The World of Business and Marketing

Lady Gaga's Next Album an App?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:13:00 +0000

Just when I started to wonder what Lady Gaga was up to, she announces her next album release “Artpop” will be a “multimedia experience”. The album will be released in a form of an app for iPads, iPhones, iPods, mobile devices, and computers. The app is going to be interactive with films for every song, with chats, extra music, gaga inspired games, content, updates on fashion, magazines and more that are still in the process of creation.

Lady Gaga

Besides Lady Gaga being known for her unexpected outfits, performances, and the special meat dress, she’s very well known for her huge following on Twitter and her interaction with her fans on her own networking site created by Backplane with some of her input. The creation of this app for mother monster's next album is not only a brilliant marketing strategy, but it will add a few zeros to her income statement. This app is going to create a huge trend with the little monsters and other artist will pick up on it. The album will be available in digital and physical formats uniquely different to the app.

Mother Monster

This app is going to be Gaga’s way to get back on top. Premium apps will have a difficult time with this, especially if other artists decide to continue the trend. On the other end, Apple Inc. must me pleased and content with this move. Glenn Peoples from Billboard predicts that this “premium artist app” “will be the future album for the artists and it will hold the weight of the record business on its shoulders.” I can absolutely agree with that and believe it will replace albums years from now.

So much content can be put into these apps in a way that it can be easily delivered to the fans with a personal touch. Record labels, managers, business owners, marketers, even branding experts that are not on to this better catch on quick because premium apps are already starting to replace what we used to call media.

-Jess

“Creating Memories, Building Characters.”

P.S. Check out Lady Gaga’s new fragrance “FAME” commercial. It is ABSOLUTLEY but ABSOLUTLEY on point. It is gaga all the way and it is perfect for her little monsters. Director Steven Klein along with the pop star knew exactly how they wanted the ad to get their audience interested and sparked. Well, I won’t spoil it anymore, see it yourself! Part one and part two of the commercial. Let me know what you think.

'TED’ the Movie and its Genius Social Media Marketing Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 06:10:00 +0000

Ever since Seth MacFarlane created the movie Ted, he knew he wanted everything and anything that had to do with the movie to be uniquely done in Ted's style. Universal Pictures marketing campaign specifically focused on social media. Their concept was to take Ted to the next level and make him a trend and part of the social media phenomenon.

The movie’s social media channels were produced by writers on MacFarlane’s team who wrote, talked, and expressed like Ted would. People who are familiar with Universal’s marketing strategy but weren’t supposed to speak publicly, said that the studio was using social media to hype and excite “Family Guy” fans who have been interested in “Ted” since it was said it was Seth MacFarlane’s first film. Since “Family Guy” fans are involved with social media heavily.

Ted cards

Some awesome things about this campaign:

1) Genius social media marketing campaigns are created on understanding how people behave. Jetsen Studios was behind the social media activity of Ted on Facebook. Clearly they researched and knew exactly how people behaved on the network. There’s a trend on Facebook with e-cards. The team decided to use this as an advantage and part of Ted’s Facebook presence was ted e-cards to fit the trend “Ted style”. You were also able to add Ted to any of your Facebook pictures and title them MyWild Night with Ted. Ted has over 2.2 million likes.

Fists of Furry

2) Part of the campaign had a game called “Ted presents Fists of Furry”, created by Jetsen Studios as well. In the game Ted has to fight different bear opponents such as fogey bear, smoggy bear, care bear, etc. to get his title as the one and only famous talking bear. In moments, everyone was playing it, entertained and humored at the fact that Ted can beat this long time popular bears.

3) Ted has a Tumblr that was created to entertain its audience with pictures and creative content hinting that Ted likes to party, drink, and enjoy the company of females. You were able to leave comments for Ted and he would answer them.

4) Ted has apps where you can play with him and do different activities for entertainment purposes. This would keep the audience anxious for the movie.

