Marriott Ties in With '42' to Promote Loyalty Program

Marriott International is using the new film "42" to help promote its loyalty program to African Americans.  For those who don't know, "42" is a film about the great Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.  Now Marriott is using this film to promote it's loyalty to African Americans, which could be a good thing, or could it backfire?  Marriott officials state they are doing this just because the believe the store of Jackie Robinson fits right into their motto, and fits their culture, themes, and values.  Marriott began a monthlong sweepstakes on Facebook that offers daily prizes for tickets to "42", and also a change to win an expense-paid trip to film's Los Angeles premiere.  I believe that this a good thing, that Marriott is tying its mottos together to fit with the great and courageous Jackie Robinson.

What do you think?  Is this maybe a stretch for Marriott to tie itself together with Jackie Robinson?  Or is this a good thing that Marriott is doing?


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/business/media/marriott-ties-in-with-42-to-promote-loyalty-program.html?ref=advertisingandmarketing

Online Marketing 101: Are You Prone to Shiny Objects Syndrome

When reading the article, it goes into detail how everyone runs to what is "new" and "hip", instead of what can really help.  It goes into the details of how people are running to things such as social media to help promote their product, but is it really helping?  The answer is no, and I agree.  People are just trying to run to what is new, and what is going on.  But really what should be happening is research, and time being put in in order to see where promoting a product can be truly successful.  It time to get away from what is "cool" and start to go towards what is "right".  Do you believe that this "shiny objects syndrome" is true also?

Response to Cody Crawford's post-Social Media a promotion

I also believe that social media can be a great way to promote a product.  But also as Cody touched on, there are way that it can also be unsuccessful.  The main way I think it can be unsuccessful is just the annoyance that can come from promoting on social media.  I can't tell you how frustrated I get sometimes when there are all these ads popping up on my Facebook page, or getting in my way on twitter.  So I believe that to much promotion can occur on social media, and instead of making me wanting to buy the product, it drives me to stay away.  Can you think of any other ways that social media promotion can be unsuccessful?

Response to Joe Maturo's post....The New Race in Marketing

I think the PS4 will pass over the Xbox 720 in this next competition for the top choice gaming console. I've been a huge Xbox 360 fan, and choose it over the PS3, but when looking at the projections for what each console will be like, it seems like the PS4 definitely will have the edge.  Although it kills me to abandon my loyal Xbox, I just feel that PS4 will just have to much to offer.

The Risk of Using SMS for Customer Service

When reading through this article, it goes into the details of using Text Messaging for customer service. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this.  To start off with, a huge advantage is the fact that 75% of Americans text message today.  So it is a great way for companies to contact their customers.  But there are downfalls to it.  For example, right now text message customer service is almost always run by a computer animated system, instead of a human.  This allows for room of frustration on the customers part.  This article set a nice set of guidelines for SMS customer service.  Those are that the companies must always ask permission, texting must be a two-way personal conversation, and they must provide an easy opt-out.

Do you agree with this guidelines?  Do you think companies should use customer service through SMS?  Would you be bothered by it?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/onmarketing/2013/05/02/the-risk-of-using-sms-for-customer-service/

Response to Julianne Braverman, Generation Y

Question: Do you think that you would be able to give up your cell phone for a day? A week and be able to get through the few days not being connected at all time?

I think just for a day I would be able to give up my phone.  But anything past that, saying a week or so, I would say there is little to no chance.  I understand with the fact that maybe our society may be a little bit to technology dependent at this point.  But the fact that we are now accustom to these new smart phones and everything, and are always able to be connected, it would be hard to just get rid of that now.  So the fact of giving up my cell phone may not be a choice for me.

No One Forgets a Fashion Label's Name When it's Strange

This article goes into the details of naming a companies line in the fashion industry.  Although I do not have much interest in the fashion industry, it is a very interesting concept.  A lot of fashion lines are just the names of the people who created them, aka Calvin Klein.  But this article talks about how boring that is.  Could this effecting sales?  This article seems to believe that an interesting name will help generate some interest.  Taking "4 circles in a square, 4 corners of city" to be an example.  Although people did have trouble remembering the name, the writer seems to think that almost remembering a name is still getting it more recognized then having it named something bland like a name or a country.  I agree with this writer.  I believe if you have a strange name, that is different from everyone else, it would help spark more interest.  It will stand out above the others, and people might not remember it word for word, but will defiantly recognized better than something bland.

What do you think?  If you had a company would you use something bland like a name?  Or would you put your neck out there a use a "strange name"?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/fashion/no-one-forgets-a-fashion-labels-name-when-its-strange.html?ref=advertisingandmarketing&_r=0