Read all about it! Entertainment Weekly has published the first video advert with built-in speakers to get the attention of readers conditioned to respond to screens.

A report by the BBC explains the screen is built into a wafer-thin, cardboard insert and contains an ad for Pepsi Max, as well as trailers for CBS television.

“This is an extraordinary way to refresh how we interact with consumers,” said Pepsi-Cola’s chief marketing officer, Frank Cooper.

Desperate ploy, marketing breakthrough or annoyance? The chip technology, which holds up …

Tags: adverts , batteries , CBS , computers , consumers , entertainment , greeting cards , liquid crystal display , Magazines , media , paper , Pepsi , print , readers , rechargeable , sales , technology , television ads

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Bottled water sales have dropped for the first time in at least five years as a result of  vocal environmentalists sparing the landfill and a recession that has consumers giving tap water a shot.

Americans drank 8.7 billion gallons of bottled water last year, compared with 8.8 billion in 2007, according to consulting firm Beverage Marketing Corp. This is the first decline this decade, signs the Siggs and advocacy groups are making a dent. (Here at EcoSalon, we’ve encouraged readers to Stop the Bottle in 2009.)

According to a …

Tags: bottle , business , Conserve , consumers , global , profits , reuse , sales , tap water , water

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The Department of Energy was asleep at the wheel, but  tough new national appliance standards for 26 common household and business products during President Obama’s term could slash total U.S. electricity use by over 1,900 terawatt hours (1.9 trillion kilowatt hours) by 2030.

The savings to the consumers and businesses: Over $123 billion.

This was the findings of a report released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP). It  figures the standards will make a huge contribution to our efforts …

Tags: appliances , battery chargers , Coal , Congress , consumers , Department of Energy , electric grid , emissions , energy , furnaces , Greenhouse Gases , heaters , Obama , power plants , refrigerators , savings , standards , taxpyers , terawatt hours

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True or false? Your local grocer employs a scheming team of experts who work behind the scenes to orchestrate every little detail in a devious effort to squeeze every cent they can out of you.

It’s true. Even your favorite organic food stores are guilty of this. So, how can you beat them at their own game? Here’s what you need to know:
Baked Goods – Not So Fresh

Although there are exceptions, most of what you …

Tags: consumers , grocery store , marketing , save money , shopping , tricks

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The economy might be in a downturn, but according to the 2009 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey, that’s not stopping people from buying green. Despite the recession, Americans are still interested not only in continuing their environmental shopping habits, but also expect that companies maintain and expand their environmental commitments.

The survey, which was conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation over two days at the end of January and questioned 1087 Americans 18 years and older from across the nation, found that:

35 percent of …

Tags: buying , Cone Consumer Environmental Survey , consumers , green , purchase , recession , research , shopping

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The television ad begins with a romantic winter scene of snow flakes falling and a couple frolicking. A slick male voice-over describes the ideal gift for that special someone. What is the present that lets you sum up your feelings, he asks? You are certain it will all end with DIAMONDS. But, wait…

The gift of livestock! What a great twist. That’s why this commercial, and cause, really sparkles. I …

Tags: charity , children , consumers , gifts , social justice

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As the eco-friendly movement matures and embeds into mainstream culture, the power of green iconography diminishes ““ and the greenwashers will move on. It’s already happening. The Law of Diminishing Returns tells us that the more companies try to Green up their act, the less unique it becomes as a sales pitch. Increasingly, being environmentally friendly isn’t a luxury ““ it’s a requirement.

That’s bad news for advertisers dealing in promoting the uniqueness of their products, notes Rebecca Swift for the BBC’s Green Room. And the …

Tags: certification , consumers , environmentalism , greenwash , shopping

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