FYI

I have really enjoyed trends in advertising. Its been a really interesting class and the topics have been relevant to what we have been learning and have already learnt. Honestly, the only thing I would change is the 8am start time, which I know couldn't be helped. With a later start time, I could really have enjoyed the class even more, as my brain juices would have been flowing. I also wish we could have got to know Gabor a bit more and for a longer period of time. 

Writing the blogs has actually been fun and not a chore (once I started). It's definitely been one of the best requirements for a class. If only more classes could have been like this...

Gabor, you're a good guy and I've truly enjoyed this class. Your teaching style rocks and your down to earth. Its a nice touch.

Thanks for a great semester, and keep up the good work!

You know they have an app for that

It seems that every brand is beginning to do something different, something that pushes themselves further out of the box. With the introduction of social media like Facebook, brands have found new ways to get their names out to the public. Applications, or "apps" as they are fondly known as, and limited edition Facebook gifts are just some of the ways brands are changing things up.

With every iPhone commercial I see, the more I want one, especially for the apps that you can download. There is literally an app for anything. From checking out the weather, to counting calories, to a glass of beer that magically disappears as you "pour" it into your mouth. Pointless, but if its free and gets a few laughs, it is worth it to download, thus supporting the brand and spreading the message. 

Another new media that has surfaced recently is the Facebook limited edition (usually free) "gifts". We spoke a lot about Obama today, and I remember that during the inauguration time period, there was an Obama gift. There have been many more before that and after. I have seen countless brands putting themselves on Facebook like this, too many to list. Along with brands, new movies are also releasing gifts. The most recent one I saw was for Friday the 13th, an image of Jason's hockey mask. A simple, easy Jpeg image that takes a brand somewhere that millions of people visit daily, and brings them to a more personal level. 

I never really thought about it before, but something like a ringtune would be a new form of media. Although this is something that is more novelty that we as consumers choose to do, its a great way for a one-hit wonder to make some extra royalty bucks. Its also another way for annoyingly popular songs to get even more airplay and give undeserving people even more money. I promise, I am not bitter...

In all, the more new and unique the idea, the better. Its always cool to see a brand pop up somewhere you wouldn't expect it to. Like in-game advertising. I still find that really exciting when a real brand is in the background. I look forward to seeing what advertiser's come up with next, the next time a brand pops up somewhere unexpected...

A world without Proactiv Solution ads? Perfect.

So, for this week, we were challenged to go without television for as long as possible and only use the Internet as a source of entertainment. And well, as a TV addict, that is a hard thing. I have the TV on while I do anything and everything (and I mean everything...!). I mean, it helps me fall asleep and it keeps me company when I am alone. And now, I guess I sound like a sad, crazy person. 

As of today, I have yet to watch any TV, but I am also in a TV-free room while working on soon to be due assignments and other tasks. I woke up at 10:30 am and it's now, 4:23 pm. Thats almost 6 hours of no TV watching! Impressive...

A night a few weeks ago I did spend at least an hour or more watching nothing but YouTube and College Humour. Just by choice. It started with watching one random clip and then clicking on something else that seemed interesting, and then went on from there. You know what, it was actually pretty fun! Maybe not something I would do all the time, but entertaining nonetheless (especially with some wine). 

The great thing about watching videos on the Internet is the lack of commercials that you are forced to see. I don't think I could even name a brand or product that I might have seen an ad for while I was watching my online videos. I'm sure they were there, but they weren't so invasive. It was nice to watch something without interruptions!

I am a fan of HGTV and they offer most of their shows online, at any time. So, I have been on the website for that reason, to watch a few of my stories, back-to-back. However, there is a small price to pay for watching online. There are about 3 or 4 20 second sponsor ads that you have to watch. You can't fast-forward, you must wait them out. Not that bad, and definitely better then watching the same commercial every break.

In the future, I think that TV advertising could become less popular and cease to be the biggest medium. With PVRs growing, commercials will become a thing of the past and advertisers are going to need to start thinking of new ways of getting consumer's attentions. If PVRs weren't so expensive, I would definitely have one by now. I am soooo sick of seeing and hearing about Proactiv Solution! And I am confident I am not alone on this one!

As we progress, a lot more online advertising is going to appear. Along with more outdoor advertising, as that is always going to be around (unless we continue to get fatter and fatter, and lazier!). I am not much of an online girl. I use it for email and of course, Facebook. I don't usually use it for videos or much else. However, I am sure that this is all going to change...

WWFD?

I can barely remember a time without MySpace or Facebook. It seems as if these social networks have always been around for our amusement....

There have always been some sort of social network available online for us, from MSN Messenger or various dating or networking sites, but only recently have we been introduced to websites dedicated to us making our own personal "pages".
I remember the first time I heard of Facebook, and one of my girlfriends was shocked that I hadn't heard of it. This must have been in my first or second year of college, over 2 years ago.
Not wanting to be left out, I searched for Facebook the same night, and made my profile. Three years later, my page is filled with pictures, posts, links to hundreds of friends, co-workers, relatives, and other's pages, and not to mention tons of other things.
It seems to have been an overnight success. In no time I went from 10 friends, to 50, to over 100, and so on. People I hadn't heard of or seen in years, were suddenly "my friend". Even my current boss (which I know you're not supposed to do) is my "friend".
Facebook has gone from a great networking page, to a marketer or advertiser's best friend. Here, they can reach millions of their target market from around the world, for free (by making a page). Or, they can place a banner or offer a "free gift" that people can give to a friend's page.
It's not only a great way to stay in touch with distant friends or relatives, but a great way to hear about current events, keep up with pop culture, learn about new products or brands, and so much more!
As our society progresses towards an even more technological age, past technologies are now disappearing and being replaced by new ones. Its possible to imagine that instead of picking up the phone to speak to someone, the norm will be to Facebook them. Who knows? What is for sure is that Facebook and MySpace, and other social networks, are here to stay.

