Here is an interesting idea. Everyone knows that sunscreens are used when you are out in the sun.

Now, the challenge is, sunscreens are messy and they are psychologically associated with “good times on the beach”. But sunscreen is also a needed protection for skin, especially those with fair skin, to prevent skin problems. Everyone knows this, but, like a diet, no one seems to be able to make it a habit.

This company, launched by two concerned (and innovative) moms, seems to have identified an interesting niche - daily sunscreen. Their company, Screen, Inc., has a range of sunscreens that promises to be non-greasy, affordable, non-irritating and dermatologist-approved. They hope that this will encourage teens to use it on a daily basis.

This is quite smart. After all, teens are the ones who spend the most times outdoors, and they are most concerned about their looks. A face peeling from sun burn is not the most attractive, for sure!

For my mom:

For every cup of hot chocolate
For every inoculation that I never wanted
For every scolding before exams
For every birthday cake
For every hot meal even
For every tear
For every nagging streak
For every irritation
For every iota of love

For those who love their mom, celebrate this. For those who don’t, it may be time for forgiveness. Whatever it may be, let us at least hold some tender thoughts during this Mother’s Day week.

Market studies, statistics, have had an up and down history. They have gone from boom to bust and back again, with companies first embracing it, then pooh-poohing it. But the reality is that most large corporations continue to rely on it.

We ask the market questions like:

- what do you like?
- which is better?
- which is tastier?
- what is the best feature?

But after watching this season of American Idol, the chill that was creeping up my spine has become a full blown blizzard. First, the survival of Kristy against so many of her betters for so long (but she was really smart…) and then now, the survival of Jason Castro.

I mean, that was the worse rendition of Memory I have ever heard. Yes, that includes sleazy bars, cheap cabarets and of course, cruise ships. Yet, I am guessing that they voted for his dreadlocks.

So, marketers, beware. The next time you wave your “indisputable” market study based on a cross section of “relevant” targets, keep in mind, that these are the same people telling you how great your product is, who voted for dreadlocks in a singing competition.

Another thing about statistics. If you read this article in eNews - American Idol: Carly Smithson Voted Off, you will see right at the bottom an interesting statistics that:

Nielsen data through last week showed that “Idol” on its regular nights of Tuesday and Wednesday was averaging 28.9 million viewers - down 8 percent from 31.3 million one year ago at this point…

If you think about the 28 million votes that Ryan claimed they received, it means that on average, everyone who watched the show voted. Yeah, right.

OK, some people think of blogging as work. Strange people.

But if you enjoy blogging and are half good at it, you might have thought of doing it for a living, despite all the horror stories that are appearing. If so, then you should read Yvonne’s post on Blogging for a Network. It is a good starting point to learn more.

One of the most “fun” part of marketing must surely be the logo. Whether you are using them creatively, trying not to use them or even coming up with a new one for your company or brand, it’s a lot of fun!

If you like logos, then you must surely check out David Airey’s Logo Design Love where there is an ongoing contest to vote for your favourite blog logo!

Angela did a really nice one on Blog Snobs - what are they and a little bit of rant about it.

But I am sad to say that I have discovered the extent of my shallow-ness. Despite such great content and fantastic comments, the thing I liked best about that post was the cute picture. So, un-ashamedly, here it is again in all its vulgar glory!

Now, whoever said that a picture paints a thousand words was lying. This one only painted three words.

When we look at the giants, it is usually in awe. But once in a while, we stare in wonder and shake our heads at the strange spectacle of their self destruction.

Ever since Motorola came up with the RAZR, nothing else came out that was even close to the success of that range. Wondered why. Now we know. Over at Engadget, Ryan has written this post “Motorola insider tells all about the fall of a technology icon” - which publishes a letter by the late Geoffrey Frost’s personal adviser at Motorola; until Frost’s death in 2005, Numair Faraz worked under the Motorola’s former CMO.

This here is yet another lesson in leadership. It is hard to lead when you do not really know where you are going, isn’t it?

Simon said of David Archuleta, that he would be surprised if the song was chosen by him last night.

For those who do not follow American Idol because someone has held a gun to your head or tied you to the chair without passing you the RC first, David sang a really unknown song, bland melody and all that. That’s not the point. The point here, is that each singer has been told to “go with their hearts” and to understand their own vocals when making a song choice.

Very obviously, someone else chose the song for him. It was so out of character and it was such an esoteric choice, a 17-year-old could not possibly have even heard the song, much less prefer it. And the results were predictable - no one liked the song, though they still loved David.

Do you do this to your Ad Agency? Do you “choose the song” for them to sing?

If you did know better, why hire an ad agency in the first place, right? It could be an ego thing, to hire experts, and then telling them what to do. But it is hardly something that will be highly positive for the betterment of your marketing efforts.

Just as David could still be loved for his excellence in execution, so can your ads. But it would have been so much better if it was totally enjoyable rather than having to nit-pick to find something to like about the performance.

Do yourself a favour, don’t choose the song for your ad agency.

UPDATE:

David insists that he chose the song himself, and it was in fact, his personal favorite. OK, this brings to bear an interesting counter-point. Sometimes, even the best ad agencies can make wrong choices, wrong decisions, and it is the client’s who will then suffer for having trusted them. Look at the track record. No one is perfect. But if the evidence of excellence are there, then the likelihood of you being “more right” is lesser. We all know about caveat emptor… but it’s painful…