Leave a message after the beep.

By far one of the most powerful products in the world is a smartphone. No matter what, people will camp outside of stores to get a chance of purchasing one of them. Brand loyalty is a huge part of that but it also sets the standards for other companies to beat. Besides the random phones that catch fire, the market is filled with amazing products.

Samsung right now

Now, Google has recently announced a new line of products coming out and one of them is a new smartphone, Pixel. The phone is being advertised as the best smartphone on the market and is even modeled just like the iPhone. Of course, Google comes out with a great ad for the phone, focusing on what phones do best.

This ad starts off with a kid asking a question, to which the other says ‘Google it’. It then flips through a bunch of images but blocks out the object with a white bar or Google’s ‘search bar’. But slowly the ‘search bar’ turns into a phone shaped box. This is great because it perfectly gets Google’s message across, ‘The power of Google in a phone’. Now, every phone has the capability of Googling things, so what makes this phone different? Pixel is different because it’s the first smartphone built around a search engine. The tagline ‘Life by you’ pops up after the whole screen goes white and it now shows you what you were missing out on with those pictures, courtesy of Pixel. The ad gets its message across in a simplistic way, which is rare in today’s commercial world.

Does it remind you of an Apple ad? Tech companies have some of the best commercials in the fact that they highlight why the product is right for you.

It’s almost necessary today because phones come and go so real-life that you need to give the consumer real life examples of the way the phone could make their lives easier. The methodology of the phone commercials is practicality. Each and every one of them can get the job done but there are reasons behind why people buy certain brands.

As the phones get better, so does the advertising.

Now, if you can excuse me. I have to take this call.

N

The Peoples Champ

Under Armour is winning 2016 so far.

Now, there is plenty of the pie to go around. In fact, Nike and Under Armour have had really great years, but according to Yahoo Finance Under Armour is gaming up for the future, though. Under Armour’s average five-year earnings growth rate is 32.8% compared to Nike’s 13.9%. Under Armour just recently shacked up with Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, which was a huge People’s Elbow to Nike. Other than Lebron saying ‘I do’ to Nike, they haven’t had the best year so far (thanks to Sharapova). Under Armour does have something Nike doesn’t, they get the honor of being my ad of the week!

This ad is powerful. Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time. In this ad, you see everything that goes into earning that title. Brutal workouts, strict diets, and exhausting schedule. He’s even working out while he sleeps. People say that passion makes an athlete and as a clothing line to athletes, Under Armour brings you that passion. Set to the song ‘Last Goodbye’ this ad is a testimony to every athlete who gives it everything. ‘It’s what you do in the dark, that puts you in the light’ is motivating enough to really drive the tagline home ‘Rule Yourself’. It’s no ‘Just Do it’ but it’s well on its way to building up an already established brand. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone dethrones Phelps after watching this motivating ad. The great thing about this ad is that it isn’t selling a product, it’s selling a lifestyle. An active lifestyle requires clothing, enter Under Armour. The best ads are ones that make you feel something and this ad made sure to hit that. People love using products that they’re emotionally invested in. People use Under Armour because they feel like they can work harder while wearing the brand. Under Armour pushes people to do their best.

This might be Under Armour’s time to Rock Bottom Nike.

Do you smell what the Rock’s cooking?

-N

How to sell things without showing them.

In advertising not to be different is virtually suicidal. – William Bernbach

That’s a little extreme William. But true.

The point of an advertisement is to generate interest in a product, which then leads to a sale. It can be done by using the product, maybe solving a problem, or just listing the benefits of it. Also, it helps to show the product.

When you get down to it, advertising is creative. It’s art

You know the funny about art and paintings isn’t how many words they use, it’s how they get their message across without them. You don’t see a banner under the Mona Lisa saying ‘Her eyes follow you’. You learn that information the second you look at the painting.

Obviously there is a difference between paintings and T.V ads but this is my blog. So just such go along with it, Okay?

Time for the ad of the week!

This ad is outstanding. This is the closest thing I’ve seen to art from a T.V commercial. A truly good ad can sell it’s product without even showing it. Sure, this isn’t specifically selling a car but more a brand. Jeep is flexing its muscles and showing us how important they’ve been to the world. The ad is just a bunch of portraits of people, it goes to show how diverse Jeep’s are. You’ll find one in the movies, in the war, the jungle, the ice caps. All over the world. The tagline is my favorite part.

‘We don’t make Jeep, you do.’

Such a meaningful tagline, it truly sums up 75 years of Jeep. It’s so simple but no one has thought of it. Cars are made by who buys them. Jeep gave us a product and 75 years later its still here.

