QUIRKY MARKETING CALENDAR » May Holidays

Happy Memorial Day!

Heidi Richards Mooney — Mon, 31 May 2010 06:13:24 +0000

May 31st is Memorial Day

(U.S.) ~ honor those who have served (observed on May 28th) Hand out flags to everyone you meet – everywhere you go. Put 2 small flags in a bag or envelop and a thank you note asking the recipient to keep one and give one away to someone who has served their country and/or in honor of Memorial Day.

Today is also

Prayer for Peace Memorial Day

What You Think Upon Grows Day

World No-Tobacco Day

Today is History of Copyright Law Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Sun, 30 May 2010 06:37:28 +0000

“Copyright law dates back 300 years, when the British parliament enacted the first copyright statute, the Copyright Act 1709, also known as Statute of Anne… Copyright has grown from a legal concept regulating copying rights in the publishing of books and maps to one with a significant effect on nearly every modern industry, covering such items as sound recordings, films, photographs, software, and architectural works.” (source: Wikipedia)

But did you know that the moment a work is put into a tangible format such as a book, an article, a song, a video, a teleconference or other format that can be accessed by others it is considered copyrighted? The important thing to remember is that even though it is considered copyrighted, it is not legally protected until a person obtains a legal copyright from the US Copyright Office. When you obtain a copyright, you then have legal standing should you have to defend your work in a court of law.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Website: The intellectual property (IP) generated by U.S. companies is critical to America’s prosperity and leadership in the global economy. America’s IP-intensive industries employ nearly 18 million workers, account for more than 50% of all U.S. exports, and represent 40% of the country’s growth (Department of Commerce)

AllBusiness.com offers Ten Tips on Protecting Intellectual Property. Here are five of those tips:

1. File for Protection

2. Invest in Legal Counsel

3. Learn about Intellectual Property Rights

4. Be realistic about your expectations

5. Respect the work of others

To read the entire article and the other 5 tips go to http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/intellectual-property/11140-1.html

In 1967 Evel Knievel the motorcycle daredevil stuntman successfully clears sixteen cars in Gardena, California

Today is also Brassiere Day ~ According to About.com “Legend has it that the first woman’s brassiere appeared on May 30, 1889 (or possibly 1912), invented by an Otto Titzling and his business partner, Hans Delving.” It is thought that Titzling and Delving invented and created the over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder for a certain well-endowed Swedish swimmer named Lois Lung.

Today is also

Hug Your Cat Day

Also on this day

Heirloom Seed Day

Water a Flower Day

My Bucket’s Got a Hole In It Day

What You Think Upon Grows Day

World No Tobacco Day

Also on this date:

1848 Ice Cream Freezer was patented by William G. Young

In 1911 The first ever running of the Indianapolis 500 is won by Ray Harrounat at an average speed of 74.59 miles an hour

Joan of Arc was martyred by burning at the stake (on charges of heresy) in Rouen, France

In 1922 The Lincoln Memorial built to honor Abraham Lincoln the 16th president of the United States, was dedicated by Former President William Howard Taft in Washington, D.C.

*Note: I recently interviewed Nancy J. Flint an Intellectual Property Attorney who shared a lot of facts about copyrights. For more information check out the Women’s Writing Series session: Legal Issues for Authors.

While you are thinking about ways to promote your business, check out Quirky Marketing Calendar ~ How to Use Zany and Non-traditional Holidays to Promote Your Business 365 Days a Year for More great marketing ideas.