Ted's Twitter

5) The one that stood out the most was Ted’s Twitter

interaction with its fans and everyone on the network. Ted tweet feeds were full of humor and the followers would asking him questions and Ted would answer gladly. Ted has over 320,000 followers, 12 times as many as “The Amazing Spider Man”.

It may seem like a completely simplistic social media campaign but it was a genius campaign. It cost $50 million to produce the movie and on its opening weekend, its box-office made $54.1 million. Most of the times the simple things are the most brilliant and the most successful ones. Their social media cost nothing and it was as effective as if Universal Pictures would have spent thousands of dollars on a campaign. Ted’s marketing team took traditional trends and made them their own to entertain everyone in a way that they’re entertain on their everyday routine. It may be difficult for other brands to utilize these trends but there are no reason trends and memes can’t be used in related ways.

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters".

Katy Perry 3D Film: Partnership with Pepsi

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 07:28:00 +0000

Katy Perry

Katy Perry secretly has succeeded in a way that not a lot of people in the industry thought she would. Winning artist of the year award, best female singer, album of the year, best newcomer, best international album of the year, and many other awards, she has become and icon rapidly. Throughout her journey, we’ve seen how she has progressively sold out arenas, millions of copies of her albums, and being the top digital songs artist named by Billboard.

The west coast American singer decided to release a documentary concert film based on her and telling the story of her career path from being a gospel singer to a pop singer and global sensation. Now, not only was this a bright idea from her marketing team to build credibility and a close connection from Katy to her fans from this film but it was a marvelous idea to team up with Pepsi to promote the film.

Pepsi decided to launch a global campaign “Live For Now” #Livefornow, established on the brand’s latest global positioning strategy. Pepsi wants to connect with their fans on many different levels. Not only satisfying their thirst but also inspiring them to live each second to the fullest globally, through pop culture platforms, including relationships with music and entertainment brand icons. PepsiCo would like to approach this campaign with music phenomenon’s to bring life through their new brand proposition.

#Livefornow

Once Katy, PepsiCo, and Paramount Pictures decided to be partners for the 3D film Part of Me, these partnerships include retail promotions, special edition Pepsi cans, epic live events for the fans, free tickets for the fans, co-branded television and radio spots, and digital advertising. All aspects of the campaign with Katy Perry’s film will feature Pepsi’s new global tagline “Live For Now”, also offering the fans a chance to win trips to attend the world premiere of the film in L.A., which includes a live performance of Katy Perry.

Simon Lowden, Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Americas Beverages said, "Pepsi is a brand at the forefront of pop culture and this partnership with Katy's film will deliver fans an exclusive one-of-a-kind experience at one of the biggest movie events of the Summer, starring one of the one today's hottest musical artists. This is one major way Pepsi will invite and inspire our fans to Live for Now". This partnership was meant to be. PepsiCo needed an artist that fans couldn't get enough from for their campaign and Katy Perry needed a brand that would take their billion dollar name to endorse s documentary that will inspire many.

The budget for the movie was $2 million and it is expected to break even and make more. it was directed by the Magical Elves team of Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth (Justin Beiber: Never Say Never) and produced by Katy Perry along with Martin Kirkup, Bradford Cobb, and Steven Jensen of Direct Management, and Academy Award winner Brian Grazer (8 Mile, Beautiful Mind) of Image Entertainment.

The fact that live streaming online is so popular right now, PepsiCo decided to live stream Katy Perry's film world premiere along with her live performance from Los Angeles via Twitter, which is also a brilliant marketing strategy.The movie will be release in the U.S. July 5th, 2012.

-Jess!

“Creating Memories, Building Characters.”

More to Dance Than Just Rhythm

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:59:00 +0000

I know this content doesn't relate to my blog's theme and topics however, dance is my passion and it’s very close to my heart so I make sure I educate myself on these topics as well.

Being the owner of a dance studio involves many responsibilities besides teaching and motivating your students to build their personalized styles. Before thinking about how to get the students, there has to be a plan. From liability protection for your students from injuries, ownership of choreographies and how will you choose the right employees for your students, where a safe and friendly environment is enforced should be on top of your list.