I only have one question.

Is the Mona Lisa smiling?

-N

 

To Dab or not To Dab?

Congratulations to the Denver Broncos! Thanks to the Broncos, Denver is now known for more than just an omelet. Honestly, the game was kind of a bust. 2 offensive touchdowns? Dozens of flags. Snoozefest.

Well, it’s Wednesday. You know what time it is. Ad of the week!

Since it was super bowl Sunday I thought I’d mix it up and go through some of the winners of the Super Bowl commercials. Since we have winners….there must be losers.

Sorry Carolina.

Hyundai- First Date

Winner

This has everything an ad should have. First off, it has a story. This is a classic twist on father, daughter, and her boyfriend’s relationship. It brilliantly shows the new feature of the car but also gives the audience laughs along the way.

NFL- Super Bowl Babies

Loser

Ok NFL we get it, kids are cute, but do you know what’s not cute? The embarrassment these kids are going to have to live with. Hmmm, let’s get together some kids and advertise their parents consummating their teams victory. It seems to try too hard to be funny. With the lyrics cutting in and out between different kids, it makes it too hard to understand. Stick to football NFL.

Where has Seal been?

Buick- The Catch

Winner

There are a lot of weird car commercials. Like, who drives around in a city at night when it’s completely empty? Buick could have gone the ‘professional driver, closed course, do not attempt’ route…but instead they shook things up. They play a commercial with a football joke during a football game. Brilliant. It’s clever and even had a surprise guest, Odell himself. The grandma was a great choice too, really brought the joke home.

Dollar Shave Club- Zeke

Loser

Where did Dollar Shave Club go wrong? They’ve been known for having hilarious ads in the past. If you’ve seen the past couple ads by them this really doesn’t break any ground. This ad doesn’t do it for me. The dialogue is jumpy and isn’t funny. Of course, the creator stopped by to deliver the pitch, which is the best part. If you’re going to spend 5 million for 30 seconds you have to make waves.

TurboTax-Never Sell Out

Winner

This is almost my favorite. Playful humor and celebrity guest. He delivers the pitch in an obvious but funny way. The Super Bowl actually falls into the perfect time for TurboTax. Tax Season. TurboTax as been putting out a lot of brilliant ads recently. Another winner. You know what they say, there are only two guaranteed things in life, Anthony Hopkins and Taxes.

Butterfinger’s- Bolder Than Bold Jump

Loser

What’s bold? Butterfinger’s gamble on this ad or the fact that it failed? This ad has way too many things packed in for just 15 seconds. It’s basically yelling the pitch at you…which is unclear because you want me to believe that a candy bar is bold. Nope

T-Mobile- “Drop The Balls”

Winner

Favorite ad of the Super Bowl. Everyone has been throwing shade at Verizon for their “A Better Network as Explained by colorful balls” commercial. Sprint had a comeback and now it’s T-Mobile’s turn. This ad is hilarious. It gives the info in a playful and topical way. Steve Harvey made an appearance and laughed at himself. Simple and witty.

Honorable Mention

Budweiser- #GiveaDamn

This commercial is more than just a winner. It came at the perfect time of the game. Where everyone is drinking and having a good time but are starting to leave the party. This ad serves as a public service announcement not to drink and drive. Good on you Budweiser.

I’m just going to leave this here.

 

Budweiser didn’t pay him to say that.

 

The real winner.

 

Betty Freaking White 

 

I’m going to go hug my family. I’m going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight.

-N

 

 

Progressive is killing it.

The title really says it all. Gecko Vs. Flo

Flo wins.

In recent memory, I don’t think I’ve seen a single Progressive commercial that I didn’t like. “Flo” has been working out for them.

These ads are really interesting to me because they all have the same pitch, the name your own price tool. It’s actually kinda brilliant. This way Progressive keep the information they give you fresh. The humor is wrapped around the dialogue so perfectly you almost forget it’s an ad for insurance. When I think their ads can’t get any more clever, they throw it back.

 

 

These ads are so genius. The way they poke fun of previous commercials but still modernize their pitch is impressive. It makes the commercial fun to watch and also gives a young blogger something to write about.

One factor that I talked about previous is the way that Progressive states the same information but with new jokes. A lot of companies can learn from this technique, (I’m talking to you Geico).

I know I’m being hard on Geico but it’s honestly just a comparison between Flo and the Gecko. Geico has also been doing well with their “It’s what you do” campaign.

I’m not sure when Progressive is coming out with a new commercial but when they do, you can look forward to a blog about it.

