Driving One To Drink

One of the most amusing TV commercials of the moment is the Toohey’s New ‘Tall Men’ in which a suburban street party, using inflatable promotional ‘tall men’, joyously celebrate the arrival of their beer to a Tom Jones soundtrack.

Unfortunately the advertisement has become the subject of complaints because the inflatable figures are too colourful and too fun.

While no one questions the problem of binge drinking particularly amongst young adults, complaints against bright and entertaining advertisements being taken seriously runs the risk of demonising even the responsible consumption of alcohol.

Just like the driving baby controversy we featured in our last newsletter, the humorlessness of some social critics risks stifling genuinely entertaining advertising creative.

A Wrinkle In Their Plans

Speaking of taking advertising too seriously comes this story about wrinkle creams.

The bottom line? They don’t work and some of the world’s major cosmetics companies have come under the microscope of Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Association over the efficacy of the products:

The makers of Lancome, Clinique, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and Payot have all been ordered to withdraw advertisements in the past year after complaints to Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The TGA's complaints panel found while the creams, peels and serums were only cosmetics, they were making claims that were therapeutic, or which would make a physiological difference.

This comes hot of the heels of drink manufacturer Ribena screening a series of advertisements to apologise for misleading statements about the amount of vitamin C in its blackcurrant drinks.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ordered GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturers of Ribena, to correct the misleading statement and its New Zealand counterpart has fined the company more than $190,000.

It was two New Zealand schoolgirls in 2004 who uncovered the erroneous claim during a science experiment.

For business, it emphasises once again the need for clear communication and internal accountability with an importance placed on regular reviews.

(Computing) Power To The People

A cure for cancer and muscular dystrophy could be lurking in your computer.

IBM is spearheading the World Community Grid an international project which invites anyone with a computer and an internet connection to volunteer their computer’s idle time to perform scientific calculations.

Grid computing links your humble computer to hundreds of thousands of other computers to create one of the world’s largest super computers.

During a normal work day your PC’s computing power is laying idle about 80% of the time, so why not put it to great use.

Details about the World Community Grid and what you can do to help can be found here.

Fatality Free Friday Update
Speaking of great causes, thank you to everyone who signed the Fatality Free Friday pledge.

The first ever event was held on April 27 as part of the United Nation’s Global Road Safety Week and the response from Governments through to individuals was outstanding. The event was covered by media across the country and was also supported by the Australian Super-V8 drivers as well as a large number of local councils and state transport departments.

Business Communications Management is proud to be a part of this road safety initiative founded by long-time client and friend, Russell White, Australia’s foremost road safety expert.

While this year’s campaign had only a token budget, plans are already underway to make 2008 Fatality Free Friday bigger than ever, with the support of corporate sponsors.

Remember, you can make every day fatality free by being ‘switched on’ behind the wheel.

Everyone Loves Mylk

Looking for a place for lunch or dinner, or perhaps a gourmet pizza take away?

Mylk Restaurant and Bar, on the corner of Upton Street and Ashmore Road opened its doors on May 4 to a roaring trade of locals.

Business Communications Management designed the brand, developed the web site, designed the menus and other print collateral as well as assisting owner Belinda O’Brien with marketing and the VIP launch on May 10.

Mylk Restaurant and Bar is a sophisticated place to drop in for a relax after work as well as a great destination for a fine lunch or dinner out.

All The News That's Fit

At Business Communications Management we’ve always rather critical of the established media and the general quality of reporting.

And it seems we’re not alone.

American humorist Iowahawk takes a look at the decline of newspapers over half a century through a series of subscription renewal reminders from a fictional local newspaper.

Reminiscent of acclaimed humorist James Thurber, this parody is elegantly written and sharply observed.

Quote Of The Month

The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible
-- Arthur C. Clarke