Dance

A dancer is constantly learning new movements and training skills that challenge their bodies. There can be a moment where a muscle is stretched the wrong way or they slip and the student gets injured in your classroom. If you’re not prepared with liability protection or accidental medical insurance consequences may arise. You should have complete coverage for medical expenses that will need to be covered when a students gets hurt at the studio or during performances that involves the students representing the studio. It may help prevent issues that can build up and turn into lawsuits.

Dance is an art that is influenced by creativity along with some structured moves. As the owner, when employing your instructors the topics of owning choreographies and infringing other choreographers pieces have to be discussed. The employees have to know that the owner of the studio is the one that actually owns their choreography and that there’s prevention from repeating their pieces. Usually the employer owns any work arranged by any employee in their occupation. There also has to be a level of professionalism where infringing choreography shouldn’t be an option. Dance studios want to be recognized for their uniqueness, creativity, credibility, and professionalism and ruining the studio’s reputation over infringement is not worth it. So, the owners have to make sure it’s in writing.

Our Zone

In the mist of searching for these instructors, we also have to be very careful on who we choose to teach these classes because they are the face of the studio as well. You wouldn’t want to have to face a case like Marco Alferez who was a dance teacher in a school in Texas who was sentenced to 50 years after being charged for child pornography involving his students. This is a situation where you wouldn’t want your studio’s name involved in along with your employees. Researching your future employee is a must and classroom supervision too.

From the desire of owning your own dance studio to executing the business plan, there are many circumstances that we have to be aware of. We wouldn’t want our hard work, dedication, passion, and work ethics be involved in situations that could’ve been prevented with enough research and preparation. A successful dance studio not only should support their passionate dancers but also we should always take care of the place where they can express their talent and be themselves. In the end that is their second home.

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

What Is The Different Between International & Global Marketing?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Can online marketing be international marketing? Yes, it can be. The Internet can be considered as a cybermall, where businesses can grow internationally, since the consumers are always looking for ways to satisfy their needs comfortably and at their own time. For example, you have Continental Airlines who started in one country, the U.S. It has grown to be now an international company and this is through online marketing. If you think about it, it's so much faster to reserve flights online than calling. It has also provided business to business (B2B) opportunities to other companies. Such as Expedia, Hotwire, etc.

Online marketing can be global marketing as well. Now what is the difference between global marketing and international marketing? International marketing is 2 or more countries and global marketing is the entire world.

To be or to have a successful marketing team, consumer orientation has to be a must! What do I mean about consumer orientation? To research and know how to satisfy your consumers needs and desires through the marketing concept. When you (your team) have consumer orientation, consumers tend to be more loyal to your brand, company, artist, band, product, etc. I think consumer orientation is most DEFINITELY A MUST when you’re trying to go internationally or globally with your brand/product. Why? Because of their different culture, values, beliefs, religion, politics, economy, and life styles. I mean we are one world but we are very different. You can’t use the marketing campaign that you used in the U.S. in a country like India or Japan or lets think even Cuba.

When you have consumer orientation you can close your eyes, picture your consumer, what they look like, what they'd be wearing, gender, age.. You should want to understand and predict their behavior in the market you’re in. You should want to know who's going to be buying your product or brand. Your consumer orientation can also emphasize on how the individual makes their decision to spend and/or use everything that is provided for them. You should know what your consumer buys besides your product, why?, when?, how?, where?, their preferences?, how often?, likes?, and dislikes?. Your consumer is the reason why you even have a product, brand, artist, band, or business. If you launch a product/service with a marketing campaign blindfolded, you’re going to get a quiet feedback.

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters".

Event Marketing

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:42:00 +0000

It is important that we make a distinction between event marketing and other types of marketing. Event marketing is a type of promotion where a corporation or brand is associated to an event or where a themed activity is established for the purpose of creating experiences for consumers and promoting a product, service, or artist. Marketers frequently do event marketing by relating their product with some popular activities such as concerts, festivals, sporting events, fundraisers, conventions, fairs and many more. They also design their own events to use for promotional purposes.

