I am curious what people think about the new Walmart logo. To me, this is one example of the power of design. After living with this on TV for a few weeks, my sensibility about the brand has already changed. I like that is is friendly and somewhat contemporary. It is not “in my face” and pedestrian like the previous version. Will it make me go to Walmart? Maybe not, but over time, who knows? I am a Target shopper, and nobody does branding better than Target. They make paper towels exciting! I am curious what you think and I hope you will comment. Thanks!

Does T Boone Pickens write his own ads? In just 15 seconds this ad explains the problem, gets me motivated to want to take action, and gives me a simple call to action that I can follow.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1648674250/bctid1755448369

If you don’t want to follow the link, the ad talks about how the government of Iran is making a MAJOR effort to use natural gas in their vehicles so they can free up $120 a barrel oil to sell to us while we are doing nothing.

This reminds me of the ad that ran when I was a kid that encouraged people not to litter. People toss their trash out of a car at the feet of a native American. I think of that Indian everytime I watch some pig toss their cigarette butt out of their car onto our earth.

Holy cow how do I sign up to live in this innovative, happy, intelligent, color blind world that exists in the advertising that runs on Sunday mornings? Are all oil companies really committed to developing renewable energy sources? Are insurance companies sinking profits into keeping me healthy in the first place? And if big banks are investing in American innovation, then we really are well poised to create the economy based on Energy Technology.  The truth is, that advertising and marketing will play a key role in influencing behavior and public opinion regarding what our country does about energy. My feeling however is that $4 a gallon has done more. Oil companies are all trying to position themselves in the best possible light as people open their minds and begin to demand new alternatives.  My question is, why only air these messages during political or national news programming? I’d like to see these highly produced, carefully written ads air during American Idol, sports and sitcoms as well. Then I will believe that these companies are actually hoping to educate the public and get them to participate in the process. So far, it just feels like a cry to investors.