Brand Girl™

The boys are back–and navigating uncharted territory.

Ok. It comes as no surprise to “Entourage” fans that Medellin gets passed over at Cannes, which sends our hero Vince (Adrien Grenier) into seclusion—in true Hollywood form—on a remote island to repair his fallen ego with booze and babes… but getting to watch it all happen while on a romp from JFK to Las Vegas? How much fun can a girl (or boy) take?

For the launch of its fifth season of Entourage, HBO took to the sky by partnering with Virgin America and creating “Entourage Air.” “During the month of September, first-class guests on Virgin America’s new nonstop JFK-LAS route will fly ‘Entourage Class’ and receive A-list perks like noise-canceling headphones, champagne, Godiva chocolates, Kiehl’s personal products, Altoids and ‘Entourage Air’ blankets and eye masks.”

The stunt is significant also because it marks the “first-ever in-flight premiere of a cable or broadcast program in the domestic skies.” BG suspects it may very well mark the beginning of a new wave in purchasing ad space…

At a time where the airline industry continues to keep biting the hand that feeds them–the traveler, BG applauds the Virgin and Entourage partnership. Why? Because the two sexy brands are demographically suited and they are able to offer a unique, one-of-a-kind experience to hungry air travelers. What will be interesting to watch is how the airline industry pushes this trend further and decides to capitalize on ad placements within the planes themselves. Will they strike the delicate balance between advertising as part of the experience or will they barrage the captive consumer until they scream “Uncle!”? Ads in formerly forbidden places have gained acceptance–folks have adjusted to ads wedged in before movie trailers and then don’t forget the uber-billboarded and wall-papered highways, subways, bus stations, pedicabs and more all around us. So airplanes can’t be far behind… the question is: “Will they do it with a hammer or a feather?” The weary traveler—and even more tired consumer—will only accept so much in the name of generating revenue to, ahem!, offset operational costs.

A unique twist for Mr. Branson and his year-old start-up, Virgin America, is that 100% of the company’s revenue will fund development of clean fuel technology for its planes, a project that Sir Richard estimates could cost upwards of $3 billion. “Entourage” star Adrian Grenier shares Sir Richard’s passion for green, particularly in the eco sense—he’s coproducing a new show for the Discovery Channel called “The Green Life,” which is aimed at helping everyone make their lives more eco-friendly.

In addition to the September “Entourage” experiential bonanza and the panache of youth and celebrity marketing, Virgin’s green mission puts them ahead of the pack, lifting their brand miles higher than other, more pedestrian airlines. And young Mr. Grenier’s brand is getting his own little turbo boost too—BG hadn’t been particularly aware of him as “Mr. Green” before he became “Alter Eco” on Discovery and part of the “Entourage”/Virgin partnership. For some reason, BG’s a bit dubious of what feels like the sudden greening of Mr. Grenier… but overall she’s buying it. Those deep blue eyes would melt a glacier of suspicion…

Travel is difficult these days. I mean really. I find it a mere feat to get through security without losing some forgotten cosmetic in the Lancel that wasn’t properly zip-locked or proportioned. All that haggling to steal my Ocean Potion. (But why on earth isn’t anyone confiscating those woman’s Crocs? Just sayin’.)

As luck would have it, I flew on Southwest this past weekend returning from a quick trip to Tucson. But it wasn’t until I was seated and buckled that I realized the coincidence. And I must admit, that I wondered for a mere second, if I too would be hated on for indecent exposure like Ms. Ebbert was this past July. Or would they spare me the humiliation and just throw me a blanket to cover up the spillage from a well-placed Victoria Secret’s bra? Would Brand Girl inspired the next Southwest sale? A fare “busting” one? (But of the “natural” kind, of course.)

Although open for a story and a potential sponsorship deal with Victoria Secret, I sadly arrived in Los Angeles without either. But what was sadder, was that Ms. Ebbert and her “Mini-skirt” drama still flooded the news. Dr. Phil? ABC? Enough. Initially, it did appear as an act of lunacy for Southwest –– the airline that started its brand with flight attendants parading around in hot pants — to now be harassing a customer for showing a similar amount of skin. Was it the carrier’s poor judgment? Was it Ms. Ebbert’s poor choice of outfit or lack of skort? Hmm.

(Yet, I’m willing to bet that if our Hooter chick was uniformed like any of the pictured mannequins from the Southwest archives, she would be trotted off to Vogue Magazine and not just to the exit.)

Well leaving fashion to Cathy Horyn and the almighty Fuggs, it appears that Ebbert’s campaign, which included several TV appearances, paid off. She received both the apology and reparation she desired. Or so we thought. (Personally, I think she’s after a book deal.)

But relevant here is how once again, the Internet continues to propel consumer advocacy at warp speed. Although maybe a step or two late, Southwest understood the implication of ignoring the growing momentum of the skirt-spinning campaign and quickly moved to offset further stains. Just earlier this month, we saw a similar disturbance with Apple, Steve Jobs, and his iphone. The allege attempt to snub his early adopters when he slashed the iphone’s price point mere seconds after it was initially released. There use to be a time when Jobs could pull that move on his devoted groupies and get away with it. (Believe me, I know.) But now, the technology that serves Apple Corp well, equally serves both Ms. Ebbert’s and Apple’s audience as –– well.

We are ismart.

One last word on smarts and fashion that flies… or shouldn’t. And I mean no disrespect to the success of the brand, and for the devoted wearers, but I say, that unless they have a note from their doctor, or are now finally tall enough to reach Pluto’s hand on the sign to ride that Monster Coaster at Disneyland, they should be hated on for wearing Crocs Work Shoes, specifically designed for tasks… anywhere outside of tasking.

