Archive for Medium
Beer Institute Seeks to Ensure Ethical Alcohol Advertising
Posted by: | CommentsThe Better Business Bureau, the organization that presides over the Beer Institute, recently ruled that the Coors Light Bus Boy ad unintentionally violated the Beer Institute’s Advertising and Marketing Code. According to the code, “Beer advertising and marketing materials should not portray or imply illegal activity of any kind.” In the ad, there is a male that is constantly picking up Coors Light beers in a bar setting. After a while, a waitress notes that the “new bus boy” is doing a great job of cleaning off beers on the tables, to which the boss responds “I didn’t hire a bus boy”. While the underlying or intended meaning of the ad is that Coors Light is so good that people will go to crazy resorts to get it, an additional meaning that Coors Light is worth stealing is the reason for the criticism towards the ad.
While I wouldn’t have really taken such a literal meaning from the ad, I believe the rationale of the Beer Institute is understandable. While Coors itself doesn’t really believe that they have done wrong, they have agreed to stop running the ad as a result of the Better Business Bureau’s ruling. Alcohol advertising is a part of the overall institute of advertising that gets a lot of criticism for unethical advertising. I commend the Beer Institute for creating a non-legal but authoritative ethical standard in an attempt to change this reputation. If we as advertisers continue to create standards for ourselves and regulate ourselves, I believe we will be able to eventually gain credibility and positively impact people’s attitudes towards advertising while performing our business related roles.
I also believe that as advertisers we must look at our ads from several perspectives before we publish the work. While Coors intended to sell their product using a humorous story, there are ways to use humor without portraying or romanticizing illegal activities. If we could really scrutinize our work from an ethical point of view, we could avoid wasting time and money airing ads that won’t be approved our self-regulating structures. By taking time at the forefront to view the ethical impact of our advertising messages, I believe we can avoid a lot of time wasted and financial loss in the future.
Miracle on 34th Street
Posted by: | CommentsWalk into any major department store or any retailer for that matter, a consumer will know that the holiday season is approaching, specifically Christmas. There might be a small section dedicated to those who are still intending on celebrating Thanksgiving, but all in all, Christmas music, trees, lights, ribbons, garlands, and snowmen abound in many stores.
Macy’s is one such retailer that has been specifically tied to the holiday season through its long-standing name in the retail business, movies (namely Miracle on 34th Street), and the classic Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. To reflect their years of bringing the holiday spirit, two years ago, Macy’s Department store advertised their brand through nostalgic marketing. Footage in the commercial showed clips from the late 1800s, the parade, movies that have used their name, and reality TV shows. The end of the commercial states, “Only one store has been part of your life for 150 years. That’s the Magic of Macy’s. This commercial works so well, because Macy’s has successfully branded their name by allowing people to remember a particular association with the store. It even allows for consumers to reinterpret their own memories of when they first saw or heard the original referenced clips. Even if a consumer was not there to walk into Macy’s in the late 1800s, they may remember a memory of watching the parade or watching a holiday classic such as Miracle on 34th street. This ad does appeal to consumers who have high MAO, because it allows the consumer to create a persona and image of what this brand represents and has done over the past 150 years. It allows the viewer to be part of the experience and to create a prototype of the Macy’s brand.
In terms of social responsibility, especially around the holiday seasons, in the past few years, Macy’s created a campaign called “Believe” and paired their name with Make-A-Wish. In every Macy’s department store, there was a mail box for Santa, and for each letter that was mailed, one dollar was given to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Essentially, the company would give up to $,1,000,000 to the foundation. There were a couple of commercials that were produced borrowing from the story, Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus.
2009
2010
The campaign was effective, because it reached the $1 million goal of giving to Make-A-Wish. This campaign not only captures a positive aspect of the season through giving, especially if child knows that by mailing their letter to Santa through Macy’s mailbox, they are helping other children, but it also gives a positive message to believing. The store is also promoting the idea that it is okay to believe and to be a kid.
Macy’s department store is placed in a positive light because it looks like a store that believes in the spirit of the season, even if they (the department store) are in the business of making money. The “Believe” campaign is currently underway and can be followed through the Macy’s Believe website.