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Today May 28th is Kite Flying Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:10:24 +0000

Here’s an Airhogs Stunt Kite Flying video

According to Wikipedia: “Kites were used approximately 2,800 years ago in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available: silk fabric for sail material, fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line, and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework“

Since then, over the centuries, kites have been reproduced around the world. In Asia, kites became symbolic of mystical and religious ceremonies and in the United States kites were used in scientific experiments in the US. Not to mention all the fun children and adults have flying kites

In 1752 Benjamin Franklin, a renowned kite flyer, conducted his big experiment in secret with only his son as an assistant because he loathed the ridicule that he would have to endure if the experiment failed. This was a very dangerous experiment because he flew a silk kite (more durable than paper) with a line of hemp held by a silk ribbon into an approaching storm over Philadelphia. Attached to the end of the line was a brass key and a wire was attached to the top of the kite. The purpose of the experiment was to conduct electricity. After a few attempts and being knocked unconcious on at least one occassion, Franklin proved his theory and the rest, as they say is history.

So what kind of Publicity Stunt or marketing tactic could you use today?

Also on this day:

In 1892 the Sierra Club was founded

In 1742 the first indoor swimming pool opened at Goodman’s Fields, London

In 1818 the first steam-vessel to sail Great Lakes was launched

In 1923 the Attorney General said it’s legal for women to wear trousers

In 1951 : The two biggest retailers in New York City go head to head with an old fashioned price war, Macy’s the worlds largest department store and Gimbals who have said they will not be undersold. Macy’s stated they would cut 6% off of a quarter of it’s products throughout the store.

In 1961 Amnesty International was founded

In 1974 the first Emmy (Daytime TV) Awards presentation aired

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Today is National Sunscreen Protection Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:20:27 +0000

Did you get your BURN NOTICE today?

With summer just around the corner, we are bound to see tons of ads for sunscreens of all makes and protection. And did you know there is actually a job for people who are interested in earning a little summer cash while enjoying the summer sunshine?

That’s right! The French resort town of Les Sables d’Olonne has posted a recruitment notice seeking two “creamers” with winning personalities to…apply sunscreen to tourists’ bodies.

Here’s the position (described as “the job of the summer”): Spend six weeks in July and August with your “toes in the sand,” applying tanning lotion to the shoulders and back (only) of anyone who wants it, handing out samples, and dispensing safety tips. According to John Lichfield in Britain’s Independent, the job is a lot like lifeguarding ” instead of saving people from drowning, [the creamers] will save people from burning.” (source: TheWeek.com)

BTW, the job starts at about 1,100 a week!

The French resort is known for it’s publicity stunts! For instance last year, it guaranteed vacationers sunshine and offered refunds to tourists whose trips were hampered by bad weather.

About Sunscreen:

Suncsreen was invented by Benjamin Green to protect soldiers in the Second World War from Sunburn. It worked so well, Green went on to create the Coppertone Company, one of the best-known Suntan Lotion companies in the world.

Sunscreens either block or absorb ultraviolet light. They are all labeled with a Sun Protection Factor. To understand SPF, just multiply. If you would normally be fine in the sun for 10 minutes, you can apply a SPF-10 sunscreen and be fine for 100 minutes. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that we all use a SPF-15 or higher and apply it to all areas of the body that are exposed to the sun. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days.

“The Higher The SPF, The Better The Protection”

Sunscreen SPF numbers can range from four to 100, but products with higher SPF are not always better. “A SPF 15 sunscreen can protect you from 92 percent of UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent,” says Dr. Seth Forman, a Tampa dermatologist. “The key to sunscreen is to reapply often. You want to apply sunscreen fifteen to twenty minutes before going outdoors, then reapply – using a shot glass worth of sunscreen – every two hours.”

Read this Sun Tanning article on Livestrong.com

Summer Promotional items ideas:

Sunblock lotion

Aloe packets

Suncare kits

sunblock packets

sunblock sticks

spray sunscreen

mini sun kits

sport sunblock keyring

baseball caps

sun visors

Also on this date:

In 1844 Samuel F.B. Morse completed 1st telegraph line

In 1919 Charles Strite patented pop-up toaster

In 1930 Richard Drew invented masking tape

In 1961 the first black light was sold

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May 26th is Hands Across America Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:06:51 +0000

In 1986, more than 7 million people, including President Ronald Reagan, joined hands in a human chain across sixteen states to raise money for the hungry and homeless in the United States. How did they raise money? Participants paid ten dollars to earn their place in line.