Event marketing brings the advertising to the consumer directly or interactive displays. It targets a specific market at a specific location where their goal is to make individual impressions. They are created to build awareness. An example of this can be when there’s a music festival coming up. There is a new beer that a certain company has developed. If the beer is made for that music festival’s target market, then this is a great way to introduce the beer at this particular music festival since alcohol beverages will be served. You can have samples and if the consumers like it, they can purchase it.

There is also event sponsorship, which is an integrated marketing communications activity where a company creates sponsorship relations with a specific event and offers financial support in return for the right to exhibit a logo, product, and brand name to be recognized as a supporter of the event. Event marketing often is part of a company’s sponsorship events such as these concerts, showcases, social causes, and others. Marketers use events to distribute samples as well as information about their product, client, and/or services. They may also let the consumers experience the product at the moment.

A way that I think a marketer should work their event as well is by using an online event marketing tool. Technology is advancing in a way that it’s making it easier for marketers to approach their consumers. Some of these tools can be; online RSVP, online event invitations, online event ticketing, online event registration, options for promotions and incorporating social media avenues such as Facebook and Twitter. By using an organized online event-marketing tool, it will be easier to execute the event’s marketing strategies.

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

A Celebration for the Women on Women's Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:55:00 +0000

Diva Night: Presented by the X-Factor club at Full Sail University

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

Dance Your Way Through Negotiations For Your Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:39:00 +0000

Studio

Usually for a dancer is easier to negotiate their way through movements and music than it is in an office. Being a dance studio owner can be challenging if the proper research is not done prior to the negotiation. Whether it’s negotiating a lease, a contract or any deal that involves the studio there’s a few things that we must know before making any decisions. According to Dale Willerton, “we must negotiate to win.” Dale Willerton is a Senior Lease Consultant who works exclusively for leaseholders. He has run into a lot of lessees who come into a lease negotiation unprepared and with the mentality of settling because they want a studio badly. Even if the first offer sounds great, reasonable and too good that you can’t wait to sign that contract, negotiate what you want on your side of the deal and don’t’ accept it right away. It is acceptable to negotiate aggressively.

You should also prepare yourself in case you have to walk away. Setting aside your emotions and make objective decisions will help the deal. Whoever desires the deal more will hand over the most concessions. He emphasized that we must also remember that an excellent studio in a bad location may not attain its complete potential. To get a better deal and be ahead of the landlord you must do your research. Gather information from other studios or business around the area, how much are they paying or what incentives they received. Asking for more than what you want, so you end up getting what you want. Dale suggested, if you would like the first 2-4 months free, ask for 3-5 months. The landlord is obviously going to want to counter offer and negotiate. So why not go higher? Always make sure that what you are paying for is what you’re getting. Most dance studio owners pay their rent per square foot, measure your space, and confirm that you’re getting the space that was agreed on the contract.

I totally agree with Dale, as entrepreneurs sometimes we can get eager to start making moves without knowing exactly what we want. When you are passionate about something and you revolve your life around it you want to make sure, you’re doing the right thing to succeed. Don’t fall in the whole because you were desperate to start living your dream. Patience, time, and preparation will lead you to a successful negotiation.

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

Warner Bros. & Friends TV Show Is Still Making the Big Bucks

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:20:00 +0000

Friends

If you don’t know what the TV show Friends is about by now, then where have you been for the past 18 years? Something Chandler would say. The show Friends has been my favorite show since I can remember. It aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. Is an American sitcom that revolves around a group of friends, their lives, their loves and their laughs in Manhattan. The series was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. It was promoted by NBC throughout America.

Friends received amazing reviews throughout its run, becoming one of the most popular sitcoms of all times. The series was an immediate hit from its debut and was also successful in their ratings, constantly ranking in the top 10 in the final primetime ratings. When the final episode aired, it was watched by 52 million American viewers making it the most watched episode of the decade.

