Just when I thought I was an expert Google searcher, Google develops an wikithat makes it even easier for me to customize my search to the things I want to see. Should be interesting to see how this will affect SEO.
Check out this YouTube video to see how the new service works:
This is the coolest, most engaging, most nerve wrecking and ultimately mind-blowing site I have ever seen. Aside from the “cool” factor, can anyone please explain to me the strategy behind Sprint’s new mega-widget?
So I was in the supermarket yesterday doing my normal bi-weekly grocery shopping routine. As I came to the deodorant aisle, I was overwhelmed with the choices. Normally I pick the same kind, but I was in the mood for a change. Yes, even a simple change in deodorant can be a small pick-me-up to the mundane everyday. So as I stood blocking the aisle and contemplating my choices–deodorant vs. antiperspirant, original vs. maximum strength, solid vs. gel, invisible roll-on vs. no streaks–I was just overcome with too many options to make my underarm area smell fresh and stay dry.
As I continued my inner debate about which product to choose based on commercials I had seen, two trendy, well dressed, mid-twenty ladies politely walked in front of me as they picked their deodorant of choice. One girl remarked, “Oh, I picked this one last time because of the cute packaging. It also has a really fun smell.” The other girl remarked, “Well I normally buy Mitchum because it does not leave any residue marks on anything, me or clothing.” That’s it! My decision was made. (And as I thought about it, I had never seen an ad for Mitchum.) Here was someone who was not paid by the company to convince me with cute packaging, low prices, or scientific data. Just the plain facts, it does the job and does it well. On that note I purchased Mitchum for Women in the Fresh scent. And I could not have been happier with my purchase.
The same thing happened when I was looking to purchase a mini SD card to store music on my phone. Instead of taking the Verizon’s salesperson advice on a $30 1GB Verizon branded version, I went on NewEgg.com, typed in mini SD card, and found a multitude of great options, all of which were much cheaper ($6.99) for a 2GB card. Plus, there were over 150 reviews for the one product, everything from performance to the best shipping options.
This is the new age of marketing. I don’t want the company to tell me why it’s good, I want real people who have used the product to give me the real low-down. That’s the real expansion of Web 2.0, the social media conversation. We have more control of what we want and how we get our information about it. I understand companies have to make a profit, but what’s the point of those advertising dollars if I ignore them and take the opinion of a 23 year old female who only existed for 2 minutes in life?
Just some bits to chew on…
So I went to the theater this weekend to watch this movie. Interestingly enough, there was no poster outside the theater for it. As I think about it, I realized I had not seen a commercial for it either. Just the viral marketin
g video. Hmmm… After paying $10.25 at 3:10 p.m. (isn’t that still matinee time?) I walked into a small theater of 16 people - all women of course.
As I sit through the plot, I’m almost bored to tears because I have seen this movie at least 16 times before. Wife loves husband, husband cheats on wife, wife is the last to know, wife hits rock bottom because she put everything into her husband, wife finds her own voice along with new hairstyle and wardrobe, wife becomes successful on her own terms, wife forgives husband, everyone lives happily ever after. Boooooooooo!
Why is it that only AFTER the man cheats on her, does the woman only then realize how out of control everything was and how out of touch she was with reality? Why is there never a movie where the woman has a mid-life intervention of her own and decides she wants to do better for herself, not because some man/job/(fill in the blank) has let her down? Come on! Women should be smarter than this by now. Or at least you think they would be after seeing this type of movie over and over again.
And with such a stunning cast (Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, Candice Bergan and a host of others) you think this would have been a very smart film. Apparently, some writers don’t think we are ready for a smart chick flick. Personally I can’t wait any longer, but I don’t have the time to write my own screenplay. It’s 2009 planning season, for goodness sake! So until a smart and intelligent chick flick comes along, I’m sticking to comedies and dramatic thrillers. This way I know I will be on the edge of my seat in anticipation or about to fall out of it from laughter. I think that’s enough said!
While we are all trying to discover the next new thing in marketing, this may be taking things a step too far. Check out this video from SlateV.com about the potential future of viral marketing. What’s makes this scary is that it could be real.
While I think we can all take steps to be more efficient in our daily lives, I think this is taking the work/life balance concept a bit too far…
I like to multi-task as much as the next guy/gal, but aren’t you more productive after your workout, rather than during? Let’s take a break once in a while to live in the moment and focus on the task at hand, not how many tasks we can complete at once. I’m sure your boss, client, and your brain will thank you for it.
What make this campaign cool is the marketing tactics they use to draw attention to their underground following and thus drive traffic to their Web site, where you’ll find a whole nation of Orange Underground followers. Not only are these followers now part of an exclusive group, but they are inspired to a call of action and videotape their RAoCs. So not only do you now create an exclusive following, but now you have a group that interacts with each other to further promote a brand.
And while this did not get such stellar ratings and praise from Advertising Age, I think Cheetos hit the nail right on the head with the audience they are trying to reach. It’s great to see that this company is taking the time to really evaluate their audience and find out what appeals to them. So who cares if Mom doesn’t care for the ad, she’s not the target audience. This reminds me of “old school” Facebook, before all the advertising links and the university’s dean wanted to “Add you as a Friend.” Make things simple and mainstream and you will get many people who might like your product, but make things exclusive and edgy and you will draw a crowd that will be loyal ambassadors of your brand.
Thanks to Charlene’s birthday, we found out that in addition to Merlot the wine, Merlot Marketing also loves cupcakes. Who would have known a small handful of round sugary baked goodness could bring so much joy to grown people?! But the best part of being grown is that we all ate our cupcakes at 8:15 a.m. After the instant sugar high, we all realized why you eat your desserts after dinner. But hey, grown folks need a chance to break the rules a bit or at least re-live the fun parts about celebrating a friend’s birthday in kindergarten. (Shout out to all the Moms who bring cupcakes for their child’s class.)
Now let’s see what other fun experiences from elementary school we can bring back. Recess anyone?
My name is Zsavonne.
Spelling lesson: Z(as in zebra)-S-A-V(as in violin)-O-N-N-E. And this is how I have spelled my name since I was in the third grade. Think ZsaZsa (like Zsa Zsa Gabor) and throw a “-vonne” on the end of it.
Yes, it’s a very unique name and to add to that credibility, just Google me. You will learn that I currently work for Merlot Marketing, have worked for Waterhouse PR, I was a member of YPAC, did community work with Girls Incorporated of Chattanooga, and researched my family tree on when I was in high school. If you’re a good detective, you might even find the name of the modeling troupes I belonged to. This little monologue is to convince you that my name is ZSAVONNE and I am distinctly unique.
So please, do not try to change/reduce my name to Vaugh, Shavaugn, Yvonne, or the latest one I heard today Jalon. While the last name has changed, my name is and always will be Zsavonne.
But feel free to call me Z for short. 
Please note: The opinions and positions expressed within this blog are my own (or of those who contribute) and don't necessarily reflect those of Merlot Marketing, Inc.
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