Out To Launch

Even during such trying times, businesses are sticking to their guns - unveiling new ad campaigns and websites, closing deals and moving forward. Since you probably missed a few, here are some the major launches of the week that was, and the week that will be.

The U.S. government is expected to launch a new ad campaign this weekend designed to boost morale and combat negative perceptions about the country. The ads, from the White House and Interpublic Group 's McCann-Erickson, will feature First Lady Laura Bush in spots on talking to children about the terrorist attack. A second campaign will debut Friday. The commercial, from Omnicom Group 's GSD&M, will promote racial tolerance, showing different nationalities living in America in peace. Both campaigns are to be provided to networks by the Ad Council, a public-service group.

Satellite TV service DirecTV Inc. and bookseller Barnes & Noble.com have unveiled a plan to sell books through the DirecTV system. DirecTV will begin offering a new channel, called the Barnes & Noble.com channel, where viewers can access the Barnes & Noble.com website via their TV remote controls. Users can then purchase items from the top 100 best-selling books. The service, which uses software from interactive specialist Wink Communications Inc., is the first of DirecTV's interactive TV, or iTV, services to feature a shopping component.

In autumn, Pennsylvania's most popular leaf peeping resources are http://www.fallinpa.com and 1-800-FALL-IN-PA. During a fall excursion, families can discover the autumn splendor first hand or catch a preview via the website. Travelers visiting http://www.fallinpa.com will discover the newest locations of the fall web cameras including two user-controlled interactive cameras. The site also features new hiking and biking maps, trail information and a calendar of fall events. This year the website features nine digital web cameras positioned at viewpoints overlooking state parks and forests for scenic vistas across Pennsylvania. The cameras provide live pictures of the prime color throughout the state's three fall foliage zones.

MDI Entertainment, Inc. has entered into an agreement with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) for a Powerball advertising campaign featuring music legend Ray Charles, under the company's exclusive lottery licensing arrangement with the singer. At least 15 of the U.S. lottery states that sell the very popular Powerball lotto game are expected to participate in the campaign. The television and radio campaign will introduce a new theme song for Powerball, performed by Charles. The campaign will also introduce a new Powerball slogan and new logo graphics.

buy.com is set to launch its targeted fourth quarter marketing and advertising campaign in the coming weeks. Designed to build brand awareness and drive revenue, the creative draws from the companies' earlier minimalist style. buy.com's television creative will begin with a silent spot featuring only the name "buy.com" and their tagline "Lowest Prices On Earth." Newsprint creative kicks off with the headline "NOT Going Out Of Business Sale" to emphasize buy.com is here to stay and has great pricing on top products. Magazine creative utilizes single products with catchy headlines that play on the product name while speaking to its low price.

Stream Theory, Inc., a software distribution platform company for software publishers, e-tailers, and enterprises, and eGames, Inc., a publisher of a diversified line of family entertainment and personal productivity computer software, launched of "eGames Streaming Arcade," an online rental game site featuring eGames' family-oriented Family Friendly PC games. eGames Streaming Arcade is an extension of the eGames.com website that currently offers PC games for demo and purchase. Consumers now are able to play online a wide range of non-violent games for the entire family. Stream Theory's patent-pending streaming technology enables users to just point, click and run PC game software over the Internet almost instantly and without installation or downloading product software.

Family Dollar unveiled a redesigned website this week. The new site offers enhanced functionality and a new graphic look. The new Family Dollar site features a comprehensive virtual tour of a Family Dollar store, a streamlined job application process, a store locator and a more robust Investor Relations section. Other convenient offerings include the FDO stock ticker and a pop-up box offering the option to sign up for the latest news on Family Dollar. Family Dollar went to their agency, Tivoli Partners, who designed and implemented the new site.

Fidelity National Bank has launched a marketing campaign. The first phase of the marketing campaign will debut on September 24, 2001. Phases two and three will continue through 2002. The theme of the campaign is, "Service. Solutions. Simplicity." The multi-media campaign will focus on reaching new commercial banking customers. Fidelity National customer testimonials will be featured in the advertisements. The campaign will include print, outdoor and online advertisements in the metro Atlanta area. There will also be radio advertisements and enhancements to the branches, including newly designed posters and brochures.

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