Allie Sullivan Wears Bunny Ears in Campaign to Socialize Playboy

So I spent four days on a cruise ship with a bunch of social media types. The cruise was informative and fun and you can read about it here. I spent a lot of time with Allie Sullivan who I've worked with in the past when she was at PETA and the Humane Society. She always tipped Adrants to many of those organization's ad campaigns, various marketing stunts and social media efforts.

On the cruise, she told me she hopes to land a job at Playboy which is seeking a Social Media and Audience Development Manager. Hmm. A girl running Playboy's social media efforts? Does that mean Playboy will end up looking like this and Hugh will have to start tweeting about Playboy's position on the objectification of women?

While Playboy certainly does a great job helping men engage in a particular form of personalized social activity, the organization could use some help engaging with with people on a broader level. To, you know, really cement the notion there are actually people out there who read Playboy "for the articles."

OK, OK. While it's apparent the only Playboy tweets anyone will care about are the ones pimping the latest centerfold or the Girls of Social Media features, the organization could certainly benefit from some transitioning away from Hugh Hefner in pajamas as its image.

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Matthew Lesko Snubs Ad Agencies, Hands Money to the People

If you've ever been to an ad conference and seen some dude walking around in a question mark suit or have been assaulted by one of his websites online, you've had the pleasure of seeing Matthew Lesko. He's one of those infomercial/make money online types that, despite the fact they do make tons of money, really get underneath the skin and cause some serious cringe.

Lesko launched Information USA 30 years ago to make people aware of un-advertised government programs that had millions of dollars to help people find work, get training, pay tuition, help with housing, launch businesses, pay for prescriptions and get government contracts. To promote his company, Lesko has spent millions on television advertising and has used ad agencies to help with his campaigns.

Now he wants to give his money to the people rather than an ad agency. He promises to pay five dollars to anyone who visits and joins My America Benefits Plan. Of course, to get the five dollars, a person has to sign up for the program, pay one dollar and then receive five dollars back. no surprise there.

Of course, it's all to make Lesko more money. No secret there. But hey, who doesn't want five dollars? Seems like a lot of work to get it though