Our marketing department decided that they would like to try their hands at building the Gingerbread houses of their dreams, and the results were quite breathtaking, I must say.

The contest was very competitive, and they had some special rules that allowed for the creativity to flow free. Darrin S, marketing genius, volunteered his garage as a spare parts warehouse, and each gingerbread house had to have a piece of junk used in a creative way. In true Las Vegas fashion, the winning entry was a gingerbread slot-machine, created by Holly and Darrin, with the runner up being a Gingerbread Picasso, from Mig and Christa.

Good job, you marketing geniuses! I was going to get a quote from the winner, but Darrin is actually at home with he and his wife's brand new baby boy! Congrats, Darrin!

At Zappos we have a very unique culture where each team and/or department is responsible for creating their own environment. By environment, we mean our surroundings…our home away from home…the place that we live and breathe Zappos.

While it's unheard of in most companies, at Zappos we tend to think it breathes a little life into what could otherwise be very drab and dreary office walls. Plus, it’s kinda fun!

So, what’s the marketing theme? Hint: Save the Customer, Save the World.

Okay, you’ve got it! Heroes! Here’s a quick introduction to a few of the heroes in the marketing department and what they think their superpowers are:

Fletch, the Investigative Reporter (aka Andy)
Super Shopping Woman (aka Ashley)
Guitar Hero (aka Brian)
Ultimate Multi-Tasker (aka Britni)
Search Sensei (aka Darrin)
Fairy Godmother (aka Holly)
Kristaman, does what the Kristaman can do (aka Krista)
Rapid Reader/ Predicting the Future (aka Libby)
Bionic Woman (aka Linda)
Keeper of Time (aka Michelle)
Donatello’s Voice of Reason (aka Mig)
Mandal Man (aka Ned)
Flying Wonder Woman (aka Rachel)
El Sonador - The Dreamer (aka Robert)
Spreadsheet Surfer (aka Vegas)

If you had to pick what kind of hero you’d be or superpower you’d have, who/what would you be? Comments welcome! Oh and by the way, we're always looking for more heroes to join us in the good fight!

Ever wonder what the story is behind the basset hound that looks at you with those droopy eyes, thanking you for your order on Zappos? Wait no more! World…meet Fletch!

Name: Fletch

Birthday: September 15, 1999

Likes: filet mignon treats and long walks in the park with Ned and Andy

We at Zappos love our furry friends and since his arrival into our lives, Fletch has gained quite a following. So much so that he was one of the guests of honor at the recent 1st Annual Basset Hound Picnic.

Andy, Fletch’s owner, said that he was expectedly very excited for this function. When they received the invitation in the mail, there was a sense that he knew exactly what was in store for him. He’d get to spend some quality time with his old friends from the rescue; Gary - the brown and white droopy eyed senior citizen, Henrietta - the blind 5 year old with a plucky spirit, and Boscoe - the quiet, reserved gentleman.

“Like any reunion, the atmosphere was electric when we got there,” said Andy. “Old friends and new ones approached Fletch and I right away, I could sense fear and anxiety in Fletch.”

Fletch certainly wasn’t used to this sudden bombardment of creatures that looked like him. A few standoffs, and nervous urinations later, Fletch finally relaxed. He began gravitating to his old social circle.

Boscoe and Fletch appeared to pick up where they left off. Telepathically Fletch told Boscoe about how he became this big Internet star and how his life was never the same…constant requests for interviews, award shows and endorsement opportunities. Boscoe, not one to be impressed by this, responded by laying a ‘deuce’ next to Fletch’s feet. Un-phased by this, Fletch went on talking about himself, often referring to himself in the 3rd dog.

Fletch has quite a following and you never know…he might just join the conversation on Twitter! (twitter.com/fletch_thedog)

P.S. Check out more of our Zappos.com Critters!

Team building is a vital part of our company and department culture, especially with the growth and change that we’ve experienced over the past few months. Our teams are encouraged to spend 10-20% of our time outside the office walls, whether it’s for specific team building activities or just hanging out. Developing these personal relationships actually helps our teams become more effective by breaking down the typical office barriers.