For many years, my firm handled the design and production of various British Airways consumer brochures. So for years, my team and I would scour the numerous stock photo houses in search of fresh imagery to capture the essence of many European destinations. And for years, I was both bombarded and seduced by Paris and her countless brand images filled with idyllic couples. Whether kissing with the luminous Eiffel Tower posing as the perfect backdrop, cuddling as they propelled up and down the Seine, or penetrating the open air-cafes with their open air loving — one thing was certain, couples ruled Paris. Doesn’t every Cinderella long for the day that she too would play out that picture? Yes, Paris. Romance capital of the world. Yet, I went to Paris to recover from a romance. Go figure. But just like wedding dresses were once boxed and saved, they are now being trashed and recorded. But does a picture really capture it all?

Paris, discovered. (Gentlemen, plentiful.)

Newly showered, but weary-eyed after a ten hour flight from Los Angeles (that was filled with – hello – many USA boys playing in the French Open) and armed with nothing more than a few practiced phrases like “sil vou plait” (please), and “excusez-moi”, I paraded myself in front of the hotel’s consignee seeking advice as to where to dine before a gal passed out. My soon-to-be-trip confidant, Emmanuelle, glared me up and down and immediately shuttled me off to Kong, where apparently part of “Sex and the City’s” last episode was shot. Although not thrilled about being cast as a stereotypical “Carrie,” I landed at Kong and was pleasantly surprised when a very Philippe Starck motif welcomed me (in the KENZO fashion headquarters on Pt. Nuef no less!!!). Good lord! Talk about fusion — and Asian & Parisian done like only Starck could. So reminiscent of his work at the Mondrian in LA, and Faena Hotel in Buenos Aires, he is a guy I always love to see – room, views and all.

It wasn’t long until I was invited to join a threesome from Pasadena, and upon learning of my solo trek on French soil, the lady friend of the group declared: “My dear, Paris is going to change your life.” That’s a very big statement I said to her, but hey – change is what moves us forward. I’m all for it. Feeling partially renewed after my Starck discovery and an abundance of champagne, I then traveled onward to the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz to counter the contemporary start of the evening with a French classic haunt. And just as both Time Out and Forbes reports — it wasn’t long until Colin, head barkeep, whipped up the perfect Ritz 75 for a girl to nurse while she hid in her prop and scoped out her surroundings. It was like stepping into a Hitchcock movie with elegant black and white photos mounted on the wall, cigar scent that seemed both acceptable and well-placed, many well-dressed Parisian men in three-piece suits, and thank god not a flip-flop or hoodie in sight. It felt great to be in a place where men were well – gentlemen, and girls were welcomed – as ladies. Although hating to break up the rare scene, this Cinderella knew her time was fading as the mid-night hour was fast approaching and jet lagged was bound to hit her like a ton of pumpkins. I quickly said my au revoirs, numbers were exchanged (of course I made friends… after all, never let the French get in the way of one enjoying Paris) — and was happily escorted to a taxi by one very pretty Parisian man, who was kind enough to explained to the taxi driver that the American woman had one more stop before she could call it a night…

And although out of the way, my driver did taxi by the Eiffel tower – and it was like seeing an old glorious friend. Although I must admit, she was more imposing than the photos implied. The driver mustered in his best English, “Madame, I stop, photu?” To which I replied, “No. Necessito.” (I know it’s Spanish – but hell – he understood.) At that moment, I had a major revelation – well actually two:

1) I finally understood why my BA clients had such a hard time approving any final photo selects, no matter how creatively we cropped.
2) “Yes, dear lady friend from Pasadena. Paris will change my life.” This lady is going to get herself one of those men in a three-piece suit. *xo*

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BG Skinny:
Check out the New York Times Travel Guides for what, who and why. The Frommer Guides offer 1, 2, and 3 day itineraries that cover much sought after culture, but I must admit that they seemed a tab ambitious even for the fanny pack and Reebok toting crowd. Keep in mind that the city of lights as much as a place for lovers and culture – is a place for grazing. Make time to stumble onto things that might not be in any travel Guide like Le 24 or dancing along the Seine.

Warning: One will return home from Paris with an insatiable desire for champagne, well-dressed boys, metro life and if you are like me… Lancel handbags. (Ouch!)

I know, I know. I should be giving my limited blog time to something more deserving like the presidential debate… or good lord, what will become of our beloved Tony? But how could I resist posting what will likely be one of the most infamous photos of the decade?

Does Paris Hilton deserve jail time or not? I will hold my silence, but this morning, the almighty foursome of “The View” now powered with a D-lister, ruminated over the evil and good of Ms. Hilton. Interesting… Paris has chosen not to up her thread-sheet count, but instead takes a hard cell in a Los Angeles county jail. She does this with hopes that she will lessen the flood of hate mail and press from the world at large. Paris is allegedly upset and confused over the animosity that swirls around her. (Hmmm.) Who really knows the woes of a Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan or poor Britney for that matter. But one thing this Brand Girl has learned, is the only thing we can seemingly control, whether brand or girl –– is our behavior. Situations are situations, but the drama, high or low, is well… usually ours. It can be tough. In defense, I do now understand how difficult it can be to stay sane and real while running around in the vacuum of all things that are beautiful, entertaining and surreal in L.A. It’s crazy, but after awhile you can begin to believe your own exhaust. (Hello – LA LA land.) Maybe a little jail time for Paris will be the very thing she needs. (Look what a time-out did for Martha Stewart.) But as a very wise guru of mine says, “it’s okay to live in LA. Just don’t let LA live in you!”