September 2007 - French | West

Cell phone privacy screens are popping up all over Japan. Even more so than here in the US, people in Japan are addicted to text messaging, due to the fact that making a private cell phone call in public is considered extremely rude. Text messaging in public spaces, however, is not the most private, so the use of stick-on cell phone privacy screens has become common practice. The thin, tinted plastic screens (similar to iPod protectors) make it impossible to read a cell phone screen from any angle other than straight on.

Ford Motor Co. will debut a new in-car communication and entertainment system, developed by Microsoft, this fall. The Sync System will utilize voice recognition and steering wheel controls to allow drivers to listen to their digital music players and have text messages on their cell phones read aloud. The Sync System will cost $395.

WeCanLiveGreen.com is the newest eco-website created to help consumers connect to the ever growing eco-friendly industry. The site covers product categories such as appliances, bath and beauty, food and drink, kitchen, lighting, garden and more. Its Green Living 101 section has lessons for living an eco-friendly lifestyle, with expert and celebrity forums.
Cable channel operator Discovery Communications recently purchased Treehugger.com, with plans to incorporate the eco-supersite into its Planet Green Initiative. Scheduled to launch in early 2008, Planet Green will include the first 24-hour eco-lifestyle TV network focused solely on eco-friendly living. The Planet Green Initiative aims to reach people who want to understand green living and make a difference in the world, by providing the tools and information necessary to live a truly “green” life.

Heineken is test marketing a new alcoholic beverage targeted specifically toward women. It’s called Charli, and it’s neither beer nor wine, but is presented as an alternative to white wine. Charli is 5% alcohol and a mix of cider, barley malt and fruit flavors.

Preppy clothing king J. Crew is growing its offerings by going to the dogs. A new line of collars, leashes, beds and accessories under the brand name “Crewmutts” is expected to hit stores just in time for Christmas. This new segment comes not long after the introduction of “Crewcuts,” the retailer’s line of children’s clothing.
Puma’s new Urban Mobility Line features accessories designed to make urban living more convenient and travel more stylish. The line mixes function and high design in three categories - Out and About, Out of Office and Out of Town. Key pieces include the wooden X-Ray Belt that has no metal components (Makes passing through airport security a cinch.) and the collapsible, storage-friendly 8-speed Urban Mobility Bike.
Venus Williams is the latest celebrity to join forces with budget-minded retailer Steve & Barry's. The 120 piece "EleVen" collection will offer athletic wear, casual wear and footwear when it hits stores in November.

Crocs is expanding into clothing this October, with the new Croslite RT line. Croslite, the material that gives Crocs their light, breathable feel, has been blended with natural fibers to create a new, breathable, sweat and heat resistant yarn. The Croslite RT (relaxed technology) line will feature men’s and children’s activewear, with plans to expand into womenswear in the near future.

In a new twist on an old tactic, ABC has enlisted editors from popular entertainment magazines to help promote its new fall lineup. The company made three different half-hour specials available to affiliates that offer looks at new fall programming, featuring commentary from the editors of Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide and People.
House Party radically changes the concept of the traditional sales party (think Tupperware). Hosts don’t sponsor events to earn a cut of the profit, and with an added viral component, parties happen on a much larger scale. Anyone can apply to host a party through the House Party website, where they can browse a list of upcoming events—anything from previewing a new TV series, listening to an unreleased CD or tasting a new food or beverage. Hosts receive planning tools and access to an online community where they can interact with fellow party-throwers to share tips and suggestions as they plan their bashes. For each event, House Party aims to book at least a thousand parties to take place on the same day. On Party Day, as many as 10,000+ individuals take part in parties across the nation, which are documented by hosts through photos and videos on houseparty.com. Nickelodeon and Pepperidge Farms have both utilized the service for recent product launches.

Atlantic Records and Hook Mobile have partnered to create mobile SMS-based trading cards featuring music artists from the label. The cards are delivered via text message, and just like traditional baseball cards, the new music cards will be distributed at random and some will be rarer than others. Cards can be stored both on users’ phones and online, allowing owners to trade them or redeem them for prizes.

A new survey by Deloitte Services finds that print media still has strong footing in the age of the Internet. According to Deloitte’s “The State of the Media Democracy” study, 72% of all those surveyed enjoyed reading print magazines even when the magazine has an online presence. Further, 70% of those aged 19 to 24 tend to pay more attention to ads in print magazines and newspapers than they do online.
Alpha Media Group has ceased print production of Stuff, with its September issue. The magazine will be reincarnated as a new section of its big brother Maxim, starting this fall. Stuff.com will continue to operate as a stand-alone website.
The September issue of Metropolitan Home will unveil a revamped front-of-book section called Word (formerly Take Note) and a new streamlined layout. Word will include everything from contemporary design news to insider information on where to shop, travel and eat. The updated section will also include new coverage on sustainable living and eco-friendly design.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is in the very early stages of launching a new magazine aimed at baby-boomer women. The new title will be positioned as a possible competitor to Town &Country, More, Good Housekeeping and Ladies’ Home Journal.

New from Harris Publications is Antenna, a magazine that highlights the “newest and coolest products on the horizon.” The magazine aims to allow readers to “navigate the most extensive collection of products ever compiled in a single magazine,” without using models, celebrities, or concept shots.