Brian Laesch .com

A few weeks ago, before my three week “tour” of Washington D.C., Indianapolis and Chicago, I received some “Double Dry” sweat-wicking athletic gear courtesy of Champion via NYC-based PR agency Weber-Shandwick. Having grown up wearing Champion (usually shorts and socks during YMCA basketball leagues), I graciously accepted the opportunity to blog about their new “Double Dry” products.

I received three items: a t-shirt, a sleeveless shirt and a pair of shorts (which I’m actually wearing as I write this). I had good reason to use these items. I spent about two weeks last month “training” hard for Hoop It Up Chicago which I played in this past weekend for the second consecutive year. The tournament features a team with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. I’m not sure if the tournament pays him to play, but it’s always well publicized that he will be there, and his team wins every year. Is this another scandal? A product of the Chicago political machine? I hope not, because…

But I digress…

I used the t-shirt and shorts for running/basic weight training and the sleeveless shirt for some outdoor pickup basketball. I was also going to wear the sleeveless shirt for the first day of the tournament, but that first day was rained out. So I wore it to FFC gym in Chicago where our team played about 6 games of 21. I won three of them, which I’m obviously blatantly bragging about on my blog. My friend, Kyle, told everybody in our group that it was because I don’t play any defense. I don’t agree with this sentiment. I believe that it’s a convenient excuse and that I played my share of defense. It’s not my fault that I made more shots and free throws than anyone else. Although, it would be interesting to see a breakdown of the number of possessions per player. This statistic could potentially change my mind. But I digress, again…

Here are the items:

The start of my "playoff beard" for Hoop It Up

So these are the items. And here’s my take on each…

The blue t-shirt was great for weight-lifting and running. It fit well, but loose.

The gray sleeveless shirt was actually perfect for basketball, although, I sweat a lot and it was drenched by the end of those six games  of 21. Unfortunately, I was not comfortable in that shirt at the end of the games. I had to remove it because I was drenched (however, I’m probably an extreme case). During the game, however, it was great and light. I couldn’t tell I was drenched until the games were over. (Did I mention I was drenched?) My point is, I did not stay dry, but I was more comfortable than I would have been in a regular cotton shirt.

The navy blue shorts were awesome for running on the treadmill. I also played a little bit of basketball in them as well. They were lightweight and comfortable. I can definitely recommend them for running.

It’s as simple as that for me. If you want comfort, you will enjoy these products. I wish I could go into a more in-depth discussion about the materials and fibers that this athletic gear is composed of, but you would probably be better served reading that information elsewhere. When I assess athletic wear I only consider the following criteria:

1. comfort
2. fit
3. drenchability (a word I just made up to sound like those silly Bud Light commercials that use “drinkability”)

These items passed all three tests, except for the sleeveless shirt reminding me immediately after playing six games of 21 that it was drenched.

On an overall scale of 1 to 10, I give these items, collectively, an 8.5. I can definitely recommend them.

Brian Laesch is an independent blogger who works out.

If you are the entrepreneurial- or creative-type, you love Richard Branson. Heck, you probably love him regardless of who you are–especially if you’ve ever flown Virgin Air. But one thing is for sure: Richard Branson is never light on inspiration. It seems like everything he does is cool. Case in point? The new “flying submarine” named “Necker Nymph” he recently released (photo courtesy of CNN):

Awesome? I guess that’s up for debate, but I’d say so. Excessive? Absolutely. Branson? Vintage.

This is the kind of thing you expect Richard Branson to do, but who will be able to afford it? In this economy, not many:

For those wealthy enough to indulge, the experience aboard the submarine, which is nimble enough to perform “dolphin-like flips,” will be like “flying underwater,” said Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition division.

But even for those with deep enough pockets, it doesn’t come cheap: $25,000 for a week’s charter and another $88,000 for the sub’s superyacht launch vessel, “Necker Belle.”

The $631,000 flying sub, the first of its kind, uses fighter jet technology and was designed by Hawkes Ocean Technologies. It is transparent enough to allow divers a 360-degree view of marine life and Virgin is marketing it as a way to view dolphins and whales close up.

Still, even if you are struggling and looking for a job, this has to inspire you. And if not, buck up, kiddo, and look up Eleventh Hour (in the Los Angeles area). There will be brighter days. Branson has mild dyslexia and was a poor student. Sure, he came from a prominent British family. But it’s not where you start. It’s where you finish.

Brian Laesch is an independent blogger who has worked with Eleventh Hour and can more than vouch for their services and friendly staff.

This blog written for

Uh…words add nothing to this image, but here are a few… I would just like to thank the major NYC PR agency that sent me this early release. (That’s fun to say.)

