Sparkly Tiara
From: CoachSubject Line: Hamptons Collection: Online Now, In Stores Friday
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
See the email >
For those of you who knew me way back when...I'm such a fool for a sparkly tiara ;)!
July 23, 2008
From: CoachSubject Line: Hamptons Collection: Online Now, In Stores Friday
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
See the email >
For those of you who knew me way back when...I'm such a fool for a sparkly tiara ;)!
July 08, 2008
Ephemeral Benefits
From: Starbucks.comSubject Line: Starbucks Card rewards are waiting for you
Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008
From: Amazon.com
Date: Depends on Prime Sign-up Date
Notably difficult to depict are the ephemeral benefits that come with products like gift cards and membership subscriptions. Starbucks does a lovely job with this mail promoting their souped-up Rewards Card. The simple three-column structure, illustrative photography and concise text communicate the new rewards clean and clear. Starbucks' big challenge with email, of course, is tracking effectiveness, as emails drive customers to retail locations rather than trackable URLs.
Speaking of ephemeral benefits, Amazon.com also does a lovely job outlaying the perks of Prime membership here. Have you tried the program? I checked it out and got addicted to ordering stuff like shampoo.
April 10, 2008
Mistake or Miracle?
I'd originally planned to use this post to scold Burberry for designing their emails again and again in a way such that the preview pane view is woefully unhelpful. (I've animated through five examples at left to give you the gist of it; please click the thumbnail to experience it at full size.) It's impossible to tell what the messages are about - and just as tough to find a point of click-through - without scrolling down. Now, a question arises in my mind: is Burberry repeating this not-best practice because it's actually working for them!? Perhaps their data shows that, despite popular belief, the mystery actually encourages scolls and clicks. Burberry - reveal your secret to the email creative community!!!
All - please share your thoughts. Have you done any testing to support either my initial instinct or my new re-think?
From: Burberry
Subject Line: Arrive in Style with Accessories from Burberry.com
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2008
View the email >
BTW: This shoe is frickin' awesome.
From: Burberry
Subject Line: Shop our New Handbags & Accessories Online
Date: Friday, March 14, 2008
View the email >
BTW: Crazy/Beautiful?
From: Burberry
Subject Line: The Latest Selection of Outerwear plus Complimentary Shipping!
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2008
View the email >
BTW: Am I interrupting something?
From: Burberry
Subject Line: Shop Women's & Men's Spring Styles at Burberry
Date: Friday, April 4, 2008
View the email >
BTW: How nice of those British boys to keep her standing.
From: Burberry
Subject Line: Shop Online - The NEW Burberry Spring/Summer 2008 Brochure
Date: Tuesday, April 10 2008
View the email >
BTW: How many iterations of two guys and a girl can we actually tolerate?
P.S. This blog is dedicated to Nicole Cobble :)!!!
April 09, 2008
An Emulated Hand and Yellow Jellies
From: J.CrewSubject Line: Spring arrivals (new, new + new)
Date: Monday, March 31, 2008
Don't get me wrong; I totally like this J.Crew handwritten treatment, but I have to say that it's a pretty obvious borrow from Barneys circa 2006. Kind of like when you copy the cool girl's handwriting in grade school.
Semi-related: I bought something a little bit ridiculous from J.Crew last weekend: Deep Yellow Jelly Ballet Flats!? Are they awesome or totally lame? This is a formal feedback solicitation.
January 30, 2008
Pop Pals
From: shopbop.comSubject Line: Final Winter SALE! Up to 70% Off Your Favorite Brands
Date: Monday, January 28, 2008
From: katespade.com
Subject Line: love to love me
Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I like both of these Warhol-ian visual delights! Although if we chopped the logos off the tops, I would have guessed that they came from the same place.
January 25, 2008
S.W.A.K.
