Tom Jennings Blog

In response to Jordan Robbins' post: Green Marketing

2011-04-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Do you think that the three keys ( Being Genuine, Educating Your Customers, and Giving Your Customers an opportunity to participate) are all that Green Marketing needs to be successful?

I think that the 3 ways to effectively promote green marketing are all very good ideas. I believe that if the people developing the product actually believe in it, then other peoples’ confidence in the product will also build. In today’s society many companies’ goals have been to sell what will make them the biggest buck. I think people are aware of this and are now looking for a genuine belief and assurance in a quality, environmentally friendly product. Educating customers about the product is extremely important because it explains why the product is significant and how it can help the environment. Many advertisements I’ve seen simply make claims about their product without any explanation, and a more informed person will be able to make a more conscious decision when they buy. The third way is very important because the customer knows that not only is the product they bought filling one of their needs, but its helping out the environment, which is very important to today’s society. I believe that these are the key to promoting a Green Market, but that being said more can always be done.

Consumer Sales Promotion

2011-04-24T19:09:00.001-07:00

Recently my family bought a new Honda Element and with it came free Sirius Satellite Radio for 3 months. I’ve noticed a lot of sales promotion deals like this that companies will use to try and lure in potential customers. The idea with the 3-month free Sirius Satellite Radio is that sampling Sirius’ product/service will hopefully turn someone into a customer. Once the consumer of say, a Honda Element has used the Sirius Satellite Radio for 3-months and has gotten accustomed to the service, they may feel as thought they may want/need it. I think that offering these premiums is a great way for companies to get their products noticed. Though it is expensive to give away free products/services I feel that the company will be gaining more loyal customers. People who have sampled a product or service will know what they are getting involved in and will be making a more conscious decision because they are aware that they like it. People sometimes never even know that they would like a product because they might be less likely to buy something they’re unsure or unaware of.

Have you seen any examples of this type of consumer sales promotion?

In response to Dan Bayrouty's "Product Placement and Supermarkets"

2011-04-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

I think that this concept is effective but I am wondering if other people think this way as well, or if placement on shelf levels don't matter to them when they are shopping?

I believe that this concept is another very effective marketing tactic that attempts to advertise products toward a selected target market. I believe this method is effective because typically people want to find what they’re looking for or something they like in an easy and accessible way. Placing products strategically on shelf levels is clever because it eliminates the problem of advertising to the wrong target market. If adults, as Dan says are more prone to eating “Raisin Brand” and children are more likely to eat “Lucky Charms” than it would seem like a no brainer, but to place these products at different height levels. Then these potential customers may see a product that they might be more interested in. If something is at eye level when going into a store, a person may be more likely to buy that product, without even having walked in with that intention. For me, I have completely fallen victim to this marketing strategy numerous times, which is another reason why I believe that this is in fact an effective technique and concept.

Morgan Spurlock's "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold"

2011-04-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

Director Morgan Spurlock, the creator of the ground breaking movie “Supersize Me” is now coming out with a movie titled “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.” The premise of the movie is to fund the entire production completely through product placement. Spurlock visits various companies from various industries, (mostly retail) and tries to persuade them to fund the making of the movie. Product placement is a normal way for movies to raise capital, but Spurlock intends to exploit this technique to the fullest. The title of the movie is actually presented by the drink company “POM Wonderful.” The concept of the movie is interesting because it shows Spurlock meeting with different company advertising heads, and gets their outlook. It also shows how big of a part advertisement and marketing play in our society. This movie should be an eye opening experience that shows the science and ideology behind advertising.

What are your thoughts and opinions about this movie?

You can watch the trailer online by using Google or YouTube.

In response to Erik's post: Are Diner Ad place mats clever?

2011-03-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

I found this posting to be interesting because I’ve been in the same situation. Looking at some placemats in diners and restaurants that are covered with mostly local businesses, I usually think nothing of it. The idea of adding a type of trivia game to the mats is an effective way to get someone to look at the advertisements, while they wait for their meal. I think that advertising on placemats is very effective because its cheap and will usually advertise toward locals, who are typically close to the advertiser’s business. Though usually some of these placemats may go unnoticed I believe that a game will make more people notice the ads.

Have you ever seen other interesting or clever advertising ideas?

Domino's Promotional Strategy

2011-03-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

After hearing recent class discussions about focus groups I remembered how recently Domino’s Pizza had used “actual” focus groups in some of their commercials. After reviewing the commercials, I found that the advertisements were used to show how Domino’s Pizza is working to improve their pizza, according to customer criticism. In the commercials I also noticed other methods of marketing research such as online surveys and social networking sites that Domino’s has used to improve their food. The purpose of showing these complaints (in advertisements) was to demonstrate to customers that any consistent dissatisfaction Domino’s observed in the their market research would be dealt with.

