Bwhaaaa-haaaa-haaaaaa!

And I thought my some of my past Maven Marketing Awards have gone to some funny niches. But this takes the cake, folks!!! I can barely type because I am laughing so hard.

Niche marketing has definitely reached new heights. In Portland Oregon, there is now the world’s first Vegan Strip Club. And it’s called Casa Diablo Gentleman’s Club (this means House of the Devil, by the way).

They opened on February 1, 2008 and here is an excerpt from the Grand Opening press release:

Casa Diablo is owned and operated by Johnny Diablo an ethical vegan for over 23 years. Casa Diablo is unique because it is the only venue of its type that serves food and drink 100% free of any animal products. Vegan and vegetarian dancers have flocked to Casa Diablo for auditions since hearing of the new club.

When one dancer was asked why she didn’t want to work at her current club she said,” I can’t stand the smell of smoldering rotting carcasses when I walk by the kitchen. It is totally gross. I’ve been a vegan for three and a half years and I can’t stand the thought of working in a place that serves murder victims on a bun. Working at a club like Casa Diablo Gentlemen’s Club is my dream!”

Carnivores are welcome to dance on his stage. However, Diablo’s strippers cannot wear any leather, fur, silk or wool. If a dancer slips up and sports snakeskin heels, Diablo says he pulls the woman aside to talk about “not bringing murder victims into the establishment.” Diablo says he tries to convert the meat-eating stripper by offering them free vegan food and preaching his vegan ways.

Here is an excerpt from Johnny Diablo’s MySpace blog:

What is Casa Diablo Gentlemen’s Club all about? It’s about dispelling the myths and lies that permeates human existence…There is a new king in town and we are taking over. We do things a little differently around here. Number one of which is that we don’t murder innocent creatures. That’s right. Casa Diablo Gentlemen’s Club is the world’s first and only vegan strip club…Casa Diablo Gentlemen’s Club brings you the finest exotic dancers from around the world giving you a healthy dose of cruelty free pleasure … because we can.

Johnny Diablo
Lord & Master

I can’t really top that so I won’t even try. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs and success,

Wendy Maynard
Your friendly marketing maven

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First of all…I have to admit it. The Maven loves Obama. I am not usually political on my blog, but I just had to get that out there. He inspires me…and I haven’t felt inspired by anyone in the political field in a loooong time (ever?).

If you remember from reading my blog last year, I mentioned that the presidential election is the Superbowl for Geeks. It’s true. Statistics from an ABC News/Washington Post poll showed that40 percent of Americans are more excited about the Super Bowl and 37 percent said Super Tuesday. So - I’m not the only geek!

One of the aspects of this election that is different from past campaigns is the heavy use of the Internet for grassroots campaigning. It’s exciting (and sometimes scary) that anyone, anywhere can express their opinions immediately in very big ways. And it is very easy for people to spread the word through e-mail.

Last week, I was alerted to a somewhat-sappy video that features the Black-Eyed Peas called Yes We Can. It is meant to inspire people about Obama. Today, I got an e-mail that I thought was very interesting. It was a parody of that same video, but this one features John McCain and it’s called “John He Is.” Once you have seen the first, the second becomes pretty powerful in its message and it’s direct contrast both in the message and in the candidates.

And that’s the power of marketing.

Hugs and success,

Wendy Maynard
Your friendly marketing maven

YES WE CAN - Music Video Barack Obama

JOHN HE IS - Music Video John McCain

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My mother is a big Superbowl fan. She called Sunday morning to tell me about all of the parties she was going to attend and then she asked me, “So, who do you think is going to win?” I said, “Mom, I don’t even know who is paying!”

Yes, it’s true. The Maven is not up on football. But being the Internet and marketing geek that I am, of course I got online to review all of the ads. And I have to say they left me a little cold. I mean isn’t the Superbowl supposed to be this tremendous opportunity to capture the eyes and ears of millions of guacamole-eating fans? Advertisers are paying up to $2.7M to $3M for a 30-second spot. However, I think there have been some much better ones in past years.

You can see all of the Superbowl ads on this site.

Here are three that I thought were amusing (not great, but amusing):

Rocky Clydesdale for Budweiser:

Screaming Squirrel Superbowl Bridgestone Commercial:

Superbowl Life Water Thriller Dancing Lizard Commercial!

How about you? What do you think about the quality of the 2008 ads? Did you have a favorite?

Hugs, Wendy Maynard
Your friendly marketing maven

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