From: RedEnvelopeSubject Line: Love Knows No Season
Date: Monday, January 21, 2008
The total simplicity of this RedEnvelope email (harkening back to "AOL version" days, eh!?) was visually arresting for me. In a deep email sea of blocked images, a clean love letter format pops! And, despite the fact that I consider myself an acronym master, I actually didn't know what S.W.A.K. stood for and was compelled enough to look it up.
Unfortunately, I wasn't compelled enough to actually read all of the copy or click the links, but I'm not a RedEnvelope shopper (which makes the "Valued Customer," salutation erroneous, actually.)
In any event, with the image disabling/preview pane-ing/mobile-viewing/preheader-ing sea change, a few grey and red words on white feels nice.
January 23, 2008
Black is the new black.
From: J.CrewSubject Line: New spring arrivals...
Date: Monday, January 7, 2008
From: crewcuts
Subject Line: our favorite new crewcuts looks
Date: Saturday, January 12, 2008
From: J.Crew
Subject Line: Sale & free shipping: it's true
Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I must have ESPN: black is the new black. Emails are and I am am constantly in black this season! I strive to wear it intelligently, not slavishly, but I think I've worn it to death!!! Spring yellows and blues are a SERIOUS RELIEF!
The jury's out on J.Crew's application of black for spring. Does it pop? Are we refreshed or depressed? Does it work for adults but not so much for kids? (A point well-made by my colleague Heidi Hildenbrand.) At the very least, this treatment gets a conversation going. I'd love to hear what you have to say.
December 18, 2007
Shelf-Improvement
From: Abercrombie & FitchSubject Line: Exactly What They Want.
Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2007
From: FreePeople.com
Subject Line: Our Gift to You: Free Shipping!
Date: Monday, December 17, 2007
Here, I like how Abercrombie and Free People photographed a holiday gift mix on shelves and in cabinets. It gives the product more of an environmental, in-store feeling. Although these montage-type photos become difficult when one of the items featured goes out of stock!
I also can't resist but mention the "Our Gift to You" verbiage in the Free People subject line. Those most be four of the most overused words in holiday email, particularly when associated with Free Shipping. The thing is, they're rather charming and convenient! Please let me know if you've found something equally-useful and cute to communicate the same meaning; I'd love to hear some other options!
December 12, 2007
Nice and Concise
From: Louis VuittonSubject Line: Let Louis Vuitton help you find the perfect gift
Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2007
While the copy is awfully flat (I'd guess the designer, without a writer, "did their best"), this is beautiful creative. Nice and concise.
November 20, 2007
A Unique Vision for Holiday
From: katespade.comSubject Line: shop pop & color
Date: Tuesday, November 20 2007
I agree with Shannon Milar, who loves this message for it's "unique vision for holiday." Like kate spade's fall imagery, their holiday photography feels fresh and fun. It's so easy for us to fall into blahliday mode, slavishly aping last year's creative (only redder!), but this campaign illustrates the opportunity to consider how we can mix our unique brand elements with traditional holiday visual cues to bake up something new.
November 15, 2007
Tighten up the Turkey
From: Dean & DeLucaSubject Line: Thanksgiving Meals at Dean & DeLuca
Date: Thursday, November 15, 2007
My definition of meal preparation is basically turning on a rice cooker, so the idea of ordering an entire Thanksgiving feast from Dean & DeLuca sounds incredibly compelling. The copy points are right on in this campaign, however I don't think the visual execution supports them as well as it could. Three thoughts:
(1) The body copy should be broken up into two more-digestible paragraphs beginning with "We even..." I'd also recommend bringing the text into a black unbolded mixed-case for better legibility. This also gives us the opportunity to link "DeanDeluca.com" and the product names, making them POP with color, bolding and underline.
(2) The call-to-action button should live immediately under the body copy rather than hiding out way below the fold in the lower right-hand corner of the design.
