The Thicket

Looking Authentic

Here's the Southwest Airlines reply to the "Too Pretty to Fly" hullabaloo.
Would you believe it more or less if it was more formally staged?
(I wonder how many takes you need to get it to feel amateur enough.)
Nice response.

Submit Your Story (x10)

We've all recently waxed about the most loved/hated Super Bowl ads but few have noted the ridiculous overuse of call-to-action requests for online content/story submissions.
This tactic doesn't make sense/success in most product/campaign situations.
Ask for and use submitted content only if your audience is already actively doing it and you know how to apply it wisely....and please don't fake it. If you feel that you have to link user submissions to a contest then it's not very real (buzz: authenticity) either.

Sleeveface

I learned of this site, Sleevface, from my friend, Jesse Thomas, and for someone from the album era, this is very cool. Check it out!

Jonah Bloom:Digital March

HERE is Jonah Bloom, Ad Age editor explaining upcoming plans for the digital marketing issue of his magazine.

Zune On Sale at Toys R Us!

I received this as an email today and thought it an odd disconnect.  Not only would I NOT think to buy electronics from Geoffrey and Toys R Us, but the ad is hokey and a little creepy.  When you click on the link, the music is good, but totally unrelated to the Toys R Us demoraphic, and I have to wonder how many kids in this age range are thinking to themselves "hmmm...Zune vs. iPod???, I know, I'll check out Toys R Us for their opinion."

TSA Launches "Evolution of Security" Blog

The Transportation Security Administration announced the launch of an interactive blog, Evolution of Security. According to TSA the “blog will serve as a tool for travelers to share their ideas, thoughts and concerns about aviation security. In turn, TSA will post videos, innovative concepts and other helpful tools while charting feedback.” The use of the noun “Evolution” in their name “speaks to the progression of airport security since it was first introduced in the 1970s, then federalized in the wake of 9/11 with the creation of TSA, and now the need to introduce innovations to enhance security and improve process.”
As blog readers we’ll have a chance to post questions, but direct answers may not come from TSA, but from, as TSA puts it, “ a challenge to all to share new ideas and involve all in upcoming changes.”  Though it means we may still have to take off our shoes at security checkpoints, its nice to know that the TSA is seeking answers and solutions, and is doing what it can to make the flying experience better. 
Additionally, the blog, which launched on January 31st, features a numbers of bloggers whose names range from “Bob” all the way to the very rare “Jim,” (in a possible nod to Nuts About Southwest blog, one of my favorites), and though their names sound ordinary, many of these people are anything but average.  As you read their brief bios, you’ll note that, for example, “Ethel,” “graduated from MIT with Biology, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering degrees, and previously worked with NASA on an artificial gravity system.”  A reminder, at least to me, that I want people like that involved in air travel and safety.  This is a great idea, IMO, for a government agency, to learn from its stakeholders, blog readers, etc., and make changes to its policies accordingly.