-N

 

Politicians Put the ME in Marketing

It’s 2016. Election news is everywhere. Rallies, debates, and interviews are happening all across the US. People are tuning in and picking their favorite candidate to support. The interesting thing about politicians is that it’s not really a campaign for themselves, but more the ideas they bring to the table. Politics are very important and if House of Cards is true

it’s also incredibly terrifying.

With the Iowa Caucus less than 2 weeks away it’s now or never for some of these candidates. When everything comes down to it the election is a competition between Republicans and Democrats. In order to succeed in a campaign, the candidate needs two things: support and money. Both of them come hand and hand but more importantly, a candidate needs a platform or a set of values that drive their campaign.

I bet that everyone here has seen a political ad, and 9/10 it’s an attack ad focused on someone else.

*I would just like to point out I’m not showing any kind of support to either Republican or Democrats in this blog. It’s strictly business related.

As you can see there is a lot of name blaming and shade being thrown. Like I said, an election is a competition and sometimes candidates play dirty. That’s politics.

Attack ads are pretty interesting because they aren’t really meant to showcase the campaign running the ad but instead poke holes in the competition. Now the first video I showed wasn’t really much of an attack ad, it was more along the lines of a comparison ad. Comparison is a classic marketing technique that a lot of household products use to show superiority.

The consumer doesn’t know under pretense those “experiments” are done but all we see is the result. The result then gives us a reason to use the superior product. Switching back to politics, you can see the first video I linked is similar to the household product ads. It presents a problem (war on religion) that ends with the solution being that you need to support Rick Perry.

Let’s move on to the most widespread outlet for campaign advertising, the news.

I’m sure everyone in the U.S has seen or read an article with Donald Trump’s name on it in the past 4 months. Being a candidate for president puts a person under a microscope and every bit of information could lead to a headline. The news is an interesting media because just like the Republican and Democratic side, there are two sides of news stations too. Fox News being known for more conservative news and CNN and NBC leaning towards the liberal side. Now people who watch either station get a lot of news fed to them that could, in turn, sway their opinion on things.

There could be two headlines to this picture. “Donald Trump comforts baby” or “Donald Trump steals a baby from mother”. Obviously, this isn’t the case every time but it goes to show that news can sway public opinion. This is a piece of advertising that candidates don’t pay for. One of those headlines could help Donald Trump and the other could help Hillary Clinton.

Politicians are marketing themselves to the American people.

There is no u in politics, let’s change that.

Register to vote 

-N

 

It’s as easy as A P P L E

Did you know that Isaac Newton’s famous story of an apple hitting him on the head was really just a story to advertise the sale of apples?

Okay, so that isn’t true, but I swear somethings up with that story.

 

Look at that face.

 

By the end of this blog, you’ll be craving an apple.

This isn’t a story about an actual apple, but the technology giant Apple.

Their advertising has always been a really interesting because unlike some companies, they’re on a train that never stops. Technology is always evolving and there will always be a want/need for Apple products. What I find so interesting about their advertising is the different reputation they’ve gained through the use of ads. Spawned from what some say the same idea, both Microsoft and Apple have had a long and complicated relationship, but through the use of advertising, Apple has set itself apart. Apple is seen as a luxurious brand. So, what does that mean? That they charge more for their products? That their products are superior to their competitors? Because they aren’t. That’s the thing, though, people don’t want the best. They want the logo and the status of feeling above the rest for having an Apple product. This is true for a lot of luxurious brands, but that’s another story for another day.

Apple and many other huge technology companies have given us the need for more. As soon as you buy a piece of technology it’ll be old news within the year. Once you buy an iPhone 6s you’re already counting down the days until the 7 comes out.

Apple has brilliantly built an audience for their product. People look forward to their famous press conference where they reveal their newest products. People look forward to this because time after time Apple has pushed technology to its limits.

 

Some things never change.

Steve Jobs was a brilliant man and he knew exactly what he was doing. He built a mystery behind his products and it caught people’s attention. Now when people think of Apple’s press conference they think of mystery and it grabs their attention.

 

Now, moving on to their ads.

This ad campaign was brilliant. It’s fun, colorful, and yet it separates the product. The product is in all white which is what catches your eye. You’re free to imagine yourself as the silhouette. “Over a million sold”.

This was a series of ads that Apple ran to take a jab at Microsoft. It portrays two men, one being a PC and the other a Mac. The PC is all dressed up and it is shown in the ad to be trying to hard to be cool, like Apple. Apple targeted their demographic by illustrating a young, relaxed guy and gave PC the uncle-that’s-trying-to-hard-to-be “cool” vibe.

