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!