Monthly Archives: February 2009

The range of designs on the market these days can be both astounding and overwhelming when you’re looking to furnish a room.&nbsp Sometimes there are so many ideas that you can be bogged down by choices. Kids furniture, in particular, needs to be durable, attractive and affordable. Most older kids now have a need for their own computer desks which also need to be space efficient. There are many designs on the market now to fill these needs. This picture shows on design that fits snugly into the corner, comes in a variety of colours and holds everything they need to complete their homework assignments. Even the printer has it’s own spot on this compact desk. Remember to keep in mind both function and form when buying pieces for their room instead of just going for whatever is cutest and their favourite colour. You’ll be glad you did! Continue reading →

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I’ve just had enough of Kraft.  The more I think about it the madder I get!  Yesterday, I filed a complaint with the ad standards council of Canada in regards to Kraft’s marketing campaign aimed at kids using the words “pimptastic” and “hobo”.  As a parent and a consumer, I just believe that you have to draw a line in the sand between what is acceptable and what is just simply not acceptable.  I will keep complaining about this issue to Kraft until there is a resolution.  Everyone please tell the Kraft Company that you will not accept such shady advertising practices.  I do not allow my children (one of whom is a teenager) to use the words pimp or hobo.  Why would a company as big as Kraft do so?

The more I look into it, the worse it gets.  I just can’t believe that I received such a standard, form letter, we couldn’t care less what you’re saying response from a company.  I’m not sure how you could possibly defend the words pimp or hobo in a marketing campaign.  Kraft is the biggest food company in North America — over 99% of Canadian and American homes contain at least one Kraft product.  I was going to get rid of all of our Kraft products at home until I realized just how many there are — salad dressings, macaroni, Toblerone, Oreo, Ritz, etc. etc. etc.  all owned and operated by Kraft.

For more information on the issues I’m speaking of in this post, please see the following posts by me:

http://blogs.thebentleys.ca/content/What-Was-Kraft-Canada-Company-Thinking

http://www.blogs.thebentleys.ca/content/Kraft-Canadas-Response-my-complaints

http://www.blogs.thebentleys.ca/content/My-Response-Their-Response-My-Complaint-Confusing-Enough-Kraft-Saga-Continues

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Lately, watching the news has been like watching predictions for the end of the world. It’s as though doomsday is upon us and there is nothing that anyone can do about it. Thousands and thousands of people are losing their jobs, companies are going under, homes are being foreclosed on…it’s the end of the world as we know it. However, in the big scheme of things this recession may just shake things up enough to end our culture of excess. People buying things they don’t need with money they don’t have is one of the main problems in the world as I see it. This over consumption is leading to over flowing landfills and empty bank accounts. We need to put the brakes on the lifestyle of over abundance and conserve our resources for the future and for future generations. Get a stable job in a “recession proof” area such as IT jobs, purchase and consume only what you need and sell your McMansion for a more affordable and sustainable lifestyle.  Not everything is recession proof but neither is the whole world ending either.  Choose to see the current economic climate in a light of opportunity to change your life and the world around you.

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© Copyright [?]: see author in the original source of this image.

I guess the world might be a better, cleaner, safer place if we were all snowmen! lol  It is not as though humans don’t have a vested interest in keeping the earth inhabitable, it’s just that we have so many other things that we have to do.  People need to wake up and realize that all of those other things that they are doing (running errands, going to work, taking kids to school, shopping, etc.) will no longer exist if things continue on the path they are currently on.  It’s not going to matter if your hair is freshly styled and your nails are beautifully manicured if the planet we are all living on collapses under the burdens placed on it.  It’s not going to matter if you have the coolest, newest, shiniest, fastest car on the block if there is no longer anywhere to drive it to and no one will be around to drive it.  I really think that people need to get their priorities straightened out, look beyond arm’s reach and start doing what is right instead of what is most convenient!

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I know that the next car that I’ll probably end up getting is a minivan. I hate to admit that I’m getting that “old and uncool” though. What I’d much rather have is the new Mercedes GLK! They’ve got a whole new marketing campaign to advertise this SUV that’s kind of cool too.