(3) Get focused and tell two strong, distinct stories: (a) the Thanksgiving feast and (b) the wine pairing. Cut down on the number of boxes by bringing the Roulade and Pie into the primary message space and concatenate the Pinot Noir label image with the wines note below for a stronger, tighter submessage.
Do we love or hate the hero image? It's very modern art, but is it appetizing?
November 14, 2007
Rainbow Brite
From: giggleSubject Line: FREE SHIPPING on giggle Better Basics
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2007
I L.O.V.E. giggle's rainbow! Their creative is always mui cute. Here though, I would say three things:
(1) Use HTML text instead of graphical type for those super-long bodies of copy. From a design perspective, I used to think that graphical text looked better for everything, but I guess after designing around disabled images for a while my perception of HTML text has changed. HTML's the new black.
(2) Punch up the gifting factor now that it's November. Only, how do you mix rainbow, red and green!? (Speaking of which, check out my new email creative holiday navigation post on the EEC blog!)
(3) Yesterday, Betsey's strange illustrations compelled me to click...but these ones are a little bit boring. I'd like to see some product silo shots in there instead. Show me some organic cotton quality, baby!
Banana Gets Happy
From: BananaRepublic.comSubject Line: The holiday gift guide has arrived
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2007
It was refreshing to see this email from Banana Republic today. Their creative had been feeling somewhat stale these past few seasons, but here the combination of color, ornaments, ribbon and model movement makes for a happy change. I particularly like this gal's Dr. Seuss-illustration-like facial expression and enormous hair. I want that hair. It's rad.
November 13, 2007
Graphic, Novel
From: Betsey JohnsonSubject Line: Shake A Legging!
Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Betsey Johnson's creative is generally both graphic and novel! The amusing illustrations actually arouse my curiosity enough to make me want to see what the actual product looks like...I wish I knew where to click though, as there's no obvious point of clickthrough. Add a call-to-action!
November 06, 2007
Open Door Policy
From: Bluefly Subject Line: Exclusive Access to the Blue Room - Extra 20% off Today Only
Date: Tuesday, November 6 2007
We often talk about emails as doorways into websites; I enjoy this creative illustration of that concept. The idea of "Exclusive Access to the Blue Room" intrigues me; I feel compelled to take hold of those gold handles and throw the blue doors open!
October 28, 2007
Heads up!
From: CB2Subject Line: a.m./p.m. space solutions
Date: Monday, October 1, 2007
From: Crate and Barrel
Subject Line: New Fall Home Trends
Date: Monday, October 15, 2007
Thanks to Terri Potter from ScanSource for bringing two Crate and Barrel brand family emails to my attention. With reference to the CB2 campaign, Terri pointed out the synchronicity between the subject line, headline and photography, and I concur: "It's coordinated without being too matchy-matchy." We also agreed that the Crate and Barrel Fall Trends campaign is very attractive. As a Corporate Marketing Copywriter, Terri made an interesting point about the headline: "The copy might be a little too clever – you have to read it out loud, I think, to get the joke. Makes me wonder how many times I’ve "talked through" copy that sounds funny in my head without thinking that this is going to people’s email inbox. Is it even funny on screen? I think this would work if a Tennis Pro Shop was having a fall sale..."
May 01, 2007
Wendy Learns from Kate
From: Built by WendySubject Line: Anchor Print
Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2007
From: kate spade
Subject Line: classic elegance - shop new sunglass arrivals
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2007
These images look like they could have been on the same roll of film. I love the colors and the environment in both. In fact, the designs are similar in many respects as well. Both feature a single hero image, a logo with no menu navigation, and a few words of text on a white background.
Wendy could learn three things from Kate:
1) Kate includes a category-specific call-to-action: "shop sunglasses", as opposed to a single product name: "Anchor Print". Wendy need only add the word "shop" or a carrot to increase clickthrough.
2) Kate's design is more visually sophisticated. A few subtle touches - the headline-over-hero overlay, the college-ruled paper graphic and the typewriter font - make for a tighter and more engaging campaign.
