Sunday, February 12, 2012

In response to Ethan Gage - Online Ads to Surpass Print in 2012

Question: Is there any scenario in which print advertising is still desirable in comparison to online advertising?

My answer would be no. We are coming to a point where newspapers, magazines, and all other print media are becoming a thing in the past. Almost everything can now be found online, for free. So why would someone want to pay for any of those? I believe the only few circumstances would be if the viewer did not have to pay for it. An example of this would be a billboard. The consumer doesn't have to do anything other than walk or drive by it in order to get the message. Small print ads is what I think will soon be no longer. Social media is they new sharing platform of the world, and companies should and need to aim towards a marketing strategy that would get them on the internet.

My question: How do you think the fall out of print all together will effect the economy as a whole?

PlayStation Vita


On February 22nd, the newest and hottest technology will hit the shelves. Sony has revealed the Vita, which is a handheld device aimed towards all those video game fanatics that want to be able to take their gaming to a whole new level and on the road. This device will allow them to use it as a controller while sitting on the couch playing their game, and then continue right where they left off when they leave the house.

The Vita has a marketing budget of $50 million dollars. The biggest budget Sony has every used. Their target are mainly men, in their 20's that play at least eight hours of video games a week. This target is very specific, which can give them an edge because they will know all the right outlets to get them the most profit. They have teamed up with Deutsch, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, to create the campaign that includes television commercials, billboards, retail partnerships, digital banner ads and a significant presence in social media. The headline that will appear within these ads will be "Never stop playing" and also giving tribute to the popular hashtags from twitter, "#gamechanger." They are even going as far as creating pop up stores in popular cities such as Boston, LA, and San Francisco, and calling them "Vita Social Clubs," for those who want to get together and play these hand helds together.

Some of the most popular sites such as Facebook, Yahoo!, and Youtube will feature banner ads that will showcase this new device. The Vita will be sold in the United States for $249 for a Wi-Fi version, and $299 for a 3G version and the average price for its games ranges from $9.99 to $49.99.

My question is:
Do you think it is risky to have such a high budget for a device that may not have all the features someone is looking for these days. Example - the Iphone can play video, talk, text, and play games.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Marketing Myself

What is a job interview for me if not just a big marketing scheme? I will soon be graduating and I will be on the hunt for that perfect job, and I will have to show the employer that I am worthy employee. I can do this by using the four S's of the marketing mix.

In this case, I am the product. I will have to show that I am of hugh quality, and the best of the best. My features would be that I am artistic, clever, and outgoing. I can give the employer options when it comes down to what I can design. I can use many different programs, across a few platforms, to create work that can have any style to it. My package would be my personality as well as my appearance. I would wear the right, quirky attire that a designer fits into, and I would smile big and show that I am one happy camper. With benefits, I think I would come with a some warranties and I would prefer no returns : ) My cost would be how much I am asking for as a new employee, this would depend on the exact position I am applying for, and how well qualified I am for the position.

Place is of importance. I am not much of a commuter so I would prefer to be looking for a job in surrounding towns, however for the right business, I may be willing to travel. Within those companies, place is of importance as well. How many employees do they already have? How many customers do they have? What target base are we working with in that given area? A smaller place, in a smaller town may not be able to offer as well of pay as a bigger, more established place in the city.

Interviews are not the time to be shy. I would need to promote myself in order to show what I got. I would need to advertise my portfolio as well as my resume. I would need to show off my skills and my personality to make me desirable for the position.

I have already mentioned a few things about the final S, price... but I just add that if I were marketing myself, I would not want to go too high in salary negotiation, however, I would not want to sell myself short either.

Overall, I think marketing yourself is not too hard to do. No one knows you better then yourself. It's all about the approach, and learning to correct ways to present it.

Is there a line between self promotion and being too cocky to employers?

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Difference between marketing, advertising, and propaganda?

In my opinion, marketing, advertising, and propaganda all go hand in hand, but they are all different.

Marketing - - Marketing is the approach we take when we want to sell a product, company, name, etc. It is a strategy that involves researching and analyzing a companies target, budget, and all things along those lines. Marketing is a very useful tool to do things such as raise profits and learn more about a company.

Advertising - - Advertising is related to selling a product. Through proper advertising, the viewer should leave wanting the product that the ad is selling. Today, we tend to see more advertisements than propaganda.

Propaganda - - Propaganda is more related to the human emotion and belief. This word, I feel, tends to have a negative connotation connected to it because it has been used in negative ways to get people to change their views and beliefs to those being shown. Unlike advertising, it doesn't relate to a product as much, more so ideologies.

Why do you think that propaganda isn't around as much as it used to be?