McDonald’s branches in New Zealand (and soon America and Britain, as well) have partnered with weight loss chain Weight Watchers to offer three meals on their menu that equal 6 1/2 Weight Watchers’ points.

The Filet-O-Fish, Chicken McNuggets and a Sweet Chilli Seared Chicken Wrap are the same fan faves as before, but a combination of switching to a healthier canola oil and reducing the amount of sauce used cuts the calories (not to mention saturated fat) to diet-friendly proportions.

Definitely smart marketing on behalf of both companies—like ‘em or not, Mickey D’s is one of the largest meal providers around with something like 27 million people eating there everyday.  It’s nice to see them offering up healthier options for those that are trying to stick to their diet, but don’t want to give up their favorite indulgences.

But I have to wonder… isn’t the whole point of starting a weight loss program to try and learn new, healthy, sustainable eating habits…not just eat less of the same bad stuff?  Will this encourage more people to choose McNuggets because it’s easy and, technically, allowed when they might otherwise have selected a more nutritious item?   Is it (kinda) cheating?

Women have been telling us for awhile now that they would like to be more socially and environmentally responsible. They have the best of intentions but as we’ve mentioned before, most women are going “Greenish”.  Most do what’s convenient and not too expensive and what works best in their lives. (See our recent post on how Clorox has won with women trying to be more green)

While it’s great when consumers can take the first step in being more conscious of their actions (reusable bags, energy-efficient light bulbs, etc.), it’s even better when companies make it easy to be green and get us actually thinking about our actions. Here are three companies I’d like to give shout-outs to:

Brita and their “Responsible Water” Campaign. They remind you that a plastic water bottle will live forever in a landfill.   They’ve made me think about picking up a bottle of water on my way to a walk in the park vs filling my reusable BPA free container from my Brita pitcher.

Method’s new laundry detergent with smartclean technology is the world’s first Cradle to Cradle certified laundry detergent.  Its environmentally-intelligent design has me rethinking the heavy jug I get at Costco each month.

And lastly, SunChip’s creation of the first 100% compostable chip package which debuts Earth Day 2010 (Great commercial by Juniper Park!), will have consumer packaged goods companies scrambling to figure out how they too can make their packaging plantable.  

Companies are going to continue to take even more responsibility for making this a better planet which in turn will make it easier and more affordable for consumers to play their part.

Every 3 months I look forward to replacing my running shoes.  I love checking out the new models and this past Sunday I went into the store with a particular type of shoe in mind.  I had done my research, read some reviews, and I knew the shoe would be stable, but also light enough for racing.  I tried it on, and within my first few strides on the treadmill I recognized it as a perfect fit.  I was just about to chirp, “I’ll wear these home!” when the running expert who was helping me said, “hmmm…those won’t work.” 

At this particular store they film your feet while you run, and then play it back for you in slow mo so they can see if the shoe is correcting or hindering your alignment.  While it’s true my ankles turned in a smidge , everything I’ve heard from past running coaches and my new bible, Born to Run, say the key is to wear a light shoe and your body will eventually self-correct and find the most efficient way to move (in truth they advise going barefoot, but I live in the city so…let’s be real).  Heavier shoes with tons of amped-up support and extra cushioning don’t allow your feet to get stronger on their own. 

The words, “Well, in Born to Run…” were barely out of my mouth when the young “expert” rolled his eyes and interrupted with “look at the picture…this shoe isn’t going to work for you,” casting a wary look at my legs… basically insinuating that if I chose the shoe in question, I may as well just take a crowbar to my knees now and be done with it. 

He presented me with an option “much better for my situation” (twice the weight and size of the prior model) and, as I trudged along on the treadmill feeling very much like a Clydesdale, he assured me these were the perfect pair. My mood can only be described as nonplussed… I imagine it’s how Cinderella would feel if she were presented with wooden clogs instead of glass slippers.  But, I didn’t feel like arguing, so I paid for the moon boots (I know, total drama queen) and went on my way. 

When I think back to what made it such a bummer of a sales experience, it comes down to him making three easily avoidable selling mistakes…

1) He talked to me as if I wasn’t a runner, even after my telling him how many miles I run a week AND namedropping at least 2 marathons.  While it’s true many runners don’t share the ‘au natural’ philosophy, it is valid and he should have at least acknowledged, if not respected, it.