Today is also

National Senior Health & Fitness Day

Scripps National Spelling Bee Days 26-27

International Whistlers Convention begins today in Quingdao, China (May 26-30). See www.whistlingiwc.com

On this date in history:

In 1896 The Dow Jones Industrial Average was first published. The average price of the 12 initial stocks was 40.94

In 1937 The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay opened.

In 1969 Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono stage a public ‘bed in’ for world peace – staying in bed for a week in a hotel in Montreal.

In 1985 The world’s first .com (dotcom) is registered and Windows 1.0 is released.

May 25th is No Money Down Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:04:36 +0000

In 1980 Robert Allen, author of Nothing Down was challenged by the Los Angeles Times to prove his theory that he could be dropped into any city in America with $100 and 72 hours later own several pieces of property without paying ANY down payments. He pulled off the fete and was featured on the front page of the Times.

Publicity Stunts like that and others have garnered publicity from the media for years! Some of them a success and some not so successful. Especially when you expect the media to cover the story and they get pulled away to more pressing late-breaking news that impacts more than just a local community.

Publicity stunts when covered can get priceless publicity for a fraction of the cost of a full-page ad in the local paper or a full-page ad in a magazine that may or may not be seen by your target audience.

What kind of stunt could your company orchestrate to get media attention?

On this date in history:

In 1626 Peter Minuet bought Manhattan from Indians for trinkets (worth $24)

In 1899 the first auto repair shop opens in Boston, MA

While you are thinking about ways to promote your business, check out Quirky Marketing Calendar ~ How to Use Zany and Non-traditional Holidays to Promote Your Business 365 Days a Year for More great marketing ideas.

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Today, May 23rd is Body Painting Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:12:02 +0000

Race car drivers do it, sailors do it and so do motorcycle riders. What do they do? They have tattoos painted on their bodys or their automobiles. Tattoo advertising has been around for years on cars, and in 2003 became a popular advertising medium on body parts. That’s when Dunkin’ Donuts became the first U.S. company to tattoo its logo on the foreheads of people, and the first to bring them into a sporting arena.

Fans were asked to wear the company’s logo on their heads for three hours around or inside the FleetCenter in Boston, for the first-round games of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. In exchange they were paid minimum wage or more. Other fans in attendance were also handed Dunkin Donut tattoos and many of them put it on for fun.

Here’s one company who, in 2008 paid was paying 5,000 British Pounds for people to sport a tattoo on their foreheads:

In fact, tattoos have been around for thousands of years since the Pharoahs of Egypt use them for cosmetic purposes.

And Tattoos are used fun, for attention and as part of tradition such as when brides in India paint henna tattoos on their bodies in celebration of their new life as a bride.

But you don’t have to just paint a tattoo on a body part. If you prefer something that does not last as long and is just as effective, get a friend (or hire someone) to tattoo your company name or logo on the back fo their head. They do that by shaping/shaving the hair to the likeness requested.

Also on this date:

In 1785 Benjamin Franklin announced his invention of bifocals
In 1922 Walt Disney started his first film company (Laugh-O-Gram Films)

In 1953 Schools frst use Cliff’s Notes

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May 21st is International Virtual Assistants Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:50:23 +0000

According to A Clayton’s Secretary” in Australia “A VA is a self-employed professional business services operator providing almost any type of admin support service you require on a remote basis from their own office using their own equipment and software.”

So what can you do to honor a Virtual Assistant today? Host a virtual event inviting your circle to meet your virtual assistant. Interview him or her about what types of projects they work on, how they can help small business and more. Post the interview to your blog and promote your VA in your newsletter, on your website and in emails.

