A Measured Approach

This weekend I saw the new Zappos.com TV ad and was intrigued. Here it is:

I liked the ad simply because it’s different and gets noticed. I do, however, feel that they could have made an offer and helped more effectively drive traffic to the site. As it stands, it’s simply an exercise in branding.

That being said, more

I mean, would you shell out $15,000 for a super rare cask of cognac? They claim only 30 bottles are available.

Remy Martin, in as much a PR stunt as to gain loyal enthusiasts, hopes so. Here’s the story.

Don’t get me wrong, I love good liquor. I just had some Pappy Van Winkle 23-year-old bourbon last weekend. Delicious. Did not cure my bronchitis, however. But, it cost well shy of $15k and I don’t think any amount of marketing could get me to dish out that kind of cash, even if I had it to burn.

OK, I am not their target market, but still, pretending that I was, that would make for one very expensive party.

How about you? How would you market this?

“29 bottles of way-too-expensive cognac on the wall, 29 bottles of way-too-expensive cognac, take one down pass it around, 28 bottles of way-too-expensive cognac on the wall…”

Do you, like me, often question things and have a hard time making sense of it all?

* For instance, do you contemplate all the publicity– before and after — all the Super Bowl ads receive and wonder, why do so few people talk about the sales impact the spots made…or did not make?

* Who orders things from Facebook ads?

* Why so much advertising is entertaining when we know, for the most part, that those oh so clever ads rarely work?

* Why our email filters do not capture more SPAM?

* How Social Media has made us less Social? more

BMW, the iconic car maker, is changing up its ad campaign, ditching power and performance for joy.

The company says the new work more accurately reflects the mood of its consumers, who have traded in luxury for frugality. Here’s a peek at the new TV spots.

The new creative features actual BMW owners, as opposed to mainly showcasing the vehicles.

Time will tell if this was a wise move…

Now that the big game is over (congrats Saints), I have to inquire as to whether or not the all powerful game day ads convinced you to act?

Did you:

* Switch soda pop loyalties because Coke advertised and Pepsi did not?

* Want to run out and buy a Snicker’s bar?

* Do you now want a Hyundai more than ever?

* Did you text a question to KGB?

* Did you switch to Career Builder from Monster or vice-versa?

Okay, you have not had much time, but do you even PLAN on doing any of the above based on the commercials you saw? If you have not seen them, here they all are.

Inquiring minds want to know…!

Last week my wife and I were talking and she came to give me a hug ( she thinks I’m lovable) and all of a sudden I hear a series of pops and ask what the noise is. She pulls back and says “Darn, my bracelet broke.” We go about picking up all the beads and put them in a plastic bag.

This was a Silpada bracelet; one of her favorites. Both her friends who sold their products stopped, so she did an internet search and contacted the company.

Within two days she received an exact replacement, along with a reply envelope to return the broken piece back to them in, postage-paid.

They made her a raving fan and she asked me to post about their great customer service. Done. Now maybe I’ll get another hug.