The SPiNoff Report

5 worst marketing ideas . . . ever
from Entrepreneur.com

While some campaigns are notable for their brilliance, others, well, not so much. Here are five marketing efforts we could have done without.

Worst campaign to trigger a bomb scare: Aqua Teen Hunger Force In January 2007, Turner Broadcasting System Inc.'s promotion of its TV show Aqua Teen Hunger Force, which featured small electronic light boards with one of the series' characters, triggered a bomb scare in Boston.

Worst use of body parts in marketing: Logo tattoos In the 1990s, California eatery Casa Sanchez offered free lunch for life to anyone who got a tattoo of their logo. Nervous about how quickly people were getting inked, the eatery limited the offer to the first 50 people.

Worst sponsorship idea: Bidding for baby naming rights The dotcom era ushered in a (thankfully small) rash of people trying to sell off their children's names for extra dough. Poor little Widget Smith.

Worst campaign character: The Quiznos creatures Superimposed over a Quiznos sub shop were two disturbing, singing rat-like creatures. Fortunately, the shop got wise and ditched them after public outcry. But it's an image that stays with you. Go ahead, look them up on YouTube--but don't say we didn't warn you.

Worst plague-like sweep of viral marketing: Starbucks' viral marketing fiasco A free-coffee coupon sent by baristas with no restrictions circulated the internet, causing an overwhelming rate of renewal. Ultimately the coffee purveyor stopped honoring the coupon, causing a mini controversy.

In a world of ever-changing media, it is hard to keep up with how the world communicates.  Small businesses need marketing guidance and publicity to remain competitive and gain market share.  That’s where we come in.

SPiN was created to provide the small business with a marketing and public relations partner.  Our experience is in managing Brands -  from the mom and pop business... to the professional services firm.... to the international business giants. We take  strategy and tactics a step further.  We’ll ask the hard questions and offer fresh perspectives while allowing you to focus on what you do best. 

                                                                                                                      

ABOUT LUCI GIVENS
FOUNDER + PRINCIPAL 

Luci Givens is the owner of two small businesses, SPiN Marketing | Public Relations- a marketing consulting firm for small business- and sproutPAPER – an invitation and stationery company specializing in custom design.  Luci began her career at BBDO Advertising Agency in Atlanta, GA working first as a media buyer and eventually moving to account service. She then had the opportunity to manage the national media business for Atlanta based Home Depot.  After moving to Greenville in 2000, she was a senior contact at local advertising agencies for two national telecommunications companies. Her last job before opening her own company was serving as Marketing Director for a large Greenville-based law firm.
Luci holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from the Grady School of Journalism at The University of Georgia.  She is actively involved in The Greenville Chapter of The March of Dimes and serves on the Communications Committee.  She also is a member of the Circle for The Children’s Museum in Greenville.  She and her husband live in Greenville and have two children.