A Call to Manhood! Huhh?

Men and women are different; therefore so are their advertisements. But do some companies cross the line, or does their physiologically deep marketing really work?

I want to ask a few questions about “Male Advertising”- because I want to gain a clear perspective if this stuff really works!

Men, does Dockers new ad campaign appeal to you?

Dockers’ current rollout will include print, TV, billboards and a big spot during the upcoming Superbowl. Let’s take a look at their site… Answer the Call of Manhood

From a recent rant I pulled a quote that explains the almost offensive side of Dockers’ campaign.

“It’s one thing to encourage men to man up, another to tell them to “wear the pants” — an expression that taps directly into the old question: “Who wears the pants in this family?” There are only two possible answers: the man of the house, or the woman who has been stealing his thunder.”

Is this Dockers ad telling men to put woman in their place? Or is it just simply a clear appeal to the macho psyche?

Men, do you like this ad? Will you go buy Dockers because they have convinced you that you are a sissy-lala without them?

Success of a XEROX Flack

One of the most powerful, but often “forgotten”, practices of Public Relations is charity involvement or philanthropic association. Getting caught up in day-to-day press releases, media relations and our twitter addiction is a common offense of the industry.

XEROX has done a fantastic job stepping outside of their typical realm of selling office printers and supplies.

Let’s Say Thanks is a movement XEROX created to enable people across the country to send their gratitude and wishes to soldiers overseas. Individuals can choose a postcard designed by submissions from children all across the USA, enter their name, city, and then choose a prewritten message or write their own. XEROX prints submissions on their Xerox iGen3 Digital Production Press and mails out care packages by the military support organization Give2TheTroops.

My favorite part of this mission is that I don’t have to create a personal account and give out my information in order to have a thoughtful card sent to those in the armed forces. There is even a section on their website where you can read messages sent back from soldiers, expressing their gratitude.

XEROX has successfully created a community outreach program that inspires soldiers and enables people back home to feel like they are making a small difference. Not only that, they are promoting their own product through printing each postcard.

#WIN! Social Media & Holiday Traditions Collaborate

My life definitely has a big chunk dedicated to social media, and I am totally okay with that. I am also a classic American girl who goes gaga over holiday and family traditions.

So, one of my concerns: Is social media going to take over some of our simple traditions?

In a recent post on Everything PR, a new holiday package from Animoto is introduced. Users can create videos with numerous pictures and holiday themes to share with their friends on social networks or via e-mail. Animoto has produced a high-end product that can be used for mass messaging this season.

Benefits of this product-

1. Fast online accessibility
2. Ease of customization
3. No hassle delivery
4. Low overall price of $30

Drawbacks of this product-

1. Lack of sincerity
2. Electronic greeting perceived as an afterthought

I have stumbled across a product (via @howaboutorange) that combines the benefits of an online greeting card but sustains the classic traditions of heartfelt holiday greetings.  #WIN!

Trolley Cards has a huge selection of real, designer cards to choose from. Anywhere you can access the Internet you can choose one of these cards then type a personalized note that will appear inside as a handwritten message. The best part is they will send the note card directly to your recipient through the mail in an adorable brown envelope closed with a wax seal.

You can even choose to include gift cards ranging from $15-$100 from iTunes, AMC Entertainment, Home Depot, Target, Amazon, Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, and Pottery Barn.

Their products range all the way between note cards for seasonal occasions to “just because”.

Benefits of this product-

1. Fast online accessibility
2. Ease of customization
3. No hassle delivery
4. Unlimited design choices
5. Tangible
6. Heartfelt and personable

Drawbacks of this product-

1. Price of $7 per card

I plan on using Trolley Cards for multiple occasions! Cute greetings are always appreciated Finally a product that offers the benefits the Internet provides combined with the important aspect of traditions!

The Negative Side of Target Marketing & Social Media

Generally I am a supporter of target marketing- sending information specifically to those whose internet tendencies pervade a certain trend. It saves a large chunk of marketing budgets and provides highly customizable options for consumers. Overall, it is a valuable time and cost saver for both parties. In a previous guest post I discuss my thoughts on the topic further (http://bit.ly/5Ht21g).

As I continue to become more involved with social media, my opinion on target marketing is taking a slight shift  in the negative direction. I publicized my annoyance via tweet the other day:

In response to this, people agreed that such a  practice is extremely unnecessary:

Sure, it is  mildly entertaining. I once said that I was suffering from an ear infection, then was bombarded with “Ear Facts” and “Ear Knowledge” accounts. Why do those even exist? Or how about the fact that Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are following everyone and their mother.

But on a more serious note- when I tweet about assignments for my Internet Marketing class or ask questions about building SEO for my blog I am followed by a personality who represents that idea. In the beginning I followed these people back- but not anymore. They do not offer valuable material. Most importantly they skew the representation of who is following me.

Are people searching key words and then instantly spamming those who mention anything even REMOTELY close to what they represent?

Please, for your clients’ and your own company’s sake, DO NOT DO THIS!

Has anyone else experienced similar issues with social media and targeting?

Social Media Helps Guerrilla Marketing

A recent article by Brandweek interviewed Sam Ewen, the founder of Interference; a firm who focuses on promotional and experimental advertising.

I was immediately inspired.

A recent example from Interference is their work for GE Healthcare. They set up a window display with words like “cancer” and “death panels” that lit up when someone mentioned those words on Twitter.

The CEO talked about the impact of social media on this particular type of marketing.

“The benefit we have is people who have iPhones have cameras. So if we get their attention, they can spread it.”

Twitter is mainly used by “me-formers” who talk about their life happenings. When they see an event like those of Interference Inc. they are going to tweet about it, which then reaches their followers.

These marketing events now have more of an impact than ever before.