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Victoria's Secret Doesn't Want to Be Too Sexy

SavvySugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:53:36 -0800

Sharen Turney, chief executive of Victoria's Secret, has proclaimed that the brand has become "too sexy" and thinks the company should get back to its more sophisticated roots. The comments were made yesterday during a call with VS investors - the company had some explaining to do after reporting Wednesday a 12% decline in its fiscal fourth quarter net income.

The chief executive said that the brand strayed from its "ultra-feminine" image and started overusing "sexy" after the release of their successful Pink line. That line is aimed at college aged consumers and it triggered the rest of the company's designs to veer on the side of really young, too. She said that the 2008 Super Bowl commercial exemplifies the "less seductive" image that Victoria's Secret will take on going forward.

Do you think that the commercial varies greatly from their traditional sexy-fied marketing techniques, and would you be more likely to buy VS lingerie if they can get away from their Pink-tainted past?

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:00:00 -0800

Fingers crossed people! - this strike looks like it could be resolved any minute now. This week I talked to a member of the Writers Guild of America to learn about life on strike while other striking writers hilariously penned some endings to a few of my favorite shows, like Gossip Girl (cartooned above).
The Super Bowl came and went and so did all the hype around the commercials. I told you the ads I loved and the ones I loathed, and asked what you thought of the Doritos singer and Paula's performance.
I discussed Lipstick Jungle with Brooke Shields and Candace Bushnell in the run-up to the premiere. So far, most of you prefer Cashmere Mafia over Ms. Shields' gang.
Kate Hudson is set to star in the drama Big Eyes. After reading Molly's review of Fool's Gold, I wonder if you guys still think she ought to stick to comedy?
Speaking of Fool's Gold, I need your help figuring out what in the world Matthew could be drawing-up for Kate in this week's Caption It challenge!
Oscar season is here which means it's time to fill out your Oscar Ballot! As part of my coverage leading up to the big ceremony, I'm helping you out by highlighting some films that might be harder to catch in the theater.
Rilo Kiley made one of my Valentine's Day playlists just as news broke that Jenny Lewis is going solo again! Along the lines of love, what do you think are the most romantic movies of all time?
The Buzz Book Club is off to a fabulous start! I'm still enjoying reading through all of your comments about the first assignment. If you haven't started reading yet, there's still lots of time to catch up, and there'll be lots more to discuss next week.

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Story Behind the Scenes: Clydesdales and Dalmatians

PetSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:30:38 -0800

Dogs and horses, I'm sold! Of all the Super Bowl hits and misses, I've gotta say that the Budweiser commercial of a horse with a dream topped my list. Off the bat, I love checking out these horses and their doggie pals - did you know that the Dalmatian was introduced to the traditional Budweiser Clydesdale procession on Mar. 30, 1950 to celebrate the opening of the Newark brewery?! These companions to the hitch had a vital role during the early days of brewing, they were trained to protect the horses and guard the wagons while the drivers went in to make their deliveries. Nowadays, they typically ride shotgun, perched atop the wagon next to the driver anytime the Budweiser Clydesdales make a public appearance - each hitch, hamlet, and theme park usually has two Dalmatians each!

Curious to hear more (and see this year's commercial), then just read more.

According to Jim Poole, general manager for Clydesdale Operations, the dogs and horses have a strong bond as they are introduced (and obedience trained) since puppyhood . . . and often the pooches sleep in the stables at night, too! "People really love the Dalmatians," added Poole. "Along with the Clydesdales, they are another great tradition and symbol for Anheuser-Busch." It makes so much more sense why they chose this doggie to inspire Hank to get in shape and join the ranks of the famed Budweiser Clydesdales - the pony and pooch were probably already good pals!

This Just In: Tom Brady Likes to Lose

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:45:28 -0800

In light of Sunday's Super Bowl results, I'd have to say that Tom Brady is making a habit of losing these days. In addition to his team's Sunday loss, Brady has unloaded his 3,412-square-foot, three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath Boston condo for $5,285,000, according to Real Estalker. Property records show that he paid $4,125,000 for the 10 room condo four years ago, so I guess he's gained a million or so. The property's real estate listing calls the Burrage Mansion the "Back Bay's crowning jewel," so you might say the quarterback king has been dethroned.

The residence features "gorgeous museum quality lobby, elevator access to elegant foyer, [a] fabulous kitchen opening to [a] fireplaced family room, separate dining room, [and a] fireplaced living room," in addition to a "beautiful master bedroom suite with marble bath and custom closets." No pigskin off his back, though: I think his girlfriend Gisele prefers NYC better. To see floor plans of the Victorian manse, read more

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Love It or Leave It: Paula Abdul's Pre-Game Performance

BuzzSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:30:09 -0800

In case you missed it, Paula Abdul performed her new single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" before the Super Bowl. The performance came on the heels of Abdul's announcement that she plans to have a new, full album to release by Summer.

