LEGO my windmill

In today's cluttered media universe, when everything is a potential advertisement, it's harder and harder for companies to break through the clutter.

As a former co-worker used to say, the first job of marketing is to stop someone and get them to pay attention. But that's just the price of admission. Really good advertising gets your target audience to not only stop whatever else they were doing, but to also interact with your marketing. The very best leaves people begging for it.

On the first two of those counts, I don't know that you could do much better than this piece of marketing from Vestas. It immediately caught my attention and I don't think it's only because I'm a card carrying Gen Xer who grew up with LEGOs (although it certainly didn't hurt).

But it's not just a "one-off." According to a release on their web site, they're taking their LEGO displays on a tour of the largest airports in the world to: promote understanding of wind energy in a fun and educational way. They're also a sponsor of the First LEGO League, where mentors help students solve real-world engineering challenges, develop important life skills, and learn to make positive contributions to society.

Okay, you say. It's good, but consumers begging? For a piece of marketing? That's what I call this. Do customers beg for your green communications?

Hat tip to Maria Energia.