The advertising agency who came up with this logo for the Office of Government Commerce in the UK clearly did not try and see things from different angles:

Read the full article in The Telegraph.

Thanks to Greg for spotting this.

I spotted these McDonald’s custom-packaged Nudies when flying out of Sydney almost a month ago. While this is hardly an unusual practice, I was surprised at the low quality of the McDonald’s Nudie packaging.

The colours look wrong, the deep-etching is bad, and the printing is low resolution.

I wonder how this affects the perception of the Nudie brand? The quality is …

The service on Singapore Airlines is impeccable and faultless, even in Cattle Class. It was certainly not your average domestic no-frills flight.

And they know it.

The global airline industry is as competitive as any global business. While American Airlines is struggling with their inability to keep their aircrafts compliant with basic US FAA maintenance regulations, Singapore Airlines seem to be actively leveraging their reputation and record of good …

When Wholefoods’ cash register broke down one day, staff gave groceries away so as not to inconvenience customers.

Is this an exercise in customer care, or sheer business stupidity?

I reckon it is the former. I see it as a great relationship exercise.

The hard core convectional business person would think it is the latter.

The comments are interesting to read.

You can’t please everyone I guess. You can only …

The Commonwealth Bank is (so far) saying they are “determined to be different”.

The National Australia Bank (NAB) is removing all transaction fees normally levied when customers use a non-NAB Automatic Teller Machine (ATM); effectivelyturning all ATMs into NAB ATMs. This is at a time when every other bank charge a “foreign”-ATM fee.

No prizes for guessing who is actually different.

Actions speak louder than words. Again.

I find the ANZ bank’s current ads to be the most personable and fun. (Too bad their site does not seem to reflect this “feel”).

The ANZ ad shows “normal” bank employees, with Australian voices, sitting in a humble boardroom.

Simon is also the bear in an earlier ad:…

BankWest has started a brave and different “Happy Banking” campaign.

I first spotted this billboard in the city:

Then the ads came along:

This is an audacious and – if they can pull it off – powerful position of difference. I want to know how the bank’s actions are reflecting their advertised promises. If …

The Commonwealth Bank’s “Determined to be Different” campaign has been running for a good while now.

It is an odd tagline – somewhat apologetic perhaps. And definitely with a whiff of “committee crosschecked consensus” about it. But they are a bank, so I guess that’s to be expected.

What I am curious about is to hear from …

A wonderful list compiled by Jack Marx.

Thanks to Michael Little for the heads up.

“Boring!!!” I hear you say. Who gives a blip about blenders, right? I certainly have not thought about one at all until now.

Have a look at this excellent viral marketing idea: http://www.willitblend.com/

How’s that for a sustained marketing campaign that cost next to nothing compared to your usual buy ad-spots for glossy perfect ads approach.

I know which blender I am getting next…