Nick@Nite

Nick at Nite is targeted to adults and/or adolescence audience with a roster of mostly live-action sitcom reruns. A few years back they began including more recent sitcoms and started airing sitcoms from the 1990s. They wanted the show Friends and in 2011, Warner Bros. decided to sell “Friends” to Nick at Nite in a shared opening with TBS starting in the fall of 2011. A deal that produced $200 million in license fees and advertising. Nick at Nite is paying about $500,000 an episode to air all 10 seasons after 6p.m. for a six-year term through the fall of 2017. Nick at Nite is also allowing Warner Bros. to create 30-second spots from the show and Warner will keep all of these advertising revenues.

tbs

TBS’s contract is the opposite, is an extension of its ongoing deal for Friends reruns that was made in the fall of 2001. They renewed for the same six-year contract as Nick at Nite but will pay only $275,000 an episode because Warner is limiting its runs before 6p.m.

Friends

One of the main reasons why the sitcom is still making the big bucks in pre-sales throughout 2017 is because when they were on air they were the most successful show all around and broadcasting networks want to maintain high ratings so they'll look for ways to keep that like airing reruns of effective shows. Warner has renewed “Friends” in syndication through December 2013, and since the series still has an audience, the studio could bring the sitcom back later in the decade for a third run, if they’d like to. In just syndication, the show has made $4 million an episode in cash license fees, for a total of $944 million. When advertising revenues from the syndication exchange spots get added in, the revenues expand to well over a billion dollars.

Friends was a complete success for Warner Bros being the best comedy cast of all time on TV Guide and even though the show had to come to an end in 2004, Warner Bros still manages to find ways to still make income until this day.

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

How Is The Brain Able To Be Creative?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:52:00 +0000

You ever wonder how does a rapper have the ability to just freestyle from the top of his head? Or how dancers freestyle? Or even musicians and how they spontaneously can make a song in the moment?

I just saw this video on ted.com-Charles Limb: Your brain on improv and it was very interesting! Charles Limb is a surgeon, researcher, musician and an associate professor of otolaryngology that studied with his team how the brain works during improvisation. He was able to track the brain activity through a fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), which creates strong magnetic field to track blood flow through the brain. Limb examined the difference in brain activity when musicians played simple memorized pieces and when they improvised.

He was able to explain to the audience a research that only scientist can understand in a simple and interesting way. He engaged the audience with visuals; humor and facts that made us wonder more about the topic.

He recognized that “artistic creativity is a neurologic product that can be examined using rigorous scientific methods.” So, he placed a musician with an instrument (scientists had to build a special keyboard with no metal parts since metal parts react with the magnetic field) and a rapper into the fMRI. Charles and the team found that the part of the brain and extending to the sides, showed a slowdown in activity during improvised music. Meanwhile, the medial prefrontal cortex, linked to self-expression and activities that showed individuality, saw increased activity.

You’re probably wondering if it’s truly possible to study creativity or improvising scientifically, right? Well Limb already started and says that they don’t have all the answers yet but with technology advancing science needs to catch up with art to figure out how all these amazing ideas come from the brain.

Charles Limb has fascinated me with his research in my field of the entertainment industry because as a dancer I was always put on the spot and improvise with whatever style I was giving to dance to and music. I never really knew how I would come up with the movements to certain rhythms but I did it and still doing it well. I feel that when you practice your art to the point you can master it you’re able to turn off you’re self-conscious and your able to express yourself more because your brain is thinking ahead of all the things you're capable of. I can definitely agree with him when he says “creativity appears to be good for the soul for some unclear reason, that’s why improvisation is one version of spontaneous creativity in the musical domain.”

Creativity is within all of us-let go and let it out!

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

Entertainment Resources & Marketing Association

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:28:00 +0000

The Entertainment Resources & Marketing Association was established in 1991 as an association of marketing, product placement, and brand integration professionals to link and keep organizations updated within the industry. Also members from entertainment corporations and studio-network executives belong to ERMA.

