Course Overview

With this semester coming to a close, I truly have learned a lot in this course. Not being a marketing major, some of my previous classes I have found to be very frustrating and full of endless processes and nonsense I did not understand. This class definitely took my learning to a new level. I was able to take in a lot more and think back to my previous classes to understand them better too. I have learned a lot about all aspects of marketing. I think this course did a nice job of hitting different areas. The examples and assignments assigned definitely played a part in that. I think the group project was the most eye opening. Marketing is a very opinionated major and I experienced that this quarter. One of my group members was a bit older than me and that caused us not to see everything eye to eye sometime. I realized this will happen to me all the time when I am in the workforce because I probably will be the youngest where I get a job. I have learned I need to not be afraid to speak my mind but also be respectful of what others say and take that into consideration before I shoot it down. Overall, I learned a lot from this course and feel it will benefit me in my future career. Thanks!

Black Friday

With "Black Friday" quickly approaching, companies are perfecting the deals and ways of advertisements. I have seen to many articles and flyers asking consumers to check back for the deals. Personally, I do not go shopping on this day and would rather just avoid it. I will admit, I do love shopping and finding a great deal but when you are at the risk of being hurt over something, its not worth it to me. I have read Wal-Mart's advertisements ensuring customers there will be more order and no one will be hurt this year but I am still skeptical. Parents are crazy. They will do anything for their children as long as it is humanly possible, which includes getting the hot new toys. I found it interesting how some Companies are start their prices early, I think this is to avoid this type of situation. Needless to say, I will not be taking part in "Black Friday" and I wish the best of luck to those who do!

Marketing Job Search

Recently I have started my job search. I will graduate from the University of Dayton in December and needless to say.. I have been caught a bit off guard. I was not expecting graduation to arrive so quickly. So naturally, I have started looking for jobs and trying to find the perfect one. My degree will be in PR and it has come as a shock to me that I am looking for marketing jobs. Now, I know a lot of the time these departments work together and in some cases are interchangeable but I thought I would at least be able to find a PR job. I guess that's what I get for limiting my search to the Dayton area and my hometown of Minster. I hope with a little patience and a few tweeks of my resume, something will come my way... hopefully!

Internet Advertising

Lately, I have found myself paying more attention to the ads on the Internet. This is very unlike me because typically I do not enjoy watching commericals, seeing advertisements in magazines, or bascially anything that gets in the way of the thing I am trying to read or watch. I have been clicking through a lot more ads than normal and I think this is due to our class. We talk so much about ways to advertise that I think I have been paying more attention to advertisements considering I am not fast forwarding through commericals or changing the channel. I think our class has made me more aware of the types of marketing people are using to reach people and it is almost starting to fascinate me to see how a company uses these tactics to engage people to purchase their product. I can truly say I am looking forward to the rest of the class to see what new tactics we learn.

Characters Selling Products/Brands

In class on Tuesday, we talked ways to market a product and gain awareness of a brand. We briefly discussed the use or characters to see a product. I don’t think I have realized how many brands use this until after class. You have the “Pillsbury Doughboy,” “Jolly Green Giant,” the Camel for the cigarettes and “Mrs. Butterworth”.. just to name a few. Then you have all the Disney characters and whatever other cartoons there are out there that have their pictures plastered all over cereals, clothes and toiletries. It is amazing how marketers can take a well known character and sell a product. I feel this targets mostly the children but the parents as well because they change what they are typically using to please their children. I mean come on.. so Crest toothpaste came out with a new “Hannah Montana” flavor, wouldn’t it be worth the extra however many cents to not have to listen to your child complain about brushing their teeth? Absolutely!

Characters sell products.

Has Cause Related Marketing Gone Too Far?