2) He took my opinion out of the equation and used his expertise as a means to put me down, rather than educate me.   He made me feel silly and uninformed.  Now I’m no wallflower, I argued my way out of a stress fracture diagnosis just weeks before the NYC marathon, but this guy made me feel like I really didn’t know what I was talking about.  So, rather than arguing with him at the store, I backed down not wanting to be that customer. 

3) He knew I was leaving the store dissatisfied.  I had a frown reminiscent of Eeyore’s as I trudged out holding my new purchase (I’m known to practically pirouette down the street after buying running shoes or apparel).  You want your customer to feel excited about their purchase, not like they’re settling.   I felt like a dieter forced to pretend a bran muffin was a chocolate chip cookie.  He didn’t even say, “Hey, if you try them and really don’t like them, bring them back and we’ll find something else.”

I’m taking the Clodhoppers back tomorrow and getting my glass slippers.  I’m just mad I didn’t do it in the first place.

Last night Canadian skater Joannie Rochette placed third on the ice, but won the hearts of every woman watching. Her mom died of a heart attack just two days before, never to see her stunning performance. Despite the emotional turmoil, Rochette skated with every ounce of her strength. But to me, it all came down to the end of her performance, her face looking into the crowd, scanning the stands, knowing for the first time that the woman behind her, wasn’t there to see.

This blog is about marketing, so I could easily defer to a tribute to P & G for their beautifully done and prescient “Thanks, Mom” Olympics campaign. But this one is personal. 

For those lucky women who had a great relationship with their moms, there is nothing sadder than that first moment when she’s not there to cheer anymore. My friend Ellyn Spragins who’s written the terrific series of books, “Letters to my Younger Self”, told of the first time she was interviewed on TV after losing her mom. She told me how her mom’s was always the first call she’d get to tell her she did a great job. The silence was deafening.

I know that feeling. Three years ago, a month after I lost my mom, I was interviewed on GMA, ironically talking about a piece I’d written for MORE magazine about how daughters can cope with talking to their elderly parents about health and aging. I remember coming off the set and thinking that my mom, who always left the first voice message telling me she loved my dress or my answers, wasn’t there to call. As women, there’s a part of us who’s still the girl who needs to hear it from mom.  When your baby takes its first step, you get the promotion or get over a disappointment, you’ll want her to know.

Today is my mom’s birthday. And for Joannie and Ellyn and all the women who miss the one who applauded the loudest, I say this. She’s still watching and smiling. In her eyes, you’ll always win the gold.

Last night while catching up on last week’s DVR’d Lost, I saw for the first time a new pool-out of Old Spice’s “Smell like a Man, Man” campaign and I loved it!  I must have rewound it 3 times!  This new spot from Wieden + Kennedy, “The man your man could smell like”, hits the Whole Truth right on the head. 

Not only do they give a nod to the fact that men are grabbing their partner’s “lady scented” body wash while in the shower, they also recognize that the primary shopper for body wash is most likely the woman of the house. 

While the earlier spots specifically targeted him, this one takes a turn and focuses on her. The over-the-top flaunting of the beautiful man on the beautiful yacht, offering the perfect gift  “Two tickets to that thing you love.” is a sneaky way to sell men’s body wash.  Make her want her man to smell like a man…If you can’t sway him, sway her!  The execution is brilliant and my next trip to Duane Reade might just include a stop at the Old Spice shelf!

After 4 years of dating in college one of my closest friends got dumped. The next week she signed up to be a nude model for JMU’s drawing class. I always thought it was because she was super confident, but years later she revealed she did it to become more comfortable with herself as a newly single woman.

I always thought I could never, ever stand in front of a room full of people naked, like she did, while they put their interpretation of my body from pen to paper until I recently read an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer about how I may be harming the future of art and advertising. Apparently there is a lack of variety of nude models (short, curvy) lately that is hindering up-and-coming artists from being able to sketch anything but young and sleek.

At Just Ask a Woman we try to stress to clients, particularly in the weight loss/diet and healthcare area, about how important it is, particularly when showing storyboards, to be realistic and sensitive in drawings. Even if “they’re just drawings”, it’s a lot to ask women to look at one thing, but imagine something more “like them”. We often get feedback from the women in our sessions such as, “I’d like to look like that stick figure” or “That woman does not need to lose 20 pounds, I’ll show you who needs to lose 20 pounds”.

Perhaps we should all do our part to better the future of the art-design world, what do you say-could you step into the spotlight?