It will be interesting to see how other companies will compete and roll out good tidings to all in this holiday season.
Car Companies Addressing Socially Responsible Driving-Related Issues
Posted by: | CommentsDriving is a privilege and a responsibility. While driving is convenient in getting us from point A to B, society also entrusts the driver with the faith that they won’t harm themselves or others with their activity. I found it interesting that two different car companies, Ford and Kia, ran print ad campaigns this fall to address issues concerning responsible driving. Kia partnered with MADD in an campaign to discourage drinking and driving while Ford’s campaign focuses on the epidemic of social networking and phone use while driving.
In the Kia ad, created by Innocean Worldwide in Canada, attention is gained by the surprise element. We all know the typical, don’t drink and drive message, but it is presented in a novel and unexpected way by displaying them as tattoos on the person’s body. Furthermore, they use tattoos to drive home the fact that the consequences of drinking and driving are permanent. I also found it interesting that they used both genders in the ad campaign as well as different ages. Since drunk driving is something that happens with both genders and across different ages, I believe it was important to represent that. Also, I believe this ad gains attention by being easy to process. Once you read the inscription on the tattoos, it is easy to “get” the message that the ad is trying to tell us. Using the dark background, the objects you are supposed to focus on are clear and the understanding you are supposed to gain from it are concrete. While this message is one you typically expect from MADD, it is not a message you would expect from Kia. I believe by cosigning to this ad, they hope to transfer positive feelings about MADD and their cause towards Kia through brand partnership. For those who believe in purchasing from “socially responsible” businesses, this type of advertising activity might sway them to further consider Kia in the consumer decision process.
The Ford campaign, created by Agency MJ in Brazil, is not as serious but still addresses a serious topic. By using the images one associates with social networking, they show how phone usage can distract one from being entirely cognizant of the environment they are driving in. They chose to make the ad stimulating by using novelty to illustrate their message. They also heightened the possibility of safety risk to drive their point across to the audience. I think this kind of ad message would cause positive feelings with parents and older consumers that are highly concerned with the driving habits of the younger, social networking drivers. In these ads, it seems like Ford is simply saying “we care what you care about” and again, might appeal to consumers that are passionate about this cause or social responsible businesses.
In both ad campaigns, it is reassuring to see car companies recognizing problems involved with the consumption of their product. By highlighting these issues, Ford and Kia are positioning themselves as “socially responsible” companies that deserve your consideration in your next car. After all, if they care about society as a whole, of course they would care for their consumers right? Ads like these, even if they are still driven by economic motives, will continue to increase public regard for advertising as an institution.
Chipotle is Going Back to the Start: Marketing with Integrity
Posted by: | CommentsIn a day and age where fast food is made up of ingredients many of us are oblivious to, it is refreshing to see a company stand out from the rest and base their entire marketing mantra on a concept unfamiliar to many people in this fast paced, “I want it now” society we live in. The idea of “Going Back to the Start” is the face of Chipotle’s new viral marketing campaign aimed at informing consumers that there is such a thing as “food with integrity,” which is simply natural, family-grown or raised, and ultimately socially responsible.
An article by the Chicago Tribune discusses Chipotle’s recently released video featuring Willie Nelson’s rendition of Coldplay’s popular song, “The Scientist,” which depicts a small town farmer shifting away from his traditional farming roots and adopting an industrialized and unnatural method of cultivating his livestock. Eventually, the farmer realizes his original way of farming was far superior and decides to do the environmentally responsibly thing and “go back to the start.” Chipotle does an excellent job in getting people to think about the serious issue, while promoting its brand in the meantime.
The advertisement, which is intended to create somewhat of an emotional reaction to people viewing the harmful effects that industrialized farming brings with it, creates a sense of sadness and empathy for the farmer. It really gets people thinking about the differences between Chipotle as a fast food chain, as opposed to say, your typical McDonalds ad.
Sustainable farming, which Chipotle bases their entire positioning off of, “uses techniques such as crop rotation, soil conservation, natural fertilization and polyculture planting. In livestock production, they use pasture-based systems, feed animals what their bodies are designed to digest, and treat their animals humanely. Sustainable farms produce foods that are tastier and more nutritious than foods produced on factory farms, while also preserving the long-term health of our environment.”
