So it's nearing a week since I've last posted something. Why? I was busy being professionally fabulous at an industry conference. And now I'm exhausted.
After three and a half days of wining and dining clients and networking my face off, I'm ready for a long summer's nap. It did not help that it was 1000 degrees this week.
The best part about this conference was that it was in Times Square. I work by Times Square - so nearby in fact that I take the Times Square subway - but I generally avoid the Square itself. And I have no idea why.
Who doesn't like packs of pointy-elbowed teenage boys with mop-tops and braces wearing matching High School T-shirts? Who doesn't love the chaperones in matching T-Shirts, bringing a whole new meaning to "East Illinois Cougars?"
But tourists aside, I also love Times Square for its marketing potential. Perhaps this is because I am a marketeer who has executed some cool PR stunts in Times Square. But I think everyone loves free stuff, regardless of profession or personal ties.
I saw two great promotions in Times Square within two days.
The first was an Oscar Meyer Weiner event. Two Weiner Mobiles flanked the Marriott Marquis and a BBQ pit was set-up during the lunch rush. Hundreds of tourists lined up for free hot dogs and to snap pictures with the Weiner Mobiles. For some reason (yet to be googled), the signs calling patrons to the make-shift wiener shop called out the following: "Mario Lopez's favorite treat."
Really? Mario Lopez, of Saved by the Bell and Dancing with the Stars fame, loves hot dogs? Please people. The man is already in tights on Broadway, please to not debase his sexuality further by claiming a love of hot dogs. I don't think Major Slater would be too happy about this one.
The next day, an inflatable moon popped up on an island in Times Square. The moon was huge and had ties to Gatorade and Tiger Woods. I have no idea what this one is about. Is Tiger going to the moon with Lance Bass? Is Gatorade made with the electrolyte-rich blood of aliens?
As I write, I am so puzzled by these crazy promotions that I took the 30-seconds to google them. Reading about the actual promotions was far less interesting than I thought. Maybe Fruit of the Loom should sponsor the Naked Cowboy. Now that would be one heck of a Times Square promotion.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b142132_mario_lopez_beefed-up_ride.html
http://eventdomes.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/gatorade-tiger-moonshot-challenge/
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1 comment:
I came across your blog in a Google search. Just to satisfy your curiosity about the large moon you saw in Times Square, here's a link to our blog which explains it:
http://eventdomes.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/gatorade-tiger-moonshot-challenge/
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