I’ve been getting religious gifts in the mail. And I can’t make them stop. Saint medals. Holy cards. Rosaries. Even a Mother’s Day card that I sent to my mom. You see, I sent this charitable organization a donation because of the first gift they sent me (and because they truly do wonderful things for the poor), and that was it. I’m on the LIST. And I keep getting STUFF. It’s brilliant marketing. They know me. They know I have a severe case of Catholic guilt syndrome and that if they give me something I use (i.e. the card), I’ll feel bad if I don’t send a donation.
Kudos to the targeted CRM program of this nonprofit! The gifts get my attention, so I read their letters, which always pull at my heartstrings…and my pocketbook.
It’s sort of annoying when you’re a cause marketing expert and you know exactly what they’re doing, but you succumb anyway. Care to fess up on any annoyingly effective cause marketing tactics you’ve fallen for?
On July 1of 1963, the U.S. Postal Service implemented the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code as a technique to expedite mail delivery across the nation. The coding system was invented by Robert Moon, who submitted the idea back in 1944 while working as a postal inspector. The Postal System will only give him credit for the first three digits - which relates to a general region of the country. The last two digits that in essence carve out smaller geographies was a shared endeavor and credit goes to a “committee” of smarties.
But not only did Mr. Moon contribute to the efficiency of the postal system, he also gave a helping hand to marketers. Zip codes are often used as a way to identify particular market segments and advertise to them accordingly. Which segment are you? You can find out the top segments in your zip code by going to the following link and going to the “Zip Code Look-up” Tab:
When you woke up this morning, did you think of all of the possible ways you could be injured? …and then think of all of the things you could do to prevent that?
No one ever expects to lose their life when they head out in the morning, but too many people do not take proper precautions to ensure their safety. Due to the lack of general knowledge of preventable injuries a community was designed to raise awareness, transform attitudes, and ultimately change behaviors in an effort to significantly reduce the number – and severity – of such injuries.
The PSAs in this campaign are very matter-of-fact and use blunt honesty to shock viewers into questioning their own precautions (or lack there of). With taglines like “You’re not expecting to need a helmet today” and “You’re probably not expecting to drown today” being placed on bike racks or towels left on the beach, these ads are sure to catch some attention and at the very least, make viewers discuss the unique ad they saw while walking through town today with family and friends.
What do you think? Will this help lower the over 1,000 preventable injuries that happen per day in BC? Is it a helpful reminder or just plain depressing?
Hot out of the oven, Pizza Hut – one of America’s favorite pizza companies - is announcing a new name: “The Hut.” In an effort to attract a younger consumer, Pizza Hut is rolling out the rebranding campaign in select markets across the US.
The effort includes the launch of Hut TV, an in-store entertainment experience designed to decrease perceived wait time, increase frequency of visits and promote specials. But with short customized segments from CBS–produced programs such as Wheel of Fortune and Entertainment Tonight – are they missing the mark of the “younger generation”?
According to the Chief Marketing Officer of Pizza Hut, “The Hut” is only a “vocabulary word” that shortens the brand name for an impatient text-savvy youth market. Clearly the shift is an effort to broaden awareness of their product line that goes above and beyond pizza to include pasta, wings and more. But do consumers really need the clarification?
To top it off, this isn’t the first time Pizza Hut has toyed with its image. Back in 2008, Pizza Hut rebranded its locations in the UK to “Pasta Hut.” After a consumer vote, 81% of British consumers polled wanted to go back to the old name. Could this be a repeat offense in the US? Pizza Hut, Pasta Hut, The Hut – the third time is a charm, right? What do you think – is “The Hut” a hit?
This past Friday night I was at the rehearsal dinner for a young couple to be married the next day. The party was in the groom’s parents’ lovely home. It was all pretty snazzy. The 45 or 50 guests were gussied up, tan, fit, multi-generational and probably mostly WASP. The menu was authentic Italian cuisine. There was staff. The over-the-top flowers were plentiful and stunningly arranged. A rented bartender served cocktails and champagne for the father’s welcoming toast to the guests and the young couple. Most of the party stayed indoors because the temperatures and humidity were tropical. Rain threatened and then showed up. So who went outdoors in the wilting heat and then the storm? Smokers. Who smokes any more? Not my friends and contemporaries. (I am old.) It was the kids. The twenty-something young professionals and of them, the young women, were the smokers. Hoping to look smart? Hoping to stay slim? Hoping to become addicted to the most dangerous chemicals you can ingest that are proven to be the most destructive to health and well-being? Probably not that one.
I said to one young woman—the hostess’ daughter, “Does your mother know you’re doing this? You shouldn’t smoke, you know.” She said, “No one should!” Laughed. Inhaled. Twirled her cocktail skirt. I felt bad. For the past 25 years, I’ve written and been involved in social marketing against smoking and secondhand smoke. Our agency, working with the Michigan Department of Community Health primarily, has targeted all ages, races, demographics with measureable successes. It’s discouraging to see any one smoking. Did you miss the messages? Apparently. We know the anti-smoking work is never finished. We know it’s tough to counter the glamorous smokers served up in movies and elsewhere. We won’t quit.
You’ll find our award winning and very effective anti-smoking tv commercials on psastation.com
When I see young women sucking on cigarettes in an electrical storm, risking the ruination of costly cocktail dresses, I don’t think smoking looks chic. I think it looks like addiction. And I feel sad. What do you think?