Here you go. Drink more SoBe Lifewater Zero.

By the way, do you want to win a 3 month supply of Sobe? The first person to leave a comment on this blog answering the following question (with correct email address) wins:

In which city did I watch last year’s Super Bowl? (Hint: This can easily be found by searching my site in the upper righthand corner.)

Or, here’s a coupon for buy one 20oz SoBe Lifewater, get one free.

I thought I’d kick off the Super Bowl advertising spirit a few hours early. Enjoy the big game. Go Colts. (Sorry, city of New Orleans.)

Brian Laesch is simply a blogger who enjoys photos of Ashley Greene in a skinsuit, SoBe products, and major NYC PR firms.

The Superficial beat me to the punch…I mean, to the Sobe lifewater (hey-oh). Oh well. That’s to be expected when a massive viral media blitz featuring new Sobe lifewater flavors and hot pictures of Ashley Greene from Twilight (I’m told) in a body paint bikini hits the Internet. I could have had my “exclusive” pictures of Ashley Greene from a Sports Illustrated photo shoot up on Wednesday January 6th. (Except, they would not have been exclusive, and I didn’t receive as many photos as The Superficial did.) Instead, I opted to wait for the free samples of Sobe lifewater’s new flavors, Cherimoya Punch and Strawberry Dragonfruit, to be FedExed from NYC. I stand by my decision…regardless of any missed spike in traffic. And judging by the pictures I received, compared to the ones The Superficial has, I’m guessing it would not have been much. Even I would advise you to check out The Superficial’s pics over the ones I’ve posted.

Excuse me…I need to do something for the search engines: Ashley Greene nude. Nude Ashley Greene. Ashley Green in a painted-on bikini. Hot Ashley Greene photos. Ashley Green nude photos.

OK, I’m back. That should do the trick.

That being said, when a major, reputable PR agency in NYC considers your blog for a promotion, it’s a cool thing. And I’m happy to review these two new SoBe Lifewater flavors. (Did I mention they are called “Cherimoya Punch” and “Strawberry Dragonfruit” and each have zero calories? I know! It is cool. Or should I say “c00l”?… No? OK.)

Thoughts on Cherimoya Punch:

Ashley Greene nude with painted-on swimsuit

From the get-go, I could taste the “Sobeyness” of this flavor. I’m not too picky when it comes to vitamin enhanced water beverages (full disclosure: I contribute to the respective market shares of most vitamin enhanced water beverages), but I definitely enjoyed this lean machine flavor. And since I pride myself on being in good shape at the moment (since I’m underemployed and have the time), and as much as I joke around, I like the fact that is has zero calories. I like it a lot.

If I was Gary Vee, which I most certainly am not (my palate detects two types of wine: “cheap” and “expensive”), I’d say Cherimoya Punch hits you with a faint cotton candy scent, teasing you, until you drink it and discover a different, cool, refreshing, better-tasting Lemon Chill-type flavor–with a hint of Bomb Pops you used to buy from the neighborhood ice cream man.

I also tasted a hint of New Zealand prairie grass. (Not really, but I felt the need to add something that sounds distinguished.)

Thoughts on Strawberry Dragonfruit:

I reviewed “the white.” Now it was time to review “the red.” While Strawberry Dragonfruit didn’t remind me of anything new, it did provide that wonderful Sobe flavor that I’ve come to expect from a lean machine beverage, ever since I drank the fountain version of Sobe’s Cranberry-Grapefruit Lean three times a week while working at New Line Cinema and eating lunch at Quizno’s. (The New Line Cinema reference was an unnecessary brag. My bad.) Between that, and handing out free Sobe bottles at radio promotional events for the former Zone 101.5 in Phoenix in college, I’m a regular Sobe connoisseur. (Again, I was looking at my resume today. I apologize.)

If I was Gary Vee, again, I would say, unlike Cherimoya Punch, which surprises you, Strawberry Dragonfruit picks up steam as you chug, developing it’s taste and pleasing your palate with a very definite strawberry taste, followed by a hint of the tasty part of cough syrup (with no aftertaste), followed by realized excitement about draining your lizard later that day. I also detected a hint of peppermint bark and those old style wax candy root beer bottles. (Again, not really, but I had to amp up this critique.)

Bottom line: If you liked SoBe before–especially lifewater–you will like these new flavors. In my opinion, the zero calories do not take away from the taste. And since I usually drink these after working out anyway, the taste is not my primary concern. It should not be yours either. And if it is…you have weird goals for consuming vitamin enhanced water beverages, my friend. And this is not at all to say that these flavors don’t taste great. They do for me.

