Disney Fail

My hubster didn't grow up in an environment where a trip to Walt Disney World was even something you could dream about in your sleep; why even dream about something that would never, ever happen unless your parents won the lottery? I, however, grew up with every last wish fulfilled - trips to Australia, skiing in Vermont, jetting off to Holland and snorkeling in Antigua - yes, I was spoiled and I didn't truly comprehend that until I chose to link my life with X, my best friend.

With our mutual love for Harry Potter, I started planning a trip to Orlando once the Universal park was announced. Obviously, including Walt Disney World was a no-brainer since it's the most magical place on earth. So I started saving, couple dollars here; bonus there, scrimping on groceries and clothing, so that I could pay for the trip without his knowing. Finally, I had enough ducats together and with his 41st birthday approaching, planned our trip on the sly.

Using my lunch hour and in the wee, small hours of the morning, I pulled everything together. I was so proud of myself for not spilling the beans (as I am a notorious bean spiller) until the letter arrived... which brings me to the email I sent Disney today (crafted by the wonderful Leslie.)

Dear Disney (yes, I've been conditioned to believe that, when I talk to one Disney employee, I'm addressing the whole company and spirit of Walt Disney),

Your current ad campaigns, showing excited children being surprised by magical Disney vacations, really hit home with me. My husband didn't have the kind of childhood in which fun, family vacations, let alone surprise trips to Walt Disney World, were the remotest of possibilities. I had already been saving money for a while, planning do something fantastic to surprise him for his upcoming birthday. And Disney's advertising gave me the perfect idea. Or so I thought.

Using money I had squirreled away from a year and a half, I planned a surprise Walt Disney World vacation for my husband's birthday. Not only would he get the spectacular surprise I had hoped for, but he'd also get another chance at every kid's dream. I was careful to use my work email address and cell phone number to make sure to keep everything a surprise. I was so excited! But when my husband checked the mail a few days later, the surprise was completely ruined by a large, colorful envelope with the mouse himself featured prominently.

Really, Disney? When I buy a book online from Amazon.com, I'm offered an option to indicate that the purchase I'm making is a gift. And they don't even have a big ad campaign promoting themselves as the ultimate surprise gift provider. But Disney, whose ads suggest the greatest surprise a kid of any age could ever receive, doesn't think to ask if my vacation purchase is a surprise or give me a heads up that they are going to be mailing a big, blue package to my home? The surprise is ruined and I am heartbroken.

So there you have it. I feel that Disney needs to do something... what do you think?

Quick thought on a weekend post

I was intrigued to learn that cosmetics powerhouse L'Oreal increased the spend in the first half of 2010 in promotions and advertising, specifically around the premium and luxury category. While I am watching the fluctuation in the marketplace along with everyone else, this appears to be a good indication that consumer goods are moving.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-26/l-oreal-shares-climb-most-since-may-as-operating-margin-advances-to-record.html

If we tweeted to Keanu to become a WWOOFer, maybe he wouldn't be so sad.

Couple of wacky/intriguing things I found floating on teh internets today.

New meme stemming from a Paparazzi shot of Keanu Reeves sitting on a bench alone, eating a sammich. He looks just a wee bit depressed. Not the - I’m going to pull a Heath Ledger - (too soon?) but more along the lines of the Sad Clown from the Circus. (Speaking of which, I haven’t mentioned clowns or zombies in a while… are we due for a G rant on Clombies?) Digression aside, Happy ‘Cheer Up Keanu Day’ everyone.

Next we come across a fun Twitter/webcam stunt involving a recruiter out of Chicago Ad Biz. Apparently, if you tell David what to do for the week, he’s going to do it (within legal limits and reason of course.) 24 hours a day, 7 days… whatever you tweet him, he’s going to do it. And in return, his boss is going to send him to Cannes. Not too shabby an idea if you ask me!

Finally… the WWOOFers. What is a WWOOFer, one might ask? Welp, basically it is traded labor for room & board on an organic farm. No money changes hands. You learn about working on an organic and sustainable farm for a few months, work minimum hours on the farm each day, and your hosts feed and shelter you. Want a getaway to New Zealand? Here’s a way to do it.

Later Gators.

Promotions, FTW!

Yesterday, I bicycled down to Tom Thumb for a tasty sammich (had to use that coupon nearly everyday this week. $4 artisan sandwich good until 4/16.) I have had the Pastrami & Swiss Panini, The California Club, a Roast Beef with Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onions, and so on. So much better than Subway and I have now purchased 7 out of the 7 sandwiches needed to earn a FREE sandwich. (And yes, I still call them sammiches.) Coupon + Incentive Offer + Great product = WIN!

Now, on the way out of Tom Thumb there was a bright maroon NASCAR car, a tent and people setting up. I cruised on over to see what was happening and a lovely lady informed me that Beringer Wines was on site for tasting, provide recipes, and have the opportunity to take your photo with their Beringer Wine sponsored NASCAR car. While intrigued, I didn't see a clear connection between NASCAR, Tom Thumb Shoppers and Beringer Wines. Perhaps the MRI data is much higher than I would anticipate.

(Side note: a few years ago I worked on a fun Beringer Wine promotion from a strategic alliance perspective. But this was an online promotional game driven via hang tags on bottles in-store... and the prizes were diamonds or $$ off online diamond purchases. Not quite the same as wine tastings with recipes at a Tom Thumb on a Tuesday midday... oh, with a NASCAR play.)

A great promotional connection came to my email this morning however. Dove Hair Care & Glee. Simply go to the sponsored site and play a casino style slot machine, match up three products and win. Grand Prize is a VIP makeover, a la Glee fantasticness. The lead actress, Leah ?, has such gorgeous hair, I could see the tie-in. That, and everyone wants to jump on the Glee bandwagon. But, to make it a BETTER promotion, they will deliver a free sample of their latest Dove Hair Care product, Fiber Actives, to your door (while supplies last.) Chance to win + Free product = WIN.

I'll let you know when/if the free sample arrives, about the product and whether I would purchase it again. My assumption is that Unilever is smart enough to provide a generous coupon with the sample for any Dove product. In the mean time, I'll be biking down to Tom Thumb to get my free sandwich.