I have been watching a couple of new advertising initiatives that have really worked on me, and I am only talking about them to encourage more of the same from companies in the future (because I have that kind of power, you know?) and not because I necessarily have an opinion on the brand either way. Other [insert product here] are available.

Firstly, I’ve been reading Mighty Girl for a long time now. I’ve followed Maggie through plenty of adventures and didn’t really think much of it as she created a list of 100 things she wanted to do before she died. It sounds kinda morbid but is actually quite inspiring really.

It got more inspiring when Intel sponsored Maggie to do some of the things on her list. She tells the story in more detail here, and has since learnt to tap dance, swam with plankton and redesigned her website. What’s next, I wonder?

The other great marketing initiative I have spotted recently is courtesy of Ford. They recently set up the Fiesta Movement, with the idea being:

In the ultimate foreign exchange program, our 100 agents are spending six months behind the wheel of their own Fiesta, sharing their experiences, and completing monthly missions to show you what experiencing the Ford Fiesta is all about, way in advance of the U.S. launch in 2010.

My favourite video-blogger Brigitte Dale is one of the agents, and her latest video for the mission is amazing. I highly recommend watching it for Brigitte’s excellent video skills, but also to appreciate what Ford are doing.

These are both fabulous ways to raise brand awareness, to get people talking about what you’re doing, and encouraging internet creativity at the same time. Double thumbs up from me.