And check out what they did to me after I drank them…

"The Less of a Situation"

Yup. Before I drank these bottles of Sobe lifewater lean machine, Cherimoya Punch and Strawberry Dragonfruit, I wasn’t wearing a shirt. Afterward, I was jacked, and this t-shirt and a pair of Seven jeans were painted on my body. Unbelievable. Drink more SoBe…

Related: Full press release here.

Brian Laesch is an independent blogger/reviewer of new products that fit his demographic. Don’t worry, IRS, you do not need to come after him.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Bud Light plans on selling team-colored cans near college campuses this fall (e.g. the LSU purple-and-gold can taken from WSJ.com and posted at right, gratis).

This may just be the best beer marketing idea I’ve ever heard. I know if Bud Light is selling maroon & gold cans anywhere near the Arizona State campus, I’m buying. (Sorry UCLA & USC fans–except not really.) If this isn’t the best beer marketing idea, it’s definitely the best college football beer marketing idea, ever.

However, some schools are not too happy and are calling for sales to be stopped. I guess I understand the argument, but I really think these schools need to lighten up. (Get it? Lighten up? Hey-oh!)

According to WSJ.com:

At least 25 schools have formally asked Anheuser-Busch to drop the campaign near their campuses, Mr. Siegal says. In recent letters, the University of Michigan’s lawyers threatened legal action for alleged trademark infringement, demanding that Anheuser-Busch not sell the “maize and blue” cans in the “entire state.” The University of Colorado, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University and Boston College have also told the company to stop distribution near their campuses, citing trademark issues and concern about student alcohol use.

Some of these schools believe that the cans will somehow give the impression that the universities support drinking. Let’s be honest, whether or not these cans come out, there will be underage drinkers on college campuses. Colorful cans probably won’t have a significant impact on how much alcohol is purchased and consumed, only on which brand is purchased and consumed. I completely understand that underage drinking creates problems, and that alcohol-related deaths on college campuses are no joke. But colorful cans aren’t the problem, and I don’t see how stopping them changes anything. Plus, whose to say that these schools “own” these colors. It’s not like school logos are being placed on the cans.

Maybe these schools believe that since Bud Light is newly-owned by InBev, a Belgium company, it will take business away from stateside beer companies and hurt the United States economy, but I doubt it. And besides, it will help the city of St. Louis. I like the city of St. Louis. So let us of-age drinkers enjoy a good thing, responsibly.

Congratulations, InBev. I like it. Here’s my money.

Brian Laesch is a tenured blogger at BrianLaesch.com.

When Microsoft recently launched their new search engine, Bing (or at least, the marketing campaign), my first reaction was, “what’s the point?”  Then, I slowly started to get excited about the possibility of Billy Gates and the original bad boys of computer technology making a comeback and changing the face of the internet as we know it…

But unfortunately, I’m joining the naysayers who immediately wrote off Bing as just a new version of Windows Live (which it pretty much seems to be).  And here is why:

(To make myself and this blog feel more important, let’s call this a “case study.”)

As some of you out there know, I’m the Social Media Manager for a great free daily email newsletter based out of Los Angeles called The Rundown.  Basically, I run the viral marketing campaigns for the site and consult on social media strategy.  We use Google a lot (mainly AdWords), and I was hoping that Bing would bring us traffic as well.  The part of me that was previously excited about this possibility decided to check out Bing and the search results for The Rundown (not as part of my work, just as a personal experiment).  Unfortunately, I was even more disappointed than I thought would be possible…

Test #1:

I searched for the term “the rundown” on Google.  The Rundown (http://www.rundown.com) was listed fourth in the results.  Not bad, considering sites related to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s masterpiece, “The Rundown,” took up the top three spots.

Then, I went to Bing and searched for “the rundown.”  This is when my frustration began.  I went through 10 pages of results and The Rundown were nowhere to be found.  Yet our Facebook application showed up on Page 8 and our Facebook fan page showed up on Page 9.

Test #2:

I searched Bing for “rundown.com.”  Nothing.

I searched Google for “rundown.com.”  We were the number one result.

Great for Google.  Very bad for Bing.

Test #3:

I searched Bing for “the rundown newsletter los angeles.”  Nothing.

Test #4:

I searched Bing for “the rundown newsletter los angeles rundown.com.”

To quote the African-American gentlemen combing the desert in Spaceballs with a giant afro pick, “We ain’t found shit.”

Conclusion:

It was beyond frustrating.  Keep in mind that The Rundown has been around for well over a year, and recently surpassed 50,000 subscribers in the Los Angeles area.  It should be showing up in the results.  Especially when other rundown-related domains like run-down.com and therundown.tv are showing up.