I recently read an article highlighting the mass amounts of "pink" logos and products during October. The author felt many people are being guilted into buying these products because they think part of the proceeds will go to breast cancer research. This author was very negative to the idea of cause related marketing and stated it does not change anything, well... I completely disagree. Yes, I do realize the 10 cents or however much that comes from me buying a product may not change the world, but at least it is something. I feel strongly about cause related marketing because it benefits the company and the cause. Even if people do not buy that particular brand they may this month to give back and it also brings awareness to people who are not buying the brand of the disease/issue. I think its important to not only emphaisize the importance of the awareness of these problems the brands are supporting but to realize there are many positives coming out of this: more funding to problems in society, awareness for those problems and even stretching it farther would be stimulating our economy because you are buying the product. I will admit, I am persuaded to buy products that benefit an organization even if they do cost a little bit more and even if I don't necessarily need it just yet. So in reality, it is an extremely smart idea and I am happy to see all the pink around this month!

Burger King Going "Futuristic"

I read an article today about Burger King remodeling 12,000 locations to be more "futuristic." This got me thinking to how much it would truly drive sales. Yes, at the beginning it may draw more people in to check it out but in reality, I think once the hype of the new layout dies down, so will the sales. The article states 2/3's of a fast food restaurants sales is from take out and drive through. This makes complete sense to me. I cannot remember the last time I sat inside a Burger King let alone any fast food restaurant for that matter. I feel Burger King will have to develop another marketing idea to put into place once the hype over the new lay out dwindles. People do not have time to sit in a fast food restaurant. Typically when a person eats fast food it is because they are on their way somewhere or do not have time to eat something else. Personally, when I go out to eat (and want to eat in the restaurant) I want to spend my time somewhere that does not smell like a fryer and somewhere you can get a good meal and just relax. Plus, I think there is too much competition elsewhere for something like this to really draw in a crowd for a significant amount of time. Think about how every fast food chain has a dollar menu.. people who typically do not go to Burger King may go there once to check it out but then go back to their normal eatery of choice. But who knows, maybe when I see the new layout I will become a Burger King junkie, I guess only time will tell!

Can Oprah Be Used as a Marketing Tool?

This past weekend, I came across an article about Oprah being the most positive PR and Marketing leader. To me, this completely makes sense espcially having people who are that influencial; like Michelle Obama and Oprah. Anything these two women do in the public eye is seen and picked apart. Any product, book or even guest Oprah talks about makes people go crazy. Many of the books she has used for her book clubs have hit the number one best selling lists. Its insane how influential one person can be on so many people. I feel if you could get your product to be endorsed or even appear on the Oprah Show you would have great success with your campaign. She has an impeccable track record with products and anyone would be lucky to have someone as influencial as her endorse their campaign.

No Ads for Twitter

Twitter has announced it will no longer allow ads on its websites for the rest of 2009. This is a bit shocking to me because advertisements seem to be what support any website. Currently, I work dor Cox Ohio Media, specifically Dayton Daily News and I know first hand how important advertisements are to print and to the web. Twitter feels they need to develop how they will make a profit before they start placing ads on the website. I hope this does not hurt them in the long run.

Coca Cola #1 nine years running?

Recently I read an article on prweek.com about Coca-Cola being Interbrand's Best Global Brands list of the top 100 brands for the ninth year in a row. When I first read this I was a bit taken back. Instant thoughts of "how can that be" raced through my head. I read this statement over and over then it hit me. No, I have not been all over the world but the few places I have been did indeed have Coca-Cola. And if you think about it, Coca-Cola has so many products and genius marketing ideas its no wonder it has been number 1 for the past 9 years. I thought back to some commercials.. who can resist the polar bears drinking Coke commercials at Christmas time or the endless events and organizations they sponsor. How many times have you taken your family to the local zoo and brought coke cans to receive a discount? My family has done this many of times. Coca-Cola has a way of relating to everyone in the world. Many people use the term "coke" when the are asking someone if they want a soda. To me, this is a definite symbol of how prevalent Coca-Cola is in our society. Its the same as asking someone if they need a Kleenex or Q-tip when you are talking about tissues and cotton swabs.

Coca-Cola is a brand that will stay prominent in our society during our lifetime and probably our children's lifetime. I only hope when I graduate and work for a company they are capable of developing campaigns to the level.