3) Everybody loves a story. Rolling kate spade sunglasses into a Newport story put them into context - a lifestyle, a world. The anecdote gives them an air of mystery and exclusivity. It's a fantasy we can imagine and, once properly sunglass-ed, inhabit.
April 23, 2007
In 3D
From: PUMASubject Line: A New Twist On A Legendary Style
Date: Monday, April 23, 2006
I'm interested in this message because of the way it creates a three-dimensional space. The dropshadow on the logo and the receding blue stepping stones add a sense of depth that one doesn't usually experience in the inbox. I'm captivated by the idea of creating inbox spaces and environments a subscriber can inhabit, however fleetingly.
April 17, 2007
Mum Says: "Two Thumbs Up!"
From: CB2Subject Line: modern dinnerware in bloom
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2007
I'd like to give CB2 a standing ovation for their work on this campaign. They took a relatively run-of-the-mill product - "verde dinnerware" - and married it to both the season and a holiday (Mother's Day) through photography and copy. As far as effectively using what we have at our creative disposal to form a coherent, visually-appealing, relevant message, this EDM is one of the few to make it into the same league as Apple's legendary February 2006 "In the Ear" campaign. It should inspire all of us to put more forethough and preparation into our email creative. Thank you CB2!
February 05, 2007
Open Your Heart
From: Harry & DavidSubject Line: Send your Love with Cupid's Top Gifts
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2007
First of all, I would like to say that I adore Harry & David. Have you ever been anything less than super-psyched to receive a treat from this company? The pears are to die for. And I really appreciate the brand for being so happy and unpretentious. If you're ever stuck on what to gift, go with Harry & David!
One of the challenges Harry & David's email marketing campaigns come up against - and it's something a lot of us face - is packed, busy imagery. The five images featured in this example have a lot going on. Placed closely together, and compounded with overlaid product names and prices and numbered hearts, viewers experience information overload; It's difficult to focus on on any one thing.
Of course, one of the first things we love to suggest is "use simpler photography!" But when you're picking up catalog photo and don't have the opportunity to shoot specifically for web (much less for email campaigns) you've got to use what you've got. A second recommendation might be to cut down on the products featured, focusing on one or two best-sellers.
But sometimes you've just got to feature five (or more!) favorites. And in these cases, I'd recommend opening things up a bit. Here, the main copy block could become a full-width banner. We could feature six products rather than five for a clean 3x2 grid, bringing symmetry and balance to the creative. We could also try more whitespace between the images to give each shot more breathing room, and move the product names, prices and numbered hearts off and below the images to up clarity and readability. These simple changes would allow us to feature an additional product while making the campaign as a whole easier to digest. (No pun intended!)
Note to Valentine: those Belgian Chocolates look divine!
January 30, 2007
Just to Get More Magenta
From: giggleSubject Line: Time for a big bed? Introducing giggle's twin-size collection.
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2007
I really like this giggle creative for two reasons. The first is that it's bright and happy. The second is that the grid of close-ups is an imaginative, visually-appealing way to feature a broad array of product. While the email may not include product names & pricing, which, according to an EmailLabs study is basically the most important piece when speaking to moms, I feel like the visual excitement generated by the brilliant colors and playful shapes is actually enough to compell click-through, even if it's just to load up on more orange. Yum!
One (huge) recommendation for improvement? I don't care how cute it looks down there: bring that call-to-action up above the fold, folks! Despite how compelling the creative may be, many-a-tired-subscriber will not scroll down in order to locate the click-through opportunity.
January 29, 2007
Easy-to-Read
From: Ann TaylorSubject Line: February's New Arrivals, and a Special Online Offer
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2007
In the past quarter-year or so, I've noticed a definite trend toward larger, more readable font sizes in email campaigns. Ann Taylor is on the extreme end - perhaps because their demographic is slightly older - but it's a good thing all around. We can't expect subscribers to strain to read our messaging. For instance, my mother subscribes to many of the emails I produce, and she socked me with a real eye-opener recently when she said, "I loved that sale campaign you sent last week." It was a pretty standard execution, so I asked what it was that she liked about it, and she replied: "The words were big. It was so easy to read."
