Coca-Cola 2012 Freestyle Campaign

The Coca-Cola Freestyle has been generating buzz, sales boosts and foot traffic since the futuristic machine first launched three years ago. Now, as the next-generation soda fountain reaches a critical mass -- it will be in 80 markets by year's end -- execs are readying Freestyle's first marketing campaign. Coca-Cola is working with ad agency Ogilvy & Mather to develop radio, outdoor and digital creative for the 2012 marketing campaign.

As a part of this marketing effort, Coca-Cola is also looking to develop a new Facebook app and mobile app. These apps would allow consumers to mix up and share favorite Freestyle recipes. These recipes would then be converted to a 2-D barcode which, when scanned, would immediately generate the unique blend.

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Surprising Results from the Pepsi "Summer Time" Campaign

By now most of us in the industry are familiar with Pepsi's recent "Summer Time" campaign. The new spots attempt to attack Coca-Cola head-on by spinning the familiar Coca-Cola characters (Santas and polar bears) into Pepsi hounding fools. From a creative standpoint, the ads fall short. However, some interesting data was recently released suggesting that these new spots have received an impressive social media response. Pepsi's overall share of voice relative to Coke has gone from 25% to 30%" since the spots started airing a little over a month ago (see chart below). The data has also revealed that the "Summer Time" spots have a much higher chance of eliciting a social-media response (primarly on Twitter and Facebook) when they air during certain shows.

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Pepsi has been nicking Coke's social-media share of voice (SOV)

The top 10 shows -- and the worst performers -- for social-media response to "Summer Time is Pepsi Time"

Dr Pepper to Add $30 Million to Ad Budget

Between 2008 and 2010, the beverage company's marketing budget increased 25%, from $356 million to $445 million. In 2011, execs say they'll up spending by another 5% to 6% or $25 million to $30 million.

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Honest Tea Tests the Honor System

Honest Tea set up unmanned pop-up stores in cities nationwide where passersby could purchase bottles of tea based on the honor system – though with cameras watching discreetly. Chicago was determined to be the most honest city where 99 percent of consumers paid for each bottle taken, though only 86 percent of those in New York, found to be the least honest city, did the same.

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Google+ Is Exploding -- and Could Actually Hurt Facebook

So Google+ obviously has some traction. Just a few weeks after its launch, Google CEO Larry Page revealed that the nascent social network already had 10 million users. But will it ultimately blow up enough -- and matter enough -- to become a problem for Facebook? Simon Dumeno thinks so.

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Learn 7 Ways to Kick Google+'s Social Media Tires Now!

TRENDS: Vitaminwater's New Bus Stop Ad Let You Change Your Mobile Devices

Vitamin Water's new "You're Up" campaign stresses that the drink can give you a quick energy boost while you're scurrying around on a busy day. It has installed battery-powered public USB ports in bus shelter ads that proclaim the drink is an "Alternative Energy Source," allowing you to recharge mobile devices while you're waiting for your ride.

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10 Signs You Need A Social Media Detox

There’s no denying that social media has revolutionized the way that we interact with one another, but it’s also turned into an obsession for many of us, taking over all areas of our lives through incessant check-ins, status updates, likes, shares and more.  A fun new infographic from Column Five explores the obsessive habits that sites like Twitter and Facebook often lead to help you answer the question, ‘Do You Need A Social Media Detox?’
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The Start of Something Different

Name of Company/Competitor: Nestea
Name of Campaign/Spot: The Start of Something Different
Date Launched: 5/19/2011
Description: The TV spot 'The Perfect Day' tells the story of two people seizing the day and taking on new challenges.
Media Details: TV

Summer Time is Pepsi Time: Santa Dancing

Name of Company/Competitor: Pepsi
Name of Campaign/Spot: Summer Time is Pepsi Time: Santa Dancing    
Date Launched: 7/1/2011
Description: Santa is enjoying a Pepsi, instead of Coca Cola,  on vacation saying "Summer Time is Pepsi Time".
Media Details: TV

Summer Time is Pepsi Time: Uncle Teddy

Name of Company/Competitor: Pepsi
Name of Campaign/Spot: Summer Time is Pepsi Time: Uncle Teddy     
Date Launched: 7/1/2011
Description: Uncle Teddy, the Polar Bear, is drinking Pepsi on his yacht shouting "Summer Time is Pepsi Time".
Media Details: TV