.

What were the creators of Star Wars thinking when they came up with the C-3PO Underoos - Underwear that’s fun to wear for girls!

See more here.

Pontiac will broaden its’ horizon with new 8 foot tall displays in all 13 Virgin Megastores throughout the United States. The display towers were created by the Pontiac Agency, Leo Burnett and Virgin which will hold Pontiac merchandise and LCD TV screens which offer clips from bands that have performed in Times Square at the “Pontiac Garage.” The cds are exclusive to Virgin Mega stores and can be picked up at one of these huge displays. The deal announced today also allows Virgin officials to help promote Pontiac by licensing 30 songs a year for use in Pontiac commercials and online promotions. Read

iVillage, the online network for women, has recently launched a new advertising campaign for woman that uses t shirts as the ad medium. The shirts say “i see you, i will get to you, i said i will get to you - ivillage.” Sounds a lot like a very worried type of girlfriend or wife doesn’t it? The new casmpaign leads me to believe the powerful campaign is about the empowerment of women and exactly what iVillage strives for both as a company and for women’s rights this month. The iVillage t shirt campaign will be launched with an iVillage Live campaign which will be aired on Bravo and at iVillageLive.com. Look for the ads coming soon.

If you are interested in getting your product or service on the Oprah Winfrey Show then you better get the card of Harriet Seitlerthe executive Vice President of Marketing and Programming development for Ms. Winfrey’s Harpo Communications. She has coordinated the product placements of last years Pontiac Giveaway contest and is leading the development of new forms of media opportunities beyond the scope of the syndicated day time talk show.

OK, so this innovation takes the cake. If Paris Hilton doesn’t float your boat, or you think Mel Gibson is a real stinker and George Bush’s policies are a little whiffy, then get a load of this. An ingenious lot down at Celebritybuttplugs.com have developed a range of sex toys with more than a passing similarity to America’s most talked about stars.

For only US $17.95, plus postage and handling, you too can have your choice of Parass Hilton, Smell Gibson or George Dubya Tush. But, of course, any resemblance, real or imagined, to the aforementioned celebrities is purely coincidental as the site claims - “these products are not intended to depict any specific celebrity” and “all the characters shown on this site are fictitious”.

DDB Advertising Agency has developed alternative indentity business cards for you to enjoy using during this holiday seasons. Imagine passing yourself off as Elvis Presley or John Lennon at your next family or work gathering! You can fool the best year round.