OK then, here's the conundrum: how do you do both larger type and HTML text at the same time, tastefully?
January 27, 2007
Visual Cohesion
From: shopbop.comSubject Line: Wide is Back! Exclusive J Brand Wide Leg Jeans + New Seven, Anlo and William Ras...
Date: Friday, January 19, 2007
Shopbop's campaigns are good to look at because they tend to do a very good job presenting a cohesive visual message, despite the fact that their products come from different designers and manufacturers. They use photography, color and texture to successfully tie the different pieces together; the denim motif in this creative is a great example. I also like how they extended the theme to the submessage here.
On another note, I was sorry to learn recently that after just a few seasons of skinny jeans, I apparently need to restock my closet again with elephant legs. I have to admit - because I spend so much time looking at retail email campaigns, I've become infinitely more attuned to what's fashionable in clothing, accessories, electronics and home furnishings, and have witnessed my expenditures rise infinitely as well. A testament to the power of email marketing, of course ;).
January 23, 2007
Three Cheers for DWR
From: Design Within ReachSubject Line: Final Week to Lounge for Less, plus Shipping and Champagne
Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Here, Design Within Reach infuses some fun into a standard design template. Using basic rules and color blocks, it goes from generic to Mondrian-esque. Cute.
I also want to applaud the limited-time offer specificity in both the subject line and the headline.
Finally, I'd like to call attention to the footer navigation. Many multi-channel retailers include their website, telephone number and store locator information in their footer navigation, but I like how Design Within Reach umbrellas it with the phrase "3 WAYS TO SHOP." It's subtle, but it gives the information a sense of context and serviceability.
January 19, 2007
Get into a Flexible Framework
From: GymboreeSubject Line: Gymbucks Ends This Sunday - Shop Valentine's Day Styles Today!
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2007
You have one nav, but many campaigns. Make sure your nav is flexible enough to handle every situation - regardless of any single campaign's content, strucutre or color. In this example, Gymboree's green nav doesn't play nicely with the pink Valentine's day creative, and the orange logo doesn't help much either. In order to avoid this issue, I recommend either using a more neutral nav that works with any palette, or implementing a flexible nav, which retains a consistent structure, but changes color from campaign to campaign to suit the creative. (Williams-Sonoma does this well.)
January 17, 2007
Classic Kate
From: katespade.comSubject Line: kate's favorites: december
Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2006
From: katespade.com
Subject Line: kate's favorites: january
Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2007
I love how elegant and clean the "kate's favorites" series is. This is a beautiful, on-brand way for kate spade to kick off each month.
January 03, 2007
Window into a ? new year
From: anthropologie.comSubject Line: A window onto a new year
Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2007
I like the use of color and texture here; how refreshing after way too many red holiday EDMs! But I'm wondering what kind of new year this photograph is a "window into". Is it beautiful or bleak? I'm feeling like the gal's chopped, unwashed hair, the hospital-style gown and the black leather couch are more "Girl, Interrupted" or even "The Ring" than they are dreamy or romantic.
On an unrelated note, I'm always excited to see the power of EDMs being leveraged to promote other channels. (In this case, catalog.) This is just another illustration of the obvious fact that online marketing is "the way of the future, the way of the future."
January 02, 2007
Fred Flare Shows Some Love
I've appreciated the humor sprinkled throughout Urban Outfitters' email campaigns, but even more I appreciate the LOVE I get each week from fredflare.com. On December 18, they told me "WE LOVE YOU / THX FOR BEING OUR BESTIE:)" which is just about the cutest thing I've ever read in an email. On December 22, they assured me that they're "HERE FOR [ME]!", all smiley with hearts, and on the 29th they thanked me for "an amazing year."