Being the entertainment marketing’s leading industry association for over 20 years now, they provide resources, exclusive data, trends in event sponsorship and opportunities for their members and organizations that are involved in the industry. ERMA’s purpose is to set and maintain the highest level of business standards and to lead its members in creating new and innovative brand integration strategies. To be a member of this association the organization has to apply and meet the code of standards and ethics.

Who visits the website? From producers, actors, product placement coordinators, network executives, print and electronic media outlets, set decorators, customers, studio production resource departments, sponsorships, licensing, companies seeking representation and others. So when you become a member you become reachable and branded to other agencies that can relate to your work. The association holds meetings during the year that include social networking, basic business meetings, educational meetings and events related to their members. Some of the benefits of the membership are provide here for you. Some of their members and/or are CBS television network, Hollywood Branded, HERO Entertainment Marketing, Inc., Creative Handbook, ISS, NBC, Marriott International, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. and many more.

This is important to our industry because we receive knowledge to make informed business conclusions to turn our ideas into reality. So begin your research and discover who can help your idea blossom!

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

If you want to take a look at their non-profit below is the link:
http://rockschoolfund.org/the-rock-school-scholarship-fund/

Fist Pump Your Way to Ultra

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:53:00 +0000

Ultra Music Festival or UMF is an annual outdoor electronic “techno” music festival that occurs in March in Miami. Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes founded it in 1999. The event is regularly during the Miami's Music week and the Winter Music Conference. It used to be a 1-day event when it first started back in 1999 until 2006, it became a 2-day festival from 2007 to 2010, in 2011 was a 3-festival and now in 2012 it’s going to stay as a 3-day festival. It will be held March 23, 24, 25th at Bayfront Park. Ultra music festival is one of the highest grossing music festivals in the world and in 2011 alone; over 100,000 people attended the festival.

UMF 2012

The UMF has been successful and has met the expectations every single year. This year, 2012 they are expecting double of 2011 attendance and double the income. The reason to this, is how they improve their marketing and advertising plans every year for the festival. Some of the reasons for the success of the UMF are:

1) They started a few years back to promote the next year’s festival during the current one. This is ideal because the audience is experiencing a great time so they’ll get encourage to attend the next year.

2) Their social media has increased significantly. From Facebook, Twitter and their website, they are keeping the festival up to date for the audience. Also their “sign-up” for e-mail alerts of future events keeping the attendees with the interest on coming back.

3) Their artist line-up is not released until their tickets are completely sold out or about to be sold out. Which forces the buyer to purchase the 3-day event ticket to not miss out on their favorite artist.

4) Their most recent marketing strategy for the 2012 festival which is the availability of purchasing the tickets. There’s only the 3-day festival ticket combo for the fist pumpers. They can’t purchase a ticket for only one day to attend. This method forces the electronic listeners to buy the 3-day ticket combo either way, if they want to see their favorite artist.

UMF 2011

The tickets started pre-selling at $149.00 and now they’re at $299.95 without tax and if you’d like the VIP section, they are $599.95, where u get to meet the artist and you’re closer to the stage. Their line-up is still not announced but their tickets are predicted to be sold out by January so the fist pumpers will found out very soon who’s coming to the UMF in 2012 to make history.

Also if you’re planning on going I suggest you make your hotel reservations as soon as possible because the nearby hotels are raising their rates for that weekend and most of them are packed for the weekend of March 23, 24, 25 of 2012 already.

Enjoy and fist pump your weekend away safely!

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

Shoppers Behavior On Black Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:19:00 +0000

As we all know, Black Friday is the day that Christmas shopping inaugurates. Is one of the biggest shopping days of the year because of the drastic discounts and huge sales. Retail stores and e-commerce use this day to break records in sales and a way to eliminate old merchandise to put out the new, which is for the Christmas season.

Consumers know this and make sure they take advantage of these massive sales and discounts to get as much as possible from the “To Buy” list. When you tell people there’s limited merchandise and only the earliest customers can get the products, it makes then go insane and they prepare themselves to wait to be the first customer.