Well, what better way to get to know your team members than a little fishing trip out to Lake Las Vegas? Thanks to Miss Britni and Miss Ashley we had the pleasure of learning how to fly fish for the April marketing team outing! Fly fishing in the desert? Yes, it can be done! And boy do we have fishing stories to tell?!

It wasn’t a surprise that our resident superman Darrin wins the prize for the first fish. Ask him how he felt about getting the first one and he says, “Darn, it feels good to be gangsta!” Darrin, who knew?!

Our gal Rachel wins the reward for the biggest fish! Come to find out, she grew up fishing with her dad. Fair? I think not! Her fish may not be a frog, but will it turn into prince charming someday? Only time will tell!

Since it was one of the few times he had been fishing in his life, it didn’t matter to Ned that he didn’t catch a fish. “I almost caught myself…does that count?”

And ever the optimist, Robert’s quote of the day: “It’s not the size of the fish that counts; it’s the size of the fight!”

Andy looked the part of a fisherman but was more interested in feeding and watching the ducks. “I dunno – I think they’re kinda cute!”

Did we accomplish building a stronger team? Did we build upon our personal relationships? I would say so…all in all it was a great day out at the lake. Watch for the May marketing team outing - coming soon!

PUMA PG Saddle shoes at Zappos.com - $94.00
O'Neill Bermuda shorts at Zappos.com - $44.00
Linda Long dancing on the table at Zappos.com gathering - PRICELESS

(A little background: It was a Thursday night. The marketing department and other Zappos friends took over the Roadrunner patio. There was a farewell party for our friend Neill. There were friendships blossoming. There were funny stories being told. It started to get dark. There might have been a full moon? Hmmm...and then it happened...our very own Linda Long up on the table! Linda, we can probably never live up to that moment again but you set the standard high - you go girl!)

You can take the mandals out of the man, but can you take the man out of the mandals? Now that is the question! What are mandals you say? Well, some may call it a fashion atrocity; others may say they are simply, man sandals.

Ah, yes…meet Ned, ladies and gentleman! He's our fearless Affiliate Program Manager, commonly known for his keen fashion sense – polos, shorts at all times of the year, and an extreme love of mandals.

Those who know Ned would probably never believe me when I say that he was recently spotted without mandals at the Shop.org conference in Scottsdale. Ask him and he may deny it, but take a peek for yourself! Proof is in the pudding, my friends! And by the way, Zappos.com has a huge selection of mandals!

"There would be more peace in the world if everyone wore mandals" - Ned Farra

Today we handed out our 2008 Zappos.com Print Ad Creative postcards
to Vegas employees! They are a sampling of some of the visuals being
used in our print ad campaign, which hit the newsstands this week!

All employees received five cards to send anywhere to anyone in the world! (I suggested we send them all to Val Kilmer. I don't really know why. First person that popped in my head.)In true creative service/marketing style, we just wheeled them around the office in a wagon and dove headlong into the seas of madness that are the CLT and Merchandising Floors.

Our Creative Service and Marketing crazies filled the aisles in a very non-disruptive.....well, ok, rather disruptive manner to hand bundles of postcards to the un-suspecting masses. Every employee has been given free reign to do what they want with them...who knows, you may be receiving one yourself!
These cards are a part of the 2008 Zappos.com Print Ad Creative, which is also coming along the same time as our brand spankin' new television commercial that began airing a few weeks ago. It is airing on multiple networks throughout the U.S. T.V.-O-Sphere, maybe you've seen one....if not, and if you're nice, I'll post it right below. I'm considering it......I'm considering it.....alright, you won me over. But barely. : )
It's a great new direction for us and we are very excited about it!
Anyway, back to filling out postcards, I'm sending one to my favorite
New Kid on the Block! (I won't say who)

These lovely ladies don't know how proud they should be of their style, they wished to remain anonymous. I have trouble with that, I mean really, if you are so fashionable to know that Argyle is the new _______ you should embrace with open arms (and eyes). They chose to wear the black bar across their eyes so the fashion police (the good ones, the ones who recognize good fashion) don't stalk them continuously for fashion advice! As a strong promoter of Argyle I have some advice for these ladies... wear more Argyle!

Thanks, I'll be here all week. PS, we love Argyle!