I believe that these advertisements were effective in helping promote Domino’s Pizza. In the past they were receiving a lot of complaints about their pizza, and realized that they needed to do something about it. The advertisements clearly show how they are improving their Pizza to fit customer needs. In one of the focus group commercials, it showed a group discussing the quality of ingredients. Domino’s then unveiled that the location of the group was actually on a farm that provides Domino’s with natural ingredients. Another example was a focus group complaining that the Pizza feels machine made, where then Domino’s again revealed that the location of the group was in a Domino’s kitchen, where staff were hand tossing the pizza dough. I believe that these commercials were a great promotional strategy. They commercials show how they are listening to customers and trying to meet their needs. I thought that the incorporation of the focus group made the commercials seem genuine and realistic.

Do you believe that the Domino’s Focus Group commercials were affective?

(YouTube Domino’s focus group to view)

In response to Ashley Guidi's post: Taco Bell Buys The Liberty Bell?

2011-02-22T13:32:00.000-08:00

"I ask you, how many times do you question a news story when it is published in national papers or viewed on TV? Do you put your faith into the integrity of others?"

-Ashley Guidi

This was a very interesting and thought provoking post you did on the public’s vulnerability to media and newspaper influence. I agree that society has come to believe whatever the news advertises. There seems to be a general agreement that if something isn’t true than why would sources we trust for information make it public. The public’s trust in these sources comes from their availability. Newspapers and television are some of the easiest and most convenient sources of information, and I believe that because of this we are more likely to believe what they say. I for example try not to believe everything I hear from the newspapers or television, but when there is only this source speaking on the matter, it is difficult to question if it is true.

I believe that there is an obligation that the newspapers and television have to delivering the most accurate information. Sometimes I think they are more likely to use the story that will sell the most or get them the most ratings. This makes it difficult to put my own faith into the integrity of others knowing that the truth maybe skipped out on in order to benefit their own success.

Do you think that news sources should receive a penalty if they knowingly advertise false information?

Ethical Marketing

2011-02-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

After today’s class lecture (February 22, 2011) I wanted to take a look at ads on YouTube to find an example of an advertisement that seemed, or had proven to be unethical. When I got to the sight the first word I typed in the search box was unethical. Without having written any other word unethical commercials, unethical advertising, and unethical ads were the first three suggestions to appear. Similar suggestions from Google’s search box appeared as well. After seeing this I came to the conclusion that unethical practices are more commonly used and associated with marketing than any other industry.

Though many advertisements in the past have appeared to have problems with ethics, I believe that there is a changing trend in marketing ethics. With the recent storm of energy and eco-friendly products, I believe that companies are recognizing the value of being ethical and following a more philanthropic marketing strategy. A good example of this changing trend is the Audi A3 TDI, which was featured in the 2010 Super Bowl advertisements. The car won "Green car of the Year" from the Green Car Journal for its clean diesel technology. The commercial incorporates a comedic police force called the “Green Police” that arrest people and give out tickets for behavior that the view environmentally hazardous.

Though advertisements have been incorporating aspects meant to improve the quality of life, it is important to remember that their philanthropic, ethical, and legal responsibilities all rest on the businesses’ main responsibility, which is profitability.

Do you believe that the recent trend of socially responsible advertisements is a genuine philanthropic approach, or a marketing device to increase profitability?

Marketing principles applied to job interview

2011-01-26T20:56:00.000-08:00

Advertising oneself to a potential employer requires an individual to consider how they will be evaluated. Since we are applying the "marketing mix" principle to getting a job there are 4 marketing activities (product, price, place (distribution), and promotion. The interviewee is already established as the product because this person is trying to sell themselves to the interviewer in hopes of landing a job. The price activity in this particular situation may refer to the person's agreement of an acceptable salary and/or benefits. The place (distribution) activity may refer to how easy it is for this person to get to this job and be readily available if called on by their consumer, which is the business they are interviewing for. Finally, the promotional activity may refer to the interviewee's resume, which is created to inform the consumer about the product. This model demonstrate that the "marketing mix" principle can be applied as a tool in situations, other than the typical interpretation of product and consumer.

What is the difference between marketing, advertising, and propaganda?

2011-01-22T10:15:00.000-08:00

I believe marketing, advertising, and propaganda are all similar in meaning and in what they are trying to accomplish. Their overall goal is to promote something to a certain audience and persuade them to feel a certain way. To me marketing is more business related, for example finding the right audience to show a product to. Advertising seems more like a general appeal to anyone in public, such as a billboard. Finally, propaganda seems to be more political, for example during a presidential election a candidate may use commercials to emphasize why they should be voted for.