Beyond Urban Branding

FROM www.allhiphop.com  (AllHipHop News) Sources have told AllHipHop.com that Dr. Dre's new brand of cognac will begin shipping to stores later this month and in the beginning of October. Dr. Dre announced the details of his new line Aftermath Cognac in August of 2008. The first alcoholic drink from Dr. Dre is a joint venture between Dr. Dre and Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records. The production and distribution of Aftermath Cognac will be handled by Abecassis Cognac, which will also help introduce a new 80-proof flavored and unflavored sparkling vodka product. The Aftermath Cognac and accompanying vodka were originally supposed to be released to coincide with Dr. Dre's highly anticipated album Detox, which still has no official release date. Dr. Dre teased fans during his performance with Eminem and Jay-Z at Detroit's Comerica Park, after they began chanting "Detox" in unison, in an attempt to push the produced to release the delayed album. ...

Axe has always had edgy ads. Before Old Spice and Gillette stepped into the manly smell arena, Axe was doing their thing. This is their latest from Axe.. Its juvenile, its sexually references are more then obvious and thats why its funny. This ad is like a 7th grade conversation. And yet, its hilarious. So popular my 12 year old son could not stop laughing as he started to tell me about it. Below are some others. This one below was supposedly banned....Makes sense. Its also got a ton of hits online. Which ALSO makes sense. 

Kindle ads suck. There, I said it. I have watched these pseudo clever ads for too long. This is the latest one to not catch my eye. The other ad they had was the boring one with the lady and flashlight? Don't remember? I'm not mad at you for forgetting. Also, who is Kindle trying to market to? I mean, based on the ads, I'd say White nerds.  Which is OK. Everything ain't for everybody. But this couple on the beach is NOT making me want Kindle. I mean, if I'm at the beach and I wanna read, I'm not about to bring Kindle near these waves (unless its waterproof!). Note to Kindle marketing people: Many people (races, cultures, subcultures, etc.) love to read. Many people love technology. Please make an ad that makes any lover of books excited. If you don't, they'll just go grab an ipad. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

As much as graff may get criminalized by mainstream media, people really love it. Food, shoe, clothing and car brands are all sold using the power of graff. The above piece is a classic example. -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

Skating and graffiti have always been in alignment. Skating was usually done by more White kids in the urban areas. Rapping and DJ'ing was done by more African American kids. Graffiti brought them together. I think this is a very cutting edge campaign. I love the can design idea. I love it when any company embraces urban art.   -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com