I just think it's so nice and sweet that Fred Flare is mailin' out some love each week. I always open their campaigns - they bring a smile to my face. (I'm sure they must be getting some love back in return from their customers!) This seems like such a nice way to drive sales. Maybe we could all try to inject some love into our campaigns this year. Thanks Fred Flare!
From: fredflare.com
Subject Line: fredflare.com's $9.95 3-DAY ENDS TODAY!!!!!!
Date: Monday, December 18, 2006
From: fredflare.com
Subject Line: fredflare.com is HERE FOR YA!
Date: Friday, December 22, 2006
From: fredflare.com
Subject Line: fredflare.com's FREE SHIPPING ENDS SUN:)
Date: Friday, December 29, 2006
I just think it's so nice and sweet that Fred Flare is mailin' out some love each week. I always open their campaigns - they bring a smile to my face. (I'm sure they must be getting some love back in return from their customers!) This seems like such a nice way to drive sales. Maybe we could all try to inject some love into our campaigns this year. Thanks Fred Flare!
From: fredflare.comSubject Line: fredflare.com's $9.95 3-DAY ENDS TODAY!!!!!!
Date: Monday, December 18, 2006
From: fredflare.com
Subject Line: fredflare.com is HERE FOR YA!
Date: Friday, December 22, 2006
From: fredflare.com
Subject Line: fredflare.com's FREE SHIPPING ENDS SUN:)
Date: Friday, December 29, 2006
It's the Little Things
From: J.CrewSubject Line: Happy new sale
Date: Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Love the polka-dot pattern on this J.Crew campaign. This is a good example of making a subtle change to freshen up a tired template. Remember: you don't have to reinvent the wheel with every design! Just playing with color or adding texture can make old designs feel new.
December 06, 2006
When Too Much is Not Enough
For those of you unacquainted with giggle, they're a baby/new parent store, offering a product assortment "pre-sorted to include only the most healthy, stylish and innovative" items. I think they've done a great job distinguishing themselves from both branding and merchandizing perspectives.
As far these EDMs go, I love the design template; the stripes and the dropshadowing around the border make for an unexpected, fun combination. But are we so overloaded with product that we don't know where to look? As a $-friendly designer, I'm all for showing the widest breadth of assortment possible, but how many elements are "too many"? At what point do we overwhelm a user into overload? Do too many click-through opportunities cancel each other out entirely?
From: giggle
Subject Line: Spooktacular Halloween Treats
Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2006
From: giggle
Subject Line: 50 amazing gifts under $25, plus FREE gift wrapping
Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2006
As far these EDMs go, I love the design template; the stripes and the dropshadowing around the border make for an unexpected, fun combination. But are we so overloaded with product that we don't know where to look? As a $-friendly designer, I'm all for showing the widest breadth of assortment possible, but how many elements are "too many"? At what point do we overwhelm a user into overload? Do too many click-through opportunities cancel each other out entirely?
From: giggleSubject Line: Spooktacular Halloween Treats
Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2006
From: giggle
Subject Line: 50 amazing gifts under $25, plus FREE gift wrapping
Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2006
December 05, 2006
We Can Be Heroes
Enormous dueling superheroes! Which of the two would you click through? (C'mon, help me out, I'm hurtin' for comments here...) I'd have to go with Pottery Barn's "Free Shipping" offer. (Didn't you know? Nobody pays for shipping anymore!)
From: Restoration Hardware
Subject Line: Introducing Our New Holiday Catalog
Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2006
From: Pottery Barn
Subject Line: FREE shipping on more than 60 items
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
From: Restoration HardwareSubject Line: Introducing Our New Holiday Catalog
Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2006
From: Pottery Barn
Subject Line: FREE shipping on more than 60 items
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
December 04, 2006
You're Not My Friend
From: LacosteSubject Line: Happy Holidays to Lacoste's Friends and Family
Date: Monday, December 4, 2006
It's snowing gators! Look out!
