In a departure from the Nike and Geico ads frequently found on this site, today I’m featuring something much more low budget: a simple red balloon on a sign in our front yard. Here’s the background…my family signed up to participate in FCWalk, a great cause that helps kids with special needs. We agreed to put a sign up in our front yard and will be walking to support the charity.
The Friendship Circle charity, like all others, knows that despite good intentions sometimes people need a gentle reminder. So one week before the event, they came to our house and tied a heart shaped red balloon on the sign in our yard. There were no reminder phone calls or direct mail pieces that said “don’t forget.” Not at all. Just a simple red balloon. Not just on our sign but on all 500 FCWalk signs in our community. It was a delightfully simple reminder that the walk was coming up.
Many marketers use marketing automation systems and behavioral retargeting to re-engage or remind their customers of promotions and other things. But sometimes a simple low tech tactic can work. Like a heart shaped red balloon.
P.S. I would be remiss on a site about marketing if I did not include a link to support my team in the FCWalk. So here it is.
The Setup: a 2011 Nike TV Commercial featuring regular folks and superstars alike.
Our Take: There’s a reason Nike continues to be one of the top brands in the world. It’s about the triumph of the human spirit, found when you reach down deep and give it your all. The Nike image has always been about making the most of your potential and has always recognized that we can’t all be Michael Jordan. What matters is attitude. This commercial shows us that when you’re challenged, just believe and you can stay in the game.
There is nothing political about this ad. It is about hope. But these days, with massive unemployment, a huge national debt and wars on many international fronts a message of hope strikes a chord. These trying times affect the national psyche. We want to believe things will get better, but there is deep mistrust of the government and other institutions. However, we can believe in ourselves. And this commercial tries to convey the power of that hope. Not to win, not to beat the other guy, but to take things one day at time — or the context of sports – one game at a time. Stay in the game. Because if you do, triumph may await you in the end.
When browsing Amazon.com today I came across some comments from the Amazon community. Not sure if this is a truly organic community or Amazon’s attempt to manufacture one but either way conversations are taking place that have nothing to do with the products for sale. The question posed was “Do you think there is a cut off age for wearing a mini skirt?” The responses ranged from “35 years old” to “there is no age limit.” And amidst that chatter was an overt and brash marketing tactic– the commentary below which links to an item for sale in Amazon’s store. The word “THIS” links to the product page below.
Do you think there is a cut off age for wearing a mini skirt?
GW says:
If your chins are where your boobs should be,
& your boobs are where your waist should be,
& your waist is where your knees should be,
& your knees are around your ankles…
put the miniskirt & the “flower power” T-shirt back in the closet
& throw THIS on instead.
Our Take: A shameless but amusing way of plugging an item for sale in the middle of an online discussion. Usually these attempts fail because people do not want their discussions interrupted by commercials for anything. But this one was a total surprise. And kind of funny at that. So it works. Or does it. Your vote?
The Setup: A poster ad for The New York Times, spotted outside of a news stand in Penn Station (New York City).
Our Take: If you have to say you’re cool, then you’re not cool. In this day and age when people get their news from aggregators, apps and social media — like Newsy, Drudge Report, Zite, Google News, News Republic, Twitter, Stumble Upon and oodles of other sources — it’s a little out of touch for The New York Times to say “We are It.” It’s misplaced braggadocio and downright wrong. As someone who runs marketing for a large information provider/media company, I am rooting for The New York Times. But they really do need an image makeover.
This blog is an open forum so feedback from The Times or anyone else is welcome.
The Setup: this soon to be aired commercial for Snickers continues the campaign theme of “you’re just not yourself unless you have a Snickers.” We’ve all been there — crankiness from being hungry. But when some people get famished they turn into an angry Joe Pesci. Take a bite of this commercial and see for [...]
The Setup: normally on this site we feature new advertising and examples of marketing that don’t get much coverage elsewhere — notable store signs, direct mail pieces, whatever. But recently I stumbled upon an adorable Volkswagen commercial that aired during the 2011 Superbowl. Lots of fun and definitely worth seeing again. Your thoughts? Good Ad [...]
The Setup: a flyer for a drugstore, err Apothecary, in Woodstock, NY. Spotted by Our Take: this family business in Woodstock, NY sure understands their audience. Since the 1960′s Woodstock has had the reputation of being an anti-establishment kind of town. (Ironically many former hippies are now entrepreneurs running local businesses there). This store, the [...]
Here’s an update on the post that suggests The New York Times (finally) get a new slogan. One suggestion: “All the News that’s Fit to Share” from Your thoughts? Rating 3.00 out of 5 [?]
Millions of times a day people see the famous motto of The New York Times, whether it’s on a newspaper, a subscription invoice or a delivery van (like the one below seen in Manhattan today). “All the News That’s Fit to Print” has been on on the front page of The New York Times since [...]
The Setup: a sign for a cheesesteak restaurant on South Street in Philadelphia, spotted by Yifat. Our take: you’ve got to be bold when you’re competing for the attention of street walkers distracted by store windows, ice cream shops, music and hookie bars. And in Philly, sometimes that requires some attitude. Good Ad or Not? Rating [...]