It’s based on the idea of “Where do you see yourself?”. They have this kinda cool personality profiler that asks you things like are you driven by style or emotion, are you a day tripper or a night tripper, and are you off-road or down-town among other seemingly random questions. Based on your answers, they create a backdrop for the SUV that shows you where you’d likely see yourself in their new car. This is a quirky and cute way to try to create an emotional connection between you and their product. You wouldn’t think it’d be very effective but it is surprisingly so! I’d definitely recommend taking a peek at the site (and the car!).

They have a ton of pictures of the car and some information there as well regarding a range of ideas from design and styling to safety features and engine information. This site is all about design and style though and this Mercedes, like most of their other automobiles, has oodles of it! The only real environmental issue they touch on is the combination of fuel efficiency and power. The site states that while the car is extremely fuel efficient, the engine doesn’t lose any power which is great news. This is the kind of marketing that the auto industry needs to embrace for self-sufficiency and sustainability in an uncertain economic climate.  Another thing that I really like about this site is that it actually gives prices!!!  So many automobile sites are all pictures and no information.  This site has some of everything.

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I got this email today from a girlfriend of mine that is just TOO funny to not share. The names of the innocent have been removed…

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Hopefully this is my last post regarding Kraft Canada for today.  I was so cheesed off (not a plug for KD cheesy macaroni) about their email that I posted it here and commented on it.  I thought that was all I could think of to say but I was wrong.  I sent them the following email:

“I think you’ve missed the point.  Here’s my blog post response to your ridiculous email.  I just don’t know what else to say.

http://www.blogs.thebentleys.ca/content/Kraft-Canadas-Response-my-complaints

I don’t want to seem like a crazy, over reacting consumer but enough is enough.  How could you not intend or want to offend anyone using these words.  It’s time for your company to take a long hard look in the mirror and try to find the line between what’s okay to market to kids and what is simply NOT okay.  There is no justification.  No defense.  There is no rationale to sinking to that level to market to kids.  I want to be a loyal customer but my primary role in life will always be to be a parent.  I’ve always loved Kraft.  I want to say at least you responded to my complaint but the response was as poorly thought out as what lead me to complain in the first place.  I’m going to post this email as well.  I hope that Kraft gets many more complaints.  Please keep me informed of any changes or resolutions that are come up with and I’ll be happy (ecstatic actually) to share that on my blog and with my friends and family as well.  I want this to be a conversation, not something that gets pushed under the table hoping that it will just go away.  I’ve always shared my recipes and favourite Kraft products and I will not be silenced in sharing my fears about your company as well.

Sincerely
Paula Mitchell”

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As regular readers may know, I’ve written to Kraft Canada to complain about their marketing directed towards kids using the words pimptastic and hobo.  No, I am neither kidding nor exaggerating.  For a further look at the issue, please see my article below entitled What the ?%$! Was the Kraft Canada Company Thinking??? Here’s the email that I received from them today:

“Hello Ms. Mitchell,

I apologize that you are disappointed with the content on our site.

First, I want to assure you that we did not intend and would never want to offend anyone with our marketing efforts. I’m sorry if you viewed this content in a negative way. As your comments illustrate, it is a challenge to produce advertising that appeals to everyone, given today’s diverse audiences and differences in opinions and tastes. Our creative staff works very hard to put information on the site that a wide variety of consumers will enjoy. We respect your point-of-view on this matter and will share your comments with the appropriate marketing and advertising teams.

Thank you for contacting us and please add our site to your favourites and visit us again soon!

Kim McMiller
Associate Director, Consumer Relations”

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An author named Jen Green has made it easy (and super affordable at $6.99 each on Amazon) to teach our kids how to go green. She has a series of books, “Why Should I…?” illustrated by Mike Gordon helping to answer those non-stop questions that kids always ask. These books not only say how we should go green but really help to explain to kids in an easy to understand way why we should. These books are aimed at 4-8 year olds but I think the age range could be stretched a little either way. My nearly three year old would definitely love these books and they may even help to answer some of those persistent questions! These books are definitely going on her birthday wish list.

Read On…

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