Advertising Age is reporting that Google is placing its first-ever television ad. The commercial, which is already posted on YouTube, is part of a multi-platform campaign to push Google’s new web browser Chrome and will air on Echostar’s Dish Network and several NBC Universal cable channels, including CNBC. Google is a minor player in the internet browser market, behind biggies like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Mozilla’s Firefox, and even Apple’s Safari, but the company is betting that a mix of traditional marketing like TV ads combined with their strategic online presence will pay off. Other industries are being forced to think outside the box these days too. The publishing industry has changed quite a bit in recent years, with books being rush-released to keep up with consumers’ technology-fueled demand. Self-publishing is becoming more and more popular, and even the marketing departments of traditional publishing houses are trying to find new ways to reach prospective readers as budgets get slashed and attention is being pulled to newer mediums. Some publishers and authors are using a more grass-roots approach, using social media like Twitter to get fans to help promote and generate buzz about new releases. Finding new ways to reach potential customers is key to growing your business, brand or product. Try something new and explore unique marketing opportunities and previously untapped resources. After all, necessity is the mother of invention…and reinvention.