This holiday season, I've received a flurry of "Friends & Family" special offers like this one, all from retailers that are not my family nor my friend. While I understand the desire to make customers feel special and deals seem exclusive, it doesn't make sense to claim an intimate connection with a subscriber who's never made a purchase before.
That won't stop me from using the discount though. Keep 'em coming.
November 30, 2006
Honest & Hardworking
From: Crate and BarrelSubject Line: Gourmet chocolates ready to give
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2006
This is what I'd call a good old, honest, hard-working EDM. There are no crazy hooks, no flashing animations and no groundbreaking, medium-altering innovations. However, what this email does illustrate are several very basic, measured best practices, which, in combination, will match the performance of any gimmick. Crate & Barrel promotes conversion by:
1) Featuring relevant, giftable product.
2) Including "FREE SHIPPING" in red in the top nav.
3) Adding a link to their Holiday Delivery Schedule.
4) Submessaging a Gift Guide, Gift Cards and Free Shipping: three very trusty catch-alls for follks who aren't as interested in fondue.
5) Keeping the overal design clean, simple and digestable.
It's not rocket science, folks: it's good customer service. Make shopping easier for your subscribers by giving them real reasons to click through.
November 21, 2006
Just Gravy
I like both of these graphical designs from Banana Republic. Obviously, "Drop Your Pants" (on a Friday, no less) is an attention-getting graphic and subject line. (I assume the open-rate was their highest ever.) The post-Thanksgiving design is great just because of the unusual color combination: totally mashed potatoes and gravy. The cute little gravy boat icon is, well, "just gravy."
From: BananaRepublic.com
Subject Line: Drop Your Pants for charity, get 15% off...
Date: Friday, July 21, 2006
From: BananaRepublic.com
Subject Line: Starting tomorrow, get a $25 Shop Card online & in-store...
Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
From: BananaRepublic.comSubject Line: Drop Your Pants for charity, get 15% off...
Date: Friday, July 21, 2006
From: BananaRepublic.com
Subject Line: Starting tomorrow, get a $25 Shop Card online & in-store...
Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
November 08, 2006
Positively Quaint
From: katespade.comSubject Line: kate's favorites: november
Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2006
As most EDMs expand in width and height, Barney's New York and, more recently, kate spade, are producing smaller campaigns. While the larger messages may provide more opportunity for promotion, these smaller messages are generally more targeted, and feel positively cute and quaint!
I understand kate spade is currently on the auction block; Nieman Marcus is potentially selling the brand to Liz Claiborne. According to the Wall Street Journal, insiders are comparing kate spade's relatively modest growth with another "affordable luxury" accessories brand: Coach. What we also need to consider is that while Coach has expanded, they've also logo-overdosed, and lost their appeal with many previous customers, me included. It will be interesting to see what would happen to quaint little kate with Liz in charge...
November 01, 2006
A Real Swede
From: TretornSubject Line: Make a Splash with Tretorn Boots
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2006
I honestly don't know how I got on Tretorn's list - I haven't seen a pair Tretorns since like the eighth grade! - but, being such an avid email and catalog subscriber, I get sold down the river constantly. Apart from that, I was happy to receive this EDM. Being a Swede myself, I do adore the clean, spare design. I also applaud their excellent English; often, foreign-based retailers' campaigns sound very "ESL".
Tretorn's got some pretty cute rubber boot styles this season, BTW.
October 06, 2006
Hand Made
In what has felt like an increasingly slick and sanitized culture, it's refreshing to see "authentic" trends surfacing in fashion and media, from a recently-renewed national interest in sewing to homemade videos on YouTube. These Urban Outfitters EDMs for Free People and their namesake brand actually feel like they were drawn by human beings. I especially love the bird in boots.
