Wow, the 7 year relationship between Crispin and Burger King officially ended today. From the joint press release:

Burger King Corp. and Crispin Porter & Bogusky have enjoyed a tremendously successful relationship over the past seven and a half years. During that time, our creative partnership resulted in countless innovative and engaging campaigns for the BK brand. We are incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished together, but have mutually decided that now is the right time to part ways. We are fans of each other’s work and wish each other much success in the future.

Burger King’s media spend was $300mm last year. What does the end of this highly visible and lusted after relationship mean? Which shops are chomping at the bit to pitch this account? Which ones are on their radar? Stay tuned!

Bloomberg Businessweek is reporting that Groupon’s editor-in-chief, Aaron With, is standing by his decision to greenlight “marketing campaigns based on ‘subversive’ ideas to add users and reach new markets.” That’s a bit like Russ Meyers saying he was trying to reach wider female audiences with his work. Nobody is buying that thinking and he’s in dire need of a wake up call or a sacking.

I’m no marketing wizard, but Groupon sells coupons, right? There are a bunch of baby boomers who used to clip coupons back in the day, and are just now signing up for this thing called the internet. Perhaps they’re your biggest growth target and could be reached through messaging that is more tailored to their way of thinking. Namely, they buy and sell based on product characteristics and features. My mother literally writes down notes when she sees a commercial for a product that appeals to her.

Groupon’s average user is young, educated,  single, female, employed and affluent. Do you really need edgy, possibly offensive messaging to expand this demographic or reach the 50-70 year old females flocking to the internet? You’re not gonna get my mother to take notes with unless you do a 180, Aaron.

I really can’t think of a reason not to post Russ Meyer’s Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!