Within the course of 11 weeks, we have covered a lot of interesting topics that arise from advertising. It is hard to pick and choose everything but here are a few things that really stayed with me.
One of the things we spent a lot of time discussing in class is stereotypes among advertising. Stereotypes that included ethnicity and gender. Before this class, I had not paid much attention to the stereotypes in ads. In fact, I thought there were no stereotypes in advertising. As it turns out, they still exist. However, I don't believe stereotypes in advertising is a bad thing. It helps ad agencies reach a broader group and deliver the message effectively. As long as the ad is not clearly offensive, stereotypes are okay.
Furthermore, I believe that technology is changing how advertising reaches people and that is exciting for me, being an advertisement major. Technology is renovating how we communicate and adjusting our lifestyles. For instance, Facebook and Instagram allows users to share statuses, check-ins, and pictures. This opens the door for advertising. Already most companies are creating twitter and Facebook accounts so they can be followed and reached by more consumers. This is a great example of companies adjusting to the internet and their consumers.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
The Harley Davidson Case
1. Yes I do believe that brand communities like Harley Davidson result in greater involvement with the brand. The communities that are created as a result of a brand, have only the brand as their starter connection.
2. The elements of the Posse Ride that I think enhance the brand for the riders are the memberships, the passports required, the events/rallies dedicated to only the riders, and the lifestyle they all share in common.
3. I really don't think that Harley Davidson should get more involved in the ride. If it did, I believe that would take away from the experience for the riders. After all, two of the common characteristics riders share is a "rebellious" and "carefree" look on life. If they felt the rallies were being controlled too much by a company, they would most likely not participate anymore.
4. The Posse Ride was a great idea to help Harley Davidson involve itself with consumers as a brand. But besides that, I cannot think of other ways it could involve itself further without taking away from the experience the consumers cherish.
2. The elements of the Posse Ride that I think enhance the brand for the riders are the memberships, the passports required, the events/rallies dedicated to only the riders, and the lifestyle they all share in common.
3. I really don't think that Harley Davidson should get more involved in the ride. If it did, I believe that would take away from the experience for the riders. After all, two of the common characteristics riders share is a "rebellious" and "carefree" look on life. If they felt the rallies were being controlled too much by a company, they would most likely not participate anymore.
4. The Posse Ride was a great idea to help Harley Davidson involve itself with consumers as a brand. But besides that, I cannot think of other ways it could involve itself further without taking away from the experience the consumers cherish.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch and the iPhone 5c....is the Next Big Thing Here?
Consumer behavior is vital to understand as companies. It tells you what and how to meet the needs of consumers, as well as what motivates them to buy a product. Though companies launch numerous successful products throughout the year, there are also other times that companies miss the target.
Alone in 2013, there has been hundreds of new products launched, from beauty products to technology gadgets.
Two of the latest technology gadgets on the market are the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch and the iPhone 5C.
Although the Samsung Galaxy smartwatch recently launched in the market, the reviews have already poured in, and the verdict is mostly bad. Samsung is not the first to launch a smartwatch, but the expectations were high.
There is a list of complains about the new gadget from the consumers and gadget critics. The first one is that the smartwatch can only operate with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. It cannot perform by itself and it is not compatible with any other smartphone at the time.
Another complain is that the price of $299 does not seem to match the performance of the watch.
Furthermore, the gadget is simply not that innovative. It doesn't do anything that a smartphone can't already do. There's only a few apps it has installed and it must be in sync with the Galaxy Note to work. This is very important to note because this shows that the company missed a huge part of their mission in launching the product: to meet the needs of costumers. This gadget does not meet any needs that a smartphone already doesn't. For this specific reason, many critics are calling the Gear smartwatch an accessory to the Samsung Note 3.
Lastly, the Samsung Galaxy watch has to be charged 1-2 times a day, despite the "25-hour battery-life" expectancy according to Samsung. This makes it very inconvenient for the heavy users, as it also drains the battery of your Samsun Note 3. As I mentioned earlier, Samsung is not the first to come out with a smartwatch. Another company named "Pebble" had launched a smart watch in recent years and that smart watch required only a weekly charge.
