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.

5 Salary Secrets Your Company Won't Tell You

I found this on yahoo.com. I thought it was interesting because most of us will be graduating and needing to discuss the uncomfortable topic of salary.. It scares me!

It's normal to wonder how and why you get paid the salary you do. After all, it's not a decision process most employers are willing to disclose, at least not without a little prodding. So what are the best-kept secrets when it comes to salary decisions at most companies? And how can you use them to your advantage? Let's take a look.
1. For most companies, 3.9% is the average budget increase for salaries.

Yes, sad but true. According to the 35th annual WorldatWork Salary Budget Survey, the "actual increase in salary budgets was 3.9% in 2008." The number is expected to stay the same in 2009.

This means, that for most U.S. workers, the average raise will be about the same, with "high performers" receiving about a 5% raise, and "low performers" receiving 2% or less, the survey authors note.

"When people are looking for 6-8%, well, very few people are getting it," says Rebecca Mazin, co-founder of the HR consulting firm Recruit Right and author of "The HR Answer Book: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Human Resources Professionals."

Knowing this can make it easier to stomach a 4% raise -- while it may not equal big money, it actually means your employer values you. Anything more means you're likely considered a top performer, and anything less means you may be underperforming.

2. Your employer (or future employer) may not know the current salary averages.

Just because a whole wealth of salary information is online these days doesn't mean your company has any idea what the normal salary is for a person in your field and in your city. If you do your research and discover your salary is abnormally low, it can be a great negotiation tool when you talk to your boss about your annual raise -- or when you're accepting a new job offer. He or she will realize they could easily lose you since many competitors nearby are paying better.

"You need to go in with some data behind you; you at least need to know what the going rate is," says Dawn Rosenberg McKay of About.com Guide to Career Planning. "[That way] you'll know if you're being outlandish or asking for something ridiculous."

3. Most managers have a short memory.

Raises are given annually, and so it's important to keep track of all your achievements within the past year -- don't expect your boss to remember your big project from eight months ago. Using a spreadsheet or a special email folder, keep track of your accomplishments as they happen, so when the time comes, you have a strong case for a raise.

Accomplishments that show you've either saved the company money or earned the company money are the best ones to highlight, especially if you can specify an exact figure. If that's not possible (which is the case for most employees), take note of any extraordinary praise you received from managers or fellow coworkers, any special thanks from clients, and any other ways that demonstrated you went above and beyond your normal job duties.

4. Your manager probably has little influence over your salary.

Decisions about salary increases for all employees at a company are often made at a high level of management. So, even if you follow all the tips above, your manager may have minimal control over your raise. Case in point: Mazin recently worked with a nonprofit organization whose board decided to give every employee the exact same raise.

There's not a lot you can do in this situation, but if it leaves you feeling dissatisfied or taken for granted, it may be time to look for a new job.

5. Threatening to quit can result in a big wage increase (but it's risky).

If you're hoping for a big raise, or were disappointed by a recent raise, you may want to start job searching. For most people, the biggest salary jumps they have in their careers occur when they get a new job or threaten to quit because of a tantalizing job offer.

Sometimes, telling your current employer about your new gig can be a potent bargaining chip -- they may be willing to match the new offer just to keep you. But not always, as Mazin points out, so don't let your plan backfire. Make sure you really want that new job -- and are ready to quit your current one -- before threatening to quit.

"If you do decide to do it, do it for the right reasons," Mazin says.

Thanksgiving Break

Getting back to classes after my nice long break has been rough.. I really enjoyed being back home and not having to work on homework (which really I should have been doing..) It is crazy to think that we have finals coming up because I am completely not prepared! Oh well, things will work out.