Vizio Inc. is taking a stab at its competitors’ curved TV sets with a new ad for “anti-curved glasses.”
The fictional product is available in “three easy payments of $99” and can “turn a curved TV into a beautiful flat screen.”
The video spot, which has the look and feel of a late-night infomercial, also offers a free “seating chart” to help viewers find the best angle to view their curved TVs, and a detachable drink holder. But that’s not all—the Irvine-based company is also offering “state-of-the-art caution tape so no one bumps into those curved TV corners.”
The Vizio ad plays off drawbacks of curved TVs—they can look awkward when mounted on the wall, and the picture doesn’t display exactly the same if the viewer isn’t sitting directly in front of the set.
The one-minute ad ends with the slogan: “Don’t fall for the curve. Beautifully flat Ultra HD.”
Vizio spent $6.6 million during the first nine months of 2014, according to Kantar Media.
Cypress to Dakar
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. is sponsoring a Race-Dezert.com reporting team to cover the 2015 Dakar Rally. The 13-stage race is under way through Bolivia, Argentina and Chile and is scheduled to wrap up on Jan. 17.
“Our goal is to give off-road fans more Dakar Rally coverage than ever before,” said Senior Director of Marketing Amy Coleman, adding that Adrian Puente, motorsports coordinator for Toyo Tire, is also making the journey. “It is an opportunity to make new fans and grow the worldwide presence of off-road racing.”
The Cypress-based tire manufacturer also has skin in the game—Robby Gordon, a winner of nine Dakar Rally stages, is driving for Team Toyo, along with Guerlain Chicherit of Team X-Raid, who has three prior stage victories under his belt. Both drivers are using Toyo Open Country tires. The rally’s only all-female team, Catherine Houles and Sandrine Ridet, also have Toyo tires on their pink Isuzu D-MAX.
Toyo Tire spent $2.6 million on media during the first nine months of 2014.
Outdoor Cooking
Systems Paving Inc. is looking to Sam Zien, better known to TV audiences as Sam the Cooking Guy, to spice up its blog and social media outlets.
The Santa Ana-based company designs and installs interlocking paving stones, artificial turf, water features and more.
“Our mission is to make outdoor living as comfortable as possible by creating and building outdoor living systems and experiences that take the luxuries of your home’s interior to your outdoors,” said Chief Executive Larry Green, who cofounded the company with President Doug Lueck in 1992. “A culinary expert that can provide simple, yet delicious ideas and recipes for all seasons is the perfect partner for us.”
The San Diego-based chef’s recipes and tips for outdoor living and dining will be featured on System Pavers’ Outdoor Living quarterly publication, Facebook page and blog.
Receipts for Treats
The city of Dana Point, in collaboration with Dana Point’s chamber of commerce, kicked off the Shop Del Prado marketing campaign. The nine-month effort is intended to bring shoppers and visitors to businesses along Del Prado Avenue, a busy thoroughfare currently under construction.
Once a month, the city and chamber will raffle off free stays at local hotels or dinners at local eateries to the winners among those who submit receipts of $10 or more.
Design Americas Trade Show
Emerald Expositions Inc. in San Juan Capistrano plans to launch Design Americas, a trade show focused on the hospitality, contract, kitchen and bath and retail design industries.
The show will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center in September.