Simply said, this is responsibility at its finest, despite the negative stereotypes that many fast food restaurants must battle. Chipotle seizes that opportunity in the marketplace to finally provide a fast food experience that defies the typical processed and unnatural methods of creating food and opts for an experience that provides healthy, fresh, locally grown, and socially responsible options. By raising awareness about what responsible farming is, they are fostering a need for healthy and naturally raised food that many people were unaware they had.
As many people are trying to do their part in going green and helping the environment in any little way, Chipotle has made the responsible choice. The powerful “Going Back to the Start” video sets the agenda that people should be concerned about where their food comes from originally. But, while many people may view this as just a healthy food option, when going to the roots of what Chipotle is really doing, they are keeping small family farmers in business and helping the economy along the way.
Many people may think, however, why haven’t I seen these advertisements? Chipotle is again set apart from the rest, they choose not to engage in heavy television or radio advertising, but instead to stick to simple movie-theater ad placements, word of mouth, and public event sponsoring to raise awareness of their brand’s positioning as an environmentally responsible company. These ads create a positive impact on those who view them, while informing and motivating consumers to learn more. Chipotle also discusses their farming methods and responsibility in using sustainable farming techniques all over their website in order to raise awareness about the importance of such a trend.
This popular concept of going-green, being environmentally responsible, and incorporating organically grown food helps Chipotle to solidify their standing as a company that truly cares about the implications of their actions. Their growing popularity and extreme success in the business world teaches other companies in the fast food industry that caring about the long-term effects of your business’ actions will carry with it many positive benefits.
In the case of Chipotle, this is truly marketing with integrity.
Chicago Tribune Original Article
Chipotle’s Webpage: Food With Integrity
Sustainable Table: The Daunting Techniques of Factory Farming
Imagination…Ecomagination at Work
Posted by: | CommentsDid you know that by submitting one photo that had water in it to GE’s ecoimagination website last year provided 480 gallons of clean drinking water to developing countries? By posting a wind photo, 4.5 KW hours of wind powered health clinics in rural Peru and by uploading a photo of light, 175 hours of solar power were given to families in East Timor. Through GE’s ecomagination website, GE encouraged a joint collaboration with Flickr members to take photos of these elements and “Tag Your Green” allowing for that one simple uploading of a photo affect lives across the globe. The campaign was very successful and GE achieved their goal of 10,000 photos for each nature element thus changing countless lives.
Since global warming and energy crisis have become buzzwords in the media, companies such as General Electric have decided to turn the negative connotations of the words to a call of action utilizing social media. Within doing this, they have created a branding moment that demonstrates their understanding for environmental concerns and how their brand in turn can contribute to a “greener” Earth by involving consumers. On the photoproject website, GE gives tribute to Social Vibe http://www.socialvibe.com/an engagement-marketing website whose belief is the brand should be in the hands of consumers. On SocialVibe’s website, the company portrays a large global cause platform that is meant to be indispensible to consumers. By pairing social media to contributing to the greater good, SocialVibe and General Electric have positioned the role of social media to become an agent of change.
Consumers are not only becoming the agents of change, but theopportunity to affect change is in their (the consumers) hands.
GE’s tagline is “Imagination at Work” and it is evident that their imagination is cognizant of the need to be relevant to the younger generation and the countless number of people who interact with social media daily. As evident of the 2010 campaign, they successfully completed their goal. By being aware of the use of social media in promoting a cause, the company is not only enacting change, but also linking their name to good works. General Electric does have quite an advantage for promoting a greener earth, but other companies could also join the cause of utilizing social media and sites such as Social Vibe to jumpstart change in the world. If by taking a picture of water, posting it on Flickr, and then GE’s website and that one photo changed the life of someone else in the world, think about what would happen if more companies joined in to this concept of taking social media to a whole other level. Imagination at Work.
