Groupon...again

Thought this was interesting given the recent Kenneth Cole fiasco and our in-class Groupon discussion!

Groupon's Ad Quickly Draws Backlash - WSJ
Groupon's Controversial Superbowl Commercials - ABC
Commercial - Tibet
Commercial - Rainforest

Walmart Helps Celebrate Black History Month by Giving Away Free Tickets

On February 1, 2011, Walmart issued a press release on PR Newswire announcing that they will be sponsoring the “America I AM: The African-American Imprint” tour to kick off the start of black history month. As part of the sponsorship and in partnership with the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and the DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative, Walmart will be giving away 20,000 free tickets to students and families in the Washington, D.C. area. The tour will be making its debut at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. on February 2, 2011. They will also be offering discounted tickets at select Walmart stores in the D.C. area.

Real California Cheese and Chocolate – The Perfect Love Connection

For Valentine’s Day 2011, instead of “falling back on a bouquet of red roses or dinner at a crowded restaurant,” the people from the California Milk Advisory Board ask readers, “this year why not create something different with a personalized pairing menu of California chocolates and Real California Cheeses?” The California Milk Advisory Board’s press release provides readers with guidelines and tools that help them create the perfect chocolate and cheese pair as a way to show their love this Valentine’s Day. For those who want to take it to the next level, consumers can access the CMAB website and download the free smart phone application. They start by choosing their favorite California cheese, and the application will “suggest the perfect wine and beer varieties to make it sing. Or, users can select their favorite wine or beer and the app offers some California cheese selections that work best.

Full press release on Business Wire

Amazon Defense Coalition: Chevron, Trying to Fight Ecuador Lawsuit, Now Claiming Plaintiffs Don't Really Exist

Several indigenous plaintiffs locked in a long-standing lawsuit with Chevron met at one of the company’s oil well sites in Ecuador’s Amazonian rainforest this week to disprove Chevron’s recent legal motion asserting that they did not really exist. The advocacy organization Amazon Defense Coalition says this is Chevron’s most recent effort among numerous attempts to delay the lawsuit, in which Chevron is accused of dumping billions of gallons of toxic waste into the Amazon between 1964 and 1990. Chevron has alleged an American expert it hired found discrepancies between 20 of 48 signatures on the 2003 lawsuit and the signatures on the plaintiffs’ national identity cards, a claim that has been disputed by the plaintiffs.

Full press release on PR Newswire

Nike Introduces the New French Football Kit, Combining Elegant Design with Innovative Performance and Environmental Sustainability

Summary:

On January 17, 2011, Nike announced its partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF) and its production of new team kits. The unveiling, which was held at the Espace Cambon, a venue generally reserved for fashion events, featured appearances by France Coach Laurent Blanc, several French players and Nike President and CEO, Mark Parker. According to the release, Nike designed the kit to meet French standard and style. Although the kit boasts the company’s renowned Dri-FIT technology, it is Nike’s most environmentally sustainable kit to date. The shirt and shorts are made mainly from microfiber polyester recycled from plastic bottles.

The release also mentioned the promotional campaign behind the new series, which includes a digital and print campaign and a TV spot. The French team will wear the kit for the first time against Brazil on February 9, 2011. Retail products will be available February 5, 2011.

Find the full release here.

DiGiorno Creates "High Five Challenge" Between Super Bowl Cities to Break Guinness World Record

In honor of the Super Bowl, DiGiorno Pizza is selling organizing a “High Five Challenge” in order to break the Guinness World Record of the most simultaneous high fives, and selling $5 pizzas during the week. On Thursday, February 3, DiGiorno will host five rallies in Pittsburgh and Green Bay, home towns of the two competing teams, where there will be a challenge to see who see who has more passionate fans. For those who can’t be in either city, DiGiorno is offering their rising crust pizzas for $5 throughout the week leading up to the game at supermarkets across the country. Fans in other cities will also be able to give their Facebook friend “digital high fives.” For every high five sent over Facebook and every fan in attendance at the rallies, DiGiorno will donate $5 to Feeding America. DiGiorno has hired comedian Jay Mohr to help promote the High Five Challenge.

Read the press release here.