It is safe to say that the Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch is a great example of a failed product based on consumer behavior.
Apple recently launched two new iPhones, instead of one, as it always does. The iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c are new on the market and the reviews are closely split but with a positive reaction from critics.
For the sake of comparison, I will talk about the iPhone 5c. The marketing big idea of the iPhone 5c is that it is "cheap." "Cheap" in comparison to their other products. If you plan to buy the iPhone 5c, you are looking to spend $549 for a 16GB. On contract however, the price is a bit more handsome, $99 for a 16GB and $199 for a 32GB.
Apple was able to cut down the price by loosing the glass/aluminum body and use polycarbonate. The exterior also comes in a variety of colors. Some people are claiming the change of exterior colors is simply copying the Nokia's Lumina.
Moreover, the frame is thicker than the usual sleek frame iPhones are characterized by.
On other aspects, the iPhone 5c stays similar to the previous iPhones, including the 5s. It has the same key buttons.
The iPhone 5c is an example of a successful product because it has new features that motivate consumers to purchase the product. It is available in a wide range of colors, not just white and black. It is cheaper than most iPhones when they recently enter the market, making it affordable to consumers who would not otherwise decide on an iPhone.
Consumer behavior is essential in directing companies of what new products to launch. Products have to have a reason behind them. What is the purpose for them? Do they help consumers in anyway? Does it solve a problem? Will consumers be motivated to purchase it? If it does not meet any or half of the requirements, most likely, it will be another failed product soon to be forgotten.
Alone in 2013, there has been hundreds of new products launched, from beauty products to technology gadgets.
Two of the latest technology gadgets on the market are the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch and the iPhone 5C.
Although the Samsung Galaxy smartwatch recently launched in the market, the reviews have already poured in, and the verdict is mostly bad. Samsung is not the first to launch a smartwatch, but the expectations were high.
There is a list of complains about the new gadget from the consumers and gadget critics. The first one is that the smartwatch can only operate with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. It cannot perform by itself and it is not compatible with any other smartphone at the time.
Furthermore, the gadget is simply not that innovative. It doesn't do anything that a smartphone can't already do. There's only a few apps it has installed and it must be in sync with the Galaxy Note to work. This is very important to note because this shows that the company missed a huge part of their mission in launching the product: to meet the needs of costumers. This gadget does not meet any needs that a smartphone already doesn't. For this specific reason, many critics are calling the Gear smartwatch an accessory to the Samsung Note 3.
It is safe to say that the Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch is a great example of a failed product based on consumer behavior.
Apple recently launched two new iPhones, instead of one, as it always does. The iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c are new on the market and the reviews are closely split but with a positive reaction from critics.
For the sake of comparison, I will talk about the iPhone 5c. The marketing big idea of the iPhone 5c is that it is "cheap." "Cheap" in comparison to their other products. If you plan to buy the iPhone 5c, you are looking to spend $549 for a 16GB. On contract however, the price is a bit more handsome, $99 for a 16GB and $199 for a 32GB.
Apple was able to cut down the price by loosing the glass/aluminum body and use polycarbonate. The exterior also comes in a variety of colors. Some people are claiming the change of exterior colors is simply copying the Nokia's Lumina.
Moreover, the frame is thicker than the usual sleek frame iPhones are characterized by.
On other aspects, the iPhone 5c stays similar to the previous iPhones, including the 5s. It has the same key buttons.
The iPhone 5c is an example of a successful product because it has new features that motivate consumers to purchase the product. It is available in a wide range of colors, not just white and black. It is cheaper than most iPhones when they recently enter the market, making it affordable to consumers who would not otherwise decide on an iPhone.