Imagination at Work commercial: http://www.youtube.com/embed/CsW1JE4Hg14?rel=0
If You Let Me Play
Posted by: | CommentsThis ad from Nike is fairly old (1995) but still an excellent example of how to sell a product while keeping in mind a socially responsible agenda. Although its arguable that you’re more likely today to see ads for sports products that show women in a positive light, many ads still follow the same tired format of associating sports superstars with products or showing gym addicts striving in their quest for the (impossibly) perfect body. The ad below however, presents a strong argument against the stereotype that ‘sports are for boys’.
This TV spot by Wieden+Kennedy however, simply presents factual real-world benefits associated with young girls playing sports, such as reduced risk of breast cancer or increased likelihood of leaving an abusive partner. The strong, simple message is proof that you can effectively sell products for women without resorting to gender stereotyping or exploiting body image fears.
By talking to parents about the benefits of girls’ participation in sports, the company is pushing a positive social agenda and effectively selling their product at the same time. From a practical standpoint, presenting sports as a way of empowering girls is a great way to achieve that all important relevance between the company and the cause, since research has indicated that with cause related advertising the better the fit between the company and the cause, the more effective it is likely to be with the consumer. Rather than simply tack on an unrelated social concern in a transparent attempt to boost sales, Nike has addressed a social issue directly related to their core business in a positive way while also effectively advertising their company. By attacking the stereotype that girls shouldn’t play sports, Nike is helping girls and themselves. After all more girls playing sports means better health and self esteem for those girls and an increased market for Nike.
Although there have of course been problems over the years with Nike’s treatment of labor, with all the exploitative advertising out there, it’s still nice to see something like this as a reminder that selling a product and promoting a positive social change aren’t mutually exclusive.
Fictitious Fiction – ABC Publishes Novels by “Real” Writer
Posted by: | CommentsRichard Castle is a pretty awesome guy. He’s good-humored, likable, and he’s someone you can depend on when things are tough. Sound too good to be true? No – he really is like that. So what’s the catch, then? Well, he’s not real . . . sort of. Richard Castle exists Monday nights for one hour beginning at 9 o’clock. In case you haven’t heard of or seen the show (and I recommend you do; it’s pretty entertaining) Richard Castle is a bestselling thriller writer living in New York, who, in an attempt to draw inspiration for his writing, spends his time solving crimes with NYPD detectives. He’s not real. Yet something strange is occurring, because by some weird turn of events, Richard Castle’s novels are being published in our world – and they’re available at a bookstore near you!
Castle, a member of the ABC family of television programs, has so far proved relatively successful for ABC, currently airing its third season. In fact, it seems to have become so successful that a series of books, entitled the Nikki Heat Series, has begun to be published. Its first title, Heat Wave, was published in 2009, with its second installment, Naked Heat, following earlier this year. However, these aren’t your normal TV-tie-in books. Reading the book synopsis and author biography, one begins to see that the publisher, Hyperion, treats both Heat Wave and Naked Heat as if they were, in fact, the actual novels from the Castle show. For example, the author biography goes so far as to reference an earlier series of books written by Richard Castle. A fusion of realities has occurred, in which the “real” world of Castle has become part of our everyday life – for the benefit of creating a “Castle Culture” for the program’s fan base. A pretty smart move by ABC and Hyperion; and if Castle continues to entertain, it can be assumed a new Nikki Heat novel won’t be far off.
For a person entering a bookstore, the purchasing of a book is generally not considered to be a life-changing decision; therefore it would be an example of a low-effort decision. So, being low-effort, what could compel a shopper to pick up a Richard Castle novel? For one, there is the availability heuristic, where the shopper may recall details from Castle which would create a positive and vivid show-related experience that has the potential to not only spur them to purchase the novel, but to remind them to tune in as well. The novels can really be an extension of the DVD products, and if placed together or in close proximity, they may increase the creation of the “Castle Culture” for fans.
