All posts by Civilian

In a bold attempt to cross-brand, Taco Bell recently introduced their latest taco invention which includes a corn tortilla made out of a Dorito’s brand corn chip. While I’ve been known to nosh the “Bell” from time to time, I try to avoid fast food and especially Mexican fast food. I mean really, I do…

Yesterday, I watched the KONY 2012 video for the first time. It’s twenty-nine uninterrupted minutes of pure empowerment, quality editing, and pathos-fueled passion. I was moved. I was curious. I clicked refresh, and saw that the video had been viewed 3,000,000 more times in that half an hour. That number, as I’m sure you’re aware,…

You may have watched a ratings winning TV drama based around advertising. Well, I’m here to set the record straight and let me tell you, it’s not all hooking up with Lassie.  Here’s a Mad Dog’s snapshot of daily agency life. First order of business is to make my presence known to the ladies. I’ve…

I know, I know. But we need to talk about it. The Recession. I’ve been doing some soul-searching slash internet-digging about new industry trends, and the word is still showing up. So I have come to this obvious-but-also-necessary conclusion: the recession is still on everyone’s mind in a big way. Yes, we are seeing a…

Having been in Public Relations for more than seven years (with an additional ten years of customer service experience) I have seen my share of good PR, bad PR and just plain “I can’t believe how this is being mismanaged!” PR.  Hailing from the South, where we’re famous for our world-class hospitality, I belong to…

My mornings in the office typically start with a big cup of coffee and my computer. As I drink my coffee and try to convince my body to fully wake up, I peruse all of my communication sources- emails, voicemails, Facebook, Twitter, maybe Drudge Report if I’m feeling particularly ambitious.  In less than 20 minutes…

At the risk of repeating myself, I am going to keep harping on one of my favorite subjects: television advertising. Why do I like it so much? Because it’s starting to get very sneaky. It’s a new and aggressive field where advertising and creative content are becoming more intertwined by the second. Product placement is…

Most companies recognize the need for an online marketing presence and, at a bare minimum, have a company website.  Many more have begun capitalizing on the use of social media in advertising and marketing their brands, often employing social media such as tweeting, “liking”, blogging and trying to maximize their digital presence using search engine…

The classy city of San Diego is home of many colleges and three major universities: San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, and University of San Diego. On these campuses and many others throughout California and the United States, students live dirt cheap and survive on ramen noodles, tap water and other bare…

It wasn't a particularly sunny day in the Sunshine State, but this AdEaser was glowing nonetheless. I traveled down Interstate 4 (colloquially referred to as "the I-4 parking lot") and onto SR-528 ("The Beachline," one of the innumerable tollways that crisscross Central Florida). Merging onto International Drive (which is famously dotted with cheap T-shirt and…