Faithful Black Friday Shoppers

There are 5 behaviors in which I believe the shoppers go by (which I don’t necessarily agree with, but from observing it’s obvious):

1) Aggressive behavior: once that door opens everyone is pushing without the concern of the next person. They fight; insult each other and employees. They even yell at the employee because what they came for was already out of stock (like is the employee’s fault).

2) Selfish behavior: these shoppers would cut the line and they get into a competitive mood. Also selfish towards the employees because they would knock or drop some items on the floor and they just don’t care.

3) Dedicated behavior: let me tell you these faithful black Friday shoppers are willing to wait hours or even the night before for these deals.

4) Impulsive behavior: I say impulsive because some things are bough without being necessary, they’d buy it just because it’s on sale.

5) Team work behavior: this sounds crazy but there are families that team up and then separate into small groups to get to different departments to get the items quicker and meet up with the person who’s already making the line at the register. (I know, they have a very thought-out plan.)

Target

I don’t know if anyone noticed but the music in these different stores is very festive, up beat music; music that would get the customers to shop quick and build a positive environment. However, there’s always someone who has to take their selfish and aggressive behavior to the next level. For example; in a Wal-Mart in Los Angeles a woman trying to get her way through the lines spewed pepper spray on a crowd and 20 people suffered minor injuries.

Sales Increased

And this is where I get upset at these faithful Black Friday shoppers, Why the hostility? Why the madness? Why the aggression?

But these shoppers always seem to amaze me. This year, the shopping season started strong and with more customers spending more money than ever before. According to ShopperTrak — the world's largest provider of retail and mall foot-traffic counting services — Black Friday sales increased 6.6% over the same day last year. This represents $11.40 billion in retail purchases and the biggest dollar amount ever spent during the day. Retail foot-traffic rose accordingly, increasing by 5.1% over Black Friday 2010.

Nice welcome to the holiday shopping season!

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."

Product Placement in Films

noreply@blogger.com (Jesulie Sanchez) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:47:00 +0000

A business always tries to find new ways to advertise their branded good or services. An increasingly common way to promote is by showing the actual product or an ad for it as part of a film. This form of advertisement is called product placement and even though it does not constitute a major segment of the advertising and promotions business, it has proved to be effective for plenty of companies.

E.T.

Throughout the years advertisers have become more and more reliable on product placement in films. It has been around since the early 1990s but it wasn’t noticeable until Reese’s Pieces were used in the film E.T. in 1982. The audience didn’t realize that a promotion was going on but it was acknowledged. Why? Because that year, Reese’s Pieces sales rose around 65% to 70% and the candies were added to about 800 movie theaters where they had previously not been sold.

Cast Away

Another huge blow out with product placement in movies was the film Cast Away. Fed Ex and Wilson Sporting Goods decided to take action with the product placement. Fed Ex didn’t pay a thing for brand placement. At first, the story of how a Fed Ex airplane crashes with all the packages, was a concern to the CEO because it might affect the image however, overall it was seen as a good thing. The company saw an increase in brand awareness after the film. After the film was released Wilson Sporting Goods introduce its own promotion focused around the fact that one of its product was a co-star with Tom Hanks. Wilson manufactured volleyballs with the hand print face on one side like in the movie. It was sold for a limited time and customers purchased the volleyball because they really just wanted “Wilson” to be their friend too; excellent marketing strategy.

Wilson

It's become more and more common throughout the years, but like every marketing technique it has advantages and disadvantages. Exposure is an advantage because there is a large amount of people that watches movies. Also how frequent the product is utilized in the film. A disadvantage can be a high cost for the product placement. In some contracts you may have to pay to have the product seen, pay more for an actor to mention it and pay extra for the actor to actually use it.

Many companies use films to promote their products. Advertisers often have to make decisions based on their own creative insights or just rely on the credibility of the source. However, there is some prove that has demonstrated the potential effectiveness of product placements. They just have to keep up with the technology and what their target/market is always up to.

-Jess!

"Creating Memories, Building Characters."