TRAVEL & TOURISM INDUSTRY

One of the World's Most Glorious and Beloved Buildings Now Has a Transcendental Piece of Advertising to Match

Over the course of 10 months, artists at the Sydney Opera House were asked to perform sections of Nick Cave's classic "The Ship Song."

The 4:58 spot, which was Adweek's 'Ad of the Day' on July 27th, gives viewers a whirlwind view of rehearsals, the center's interior spaces, and breathtaking views of the exterior facade.

- On July 26th, the song was release on iTunes and a 30-minute documentary about the project, narrated by Guy Pearce, was released on Australian TV

- Key artists include: Neil Finn, Key Carmody and the Australian Ballet, Sarah Blasko, John Bell, Angus and Julia Stone, Paul Kelly and Bangarra Dance Theatre, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Opera Australia, Martha Wainwright and more

Click here to watch the 4:58 spot and read more: http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-sydney-opera-house-133720

Air New Zealand's New Spokespuppet "Rico" Lures Lohan, Hasselhoff and Snoop Dogg

Spokespuppet Rico is bringing his crazy antics stateside as he interviews the likes of Lindsay Lohan, David Hasselhoff, and Snoop Dogg. While other companies such as Spirit Airlines have rolled out controversial spots as of late, the attention-grabbing spots, which have continually rolled-out since October 2010, are garnering significant media attention from the likes of:

- Adweek, E! Entertainment, NY Times, MSN, TMZ, Daily Mail, Access Hollywood, etc.

- Earlier in the year, Air New Zealand released an in-flight safety video featuring Richard Simmons that also received similar coverage (http://bit.ly/idfnly)

While incredibly wacky and sometimes vulgar, the brand clearly relishes any and all publicity sure to come from each spot. As seen with Old Spice though, viral success doesn't always translate to sales as the aforementioned brand's sales are reportedly down double-digits. (AdAge: http://bit.ly/qHnfHZ). Only time will tell if this outlandish campaign will do more harm to the brand than good.

Click here to read more and view the latest spot featuring Lindsay Lohan: http://theweek.com/article/index/217852/lindsay-lohans-pathetic-puppet-infomercial

JetBlue's Latest Dig on LA - "Celebrity Baggage"

In an effort to bring its first-bag free message to life, JetBlue created an interactive charity auction featuring celebrity baggage and their contents. Fans were able to bid on personal items donated by more than 50 famous musicians, actors, and athletes between May 24th and June 6th.

- An interactive video featuring QR codes resulted in:

- 68 million media impressions

- 15,000 bids

- $44,000 for DoSomething.org, and organization that uses the power of online to get teens offline to do good things that help change the world

Click here to read about the campaign that won the coveted AdWeek Media Plan of the Year Award - 2011: http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/media-plan-year-133621?page=5

TARGET

Know Which Demographic is Most Active Online?

A new study from the Interactive Advertising Bureau, conducted September 2010, finds high-income/affluent Americans are embracing digital media and its ads.

- 98% use the Internet compared to only 79% of the general population

- They spend 26.2 hours online weekly versus the general population that spends much more time with TV and radio

- They recall more ads and are more aware of advertised brands, products, and services

Click here to read more: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20110801006054/en

COMPETITORS

Hong Kong Tourism Board Goes Mobile - 'World Class App for a World Class City'

The "DiscoverHongKong.AR" app showcases all of the splendors of their destination and make visitor's travels fun-filled with ease. The app provides the following navigations:

- AR (Augmented Reality) Mode - everything you encounter is narrated as if you had your own private tour guide

- Explore - an organized guide full of the city's attractions

- Useful Info - provides essential information a tourist might want handy

Click here to read more: http://www.webintravel.com/news/discovering-hong-kong-the-virtual-way-_1870

ECONOMY

Aviation Groups Gear Up to Oppose Airline Fee Hike

With Congress looking to save as much money during these trying economic times, a plan has been proposed to double the airport security fee for passengers and add a $25 departure fee per flight. These added expenses would amount to a $21 billion tax hike on the aviation industry and its consumers.

Click here to read more: http://travel-industry.uptake.com/blog/2011/07/25/airline-fee-hike/

MISCELLANEOUS & FUN



Vanish NapiSan Offers to "Sponsor" White House for $27mil (US) to Cleanup US Debt

Vanish NapiSan, trusted Australian detergent company, is looking to drum up some free publicity by playing on the US's current budget mess by offering to sponsor the White House for $25mil Aussie dollars ($27mil U.S. dollars). In exchange for the money, Vanish NapiSan would receive exclusive naming rights and signage displays on the lawn for the next five years. While outwardly outrageous and downright silly, it attracted media coverage on the cheap. Now that's a value proposition worth betting on! They even wrote letters to every member of Congress asking for support.

Click here to read more: http://adage.com/article/adages/aussie-detergent-brand-offers-sponsor-white-house/228896/

Click here to watch Vanish NapiSan's pitch to President Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2bQxlhAJBo&feature=player_embedded

Congratulations to Cadel Evans, the First Australian to Win Tour de France!

The two-time runner-up locked up Australia's first victory on cycling's greatest stage.

Click here to read more: http://espn.go.com/olympics/tdf2011/story/_/id/6797580/2011-tour-de-france-cadel-evans-becomes-first-australian-win