Obama Tries to Rein In Use of His Image

(NEWSER) - President Obama praised the passage of a bill allowing the FDA to regulate tobacco products as “a long time coming," the Hill reports. The legislation, which sailed through the House this morning, grants the agency new power to regulate tobacco ingredients and marketing. "After a decade of opposition, all of us are about to achieve victory with this bill," said Obama, a former smoker. More»

$913B in buying power goes relatively ignored by Madison Ave.

(NEWSER) - Many of the advertising folks who named Barack Obama Marketer of the Year have cut spending directed at African-Americans, whose buying power is nearly $1 trillion, Marissa Miley writes in Advertising Age. “Why people continue to question this customer segment continues to baffle me,” says one author. “The proof is there.” Marketers instead have focused on the burgeoning Latino sector. More»

Companies tie products, events to Obama's big day

(NEWSER) - Marketers for products from cognac to commemorative coins are looking to cash in on Barack Obama’s Tuesday inauguration, the New York Times reports. “Obamabilia” includes bottles of Hennessy with a “44” on the label, special magazine issues, and Tshirts galore. Other companies, like Quaker Oatmeal, are hosting Inauguration Day events “to capture the excitement and optimism of the moment.” And, you know, sell oatmeal. More»

But Prez-elect advertises obsession for free

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama won't nab any cash for his frequent endorsement of his beloved BlackBerry—but if he weren’t a public servant, his thumbs-up could be worth as much as $50 million, the New York Times reports. “This would be almost the biggest endorsement deal in the history of endorsements,” said one marketing expert. “The most powerful man in the country is saying, basically, I can’t live without mine,” said another. More»

It's too expensive, says marketing chief

(NEWSER) - Maybe Facebook shouldn't feel too bad that GM is dropping its paid ads from the site: The automaker isn't buying any Super Bowl spots next year, either, reports the Wall Street Journal . GM, usually a heavy presence in the big game, says the price of the ads—currently $3.8 million for 30 seconds—just isn't worth it. The move is part of a larger overhaul of its marketing strategy, but the company says it's not cutting back on its overall advertising budget, which hit $4.5 billion last year. More»