Brand Mix

Photo: Thanksgiving '08 by reneémudd (Flickr)

Thanksgiving-themed stories:

1) Let's Talk Turkey: Snopes.com (via Fritinancy)
Rumor/urban legend buster Snopes.com verifies that people do, in fact, call Turkey hotlines with the strangest of questions. Of the many listed in the post, my faves are: How to carve a turkey with a chain saw? and Can motor oil be used as a baste? (possibly from the same caller?)

2) New York Bar Owner Says He Will Unveil Nation's First 100-Proof Turkey: Fox News
O'Casey's Tavern in Midtown Manhattan is offering what it believes is the nation's first 100-proof turkey. It's being infused with fruit-flavored, 100-proof Georgi vodka for three days before being cooked. Thoughtfully, the tavern is offering free taxi rides to anyone who eats the turkey.

3) Thanksgiving eating strategies: bloggingheads.tv
Ezra Klein and Mark Bittman discuss how, if you wanted to, you could eat less at Thanksgiving. It's all about you, in rational-mode, plotting ahead of time to outwit your irrational self. Strategies discussed include: keeping food off the table (so you have to get up to some more), using small plates and then increasingly "creative" ideas like chopsticks and tight shirts.



4) Biden Pardons Single Yam In Vice Presidential Thanksgiving Ritual: The Onion
"'Under my authority as vice president of the United States of America, I hereby grant this yam full and unconditional clemency,' a smiling Biden declared as he gently patted "Spud," a Beauregard sweet potato grown in Louisiana."

5) United Airlines works to reconnect with customers and restore battered reputation: Chicago Tribune
As a long-suffering United Airlines frequent flyer, I'd love this to be true. It would really be something to be thankful for. Heck. To get into the spirit of the season, let's give United the benefit of the doubt for a change. Perhaps this time things will change for the better.

6) The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody: Muppets Studio
YouTube is all the better for having the Muppets setting up their own channel. An escape from reality. Definitely something to be thankful about, especially if future videos are as good as this one.



That's it! Back soon with more stories from the world of brand strategy (and vaguely related areas). More thoughts and comments also available on Twitter (@martinjbishop). Happy Thanksgiving everyone!