Burns' Blog | Just another WordPress site

Burns Marketing supports Big Moo Canoe

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Burns Marketing

We are pleased to announce our support of the Big Moo Canoe for Heifer International and the Food Bank for Larimer County. Our interactive director, Rob Bean, has organized a team from across the country for an ambitious challenge this summer. The project’s team members will use their passion for ultra-marathon canoe racing to help raise awareness and donations for two organizations helping to end poverty and hunger.

This year, the team has several events planned, but their focus is competing together in the 340-mile, Missouri River 340. This race will take them across the state of Missouri in 88 hours or less while competing against more than 600 paddlers. Their participation will help build awareness of Heifer International and raise needed funds to support projects around the globe. Burns Marketing has provided marketing support for Rob’s Moo Canoe project for the past three years.

“We feel our firm has an important role to play by supporting our employees as they reach out into the community and give back,” explained Mike Burns, president and CEO of Burns Marketing Communications. “Rob has developed a tremendous program with national reach and has experienced great success over the years. Our organization is proud to be a part of this exciting project, and we wish the team the best in their effort this summer.”

If you are interested in donating or sponsoring, please visit Big Moo Canoe online.

Posted in Burns Work | Leave a comment

Cervical cancer… perfume?

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Burns Marketing

Like any quality perfume commercial, this cervical cancer prevention commercial depicts mysterious glitter and a woman running around cluelessly in some $4,000 dress… only to be disappointed by a bottle of cervical cancer.

This is so weird that sarcastic comments don’t know what direction to go.

Just watch…

Posted in Strategy, Viral | Leave a comment

No one likes a copy-cat (logo)

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Burns Marketing

Don’t be fooled, Marc Delphine, Oregon’s Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, is not big into hockey. You might assume he’s a huge Columbus Blue Jackets fan, but you’d be wrong. So why the assumption?

You see, Delphine’s patriotic Senate campaign logo has an uncanny resemblance to the Blue Jackets’. But when word got out that the logo was a copy-cat, it was quickly removed from his web site and Facebook page.

Delphine’s logo Blue Jackets’ logo

It appeared that the Blue Jackets’ logo was simply flipped to the opposite side, the red circle removed from the flag, and voila — Delphine’s campaign symbol.

And that’s why you shouldn’t use a donated logo “designed” by a volunteer to represent you and your campaign — at least without some due diligence.

Posted in Branding, Design, PR | Leave a comment

Automated disappointment = angry chocolate eaters.

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Burns Marketing

If you’ve indulged in a Nestle Crunch lately, you may have seen a promo code and 1-800 number inside the wrapper. If not, don’t feel bad since the code is printed in a light chocolate color and difficult to see or even read unless you’re paying close attention.

Didn’t call the promo number? No worries — there’s no promotion currently running. But do keep your wrappers and check back periodically… explains the automated voice.

Waste of time, no promo, suggestion to hoard the wrappers until the unforeseen promotion, and an automated recording.

Bad call, Nestle. That’s four reasons for consumers to be annoyed and angry.

Posted in Communications, PR, Strategy | Leave a comment

What’s in a name?

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Burns Marketing

We run across name changes every now and again and, as consumers, we don’t forget the negatives just because we call you something different. Paying homage to Comcast, and saying hello to Xfinity, Time is listing the “Top 10 Worst Corporate Name Changes.”

As already mentioned, Comcast is sneakily changing to “xfinity,” and we can’t help but share this hilarious line from the Time article: “Will the name change work? Probably not, but at least it’ll sound a bit edgier when you’re put on hold … with Xfinity. ” Edgier indeed.

When Andersen Consulting split ties with the accounting group, a name change was required. Accent turned into Accenture and cost an estimated $100 million to execute. Submitted by an employee in Oslo, this was an attempt to incorporate “accent on the future.” It actually worked well when the Enron debacle went down and destroyed the reputation of the company’s accountants, Arthur Andersen.

