Flogos, payment on the honor system, and corporate power ballads

Have you seen the billboard for moonvertising on the Mass Pike near Fenway Park?  While advertising on the moon has been outed as a hoax by a beer company, and the FAA has declared a ban on it, other types of sky advertising are here to stay (think blimps, cloud-writers, and spotlights).  So what’s the next big thing for this method of advertising?  Well, familiarize yourself with Flogos, the environmentally friendly way to get your brand in the sky.  Disney World has already signed on, so if you’ll be visiting next month you’ll see Mickey floating above your head as a soapy mass.

Speaking of trends in business, how does doing away with your cashiers in retail strike you?  Some companies are moving forward with payment on the honor system, as seen here.  Interesting idea–can it be extended beyond small businesses?  Many companies already have the self check-out but I can’t remember the last time I’ve used one and not experienced troubles, or seen others struggling with it.  And I know there’s times I’d rather not deal with the bored-looking cashiers at many retail stores, so this may have its appeal for the right company.

Last, but certainly not least, what’s the deal with corporations using pop songs to tout their company?  I’m not talking about using a song in an advertisement, I’m talking about a company changing the lyrics so they’re singing about their company–like this one from Bank of America.  Read more about this odd form of corporate communication here.  What do you think–good for morale or just a pie in the face when a video is leaked on the internet?