Some lucky metropolitan diners will receive a complimentary bottle of "Rome" branded cabernet with their meals next week.  Although the ad community is wondering  why the savvy cable channel selected a on-Italian beverage. Still its a super idea. Comments Andrew Hampp in this week’s Ad Age:

"HBO will offer complimentary bottles of "Rome" cabernet sauvignon at
more than 100 eateries in the three cities to promote the second-season
launch of its sex-blood-and-togas series, debuting Jan. 14. But rather
than have restaurant servers introduce the product by saying "And our
house wine tonight is brought to you by HBO," consumers will be
presented with a polite card at their tables: "A taste of ‘Rome’ awaits
you. Ask server for details."

The appetizing promo was the brainchild of Lime Public
Relations & Promotions, which paired with HBO to promote season two
of "Entourage." Lime President Claudia Strauss said wine was a perfect
way to plug the show contextually while still being creative. "The show
is all about indulgence, and we just felt this was a great way to bring
to life one of the key aspects of the story line."

MortarBlog watchers will be interested to learn that HBO’s agency, Lime, was the force behind Old Navy’s Mascot search (one of MortarBlog’s top 5 promotions in 2006).

Full story here.

This commercial was produced for Kodak’s internal use. But it has become so popular, especially with employees, the company released it so the rest of us can appreciate their anticipated resurgence. God, I love it when companies are honest. Forthright. And funny.  Especially when the spokesperson pans Kodak’s attempt to save film with Advantix. (I know, I barely remember it too). Seen on YouTube.

We launched our much-anticipated Mortar 360 brand quiz today.

Click through to test your brand management prowess against the Web’s most advanced (and we might say pithy) brand analysis tool.

Following similar efforts by Maxim, Micheal Castleon reports that the KFC logo is one of the first to be seen from space. One can imagine the intersellar reaction….

KANG: "Soon, Kodos! Soon, the inhabitants of this pathetic little planet will bow before us! Mwahahahaha!"

KODOS: "Yes, Kang. Your plan has worked out brilliantly. They puny humans will never…hey! What’s that!"

KANG: "It appears to be…a face! I think the humans are trying to send us a message!"

KODOS: "Perhaps they are more advanced then we thought. Obviously, this is their leader. An older, Southern gentleman, wearing a quaint string tie."

KANG: "And what’s all this about a "secret recipe?" I don’t like it. I don’t like this at all. I fear a trap."

KODOS: "As do I! And yet…I’m exhibiting a strange craving for Boneless Honey-Barbecue Colonel’s Strips."

KANG: "I too, feel this craving. We must be strong, Kodos! I totally just joined a gym!"

KODOS: "But, you’re not fat!"

KANG: "You’re just saying that. Much like our home planet of Rigel-7, I have my own twin moons. Oh, and obliterate the humans."

KODOS: "As you wish."

Read Michael Castellon’s full story.