Saturday 31 January 2009

Fries on Friday 13th




"Sorry we are closed - we will re-open on Friday 13th February"..

Evidently no triskadecaphobics at this branch of McDonalds.

I reckon they missed a marketing opportunity here - instead of planning to open on the Friday, they could have waited and had a Valentine's Special on Saturday, giving cash-strapped couples the chance to share a thick shake.

Friday 23 January 2009

Revels - which flavour is in favour?


Limited edition bags of Revels chocolates currently on sale feature a "mystery sweet" replacing the coffee flavour.

The new flavour has now been identified as strawberry, ending the suspense.

(It remains a mystery as to whether any real berries were harmed during the making of this flavour, since strawberry does not feature in the list of ingredients, although pectin does, so there could be a hint of fruit in there.)

After an eviction campaign in which chocolate lovers were asked to choose between the two flavours, the vote is in and coffee will now be returned to the mixed bag.

This fun marketing campaign values the opinion of its customers, and the power of choice wielded by consumers may begin to count for more during the credit crunch and beyond.

This limited edition pack of Revels was bought in Woolworths just before it shut down. Shame the store had to close only a year before its centenary. I once heard a horror story about a manager rescuing stray sweets from the floor and returning them to the pic'n'mix, but apart from that, it was a good place to get chocolate, an affordable treat which is likely to remain a popular mood booster in the current economic climate.

Ross returns

Jonathan Ross chose to mark his return to the BBC Friday night spot with the bold fashion statement of a red suit, almost a match for his wife's flaming tresses.

Guests include Tom Cruise and Stephen Fry, but no women, presumably to minimise the danger of smutty banter creeping in.

Thursday 22 January 2009

Year of the Ox

Prepare to welcome in the Chinese New Year - the year of the ox.

People born in the year of the ox are said to be calm, dependable and logical and make strong leaders.

Prominent personalities born under this sign include man of the moment, Barack Obama.

Other leaders: Saddam Hussein, Napoleon and Margaret Thatcher.

On the arts and creative side: George Clooney, Jack Nicholson and Bruce Springsteen.

Saturday 10 January 2009

The Lost Book

The Lost Book, a collaborative adventure in storytelling is an online series with a difference: the story will be written by anyone and everyone who wants to get involved. The first episode (complete with clues) will be posted on January 30 2009 and where the story goes after that is up to you, me and everyone taking part.

The Lost Book is part of The Lost World Read 2009, a venture that celebrates Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 150th birthday and Charles Darwin’s bicentenary.

www.thelostbook.net

Friday 9 January 2009

Demons

Demons

Starring Philip Glenister

For background information on the TV series, plus a Demons game

www.itv.com/Demons

Saturday 3 January 2009

11th hour for Dr Who

The eleventh Dr Who has been announced - Matt Smith, at 26, the youngest doctor ever in the role, has been chosen to take over the Tardis from David Tennant.

www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/news