Posts Tagged ‘Shawn Sorrells’

We all know brands. We all have our favorite brands.

Ketchup = Heinz vs. Del Monte. I choose Heinz.

Mustard = French’s vs. Plochman’s. I choose Plochman’s.

Syrup = Aunt Jemima vs. Mrs. Butterworth’s. This is a close one but I choose Mrs. Butterworth’s.

That’s why I was delighted to recently see Mrs. Butterworth in a Geico commercial and more recently in the news regarding the mystery of her first name.

In a 1987 television ad, it was revealed that Mrs. Butterworth’s first name is “Joy.” She was reluctant to let her first name be used because her childhood friends referred to her, jokingly, as “Joy Buzzerworth,” punning on the popular novelty item the Joy Buzzer.

Recently, Mrs. Butterworth ran a contest to see who could remember her first name. I had no idea what her first name was even though I’ve spent many mornings with the matronly female. It turns out, two teenagers (I’m sure with their parents help) from the Midwest knew her name was Joy. I’m not sure what the teenagers won, maybe, a lifetime supply of the tasty syrup.

The full story is a quick read and a great marketing idea.

So I’ll keep using Mrs. Butterworth’s when I make my kids their pancakes but I feel like I know her just a little more. Even more than when I chugged half a bottle of the sweet stuff on a dare when I was 13 years old!

We’ve all seen the mugshots of Nick Nolte, Heather Locklear, Yasmine Bleeth, etc. Definitely celebrities caught not looking their best. Check out thesmokinggun.com for these and more!

Now, Randy Quaid can be added to that list. Randy has appeared in some great movies over the years but is certainly not looking his best in this mugshot.

At least he’s not wearing a sheer, white sweater with a black dickey!

Here’s what happened to Randy. He didn’t get in trouble for hitting Clarke up for some cash, instead he “checked out” of a hotel in Santa Barbara without paying his $10,000 bill.

Randy’s film career has at least been interesting. He was great in “Midnight Express” and became well known as Cousin Eddie in the “Vacation” movies.

I’m sure he’ll get past this legal trouble and we’ll see him again soon on the big screen …I just hope he loses the beard!

Labor Day is this Monday. As we’re all enjoying a day off from work or school and spending time with family and friends, I thought I’d give you a liitle historical background on Labor Day.

According to the United States Department of Labor, “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor the workers of America. This was way back in 1882!

So hats off and raise your glasses and grilled burgers and thank Mr. McGuire for giving most of us a day off.

I and a couple of million other people have watched an incredible video of a guy sliding down a huge waterslide, jumping what looks like hundreds of feet and then landing in a small kiddie pool. “Wow!!” “Awesome!” were the comments in our office. I and a few others were skeptical. As it turns out the video is a brilliant fake by Microsoft.

The video was a carefully crafted viral ad for Microsoft’s Office Project. It got millions of hits on YouTube alone. Even thought it’s fake, it’s worth a watch. And, while you’re at YouTube, check out the Coles Marketing Communications channel.