Buying books, being a fan of a television program – it all comes down to the feelings that one gets from reading a good book or watching an awesome program. We read the types of books that we like, right? We watch shows that give us positive feelings, correct? We do this because of feeling-based decision making, a part of low-effort processing. ABC has tried to capitalize on this fact – in a rather successful manner, it would seem. Let’s go back to the bookstore shopper: so they are browsing and come across Heat Wave. What goes through their mind? If they pick up the book, flip a few pages, and tuck it under their arms to buy on their way out, they’ve probably undergone affect referral. Seeing the book reminded them of Castle, which, being a show they like, they associate it with feelings of happiness (it’s part comedy, after all), and as a result the intent to buy the book has happened. However, not only has the book been sold, but there’s also been a reinforcement and reminder to watch the upcoming episode of Castle. This same situation plays out on the ABC website for Castle. Fans logging on to catch the latest episode online will see the advertisement for Heat Wave or Naked Heat. This may prompt them to stop by the bookstore and buy a copy. These techniques are serving to increase the brand familiarity of ABC, reinforcing their current viewers and hopefully also championing new ones. Bookstores and websites are also performing another task: together they are engaging in co-branding. The shopper who buys the book tunes in later to watch Castle; the viewer who goes online stops by Barnes & Noble or Borders to buy Heat Wave – in both cases, ABC and Hyperion are reaping the benefits. Co-branding is allowing them to reach an even wider audience then they would be able to alone.
In partnership, both companies are growing in popularity – not to mention profits. And we, the consumers, are enjoying immersing ourselves in the life of Richard Castle, through print and images. ABC’s on to a good idea – combining the imaginary and the real into one and the same. What’s next? How about airline tickets to the island of Lost . . .
Subaru Sponsors NBC’s Green Week
Posted by: | CommentsFor most all consumers, the process of choosing among the numerous car brands and models and ultimately purchasing a car is a long one, which entails lots of information search, due to the high financial risk inherent in spending thousands on a car. Thus, although single car commercials are regarded as relatively weak in changing consumers’ attitudes, the collective force of all the commercials created for each brand is moderately powerful in helping to shape the brand image in consumers’ minds. The average consumer usually uses both cognitive and affective decision making when purchasing a car, with cognitive ultimately playing a more dominant role. Therefore, the attributes that advertisers highlight in commercials for cars can influence how consumers categorize different brands in their memories, which can then play a role in their decision-making process when the time comes for them to purchase a car. Acknowledging that car commercials do affect consumers’ consumption, be it in the near or distant future, the sponsorship of NBC’s Green Week by car manufacturer Subaru has major implications for viewers of NBC prime time, as well as NBCU-owned cable networks CNBC, MSNBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, SciFi Channel, Sundance Channel, Bravo, USA, Syfy. Part of its “Green is Universal program”, NBC’s Green Week is a two-week initiative which airs twice a year, during which green topics are integrated into the network’s shows. Though critics may call it a grand marketing scheme, Green Week does in fact do a lot of good. The integration of “green” storylines and topics into most all of the network’s programs – which represent a substantial group when all of the cable networks NBC owns are taken into account – at the very least raise awareness among TV viewers of “green” issues. As consumer behavior tells us, the first step to changing attitudes is to have the information be perceived, paid attention to, to then have consumers be motivated, able to, and have the opportunity to change their attitudes.
The sponsorship of Green Week by Subaru (as outlined in an article on Adweek.com), costing the car manufacturer a rumored $10 million, raises concern for future sponsorships of Green Week, or similar social issue initiatives, due to the effectiveness of the commercials as seen by the direct increase of likelihood of exposure. NBCU created the commercials for Subaru, which feature environmentally conscious Subaru owners, and seamlessly integrate the commercials into the beginning or end of the commercial breaks by somehow connecting the copy or dialogue used by the Subaru owners to the given NBC-owned network on which the commercial aired. Consumer behavior tells us that such a tactic can increase consumer’s exposure to a commercial for consumers will be more likely to watch a commercial at the beginning or end of the commercial break, as well as thinking the commercial is part of the show if the network’s logo is incorporated into the visuals. Subaru also benefits by being one of the few car manufacturers sponsoring Green Week, not allowing consumers to compare similarly environmentally-friendly car models manufactured by competing brands. In these Green Week commercials, Subaru frames its brand of cars as “environmentally-friendly,” specifically around the goal-derived category held by a growing number of consumers of decreasing their ecological footprint. By priming the “green” attributes of its cars in these commercials, which are so ingeniously integrated into a number of NBC’s extensive line-up of shows, Subaru frames its brand as being superior in that frame of mind (environmentally-friendly). Though the Toyota Prius has developed such a strong brand image as an environmentally friendly car, as well as the Smart Car, Subaru clearly foresees a stronger brand image and ultimately increases in sales – legitimate ends to justify the means of spending millions on this sponsorship. Subaru’s sponsorship of Green Week is an incredibly genius move by all those involved in its brand development and media planning. As media planners are constantly being forced to craft new ways of reaching consumers through ever-evolving mediums, this sponsorship is genius in both the increase in likelihood of exposure of consumers to Subaru’s Green Week commercials, as well as creation of a strong brand image in alignment with this green initiative. Consumers are lazy and do not pay attention to details, so merely seeing the Subaru logo as they fast-forward through the commercials of a program during Green Week can create the association between Subaru and their goal-derived category of “environmentally-friendly”.
