A Snapchat from Victoria Secret?

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/5-great-snapchat-ideas-big-brands-154134

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/ben-jerrys-early-winner-instagram-ad-race-154196

Since I am a very interested in social media and the integration of the various platforms into company marketing strategies, I found both of these articles interesting and relevant.

The first article integrates and application that myself, and many of my friends use for fun, but proposes how companies can use it to advertise, since currently the company is not bringing in any revenue. This idea is not only good for Snapchat itself (by creating a cash flow and business model), but it will be interesting to see how companies utilize this application to promote their brand in new and clever ways.

Moreover, another application, Instagram, recently began showing advertisements while you scroll through the images uploaded by those you follow. I love Instagram I think it is a fun and interesting application that brands have been using to communicate with their customers through. This medium has been great for smaller brands who have garnered large followings through the unique and fun images they upload regularly. Brands such as "Reformation" and "Dannijo" as well as "Rebecca Minkoff" have really capitalized and grown their brand name and spread information about their products through a medium like Instagram (as well as other social medium platforms). However in the past you have had to follow these brands to see their images, now Instagram has also begun to develop a business strategy and is selling advertisements that appear like normal Instagram pictures in your daily scroll. I first saw this with the Ben and Jerry's ad and was confused at first because I don't follow them, but later learned that they had just launched advertisements. I think this could be a great tool if used properly by companies, and if they maintain a simple message and picture that appears like a normal Instagram upload.


Both of these application and social media platforms are constantly developing and figuring out ways to ear revenue so it will be interesting to watch how companies utilize these tools to grow their brand and customer base. It will also be fascinating to see if people are turned off by companies use of these apps, or if it actually helps brands in the long run. 

So this would definitely differentiate Amazon from its competitors. It would be the same as going to the store to buy things - without the driving and the hassle and you could do other things while you wait for them to drop off your item.

Coca-Cola Suspends Advertising for Typhoon Relief

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/25/coke-ads-philippines-_n_4338746.html

The article discusses the decision by Coca-Cola to suspend their advertising in order to support the victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines.  The amount of money donated nets to approximately 2.5 million in cash.  This is truly such a great deed by the company.  While they seem to have sacrificed much by stopping advertisements, they are building a great image for their brand.  Their donations almost make up for the lack of marketing in recent time.  I feel that this was both a bold and successful move for the company, as it will perhaps spark in consumers minds that Coca-Cola is not only looking for profits, but also wants to help during times of turmoil.  The question that arises here is: did they really sacrifice their advertising?

McDonald's Failed Promotion

http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2011/08/30/mcdonalds-olympics-promotional-disaster/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBnVtUpCV28

This is an example of how promotions can go horribly wrong, even for big companies like McDonald's and even with clever advertisements for the promotion.  McDonald's agreed to give away free food to customers for every medal that the U.S. won in the 1984 Olympics.  To figure out how much they would be giving away, McDonald's looked at the 1976 Olympics.  However, the company failed to look at the 1980 Olympics, where the U.S. boycotted the Olympics since the games were held in the U.S.S.R.  Therefore, in 1984, the Eastern Bloc boycotted the Olympics since the U.S. was hosting it.  With the fiercest competition to the U.S. not showing up, the U.S. took home over twice as many medals as expected.  Therefore, it is very important to make sure you have control over the factors effecting how much you give away during a promotion.  

Kmart Commercials

I think that Kmart has been doing a very good job with their advertising because all of there commercials are very memorable and funny.  They also have the "ship my pants" and "big gas savings" commercials.

I know we were talking about Kia Soul Hamster Campaign and how it was fairly successful in its purpose, and I feel like this video of Toyota Camry commercial does its job fairly well at changing people's perspectives.

Marketing of Political Ideas: Burma (Human Rights Watch)

 

This is a clever campaign made by JWT Global Advertising Agency. A giant installation was created at New York's Grand Central Station as part of the campaign to help free Burma's 2,100 political prisoners. Creating a symbolic action of removing the pens (cell bars) to sign a petition was brilliant.

Disneyland Emotional Appeal Ad

There is nothing more appealing and attractive than an advertisement strategy that uses emotional appeal to touch our hearts and inner most feelings to really grasp our full attention and possibly usher in potential long-term consumer relationships. When I viewed this advertisement from Disneyland, I suddenly felt like a child again and it really made me feel special inside. I thought that this commercial did a good job in touching peoples' hearts whether young or old and using that childhood nostalgia emotion to get people to come to Disneyland to celebrate their birthday. I feel like this ad targets a large audience as well. When kids watch this, they will feel like they are special and deserve a special occasion on their birthday and when parents watch this, they will be reminded of their childhood and want to fulfil the wishes of their children.

New GoldieBlox Ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFpe3Up9T_g

This reminded me of the Doctor Barbie's price relative to other Barbie dolls such as the Magician Barbie and Chef Barbie. The commercial appears to be an awareness only advertisement, revealing no information about prices. However, the combination of the video and the lyrics sufficiently articulate the message that GoldieBlox is trying to convey to consumers: inspiring young girls to go after these traditionally male jobs. With enough awareness in the market, I believe parents would be willing to spend more for this product since they hope it will lead to their daughters aspiring to enter into these professions.

Could any advertisement possibly rival this one?

I stumbled upon this commercial on one of the blogs that I read on a daily basis. After more research, I found that there is much media frenzy about this commercial. Many are asking how any commercial could possibly rival this one!


The commercial is 100% real and was filmed in only one take. The point of the commercial is to demonstrate the dynamic steering capabilities of the new line of Volvo trucks. I thought it was also a very interesting commercial because we have looked at Volvo throughout our class discussions and have found that they tend to position the brand as a family brand. However, this commercial definitely positions these trucks as both sophisticated and "macho."


When Volvo began to plan the advertising and marketing for the new line of trucks, they decided that they would use YouTube as their primary form of media outreach. The video was posted on YouTube November 13th and already has over 8 million views! The creator of the video says that "YouTube films would create attention, and inform and entertain audiences. YouTube will pave the way for future advertising and sales campaigns in local markets."