Timberlake Treasure Hunt

Following the release date of Justin Timberlake's latest album, The 20/20 Experience, he (along with the help of his team) hid 5 autographed copies of the album in cities across the U.S., hinting at their location via Instagram for a few lucky fans to find. 

Timberlake would dual Instagram and tweet the clues then wait. Once someone found the album, he then interacted with the "winner" by sharing their Instagram reply photos on both his Instagram and Twitter accounts, ending the whole thing with one awesome final tweet. 

This minor marketing ploy is brilliant for multiple reasons, the greatest of which is the fact that it demonstrates a very unique and compelling way for a brand — in this case Timberlake — to connect with its audience. Coupling this fun fan activity with a much-anticipated launch, like Timberlake's first album since 2007, catapulted this promo into the public eye but that doesn't mean something can't be learned...

Do you have a promo coming up that you need to get fans pumped for? Consider the simplicity of an Instagram contest (especially if the behavior of fans is already to take pictures) or "treasure" hunt.

Song Highlight: Suit & Tie

Justin Timberlake is back, y'all! While this isn't "new" news, it's my first song highlight in a while so it has to be JT. This is not my favorite work by the pop "legend," but it is enjoyable — and this lyric video is stunning.

Happy Valentine's Day. ❤

I Just Watched: Bad Teacher

I definitely lost my surprise at the rating of this movie (R) soon after it began. Despite being absolutely hilarious, the flick was a tad dirty at points. Unlike just about every other movie in existence, the protagonist, Elizabeth Halsey, does not quite learn her lesson in life (though she does in love); however, she does cease teaching ... only to become the middle school guidance counselor. As in almost everything he does, Jason Segel (TV's How I Met Your Mother) is the real charmer in this flick, while Bad Teacher's breakout star is Phyllis Smith (TV's The Office) as the indecisive Lynn Davies. To address the hot topic surrounding the movie, former real-life flames Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake manage easy on-screen chemistry while making post-breakup friendship look like a cinch. Bad Teacher may not be the greatest movie of the season, but it was an enjoyable one (and I'm loving the female badasses in this summer's comedy romps).
Best on-screen moment: It's a tie between whenever Miss Halsey (Diaz) gives advice and whenever Miss Davies (Smith) tries to make a decision.