The subtle yet important issue of responsibility herein is the agenda setting employed by Subaru of aligning itself with a green initiative to be associated with consumers’ goal-derived category of “environmentally-friendly” or similar associations in consumers’ minds. The sponsorship of Green Week has, according to an NBC analysis of Nielsen IAG data, brought Subaru increased recall of commercials by consumers, speaking to the effectiveness of the advertisements run during Green Week. Subaru therefore has a great responsibility to deliver on the brand image they are building so effectively through their Green Week sponsorship. Though one would hope that NBC conducts rigorous research in its selection of sponsors for Green Week to select those who are in fact “green,” it is possible for sponsors to be chosen due to greater financial offers to the network rather than on truly being “green.” This year’s Green Week sponsors all seem to practice what they preach in terms of employing “green” practices to be worthy of “green” images. But there lies a possibility for deception of consumers in similar initiatives by other networks or perhaps other companies outside the media world through sponsorship thereof by sponsors who do not truly deserve the “ruboff” the initiative’s image will have on their own brand image. This has major implications for consumers, who very well may make consumption decisions based on the associations they form about sponsors of initiatives like Green Week and “green.”
A link to one of the Subaru Green Week commercials posted on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=146365342077961
A PSA airing during Green Week:
Social platforms like Groupon are advocates for collective consumerism but are their marketing attempts socially responsible?
Groupon has been named as the fastest-growing company ever by Forbes magazine. Their company is based off the premise of collective groups partaking in discounted shopping to create higher revenues for featured businesses. It relies on the social aspect of its service. Everyday subscribers are emailed the chosen limited-time bargain in hopes that enough subscribers will purchase the deal to “tip” the offering (cause it to go into effect). The company is very much reliant upon viral pass along for its success. Like word of mouth this is one of the most effect marketing strategies. It creates the opportunity for people to choose to participate or not in a financial deal that is as easy as the click of your mouse. It is easily accessible and cost the consumer nothing if they don’t participate. Their marketing strategy is genius. Seems flawless right? But I wonder if this type of advertising plays on the vulnerability of consumer’s decision-making processes.
When making high-effort decisions consumers can be affected greatly by a promotions perceived time limits or how they are framed. Pressuring a consumer to make a decision under a time limit can lead to low-level construals. These elements are focused on the immediate. In this example the immediate is the discount the consumer is receiving. It can also be framed in high-level construals that focus on the future. These purchases may be immediate but they are for used for future purposes. Groupon plays on the perceived risk that consumers will miss out on a great deal. They also emphasize the importance of group consumerism. It is up to the subscribers to purchase enough to make sure the deal goes through. If not enough people participate then the offer is off the table for everyone. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for them considering that 95% of daily Groupons “tip.” Are these marketing strategies socially responsible? On one hand it is promoting the collect buying power of consumers. Individuals can feel part of a movement that benefits a thriving company in need of promotion and financially gain discounts for things they might already be planning to spend money on. Might is the key word. Consumers could also be feeling pressured to make purchases they might not otherwise make because of the emphasis of a GREAT deal and social activism.
