Disneyland Resort’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration

The Disneyland Resort will be celebrating their 60^th anniversary this year and they have added new additions to the park in order to celebrate their “Diamond Celebration.” On May 22, 2015, the Disneyland Resort will launch a “diamond” theme across the park (most notably on the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and Carthay Circle Theatre in Disney California Adventure) and add three new night time spectaculars, “Paint the Night” parade, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular, and “World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney.” Disney is embracing new technology and innovations, such as LED lights and projection mapping technology, to be able to offer guests a memorable, modern Disney-filled experience.

SPARKLING BEAUTY

Click here to read more about the Disneyland Resort's Diamond Celebration.

Starbucks Announces U.S. Debut of the Flat White

            Starbucks issued a press release on January 6 announcing the US debut of its newest addition to the core espresso offerings, the Flat White. While not a major news item for mainstream media outlets, this release has the potential to gain traction in the niche media market with Starbucks, coffee, food and lifestyle bloggers. Instead of a press release,  I would suggest  that a direct mailing or coupon offer distributed to Starbucks/coffee/food & beverage/lifestyle bloggers may have been a more effective strategy to get the word out. As far as changes to the press release itself, I wouldn’t suggest any major changes.

Press Release Link: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150106005365/en/Starbucks-Honors-Coffee-Artistry-Espresso-Craft-Flat#.VMbrxXDF8Yc

Wildfox Presents Spring 15 'Gypsy' Collection

SUMMARY:  Wildfox, a women's clothing line, recently issued a press release to PR Newswire announcing their Spring 2015 collection. The release describes the "Gypsy" collection and includes a quote from Creative Director, Kimberley Gordon. Included within the release are images of the collection and a link to the lookbook.

Wildfox Press Release

GoDaddy Introduces its Super Bowl Puppy

SUMMARY: In preparation for the Super Bowl, GoDaddy issued a press release introducing the newest member of its C-suite, Chief Companion Officer and Super Bowl Puppy "Buddy." The press release describes Buddy's office in the company's headquarters and his daily activities, even featuring a quote from GoDaddy spokesperson Danica Patrick. Included are several downloadable high resolution photos of the puppy and links to social media websites.

This release was issued weeks prior to the release of the company's controversial (and recently pulled) Super Bowl Puppy commercial.

Link to GoDaddy press release

RIZZARR Social Network- The Millennial-Inspired Space to Make a Splash in Near Future

Summary

RIZZARR, the “Millennial Inspirational Social Network.”[1] Currently in Beta testing, RIZZARR is presented as a blog community centered around topics of inspirational and constructive thought. The accomplished Ashley Williams, founder and CEO of RIZZARR (whose professional biography is presented in the postscript of the press release) emphasizes the nature of RIZZARR as a ‘for us, by us’ space with the directive to generate thought and content- primarily based in journalism, her own field of expertise. Producing and hosting editorials on topics from “school challenges” to “mental health and other real-world challenges,”[2] RIZZARR seeks to establish itself as a digital college on social consciousness.

Amazon Deconstruct

Summary: Coming off the high of a historic two time Golden Globe win, Amazon revealed its venture into the movie making business starting in 2015. The press release unveils details of Amazon Original Movies, the department's new president, and its starting production date. The press release is a (seemingly) preliminary release, informing the public of the new department but does not detail what the upcoming films will be about or who will be working on them.

Press Release: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150119005090/en/Amazon-Produce-Original-Movies-Theaters-Prime-Instant#.VMWB2GTF8VM

Uber and 20th Century Fox partner to promote 'Kingsman: The Secret Service'

           Uber recently partnered with 20^th Century Fox to enact a sweepstakes for riders to have an exclusive viewing of their new film Kingsman: The Secret Service. The movie is set to be released everywhere on February 13^th, but the winners would be able to preview the film on January 15^th. The sweepstakes was “first-of-its-kind” which allowed Uber users to enter the designated code during their ride between 1/12 – 1/15 and enter to win.

            In addition to the free tickets, Uber users in select cities could select the Kingsman option within the app and be eligible to receive two tickets to the event screening in New York, a free ride and a swag bag.  Those outside of the 9 selected cities could simply enter KINGSMAN into the app to enter. With 50 cities participating, exposing the Uber audience to director Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman: The Secret Service provided an easy way for 20^th Century Fox to bump up viewership of the anticipated spy thriller.

View the full press release here.

And here's a link to the video they SHOULD have included. 

WizIQ launches new Mobile Learning Platform

Online education education company, WizIQ, announced its new Live Mobile Learning Platform. Adding new functionality to the Learning Management System that enables teachers and students to interact online, the new mobile platform allows users to respond in real-time through their smartphones. The platform is intended to make the lessons more convenient and interactive. The iPhone app is immediately available, with the Android app scheduled to come within a month. 

The release targets technology business insiders and influencers, focusing on the first-ever mobile platform that brings convenience and flexibility to users around the globe. 

View full press release: 

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/wiziq-introduces-first-ever-mobile-learning-platform-live-interactive-classes-on-mobile-1982953.htm

PepsiCo and Frito-Lay Introduce New "Cheetos Sweetos"

On January 23^rd, PepsiCo and its snack-making subsidiary Frito-Lay issued a press release announcing the limited-time release of new Cheetos Sweetos. The product is billed as a sweet version of the brand’s classic snack puffs, with cinnamon-sugar in place of their signature neon-orange cheese powder. In the release, the company connects its new product offering to the arrival of spring and the Easter holidays. It uses this tenuous relationship as an opportunity to promote another upcoming company initiative: the “Eggerator,” an Easter egg decorating app that will be available on the Cheetos website in early March. “Those who design and submit an egg will be entered into a contest for a chance to win $10,000.” Cheetos Sweetos will be hitting retailers nationwide mid-February at a suggested retail price of $3.49.

Press Release Link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cheetos-brand-springs-into-a-new-season-with-debut-of-cheetos-sweetos-snacks-300024838.html).

Nissan Celebrates Dads in Lead-Up to Super Bowl XLIX Through #withdad Campaign

The automaker Nissan will ran a unique #withdad social media campaign to heat up the company’s first Super Bowl in game commercial in almost two decades. The theme of #withdad campaign is to recognize fathers’ struggle of work-life balance and to celebrate their contribution to families. Unlike the usual Super Bowl teaser campaigns showing partial or the whole game day commercial, the company invites famous YouTubers to create theme related video contents throughout the two weeks before Super Bowl.

Press Release Link: 

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150122005427/en/Nissan-Celebrates-Dads-Lead-Up-Super-Bowl-XLIX#.VMnbYmjF_xa

Nissan #Withdad news release deconstruction

Summary

After two decades, Nissan is coming back as a Super Bowl advertiser. This press release focuses on talking about a typical American family that struggle with the work-life balance.  In the press release, it first begins with some background about this ad teaser, such as the length of the final ad, what it talks about and the iconic song used in the video and leashes that there are going to exist two surprise products. In the main body, it collapses the main points listed before, quotes what a senior vice president from Nissan has explained the video’s meaning and target audiences. It also gives a link to their campaign website, and shows how to engage in the campaign by using the hashtag #withdad. To be related the advertisement with the company, the father in the video is featured as a car racer.

Press Release Link:

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150128005931/en/Nissan-Lengthens-Super-Bowl-Commercial-90-Seconds#.VMm4s2RVjWE

10s Teaser Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_znNS9zLb6c&feature=youtu.be