(this is one for the Integrated Planners / ISP members out there) I popped into my local Sommerfield today to pick up some stuff for lunch. And I saw a great example of why in-store marketing (when its actually done in-store by a store's prefered supplier) doesn’t work. Properly done, with an engaging creative theme and … Continue reading Dear McVities Brand Manager, you’re wasting money
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when I grow up, I want to be a Disney princess
I’m loving the Disney campaign ‘year of a million dreams’. It’s every little (and not so little) girl’s fantasy to be a Disney princess or to swept off her feet by a handsome prince. If nothing else this campaign reminds all the thirty something yummy mummies and daddies out there (who will see the … Continue reading when I grow up, I want to be a Disney princess
What a turn off
I was reading November's UK Marie Claire at the hairdressers last weekend and was struck by just how lazy their feature ‘What a turn on’ (featuring the stars of TV’s Autumn schedules) was. Its just disappointing. From the tired concepts (photographer’s studio with subjects sitting on camera cases, ladies in evening dress in grounds of … Continue reading What a turn off
best advice
I've had a couple of instances recently where I've had to tell a client that what they are proposing is mind numbingly, completely the wrong thing to do. To explain that I'm giving them our best advice and that we wouldn't do it if it was our money. But do they act on my advice? In … Continue reading best advice
Alternative job titles for a Planner (Account, Strategic or otherwise)
Seeker of Insight Chief Post-Rationaliser Head of Desk Research King/Queen of google Master of Disguise Director of Negotiation Futureologist Data Analyst Librarian Voice of the Consumer NPD Consultant Market Researcher Brainstorming Trainer Freelance Journalist Senior Vice President of Brief Writing
when great ads (sometimes) get killed by focus groups
Produced for the New England 2007 Hatch Awards by Arnold, this is a sobering example of why the average focus group stuck in a meeting room and forced to watch an animatic don't necessarily produce the kind of feedback that leads to great creative. In fact, there's a whole other rant here bemoaning the demise of holding groups … Continue reading when great ads (sometimes) get killed by focus groups
Ooops
Today’s Marketing Week carries a full page ad for http://www.printsells.org - a campaign that doesn’t appear to be technically funded by the Royal Mail, but nonetheless is extolling the virtues of Direct Mail – ‘it’s the 1-2-1 media par excellence’ and ‘direct mail is perfect to put your brand in the hands of consumers’. … Continue reading Ooops
two way traffic in the Age of Conversation
I’ve blogged quite a lot about customer service in the last year. Reading The Age of Conversation, Ann Handley’s contribution ‘How many people are you talking to?’ rang a lot of bells with me. Ann wrote about one simple conversation (between nervous flyer Ann and a reassuring United Airlines attendant) achieving a ‘laundry list of … Continue reading two way traffic in the Age of Conversation
The Bunnies have arrived
The Sony Bravia ad apparently breaks tomorrow (Friday) during Ugly Betty, but its already up on the Bravia website (takes a while to load at the moment). I specially like the bits where the pink bunny squeezes out of a drainpipe and the little yellow bunny is waiting to cross the road. It feels warmer and … Continue reading The Bunnies have arrived
when market research met social networking
One of my lovely colleagues in the Research team at work introduced me to Facebook Polls the other day. Having the ability to canvass the opinions of 100 Facebook users for just $26 (complete with online results charts) and to turn it around in just 24 hours is A Good Thing. Being able to ask Prison … Continue reading when market research met social networking