When the realization that “Sci Fi” couldn’t be owned because it was a genre and not a channel, the execs decided to revamp the name into something that could. Sci Fi transformed into Syfy. There is a method to the madness — we guess.

Check out Time’s article for the other 7 worst name changes.

Posted in Branding, Strategy | Leave a comment

Surprise, surprise, what a wonderful surprise.

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Burns Marketing

Put a dollar in a Coke machine and let the magic unfold right in front of your eyes.

Coca-Cola’s new “Happiness Machine” video shows how they are spreading happiness, as a rigged coke machine dispenses a little something extra to brighten your day. In addition to their tasty beverage, a bouquet of sunflowers, an extra large pizza, a six-foot sub, and even balloon animals were handed through the vending machine door to ecstatic students.

The people at Coke sure know how to put a smile on your face and some extra pep in your step.

Where will the Happiness Machine strike next?

Posted in Viral | Leave a comment

An open offer to Conan O’Brien

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Burns Marketing

Dear Conan O’Brien,

Now that you’re jobless, and after all the ridiculousness NBC put you through, are you ready step away from the TV? We hope so.

I’m pleased to offer you a great new opportunity at Burns Marketing Communications — as our new Chief Executive Social Media Dignitary. (We can work on the title if you don’t like it. But we think that one has a nice ring to it.) C’mon. You know you want it!

You’ve done a masterful job outmaneuvering the network executives throughout this Tonight Show saga. It’s been awesome to watch. In fact, your adept use of social media has made them look pretty, well, foolish — while creating a tremendous movement for your team. You’re a genius, really.

We think your wit, cutting-edge creativity, and brilliant social media insight will have a tremendous impact for our clients. We’re even proud to offer you carte blanche creativity. Who’s going to say no to Conan? Not us. And not our clients.

So you’re probably wondering, “Who the #$%& is Burns Marketing Communications?” Well, we’re a little agency that thinks big, located in beautiful northern Colorado. (Not that you’d need to work from here. We could figure something out.)

Our clients include big names like HP, Intel, nVidia, Vail Resorts, and others — along with a stable of local and regional accounts around Fort Collins, Boulder, and Denver. Like most of the world, our clients are searching for answers to today’s marketing challenges. You know, they’re counting on agencies like ours to launch campaigns like your epic sendoff to NBC. You could make a huge name for yourself in this industry. Not everyone will want a big old middle finger like the one you gave NBC, but we’re pretty sure you’ve got many more huge ideas where that came from.

You’re probably also wondering how much this gig pays. Well, let’s just say it’s an honorary position. However, I’d be happy to give you some profound investment advice, so you can maximize that boatload of money you’re going to get from NBC.

Anyway, we’re sure you’ll make the right decision when it comes to your future. We just hope it’s with us. Call me. We’re open to anything you’d like. We’ll do all we can to make your transition to social media guru as seamless as possible.

Sincerely,

Mike Burns, President

Burns Marketing Communications

Posted in Social media, Viral | Leave a comment

Are you daring enough to go a day without shoes?

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Burns Marketing

On April 8, TOMS is raising awareness about the importance shoes have on children’s lives through its One Day Without Shoes campaign.

Think abut not wearing shoes in your office. That may not be a terrible stretch, but think about not wearing shoes to walk across the parking lot to work. Ouch! Oil, dirt, rocks, and probably more.

What if walking was your only transportation to food, clean water, and medical care?

The filth may be at the forefront of your mind when thinking “barefoot,” but what about cuts and sores? Infections? A lot can be prevented by one simple item – shoes. TOMS business model is great… with every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, TOMS gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Check out the inspirational One for One video.

Posted in Communications, Strategy | 1 Comment

Burns Marketing supports Big Moo Canoe

Cervical cancer… perfume?

No one likes a copy-cat (logo)

Automated disappointment = angry chocolate eaters.

What’s in a name?

Surprise, surprise, what a wonderful surprise.

Are you daring enough to go a day without shoes?

Recent Posts

Categories

Recent Comments

Archives