Benedict Carey’s article in today’s New York Times, Evidence That Little Touches Do Mean So Much, states “that a warm touch sets off the release of oxytocin, which helps create a sensation of trust, and reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”  Waiters and waitresses have known this for some time. Research has shown that when the waitstaff touches a patron during the meal, customers are more likely to leave a bigger tip. Take note the next time you’re in a Macaroni Grill or a TGIFridays!

This got me thinking about the way Just Ask a Woman talks with consumers in research. If the research shows that a high five can enhance performance, think about what could happen if you are in the room with your consumer, elbow to elbow.

Often during our sessions, it feels appropriate to lay a hand on a shoulder, touch an arm, pat a back – this all comes naturally when you are Power Listening and engaging in the conversation. But if you are sitting in the back room, separated from your consumers, you will never have a chance to connect physically.

While it is difficult to offer a little touch at the retail shelf, perhaps connecting in a more physical way (being in the same room with her is a good start) before your product even goes to market, will lay the foundation for a stronger relationship in the future.

Stephanie Holland at She-conomy reports on Real Simple’s recent Happiness study where it looks as though what makes men and women happy differs dramatically. (Check out the full list on Stephanie’s website.)

While brains and brawn are on the top ten for both, and it seems that money can buy happiness with their choosing luxury trips, cars and big houses, there were three areas where the differences seemed to stand out the most.

1. A big house would make him the most happy, while she would be happiest with a permanently clean home. The Whole Truth here is that she doesn’t want more home than she can handle and she would be really happy if someone else did the cleaning!

2. He’d be happy with a personal assistant and she would be happy saying “no” more.   It seems he needs more and she believes she gives too much.

3. He said a better sex life would make him happy.  She said more time for herself would make her happy. The Whole Truth on this one is better left unsaid! Perhaps that luxury tripis a solo one for her!  They both believe that a really romantic relationship will make them happier however.

It’s no surprise then that when men and women try to make each other happy they can miss the mark.  Half Truth: People try hard to make others happy. Whole Truth: They think about what they’d personally like rather than paying close attention to the other’s desires. (I almost made this mistake for Valentine’s day when I thought about getting my husband the couple’s massage over the round of golf with the guys.)  

This happens often in marketing as well. Marketers think they know what women want so they don’t bother to ask.   Power listening is one way to really make her happy. By engaging in conversation with your consumers, asking the right questions, really listening to what she wants and delivering will make her more than happy at the register.

I recently read an aritlce on cnn about a new website, blippy.com. When you register, you link your credit card to the website and it publicly displays (a la facebook status) your purchases (ex. “dudup spent $1.29 at iTunes – Empire State of Mind (Part II)” )……and so?

I don’t get it, worst part is that in the interview with the founder he admitted he wasn’t sure what the point was either-seriously? As a marketer I can see the advantage of being able to track spending, but only if your target registers on the site.

I guess if you really coveted your friends shoes, but did not want to ask her where she got them or how much she paid for them, you could turn to blippy where *hopefully* she purchased them with her credit card.

How many moms do you think are going to visit blippy in the hopes that someone is purchasing milk at three different locations near them so they can price compare?

The strangest part is I can’t stop thinking about blippy….maybe it’s because I’m a closet shopper who would be mortified if anyone could see that every time I visit CVS I easily spend $100. Just curious-who are you blippy users and what do you use it for?

Yesterday’s Wall St. Journal story about Campbells hit me with a big ‘duh’. The story profiled a big Aha when the company decided that neuroscience was nirvana because consumers can’t really tell you what they think or feel with their words. Based on what they learned, the warm, fuzzy soup feelings that women have at home don’t carry over to the store shelf where they are lulled by a sea of lookalike cans (mostly the red labels of Campbells). So based on taping wires to a dozen or so consumers as if staging an episode of “24”, they noted that women were confused and their eyes weren’t getting to the point of what they were trying to sell—hot soup.

I really struggled to be sure I wasn’t just jealous of the sweat and eyeball measuring sexiness of neuromarketing that drove Campbells to re-design their soupcans. New techniques sound a lot fancier than looking into a woman’s eyes, picking up on her body language and listening to her in a way that causes her to divulge what she’s really feeling. Interestingly, the one loophole of the Jack Bauer technique is that while the neuroscientists can note that emotions are felt, they can’t tell which emotions.

Are ya kiddin’ me? Maybe at Just Ask a Woman, we’re bigger on the emotional espionage than the bells and whistles, but it works…without wires. Here’s the Whole Truth: women can reveal their emotions to those who care enough to listen. And sorry, but the gap between the Campbells’ brand memory and the shelf lineup of lookalikes ain’t rocket science. Just ask.