Have you ever used the Internet to search for medical information? Maybe even self-diagnosed yourself with a an ill-fated disease based on one of your symptoms (c’mon, fess up)? If you have been online searching for health-related data, welcome to the majority of the population. Sixty-one percent of Americans use the Internet to access health information - up from 25% back in 2000 (source: PewInternet). But, who is most likely to be searching on the Internet for medical information? According to PRIZM, a leading market segmentationtool, the PRIZM cluster most likely to be found listening to a health-related podcast, going to a medical website, and/or reading a blog or physician reviews is the nation’s most elite segment – The Upper Crust. A little bit about Upper Crust: their age range is between 45-64 and median HH income is about $114,000. They read the Wall Street Journal, Economist, and Forbes. They listen to NPR and ESPN radio. They watch tennis, golf, and horse racing. Think of Henry Higgins from My Fair Lady – but American and with Internet access. And if he had the latter, perhaps he’d spend more time focusing on his health and less time trying to change Ms. Doolittle. I happen to find her Cockney twang endearing.
On Monday a neat new site launched for those among us with, well, some wishey-washiness in the decision making arena. Got a big decision to make - hope you’ll opt NOT to use this site, but if your choice comes down to something you can trust to a Magic 8 Ball, this is the site for you! Hunch is a site that collects some information about your value system and preferences, then uses that data to help you make the decision of the day - need to decide where to go on vacation? Hunch has an answer. Need to know what to cook for dinner - bet it can help with that too. Personally, I’ll still go to Mom with the life-changing stuff, and my Magic 8 Ball for the rest.
Macy’s, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, the Gap, Mayo Clinic – check.
The Mayo Clinic, one of the nation’s healthcare leaders - just announced that they will have a presence in the second phase of the Mall of America. I guess we won’t just be shopping for shoes anymore.
They haven’t yet announced what services will be provided, it could be diagnostic screenings, wellness counceling – things along those lines, but it will in the end all drive the shopper/patient to their main hub in Rochester. Talk about a great healthcare “retail” strategy.
No, I’m not talking about Microsoft’s new entry into the search game, Bing. I’m talking about Koogle, a tasty new search option for Orthodox Jews!
The site is a welcomed addition in Israel. Now ultra-Orthodox Israelis can search the web for the latest news with the approval of local rabbis because the site blocks objectionable material and doesn’t post new info on the Jewish Sabbath.
No word yet on traffic volumes, the Koogle rank algorithm, the availability of keywords for purchase, or the rumor that each result comes with a savory side dish, but this kosher search solution is another example of technology opening up the web to a segment of the world otherwise unable to surf.
Text messages brought down the corrupt mayor of Detroit and his Chief of Staff/girl friend.
Cell phone photos of Michael Phelps with a bong tarnished his medals.
Today, the Iranian elections won’t be stolen. At least, not without a fight. Cell phones, texting, twitter, facebook are recording events showing us the multitude of Iranian citizens who won’t be ignored and won’t settle for a revised version of voting results. They know what they’re doing, the protesters with cellphone cameras. They’re using technology to show the world. The foreign media are doing it too because it’s safer for them than a camera crew. Here. Look. This is what’s really going on. It’s history making. World changing. It’s hope.
Technology is all over the place now. It’s in countries and corners of the world that don’t have a decent sewer system and never got the hang of the old telephone systems. The outside is getting in. The bad news is getting out. People are getting involved, paying attention, seeing what’s what, sharing what they learn.
To the tyrants, thieves, cheats, rats—watch it.
You never know who may be recording you now. And when you could be starring on the evening news or YouTube. Ready. Or not. Let’s see. Do you have a best side?
Who’s your favorite scumbag? Who would you like to see ‘caught’? Hmm?
As a breast cancer survivor, I spend quite a bit of time digging through the web on the latest and greatest breast cancer articles. I’m always looking for new tests, treatments, research studies and whatever else is out there. As I was doing some searching, I found some really clever non-traditional breast cancer advertising.
Take a look at some of my favorites.
These sticker placed strategically on fruit in India asked women if they check their breasts as carefully. Plays on the amount of time people spend making sure they purchase the perfect fruit. Source: Ads of the World
Reminds people that anyone can get breast cancer
Breast Cancer Mannequin combined with stickers in fitting rooms in a lingerie and swimwear boutique in Dubai
You don’t always see breast cancer and breast cancer doesn’t always show up on a mammogram. If you can feel something, get it checked.
Stress balls in Portugal
What do you think? Like them? Think their effective? Offensive? Or make you think?
A&E is rolling out the new series called Hammer Time this Sunday. I know what you are saying…Oh my goodness not MC Hammer with a reality show. Yes it’s true! And I know that what you’re saying is not what you’re really thinking! Everyone loved Hammer – or at least secretly loved him.
Well to introduce the Hammer family to the nation, A&E has been really smart by doing a high frequency campaign that included plenty of Social Media such as this extremely fun viral video below…
The video (that received over 900,000 hits this week) is not the only part of this roll out campaign. Hammer is on Twitter…and it’s labeled as Twittertime (too funny), aerial banners, text messages, staged phone calls, radio along with radio interviews and more.
Does all of this make you want to dance like Hammer (as seen on the video)? If so the campaign is working…so that means you have to tune in this Sunday to learn the typewriter!