Guerilla. The wave of the future

FYI: First of all, I was all done this post when my internet decided to crash, so here it is again... Not pleased! Apparently the SAVE NOW button, does not, in fact work. 

Anyhow...

Guerilla marketing. What an interesting and unique way to send a message to the target audience without seeing it on the TV or reading it in a magazine. It's a fast growing media that will soon move it's way into the traditional forms of advertising.

What's so great about it is that is original. Most of the time, the idea has not been done and the agency that thought it up is the first to have done such a thing, which in a world like advertising, you can't say you've done very often. It's also a way for agencies to out-do themselves and think of more interesting things to do, but also a great way to stand out from their competition.

Guerilla advertising/marketing can be something very simple from a large brush combing telephone wires or intensely complicated like a billboard of paint cans spilling down the wall and onto a few cars beneath. It can be something shocking like a garbage can say "waa waa" to making everyday objectives, like a tree, into a carrot.

Basically, guerilla advertising can be anything that you make it. It can be as simple as you want or as complicated as you want. But one thing is for sure, it's going to get you noticed.

By chance, last week I found an interesting example of guerilla marketing that Disney put out. It was a simple robot that was roaming the streets of LA, promoting their newest animated film, Wall-E. The "live" Wall-E was moving, speaking, and interacting with the growing crowd around him. Since I am a huge fan of the movie, I found this very interesting and would have loved to have seen him! You can see him on YouTube, its pretty awesome.

In all, I love guerilla marketing. I think it is one of the most creative forms of advertising and is only going to get bigger and bigger, and everyone will start to do it. I can only hope that when I grow up and get into the big, bright world of advertising that I am so lucky to work on a guerilla marketing campaign. Or even, just see one with my own eyes. I'll take whichever comes first!

Blogs smogs

Blogs are basically a 21st century version of a diary; except with a lot more cursing and ranting about everything. I honestly haven't really been interested in following blogs because I don't really care about what lots of these people have to say. But seeing as I am getting into advertising, and blogs are gaining popularity at an alarmingly fast rate, I guess it's time I get on board.

I've been looking through some of the popular blog sites, and one of the biggest things I found about them, is I don't really know where to start. There is a lot of information packed onto one site and its a little overwhelming.

Perhaps the more I read through, the more I will grow to like them, but right now, I am very indifferent. I would much rather watch the news or read a paper, or even the homepage of MSN.com. 

I definitely do see the appeal of blogs for advertisers however. They are free and are readily seen by millions of people across the world. Its quite genius actually. Its also a great way for people to speak positively about a brand or product, that the brand didn't even have to pay for!

There is a lot of garbage that you have to look past before you find something worthwhile. Everyone with a computer seems to think they are an author. With a huge shift into digital medias used as forms of advertising, blogs are going to continue getting bigger and better, reaching more people around the world faster, and for free.

Blogs are a fantastic way to advertise, an could easily become the newest common form of advertising. With a little more time and practice, I could see myself getting into the blogging world, it's just making blogging a part of my day that is going to be the most work! I think I'll get into it quickly though...

Inexpensive, Without the Cheap

It seems that every grocery store I go to these days is changing. You can't just go in to buy your regular necessities of life - bread, eggs, milk, etc, without noticing all the other options out there. Now there is so many different things that people consider "necessities" like Pop Tarts, Pizza Pockets, or mircowavable dinners, things that just weren't considered years before.

Since people are looking for faster and easier alternatives to a home-made meal, it seems every company is jumping to the chance to make another unnecessary product to make our lives easier. Just today I saw a magazine ad for a sandwich kit. The sandwich kit is similar to "Lunchables", the fun lunch choice for kids' whose parents are too lazy to make a real lunch. This sandwich kit however, was for adults. Apparently with this sandwich kit, you wont waste anymore of your lunch breaks making food. Ridiculous.

And to add to all the major brand names that have started making these "easy" alternatives, grocery stores themselves have joined the bandwagon. Loblaws and Loebs both have their own personal store brands, adding to their brand's architecture. Loblaws now boasts both a cheaper and healthier alternative for food called "President's Choice" and a surprisingly successful (and decent) clothing line called "Joe Fresh". Loebs has a similar line to President's Choice called "Master's Choice". 

These exclusive additions to both grocery stores are adding to their brand architectures. Now, they are much more then just stores carrying, displaying and selling other brand's products. These companies are now manufacturing and selling their own personal brands within their already established stores to increase their revenues even more. Brilliant. 

As a student living on her own, money is kept as close to me as possible. Not to sound cheap or anything, but I'm the kind of gal that will go for a deal or look for a sale, over anything else. I like to look around before I purchase, to make sure I am getting the best deal possible. So, when I am at Loblaws I will often chose the President's Choice brand over the leading brand name. I mean, there are some exceptions. I will not buy a no name ketchup or cola, its just not the same. But taco shells or canned olives? That's all the same to me. 

So, its great to have a cheaper alternative without skimping on the quality or taste. Just because I am a student and trying to live affordably, doesn't mean I want crap. And if you know me, you know I like fashion. I like to look good, but without paying a high price (though I would kill for that luxury). Until then, I am happy to look in Joe Fresh in the middle of Loblaws for inexpensive, yet nice clothing. In fact, I usually visit Joe when I am picking up a loaf of bread. I can't help it.

These brand architecture extensions (if you will), are excellant ideas. I certainly hope that whoever thought of the idea was promoted instantly. I would love to see them surface to other stores (cough, cough Winners, cough). Its probably safe to say that this is a trend that we will see a guaranteed rise in over the years. 

And thats just fantastic.