Groupon also creates an obstacle for the comparison type consumer. The simply formatted deal that appears in your email box every morning gives you the essential information needed for the decision. It doesn’t elaborate into this big selling ploy therefore making the decision to buy very easy. It doesn’t however led way for easy product comparison. This can help or harm the company. The consumer wont be bombarded with comparative advertising that might make them choose another option but they are also not allowed the comfort of knowing they made the right purchased based on all the factors. Consumers are given a day to take it or leave it.
Companies like Groupon are also infringing upon agency business. They have basically cut out the middleman and built marketing directly into their product. Individual consumers and companies rely on advertising agencies to sift through the clutter and present them with the best options and support of those options. If we have business that present the options for themselves there might be less of a desire to seek out more information which cant create for poor consumer decisions. The opposite is true that it could create for more product credibility because if the information is coming directly from the product the chances of perceived likelihood might be lowered. With an agency the advertiser can be blamed. With out the middleman the blame falls directly on the company potentially making for better business practices by companies.
Groupon: promoter of great social activism and collective buying power that creates unity among consumers or exploiter of the discount seeking customer?
References:
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/digital/e3ie4f24b85cbd4c811b65148cd8af82f38
http://jordanballacm.blogspot.com/2010/10/groupon.html
Sweet Holiday Memories… And a Coke.
Posted by: | CommentsAs October draws to a close and the trick-or-treaters make their last-ditch, mad grab at whatever remains of the Halloween candy, we (as consumers) know it’s coming. We can feel it…
Of course I’m talking about the annual, November 1st roll out of the holiday decorations and marketing material. From here on out it’s going to be nothing but evergreen wreaths, twinkle-lights and jolly men in red suits charging twenty bucks for a picture with the kids. And while some still manage to be enamored with festive cheer, most of us with ages in the double digits just bristle and steel ourselves in preparation for the onslaught of the holiday hustle and bustle, green and red price points, the must have items of the season, and two dozen of the same pop-singer-reengineered carol songs on repeat in every retail outlet. Tis the season for yuletide consumerism and its full swing, (Santa) baby!
However, I must digress from my traditional holiday humbugging to mention the one thing I do look forward to: the ads. This small stretch of the year between November and December has managed to produce some fairly iconic advertisements and commercials over the past decades. So much so, that some are even pulled out of the vault, dusted off and re-aired annually to inspire a sense of nostalgia in the consumer. For example, and my personal favorite, the Hershey’s Kisses holiday bells.
For others it’s the one where the M&Ms have a run-in with Mr. Claus resulting in Red and Santa fainting in shock. But I think for most of America, through-out the years, it’s always been the Coca-cola classic Commercials that are anticipated.
Starting in the 1920s with the iconic tin signs for Santa drinking a Coke Classic, Coca-Cola has established themselves as a brand with an annual holiday campaign, chalk full of memorable images and characters. As the years have rolled on, some of the other noteworthy holiday ads include the Coca-Cola Trucks in the 80s and of course most recently the Polar Bears (and subsequent penguins) campaign that’s been the Coca-Cola Christmas staple over the past handful of holidays.
This, in my opinion, is a great tactic because Coca-Cola Classic has not only managed to further their brand image, but establish long-term memory recall in the consumer base. When you think about it, the Coca-Cola commercials have, in some ways, woven themselves into the autobiographical memory of their target by purchasing key media slots so that the iconic commercials are seen during the seasonal, family get-togethers, traditional holiday parades such as the Macy’s Day, and of course on Christmas eve.
This year, Reuters is reporting that the brand is going to step away from the polar bears they have recently depended on. This year, Coca-Cola has partnered with the musical group “Train” and aim to produce a song akin in fame to the “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” campaign that ran in the 70s. They are banking on, if the song is a hit, to have audio memory recall of the brand whenever the song is played (on their commercial OR on the radio) in hopes that such a substantial recirculation and repetition will lock Coca-Cola in the #1 awareness slot of the consumers mind.
So, now the question is, since Train is a pre-established band that has a history of declining CD sales, will this go down in history as another Coke holiday hit? Or will it be an ill received, flash in the pan ad when compared against the likes of the classic polar bears? Only the iTunes download numbers will tell.
