Breaking News

• Luxury marketers use personal touch to retain top customers
  Luxury marketers, in reaction to the recession, are focusing on wooing their core, affluent customers by holding invitation-only events that are tailored to their interests and feature appearances by celebrities. "We're trying to be much more targeted and give customers a more intimate experience with our brand," said Laurie Patruno, boutique manager for the Damiani jewelry store in Beverly Hills, Calif. "These days, you need to be very efficient with your marketing dollars." Los Angeles Times (12/4)

Company News

• Will GM, Chrysler merge as part of bailout?
  A possible merger between General Motors and Chrysler reportedly is part of the discussions being held around a potential government bailout for Detroit automakers. Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli said he would support such a move as a condition for receiving government help, while GM CEO Rick Wagoner said he could only consider supporting such a merger if it were backed by the United Auto Workers. USA TODAY (12/5)

• Anheuser-Busch Super Bowl ads to feature Clydesdales
  Anheuser-Busch's famous Clydesdale horses will be featured in the company's first Super Bowl commercials since it was acquired by Europe's InBev. "The Clydesdales are not going away and Budweiser and Anheuser-Busch are here," said Bob Lachky, the brewer's chief creative officer. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (12/4)

• Starbucks changing course with loyalty card, promotions
  Starbucks Corp. recently launched a loyalty card and other promotions that target frequent customers. The company changed from its emphasis on trading up after discovering that customers were saving money in part by making fewer visits to the chain. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/5)

• Other News

• GoDaddy signs up for 5th trip to Super Bowl
  Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (12/4)

Market Trends

• Poll: Marketers try to find advantages amid downturn
  Many marketers believe their companies will hold steady during the current downturn, with some saying they may even be able to improve their bottom lines because of it, according to a global survey by McKinsey & Co. The report also found that, in response to the downturn, 34% have launched new products to boost market share, 22% are looking into mergers or acquisitions and 16% have recruited new workers who might not otherwise have been available. Adweek (12/4)

• IPG's Brien assesses ad landscape
  The global financial downturn could cause continued turmoil for the advertising business over the next two years because marketers will be cutting their budgets, expecting more from their investments and seeking lower fees from agencies, Mediabrands CEO Nick Brien said. "We certainly, on a global basis, are going to see a reduction in advertising budgets," he said. "That's a certainty." Reuters (12/4)

On Leadership

Top five news stories from SmartBrief on Leadership this week. Want more leadership news?

• 20 architectural cheats (WebUrbanist)

• Detroit now seeks $39B rescue (Bloomberg Businessweek)

• CEO survival in the next Mumbai (BNET)

• Sick economy needs bigger jolt (The Economist)

• Why we procrastinate and how to stop (Scientific American magazine)

Interactive

• Web being used by automakers to build support for bailout
  General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler, which have long used the Web to market their vehicles, are tapping a range of online media, including Google, its unit YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, to lobby for public support for federal aid. The strategy is considered a cost-effective means to reach their audience and a way to bypass criticism by mainstream media, according to this article. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/5)

• ESPN research shows TV and Internet work well together
  The growth of video on the Web will not diminish the appetite of people watching on TV, they'll just view content on both platforms, according to research from ESPN. Artie Bulgrin, ESPN's chief research executive, referred to this additional viewing as "new markets of time." MediaPost Communications (12/4)

• Massive makes case for in-game segment during upfront
  Microsoft's in-game ad shop Massive's upfront event, held earlier this week, was more about getting exposure for ad placements in new game titles with media buyers and marketers than closing deals, according to this article. The event was described by one attendee as a "hype event, but it's good." ClickZ (12/5)

AAF Spotlight

• Join the AAF as We Celebrate the Future of Advertising
  The Most Promising Minority Students Program connects the advertising industry with the nation's most talented minority students. Each year, college seniors are nominated by their AAF college chapter advisers in recognition of their passion for advertising and outstanding achievements both inside and outside the classroom. This year's finalists will spend three days in New York City where they will have the chance to participate in career development workshops, networking, interviewing and industry immersion opportunities.

  The program will take place from Feb. 3 to Feb. 5, 2009, at the New York Athletic Club. The 2009 class of Most Promising Minority Students will be honored at the Building Bridges for Our Future Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. For more information on the Most Promising Minority Students Program or for tickets and sponsorships, please visit www.aaf.org/mpms.

  

SmartQuote

Advertising becomes a dialogue that becomes an invitation to a relationship." --Lester Wunderman, member, Advertising Hall of Fame