I did find a “Bing URL Submission” form on Bing, to which I submitted The Rundown, but that was two days ago and I’m still waiting for the site to show up in the top-10 pages of results (or at all).

So it looks like we at The Rundown have no new angle with Bing.  And I can no longer support or promote Bing until it proves me otherwise.

I was hoping Michael Jordan would make a comeback.  Instead: Bing < Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards

There wasn’t even a two-handed block against the backboard for me to get excited about.  Weak.

Brian Laesch approves the results of this “case study” for BrianLaesch.com.

RELATED: Bing vs. Google

After I hung out with the two hot babes all day, and forgot to take pictures of it, I woke up the next day and decided to try each can of Mountain Dew Throwback and Pepsi Throwback:

First, I drank the Mountain Dew Throwback, with an American flag backdrop, figuring it the only way a true patriot would do it:

Then, I drank the Pepsi Throwback, and was really confused by how good the natural sugar rush tasted:

And, after enjoying both cans of vintage/retro/old school cola in new packaging, and telling all 574 people I know on Facebook about it, my doorbell rang.  It was the two hot babes, again.  Only this time, they had a briefcase full of money from Pepsi.  It contained $500,000.  It was for me.  They gave it to me.  I’m rich now.

I forgot to take a picture of this last step, again.

Oh yeah, and that last step didn’t really happen.  Forgot about that.

Here is a portion of the official Press Release.  Seriously, people, just Refresh Everything.

PEPSI REFRESHES SOFT DRINK PORTFOLIO WITH THREE INNOVATIONS

Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback Bring Tast of ’60s and ’70s Back For a Limited Time Nationwide

PURCHASE, N.Y. – April 20, 2009 – As part of the company’s “Refresh Everything” Campaign, Pepsi is reinvigorating its beverage lineup with the introduction of three new products. Pepsi Natural, Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback, all sweetened with natural sugar, will be hitting the beverage aisle this April.

Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback

Pepsi and Mountain Dew are offering consumers a tasted of the past with their own version of Throwback, two new limited time only products inspired by the ’60s and ’70s, sweetened with natural sugar in a retro-look package.  For some, it will be a trip down memory lane, but for those too young to remember, it will be a chance experience a new twist on their favorite brands.  Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback will be available nationally for eight weeks only, beginning April 20.

Brian Laesch endorses Pepi-Cola Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback.  Mostly because he endorses regular Pepsi and regular Mountain Dew, but also because the  natural sugar really does taste good.

At 4:15 p.m. EST, today, after random downpour of tiny hail in Indianapolis, I found a package from FedEx on my front porch. (FedEx, if you would like to sponsor my blog since I’m confirming that your drivers deliver in a hailstorm, I’m cool with it.)  I had no idea what it was, so I opened it:

Then, I took it out of the box:

Then, I opened it:

Then, I took the cans of Pepsi-Cola Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback out of the confetti and placed them on my counter:

Then, I put the two cans in the fridge:

Then, for some reason, I felt like saying, “Refresh Everything.”  So I did.  Next thing I knew, two hot babes showed up at my door and we all hung out the rest of the day. (I forgot to take a picture of this step.)

To be continued…

Brian Laesch received a lunchbox from Pepsi today.

Ever played Afro Samurai–a game that comes out January 27, 2009–on XBox 360 in a conference room at the Mondrian Hotel, overlooking the Sunset Strip in Hollywood?

No?

In your face!

Because I just did.

Sorry for dunking on you so early in the blog, but I just got back from a cool event put on by video game developer, Namco Bandai, to start some early buzz for a few of their unreleased games.

I took my brother because he’s more of a gamer than me.  Basically, I just own an XBox 360, and play Madden 2006 and NBA Live 2006 when I don’t feel like working.  I have a few other games…but that’s pretty much the extent of me as a “gamer.”

That being said, I really do like video games.  It’s just that I’m not the type who can sit down and play for hours.  To paraphrase Lil Wayne (for no reason), “I ain’t got time.”

But, I do “got time” to tell you that my favorite game there, that I played, was Afro Samurai–a game voiced by Samuel L. Jackson (also featuring The RZA) and based on the Spike cartoon of the same name, also voiced by Samuel L. Jackson.

The game looks just like the cartoon, and my brother confirmed with the Namco representative that this was because of something called “cel-shading.”  I looked it up on Wikipedia.  I’m not sure why they have to be all pretentious and spell it with only one L, but the effect looks really cool.  Make that, “coo.”