If you are a virtual assistant, host a virtual conference for VA’s inviting them to share their stories with guests. Each VA can help promote the event to their local media and garner some publicity for them and you. In 2008 the Online International Virtual Assistants Conference took place and VA’s from around the globe participated. It was a great way to raise awareness of this emerging profession. More information can be found at the Online Virtual Assistants Day Conference Website.

Today is also

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Allergy Alert Day

I Need A Patch For That Day

National Bike to Work Day

Also on this date:

In 1881 Clara Barton and Adolphus Solomons found the American National Red Cross, to provide humanitarian aid to victims of wars and natural disasters as part of the International Federation of Red Cross Societies. The American Red Cross dates its formal beginning to 1881, but it was active before that. Its roots lie in Europe, where the International Red Cross was founded in Geneva in 1864. An average of 92 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

Today is Care to Air Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:47:54 +0000

Levi STrauss & Company, the world giant Jean manufacturer announces their “Care to Air” contest taking place June 1st. The company is looking for the next generation of air drying design ideas that will improve or replace the typical clothesline. Design ideas will be accepted from June 1- July 31, 2010, and winners will be announced on August 16. The grand prize: $1,000.

Winner will be announced in August.

LEvi’s is making their mark in the environmental movement to save our planet by showing how consumers can reduce the environmental impact of clothing on the world.

According to Levi’s about 92% of U.S. Households have a dryer and if we move to drying our clothes on a clothes line, we can reduce our carbon imprint on the planet through less energy consumption.

Full contest details can be found at www.levi.com/care.

It’s interesting that also on May 20th In 1892 George Sampson patents clothes dryer.

Did you know that on this date in history Levi Strauss begins selling blue jeans with copper rivets for $1.21 a pair

Also on this date:

In 1310 Shoes were first made for both right & left feet

In 1830 D. Hyde patents the fountain pen

In 1927 Charles Lindbergh takes off from NY to cross Atlantic for Paris

In 1932 Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Today she left Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, Canada, and arrived at Londonderry, Ireland, approximately 14 hours later.

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May 19th is Band Aid DAY

Heidi Richards Mooney — Wed, 19 May 2010 06:22:22 +0000

“The Modern Transparent Bandage That Blends With Your Skin”

Where did Band-Aids come from?

Earle Dickson, an employee of Johnson and Johnson developed the Band-Aid® in 1920 for his accident-prone wife, Josephine. At the time Johnson and Johnson produced germ-resistant sterile cotton and gauze dressing that remained sterile until the packaging until opened. His “invention” earned him a token vice-presidency and later a seat on the Board of Directors.

One hundred billion Band-aids are produced annually.

Band Aids have become the generic name for all types of adhesive bandages. In marketing that can be a good thing or not. According to Wikipedia: “A trademark typically becomes ‘genericized’ when the products or services with which it is associated have acquired substantial market dominance or mind share. A trademark thus popularized puts its legal protection at risk, as unless the owner of an affected trademark works sufficiently to prevent such broad use its intellectual property rights in the trademark may be lost.”

I wonder what Johnson & Johnson thinks about everyone calling adhesive bandages “band-aids.” ???

Some “genericized” products include the words Yo-yo, Aspirin, Zipper, Escalator and kerosene among others.

Band-aid marketing ideas:

Put your ad on your customer and let them spread your marketing message with custom bandaids bandages and dispensers. These dispensers are available in a variety of vibrant, eye-catching colors that will get any company ad or logo noticed and can be purchased by your local promotional products company. Give them away at health fairs, fitness centers, sports events, outdoor club activities or add them to first aid kits, goody bags, and in direct mailings.

Host a Band-aid art contest. Give prizes for the most creative, original works of art made from bandages.

Host a Band-aid design contest. Have your audience create a toy made from bandages, clothing made from bandages, containers and more. Gear the contest to your industry and make sure EVERYONE knows about it.

Get in the Guinness World Records by doing something with Bandaids (I looked and no one has yet).

Cover a building with band-aids and send to Johnson & Johnson or your local media outlets. Sounds like news to me!

What else could you do?

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