With the advent of social media, a lot of people are misusing a phrase that has been around for decades. Social media is conversation between people and consumers and brands through blogs, social networks like facebook and twitter etc. Social media marketing uses these interactive social platforms to build their brands and consumer fan base. See examples at ignite social media.

While Cause Marketing, is where for-profit corporations team up with non-profit corporations and create a win-win for both to build business and raise money and awareness. See examples from Advertising Age.

So while social marketing can use social media as a tactic, social media and social marketing refer to two very different things. And while social marketing and cause marketing are similar and both raise awareness, the former is about changing behaviors, the latter is about partnering to raise money for the cause and the corporate partner.

Now that we’ve got that cleared up, I can start my series on my top 20 social marketing creative campaigns. To be continued…

Colt 45 recently launched an advertising campaign in Detroit with a billboard that features the actor, Billy Dee, with the slogan “Works every time.”  And I can tell you, living in Ferndale, I don’t see the billboards north of 9 mile.  But why does that have Detroit city leaders up in arms? 

I can tell you it’s not because the campaign is running in Detroit, but because the message isn’t relevant to the audience. 

Who were they targeting?  The old-school generation that would remember the old ads he did in the 80’s and that are already loyal to the malt beverage?  Probably not.  My guess is they wanted the younger, urban, city dwellers.  And if that’s the case – the creative and the message don’t connect with them.  First off, that generation probably doesn’t even know what malt liquor is or who Billy Dee is.  Let alone do they remember the old commercials that featured him. 

I would be interested to know what the residents of Detroit think about the campaign.  What do you think?  Did Colt 45 go to far? 

Kudos to the targeted CRM program of this nonprofit! The gifts get my attention, so I read their letters, which always pull at my heartstrings…and my pocketbook.

It’s sort of annoying when you’re a cause marketing expert and you know exactly what they’re doing, but you succumb anyway. Care to fess up on any annoyingly effective cause marketing tactics you’ve fallen for?

But not only did Mr. Moon contribute to the efficiency of the postal system, he also gave a helping hand to marketers.  Zip codes are often used as a way to identify particular market segments and advertise to them accordingly.  Which segment are you?  You can find out the top segments in your zip code by going to the following link and going to the “Zip Code Look-up” Tab:

Click Here:

No one ever expects to lose their life when they head out in the morning, but too many people do not take proper precautions to ensure their safety.  Due to the lack of general knowledge of preventable injuries a community was designed to raise awareness, transform attitudes, and ultimately change behaviors in an effort to significantly reduce the number – and severity – of such injuries.

The Community Against Preventable Injuries has launched a new multimedia campaign with the help of Wasserman & Partners for the Province of British Columbia focused on making viewers aware of their safety.

The PSAs in this campaign are very matter-of-fact and use blunt honesty to shock viewers into questioning their own precautions (or lack there of).  With taglines like “You’re not expecting to need a helmet today” and “You’re probably not expecting to drown today” being placed on bike racks or towels left on the beach, these ads are sure to catch some attention and at the very least, make viewers discuss the unique ad they saw while walking through town today with family and friends.

What do you think?  Will this help lower the over 1,000 preventable injuries that happen per day in BC?  Is it a helpful reminder or just plain depressing?

The effort includes the launch of Hut TV, an in-store entertainment experience designed to decrease perceived wait time, increase frequency of visits and promote specials. But with short customized segments from CBS–produced programs such as Wheel of Fortune and Entertainment Tonight – are they missing the mark of the “younger generation”?

According to the Chief Marketing Officer of Pizza Hut, “The Hut” is only a “vocabulary word” that shortens the brand name for an impatient text-savvy youth market. Clearly the shift is an effort to broaden awareness of their product line that goes above and beyond pizza to include pasta, wings and more. But do consumers really need the clarification?

To top it off, this isn’t the first time Pizza Hut has toyed with its image. Back in 2008, Pizza Hut rebranded its locations in the UK to “Pasta Hut.” After a consumer vote, 81% of British consumers polled wanted to go back to the old name. Could this be a repeat offense in the US? Pizza Hut, Pasta Hut, The Hut – the third time is a charm, right? What do you think – is “The Hut” a hit?

I said to one young woman—the hostess’ daughter, “Does your mother know you’re doing this? You shouldn’t smoke, you know.” She said, “No one should!” Laughed. Inhaled. Twirled her cocktail skirt. I felt bad. For the past 25 years, I’ve written and been involved in social marketing against smoking and secondhand smoke. Our agency, working with the Michigan Department of Community Health primarily, has targeted all ages, races, demographics with measureable successes. It’s discouraging to see any one smoking. Did you miss the messages? Apparently. We know the anti-smoking work is never finished. We know it’s tough to counter the glamorous smokers served up in movies and elsewhere. We won’t quit.

You’ll find our award winning and very effective anti-smoking tv commercials on psastation.com

When I see young women sucking on cigarettes in an electrical storm, risking the ruination of costly cocktail dresses, I don’t think smoking looks chic. I think it looks like addiction.  And I feel sad. What do you think?

The Mayo Clinic, one of the nation’s healthcare leaders - just announced that they will have a presence in the second phase of the Mall of America.  I guess we won’t just be shopping for shoes anymore. 

They haven’t yet announced what services will be provided, it could be diagnostic screenings, wellness counceling – things along those lines, but it will in the end all drive the shopper/patient to their main hub in Rochester.  Talk about a great healthcare “retail” strategy. 

Interested to see the results.