This game is awesome.  You go around as a Black Samurai with an afro, fighting people with samurai swords, while a cigarette hangs out of your mouth.  That may sound a little bit cliche (How?  I’m not sure…but it does.  Oh yeah, Wu-Tang.), but it still makes for an entertaining game, and I’m excited to check out the Season 1 DVD of the actual show that I received as well.

There is a very good chance I will buy this game when it comes out.  And not just because of this free event.  Well…maybe a little bit because of this free event, but mostly because it’s a lot of fun.  It’s very violent and graphic…but it’s a cartoon, which makes it one level of offensiveness below the black-and-white, Crazy 88′s scene in Kill Bill.  (I wasn’t offended.  I’m talking general population levels of offensiveness.)

It comes out January 27th.  It’s still in development, but the version I played looks great.

There were a few other upcoming releases at the event:

• We Cheer for Wii
• Narutu
• Active Life Outdoor Challenge
• National Geographic Panda (an educational game for Nintendo DS)

(My apologies to Namco Bandai if I missed any, or butchered titles.)

The only other game I played was We Cheer for the Nintendo Wii.  I ain’t scared.  I’ll even admit that the game was pretty fun.  But every game on the Wii is fun.  So don’t start assuming that I played with Barbies as a kid or something.  You want to fight?  I’ll punch you in the face! (I have to throw stuff like this in, to balance out the fact that I played We Cheer, and don’t have a girlfriend.)

All in all, It was a successful event at the Mondrian.  Props to LAImposter for hosting it.

I also want to link to some fellow bloggers I met there: iJustine and i need to stop soon.

Low quality screenshot via iPhone

Brian Laesch is now a professional video game reviewer who works for one Heinken, a glass bottle of Coke, free food and free video games.  He never complains when he gets this stuff for blogging.

I just got back from a special event at Pinkberry‘s original location in West Hollywood, hosted by Tara Settembre.  LA bloggers were invited to come get some free Pinkberry and try their newest product, Granita.  What is Granita?  Let me quote the beginning of the press release.  Otherwise, I’ll just say, “Der…it was good,” and then start talking about some of the ladies I met at the event, or about the Chicago Bears win over the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night.

PINKBERRY LAUNCHES DELICIOUS NEW ITALIAN-INSPIRED TREAT

The Tart and Tangy Granita Gives Pinkberry Fans A New Way To Get Their Pinkberry Fix On-The-Go

LOS ANGELES, September 12, 2008–Pinkberry has once again reinvented how people enjoy frozen yogurt with the launch of its news liquie frozen treat, Granita.  Perfect for the Pinkberry pro on the go, Granita is a mouth-watering new drink with a refreshing icy texture and the signature Pinkberry tang.  Granita is served in a convenient cup and is perfect for a midday pick-me-up, a trip back to the office or an after-dinner treat.

Sounds good, right?  It definitely was.  Very convenient option for somebody “on-the-go” who doesn’t have time to sit down and enjoy a traditional Pinkberry.  See?  I really don’t have much else to say besides, “Der…it was good.”  But then again, that’s all anybody ever says about Pinkberry.  And that’s all anybody needs to say.  The product speaks for itself.

I wish I was Gary Vaynerchuk from WineLibrary TV.  I wish I was a first-generation American, born to Russian immigrants; and grew up in my parent’s liquor store, developing my palate…but I didn’t.  I’m a dude from Illinois who likes basketball.  However, I do know how to eat something, then decide if it’s good or not.  I ate this.  It was good.  Case closed.

Actually, I will say that the Granita definitely has the “signature Pinkberry tang.”  At first, I thought there may be a bit of an aftertaste, but that wasn’t the case.  Just like the original, it gives you enough of that tang to keep you coming back.  Just like a woman trying to keep you in a relationship.  (Pinkberry should contact Conan O’Brien about putting those last two lines in one of Late Nite’s Actual Items segments.  Viral marketing, man.)

At this point, you are probably wondering why “hot babes” is in the title of this blog.

No reason.

I basically just think adding “hot babes” to anything helps.  Although, it turns out a lot of bloggers, Pinkberry fans and Pinkberry Marketing and PR people are female, so take from that what you will.

Granita will be available initially at Pinkberry locations in California (Americana in Glendale; West Hollywood and Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles; Fashion Island in Newport Beach; and Gaslamp District and Hillcrest in San Diego.)

You should definitely go check it out.  And if you are a hot babe, I got a $5 Pinkberry gift card at the event tonight.  Holla.

Me with Co-Founder of Pinkberry, Shelly Hwang

Other pictures from the event on Hollywood The Write Way.

Brian Laesch is so awesome at blogging that it’s getting ridiculous.