Consumer behavior is essential in directing companies of what new products to launch. Products have to have a reason behind them. What is the purpose for them? Do they help consumers in anyway? Does it solve a problem? Will consumers be motivated to purchase it? If it does not meet any or half of the requirements, most likely, it will be another failed product soon to be forgotten.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation has one clear mission and that is to make all efforts to help keep oceans clean. It is a non-profit organization that functions on donations from the public.
On their official website "www.surfrider.org", you can see what their mission is, which locations exactly would benefit from your donations, and how exactly your donations would be spent. For example, for every $1 they receive, 87 cents would go directly to the programs and campaigns, 9 cents would go towards the investment of future income, and 4 cents to all operating costs.
The organization is also trying to impact some of the laws that would help protect the oceans from pollution.
Surfrider Foundation has many means of communicating their goals to the communities and most are done so through digital technology. For instance, people can follow the organization more closely via Facebook, Twitter, RSS, and YouTube.
On Facebook, Surfrider uploads photos, statuses, and links that help start a conversation among its followers.
The Surfrider Foundation is one many current environmental organizations that uses digital technologies to communicate their campaigns.
On their official website "www.surfrider.org", you can see what their mission is, which locations exactly would benefit from your donations, and how exactly your donations would be spent. For example, for every $1 they receive, 87 cents would go directly to the programs and campaigns, 9 cents would go towards the investment of future income, and 4 cents to all operating costs.
The organization is also trying to impact some of the laws that would help protect the oceans from pollution.
Surfrider Foundation has many means of communicating their goals to the communities and most are done so through digital technology. For instance, people can follow the organization more closely via Facebook, Twitter, RSS, and YouTube.
On Facebook, Surfrider uploads photos, statuses, and links that help start a conversation among its followers.
The Surfrider Foundation is one many current environmental organizations that uses digital technologies to communicate their campaigns.
Rose Pedal Cottage Commercial: Right or Wrong?
I found the Rose Pedal Cottage commercial very adhering to the gender roles stereotyped. All the colors in the commercial were bright spring colors that scream out "happy" and "girl." The girl had on a pink sweater and she had blonde hair.
Despite all the gender stereotypes in this commercial, I actually wouldn't change much about it.
The only small adjustments I would make would be to include a few other girls in the commercial to show that it is actually for entertainment purposes and demonstrate they are having fun. With only the small girl to show the toys, it is focused more on how to train your girls at a young age to do chores around the house.
I would also make sure to add a diverse group of girls, to represent the diversity in our country. Furthermore, I would get rid of the song playing in the background because of the lyrics.
I would not, however, go as far as to change all the colors around and add boys in the commercial. The commercial is targeting little girls and that is what sells. Almost all little girls are attracted to bright colors, like pink, and most little girls do not play with boys.
I was a little girl once, and I know that I would've loved to have the products advertised in the commercial. In fact, half of my toys revolved around chores; Examples were: miniature pink broom, pink apron, plastic pink utensils...etc. This never harmed me and it shouldn't harm the generations to come. It is a phase we all go through growing up. It does not shape who we become when we grow up, therefore, I do not see anything wrong with the commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVgHrV9H-8k
Despite all the gender stereotypes in this commercial, I actually wouldn't change much about it.
The only small adjustments I would make would be to include a few other girls in the commercial to show that it is actually for entertainment purposes and demonstrate they are having fun. With only the small girl to show the toys, it is focused more on how to train your girls at a young age to do chores around the house.
I would also make sure to add a diverse group of girls, to represent the diversity in our country. Furthermore, I would get rid of the song playing in the background because of the lyrics.
I would not, however, go as far as to change all the colors around and add boys in the commercial. The commercial is targeting little girls and that is what sells. Almost all little girls are attracted to bright colors, like pink, and most little girls do not play with boys.
I was a little girl once, and I know that I would've loved to have the products advertised in the commercial. In fact, half of my toys revolved around chores; Examples were: miniature pink broom, pink apron, plastic pink utensils...etc. This never harmed me and it shouldn't harm the generations to come. It is a phase we all go through growing up. It does not shape who we become when we grow up, therefore, I do not see anything wrong with the commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVgHrV9H-8k
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