a new president and brownies for breakfast -- what more could anyone ask?

Classes officially started today at the GSB. Thursdays will be B’s busiest days this quarter, so he got to dive right in (to the deep end). Caught the train around 8am and didn’t return home until after 9:30pm.

He has been sharing some of the upcoming cases for his LEAD classes and it made me wonder about these two endeavors I learned of this evening (from my new favorite site, Gapers Block). One got off the ground in 15 days, while the other is supported by a mega-corp. I think they might make interesting cases to see which is most effective, nets more money, changes the world, etc.

The first is called Lowercase Tee. The idea is to lend the toddler to elementary school kid a voice in politics (well, as long as that voice is Democratic, at least). They currently have two designs: “Mommy wants a new President” and “I wouldn’t vote for Bush if I were you”. The photos of the kids modeling the tees are priceless. {Reportedly your kid could get his or her three minutes of fame if you send your favorite photo of your little darling modeling one of their shirts.}

The idea came from Coudal Partners and literally went from napkin to production in 15-days. They expect the selling season to last a month, and offer half-hearted apologies to their Republican readership. One can only venture to guess how successful the “tees of babes” will be, or if the company will be seeing red, white or blue come November.

The second company is called Cereality, and I agree the idea is more than a little surreal. Soonish they will open a store in Chicago (exact location still to be determined – given that they have a location near Wharton, perhaps the GSB/Hyde Park is next). General Mills, Kellogg, and Quaker Oats (also an investor) have backed this idea of create your own bowl (called your cereal your way). They are watching closely to see what new concoction might make its way to a box in a shelf near you.

Of course for some it may be too early in the morning to pick toppings and cereals to combine. Not to worry – the pajama clad Cereologists are happy to assist. Here are just a few of the your cereal our way ideas: "Life Experience" combines Life Cereal with sliced almonds, bananas, and a drizzle of honey; and "Banana Brown Betty" combines Quaker Oatmeal with banana syrup and molasses sugar and is topped with streusel and bananas. The cost is about $3.00 per bowl in case you are curious. Maybe brownies for breakfast will catch on after all?

p.s. I'd suggest flattering the Spielberg of made-up-places to win him over. You'll still never be able to trust him, but you may be able to work with him (which I believe was the objective of the exercise).