Oh, how times have changed. Apple has taken the simplicity route. This is only because the world now has become used to technology. Back when Apple first came out with their products, they had to explain to people why they needed it’s products. Technology was something people weren’t used to but Apple knew they wanted it. Now that people are used to computers and laptops it isn’t such a big deal. Now Apple is a company of few words.

The only words in the video were “The Watch Is Coming”.

 

The only words in the video were “The Future of Television”.

Both of these ads had no information about the product or features. Now, Apple has other ads of the Apple Watch that shows features but these are both ads revealing products. Don’t you think there should be something about the products? Apple has a strategy and they execute it perfectly. Simplicity.

Everything about Apple is simple. Their stores are nothing but wood and glass. Their logo is black and white, both simple colors.

Your choice is simple, pick Apple.

Now go get your apple, you deserve it.

-N

 

 

US(A)dvertising

Why would you ever have to convince someone to go to Hawaii?

Because like anything else, it’s a business.

Now, tourism marketing has always fascinated me because you’re not selling a product, you’re selling a place. Instead of focusing on the attributes of a product, you focus on the experience and memories one will gain. This industry is also selective to vacation spots and historical places. You don’t see magazine ads or T.V. spots for the small town of Cainsville, Missouri.

 

290 strong

Tourism marketing has become a very important division of marketing because traveling has become more available. Back when airlines were just getting started, going on a plane was a big deal. Wealthy people and businessman were the key demographic at the time. Now that airlines like Southwest are making it more affordable to fly, the need for tourism marketing has increased. Marketing a destination is more than just sandy beaches and historical landmarks, it’s an experience. Traveling is a really stressful time for a lot of passengers and that’s something to take into account when trying to appeal to your demographic. Of course, different places want to attract a different crowd. Beaches typically attract families, older generations, and honeymooners. Historical places attract families, students, and the older generations. Amusement parks typically attract young kids and families. Obviously, you can tell what the most important demographic is. Marketing to families is a little interesting because you’re not only selling to one person. If your marketing a destination you need to point out that there is something for everyone in the family. There needs to be an event appropriate for families, maybe a spa for mom or a bar for dad to escape to.

 

Now, some cities have a slight advantage when it comes to marketing their destination. I’m sure Orlando, Florida or Anaheim, California don’t have any problems getting themselves on the map. L.A. has the Hollywood walk of fame and New York has the Empire State Building, Times Square, and much more.

Those cities are lucky because consumers aren’t just going for those specific places. Okay, sure, a family might be going to Orlando to visit Disney World but Orlando had a lot more to offer than just Disney World. Vacations are more about the experience of the trip, along with the memories.

This is why I find tourism marketing so interesting.

It’s not an everyday household cleaner or product.

It’s a life changing experience that you’ll only get if you escape to

(insert destination here)

Just focus on the copy, “Goodbye rush hour”, “white sandy beach”, “crystal-clear sea”.

One of my favorite ads is California’s “find yourself here” campaign,

That ad had it all: celebrities, the ocean, snow, Disney, and wordplay.

When all is said in done they aren’t selling California. They are selling you the experience to visit California. The benefits that come with California.

This is a classic advertising technique that teaches sellers to focus on the benefits the product (or in this case, the place) can bring to their life.

Features tell, but benefits sell.

Now whose up for a road trip to Cainsville, MO?

I’ll bring the sandwiches.

-N

Can’t have marketing without (m) and you can’t have advertising without (w)oman

Advertising and woman have a really long complicated relationship.

 

Let’s start by going over why this relationship is so complicated.

In the 1950’s marketing changed forever. With the introduction of the T.V., it became a window to the outside world. The funny thing about windows, though, is that they go both ways. It now became easier to sell products to families. The ads in this decade were targeted to housewives because they were the ones at home the most. There was a promise of “making life easier” and “making your family happier” and this really worked because who wouldn’t want life to be easier? Now the only other vulnerable demographic at this time was a single woman in her 20’s.

 

1950’s

 

Without even reading this ad you can tell it is targeted towards young girls. At that time finding a husband and settling down was the goal. Agencies targeted this feeling to get a woman to buy beauty products. “Look your best so you can find a man”. This was the way things were at the time, woman were expected to act proper and respectful. This was still the case in the 1960’s.

 

1960’s

and the 1970’s…

1970’s

But then something troubling happened.

