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…
All Eyes to the Computer Screen, Class!
FREE EDUCATION! Now this is not where I launch into a political diatribe about how public education should be free or any other ’stick it to the man’ rally. I was surfing the social business wonder that is ‘LinkedIn’ the other day and ran across a really cool program called LIFE. LIFE , part of the Chai network, is an online worldwide community offering free classes. Anyone can join and so far people are tuning in from over 50 countries! Read the rest of this entry »
It’s Halloween! And what more could you ask for from your favorite peeps at Merlot Marketing than a Halloween-inspired contest? Why, TWO Halloween-inspired contests! That’s right, we’re bring ScaryBack with two competitions in the PR Mafia’s (please note the new nickname for our stellar PR Team) never-ending attempt to overthrow Matt as the reigning Merlot Competition Champion of Everything.
The Pumpkin Carving Contest (which Matt won last year) and Costume Contest (a new one this year) are up for grabs. Voting took place this afternoon, so click through to see what and who entered the field of competition… Read the rest of this entry »
In honor of Halloween i wanted to post something a little creepy for everyone to have fun with. Luckily this thing i wanted to post fell into my lap at just the right time! Hopefully everyone can take a little break from their day to see (and rate) some of the creepiest animals out there. Enjoy!
Everyone is talking about how awesome Will Ferrell and Tina Fey were last night on SNL’s election special. And they were! It was one of the funniest skits they’ve done all year! But I want to draw attention to Kenan Thompson’s continued role of Oscar Rogers, SNL’s financial consultant.
Kenan’s Oscar character has once again made me to laugh so hard, I had tears pouring down my face. Like, streaming down my face in a continued flow of tears. Oscar is so wound up and anxious about the financial crisis, that he’s freaking out and all he wants the people in charge to do is, “FIX IT!” But it’s the construction of Kenan’s face in his delivery that makes this comic genius. Check out the video below of last night’s “Weekend Update” skit. You can fast forward to the 1:45 mark if you are pressed for time, but I also highly recommend Fred Armisen’s bit with the interactive map. Chuck Todd is soooooo jealous.
no one can deny the tsunami that social networking and media has become. from tweeting every move you make to the iPhone allowing us to snap photos and upload them to our MySpace/Facebook/Friendster/Etc…we all, to an extent, are generating content (which is a completely separate blog post).
that being said. the digital “paper trail” that we leave with this massive output of content can potentially backfire. take the following example.
Ashley Todd, a McCain/Palin supporter caused a flurry of interest and scandal when she reported that she “was attacked by a 6-foot-4 black man Wednesday night”.
Read the rest of this entry »
A: “Zebra print.”
(I’m not kidding.)
So, how fitting was the absolutely fabulous and delicious birthday cake we recently got her to celebrate her October b-day? Too perf, we had to post it up here to give a shout-out to Nugget Market in Davis for their most excellent use of butter cream.
Also, check out the painstaking hand detail that Tiffany, Charlene and I put into the birthday candles in an effort to continue the zebra theme. Now, that’s commitment… and a most excellent use of a Sharpie.
Happy B-day, Z!!
Real quick: Sarah Palin will be on SNL tomorrow. “Brand,” or “Josh Brolin” as he’s known to people who aren’t cool enough be Goonies (right, b-rad?), is hosting, so I wonder what sort of dub-ya/Palin skit they might have in the works. Whatever it is, I hope Tina Fey is writing it. Tina=comedy gold. Can’t wait for SNL!
(l-r) Charlene, Zsavonne, Peter, Jana, Tiffany at Aura
Merlot Marketing’s PR Team subscribes to Peter Shankman’s Help A Reporter Out (HARO) service, which connects savvy journalists to sources. It’s a brilliant viral movement and Peter’s membership is growing each day - he’s nearing 40,000 members! While HARO is a large network, Peter’s three daily e-mails make you feel like he’s your bff. Thanks to the Sacramento Public Relations Association (SPRA), Peter was in Sacramento yesterday for an SPRA luncheon where he talked to local PR pros about social media and its future in PR. Not only was it a great discussion, full of amazing information and certainly a lot of laughs, but we also got to meet our homeboy, Peter, in person!
As is customary for Peter’s speaking engagements, SPRA threw a members only happy hour at Aura in midtown last night where we all got to hang out, network and kick it with our HARO bestie. Massive thanks to Peter for giving Sacramento his time and sharing his wisdom. Also, a great big thank you to my friends at SPRA for having the forethought to bring Peter into town. (I should probably disclose here that I am SPRA’s VP this year. And I know that that looks like I’m thanking myself, but I’m actuallythanking the faboo SPRA peeps who make my job as the veep so rewarding.)
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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