The performance isn't nearly as devastating as, say, Britney's VMA disaster, but it's not necessarily impressive, either - especially what with all the lip-syncing.

Check out the video and tell me: What do you think of Paula's performance?

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Careerbuilder Super Bowl Ad: Super or Super Strange?

SavvySugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:27:39 -0800

This Careerbuilder commercial got my attention in the second quarter of yesterday's game, and I'm wondering if it made you smile or not.

2008 Super Bowl Commercials: Five of the Worst

BuzzSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:33:55 -0800

This year's mixed bag of Super Bowl commercials included some cute, funny ones and others that were baffling, bad or downright offensive. Seriously, how did the SalesGenie panda spot make it on TV at all? It's just wrong. To see what else made my "worst of 2008 Super Bowl commercials" list, read more.

Pandas thing, SalesGenie:

More and more viewings of this commercial only manage to confuse me further. Why do some of the pandas have this outrageously offensive accent but the all-knowing guru panda (who wears a turban and pink lipstick?) does not? Why are there baby pandas at the end? Was their panda marriage re-ignited by SalesGenie? How is it possible that this commercial made it on the air? So very puzzling.

Planters: "Perfume"

So, girls who aren't pretty can only get the boys if they rub cashews on their skin. Gross. Weird. Not funny. Also, the Dell ad for Product Red had basically the same premise, but that guy wasn't offensively ugly - just vaguely nerdy and normal-looking. I love me some double standards.

Bud Light Carlos Mencia: "Picking Up Chicks":

What did I learn from this ad? That chicks love foreigners? That white boys should fake accents so they can stare at women's boobs? That women don't like it when people make derogatory comments about their thighs? And that's all supposed to make me want beer?

Bridgestone: Richard Simmons "Headlights":

Richard Simmons generally gives me the creepy feelings in the tummy, but when there's a seemingly evil person speeding a car toward him - also, get out of the road, Richard Simmons! What are you doing? - it's downright crazy-making.

Garmin: "Napoleon"

This one wasn't bad so much as baffling and obscure. The reason Napoleon always kept his hand in his jacket was because that's where he kept his GPS device? Um, OK. But if you're a mapping company, is Napoleon really the leader you want promoting your product? Sure, go ahead and follow him; not my fault if you end up dead at Waterloo.

Funny Super Bowl Ad: E-Trade Baby

GiggleSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:00:00 -0800

I'm not a big football fan, but I do love oddball commercials. This one def qualifies. I just suggest you don't watch it while you're eating.

Buzz News Roundup, 2/4

BuzzSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:32:30 -0800

Yesterday's Patriots-Giants game was the most-watched Super Bowl ever with 97.5 million viewers, the Associated Press reports.
Speaking of the Super Bowl, the Arcade Fire apparently didn't give permission for their song to be used in an ad for NFL on Fox, Pitchfork reports.
A Jim Henson biopic titled Henson is now in the works, though casting hasn't yet begun, writes ComingSoon.
E! Online has news that the Spice Girls will wrap their world tour later this month, canceling dates in China, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
Variety reports that Robert Englund, mostly known as the man who played Freddie Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, will direct The Vij, "a dark gothic fantasy in which Christopher Lee is attached to star."
People has more on that Sarah Silverman/Matt Damon video for Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Sylvester Stallone has signed on to direct and star in two more action flicks with the same producing team he worked with on Rambo, writes Hollywood Reporter.
The Wall Street Journal has more on what a strike settlement could mean for getting TV shows back this season., while Broadcasting & Cable reports on a WGA memo saying a deal isn't done yet.
According to ComingSoon, Rob Lowe will join Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner in the comedy This Side of the Truth.
Sarah Michelle Gellar hasn't signed on yet for the Buffy reunion at the Paley Festival, the LA Times reports (update! She will be attending after all); the festival will also include panels for Friday Night Lights, Damages, and Chuck, among others.

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Love It or Hate It? Jordin Sparks's Black-Tip Manicure

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:00:22 -0800

Last night at the Super Bowl XLII, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks walked out onto the Arizona field to sing a very smooth and soulful "Star-Spangled Banner." For the most part I thought she looked great with her center part and loose waves, her iridescent pinky/purple eye shadow, and her understated black dress. But her silvery white and black-tipped manicure was questionable. What did you think of it?

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