Here are two Budweiser ads

One of them is from 1971 and the other is from the 1980’s. Quite a difference. During the 1980’s, companies found out one of the most sacred marketing techniques, that sex sells. Once they discovered it they never looked back.

Never.

Mid 2005

But then something great happened. As woman started to gain an equal role in society, they also started to be represented equally in advertisements. Now I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it’s better. Large companies have started to cast a woman in roles unrelated to how they look. It’s safe to say that women aren’t always shown as housewives.

Budweiser has even evolved. If you been paying attention to their last couple super bowl ads you notice something. The past 10 years have all been horses and puppies. Everyone looks forward to beer commercials every year, not because they’re sexy….but because they’re funny. Funny is the new sexy.

The next part of the story is about women’s bodies.

When companies and agencies found out that sex sells it did wonders for them, but not everyone. With all the really attractive women going up on billboards and magazines it was catching guys attention, which caught the women’s attention. Seeing skinny, beautiful women in ads taught young girls what guys like or what they thought they liked. Now is Victoria Secret selling to men or woman? These ads weren’t only using women but they were spreading lies about them. In time companies started to all-timethe harm they were doing. One of my all time favorite ad campaigns is Dove’s Real Beauty Campaign. This shows that women don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

I’m glad that companies are starting to realize what they’re doing and I look forward to seeing change. It seems I see “Plus size model hired” or “First down syndrome model hired” more and more. These ladies are setting examples for future generation and I hope to see more change in the future. Companies and agencies that think they’re selling sex are really just selling lies, and nobody likes to be lied to.

Sex will always sell, but who’s buying it?

-N

Advertise (pause). Advertise again. Repeat.

I never watch T.V.

 

and I get the feeling people have a certain tolerance when it comes to live T.V. For this to make sense let me add a little pretense. Monday I was watching a football game, which is about 4 hours long. As much as I like watching football I just couldn’t stop getting annoyed at commercials. I was thinking…”What’s wrong with me?”. I have a marketing degree, I’m supposed to love and be interested in commercials. Then something dawned on me, it’s not the commercials themselves, it’s the repetition. Now, as a rarely watch T.V. I was shocked about how many times the same commercial would be played. Now I understand the reason behind the repetition, some users flip around during commercials and might miss the targeted ad. The more times you throw that ad out there, the higher chance you have of reaching those users. Sometimes repetition works along with the with the company/agency strategy. Throw in a catchy jingle or a recurring storyline and you have the user hooked. They’ll be whistling your jingle all day, or they might visit your website to “continue the story”. But ask yourself a question, “Did you really capture them?” If I have a jingle stuck in my head it’ll go right out the door when I start jamming in my car. Now, “Same Old Love” by Selena Gomez is stuck in my head.

(look at that 50 million views)

Now that doesn’t mean I’m going to go grab her new album. I could go to your website and play around, but I might get bored and go look at pictures of cats. I know that companies/agencies have done their research and they know what they’re talking about but it still gives me a funny feeling. I don’t deny that this tactic works for some consumers, I’m simply saying that it’s annoying. Annoyance is an interesting subject when it comes to advertising, it’s a slippery slope. Repetition in advertising is never going to go away, pun intended. Companies and agencies aren’t perfect. They can’t guarantee that each user will see each ad once, and frankly they don’t care. The more you see the ad, the more the message has a chance of sticking. Back to the slippery slope. Nobody likes to be annoyed.

I’d rather watch this

What happens if a fly is buzzing around your face? You take a swipe at it. What happens if you see a commercial over and over? You forget about the product or message and think about how annoying it is. At this point the strategy the company/agency started out with is now the thing that ruined their chance of doing what they set out to do, sell a product.

 

This is a serious concern for sellers. In today’s world, it’s getting harder and harder to get commercials out there. Do you know why?

Cause people find them annoying.

I’m one of many millions of users of Netflix, which is ad free. Millions of people have Hulu Plus, which is now commercial free.

 

I’ll definitely pay the extra $4 for No Commercials

 

Many internet users use AdBlock, which even works on Youtube ads. It’s safe to say that we have a lot of ways to avoid ads.

 

Advertising is at a crossroad. What’s the solution?

Content.

You need an ad that makes people pause their live T.V. to show someone else. You need an ad that get over 500,000 views on Youtube. You need an ad that gets people to ask other people if they’ve seen it.

I know what you’re thinking. “It’s easier said than done”. To that, I’d say if sales or market share don’t increase due to your ad campaign then you haven’t done your job. So stop making excuses and do it. Give me and every other consumer a reason to enjoy watching live TV.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to Netflix.

-N