The other day I watched an Old Navy spot. They have used those spots to get a jingle inside your head with dancers, moving cameras, vibrant colors and of course driving home what they are selling. They completely understand the relationship between visual and hearing. Read more
In business-to-business advertising, it’s essential your messaging distinguishes your company, products and/or services from the competition. That’s because when advertising in trade publications or on industry-specific business websites, your ad is likely to be seen next to or around the ads of your competitors. When targeting the same audience, what will make your ad—and therefore your company—memorable?
The best way to differentiate your business-to-business advertising is to focus your messaging on what truly sets your company apart…your competitive advantage. It seems simple enough, but surprisingly, many companies don’t really understand their competitive advantage or don’t exploit it. Read more
Well it’s that time of year again where the majority of agencies, design firms and anyone selling marketing gather around the television to watch commercials. It’s Superbowl time again. And to get you ready for the commercials, a national network ran a special on the best commercials for the Superbowl a few days ago and added live voting on their site during the broadcast. Budweiser won hands down. Read more
This time of year can terrify even the most seasoned builder and new construction marketing teams…it’s the heart of the dreaded planning season! Don’t fear; there are ways to make the experience less frightful and more insightful. Here are some things to consider as you approach 2016.
Is your spending mix designed to optimize results for how media is consumed today or are you relying too much on what has worked in the past? There’s a new media mix—and it is far different than ever before, with more media channels, more devices, and even more opportunities to connect with home shoppers. How do you find the most effective balance within a budget that makes sense now?
Take social marketing, for example, which has completely redefined the digital media space. Many builders are still struggling to understand how to monetize social media. The key is to treat it like any other corporate initiative—establish a business and messaging strategy that elevates your brand and execute it. Read more
A recently released research study by About.com and Latitude identifies three distinct mindsets in search and offers insight into how marketers can offer ads and align them with content that better appeals to each mindset. Three Mindsets of Search examines 59 variables in search behavior and also revealed that the meaning of “expertise” in the eyes of searchers is evolving. Read more
How The Apple iPad and New iCloud Can Connect More Seniors
Research continues to show the positive, life-enhancing effects that the Internet can have on senior adults. Beyond just staying in touch with family and friends, going online provides seniors with an interactive outlet to the world – and studies show that it can also provide a myriad of health benefits. For example, increasing personal communications can decrease feelings of depression and isolation, as well as stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive abilities.
Today, seniors access the Internet via their computer for a variety of things, from researching information and keeping up with modern culture and society, to socializing, watching videos and sharing pictures. Being active online can ultimately enrich their lives by connecting them to their families and the world around them. Read more
Mark Twain famously quipped that news of his death was exaggerated when the press mistook his cousin’s serious illness for his own. Today, much the same could be said about traditional media. It seems that its death is foretold by any number of pundits with every new release of data on social media and digital devices. (Facebook’s 500 million members would make it the third-largest country in the world! Ashton Kutcher has more than 7 million Twitter followers! IPad-mania sweeps through coffee shops around the world!)
There is no denying the rapidly growing and truly disruptive impact of new devices and social media. But at the same time, there is also no denying that traditional outlets are thriving in the lives of consumers today, and that they form the core of how most consumers interact with media. This is true for the general population, and it is even true among the affluent Americans that we study, even though they have the discretionary income to indulge in an array of devices, as well as the digital literacy to get the most out of them. Read more
So I have a cut on my finger from yard work and I go to the local drugstore to get my adhesive bandage. Funny, but as I typed that, it doesn’t sound right. We call tissues- Kleenex®, just as we call mayonnaise- Miracle Whip® and even paper towels are Scot Towels®. It is only fitting to call adhesive bandages…Band-Aids®. The common statement from moms all around the country when their son/daughter has a boo-boo is, “lets go get a band-aid”. And my five year old daughter actually thinks it STOPS the pain.
Years and years of marketing has brought these brands into their own categories. But this is not what this blog is about. It’s about what Band-Aid has done with this outstanding brand. As I walked to the isle for my adhesives, I was overwhelmed at how many choices I have regarding the Band-Aid brand. Read more
An astonishing report from Ad Age, shows that the marketing landscape has changed when it comes to the American Household. Once the target for most marketers, this study shows the decline of households of married couples with children will have many marketers re-evaluating their efforts. Below is an excerpt from the article on adage.com, be sure to click over and check out the data chart that shows the glaring decline over time. Read more
Make Sure Your Product”s Vessel Makes a Brand”s First (and Second) Impression
As marketers focus on using social media to create connected, highly personalized brand experiences, they may easily overlook another critical touchpoint: product packaging.
In today”s fragmented marketing environment, packaging is far more than a product”s vessel; it is the physical manifestation of a brand experience and an important part of a brand promise. As such, packaging should be a critical piece of a brand”s integrated communication strategy.
