I believe the only way to get through something is to confront it head on. Diversity is a serious issue and it needs to be addressed. I don’t agree with everything I’m hearing in the news about the Academy Awards and I don’t necessarily disagree either but do I believe everyone that has a voice in this should do it responsibly. None of us would be where we are today if someone did fight for us to be here. Some of us would not have a platform to stand on if there was people who sacrificed to build one. At the end of the day, we are all Americans and like the late great Dr Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” #IJS #foodforthought #yalldothedishes
I was working as a DJ in a record store and one day a customer came in and started buying a huge amount of albums. In fact, we ended up keeping the store open extended hours so this guy could go through our entire collection. At the end of the day I asked my boss why did we go so far above and beyond for this sale, which was in the end, ended up being very substantial, his reply to me was “a bird in the hand is worth more than two in a tree.” Had he let this guy walk or turn him to our website he may not have ended up purchasing at all. Anything could happen. But when you have someone onsite who is ready and willing to listen about your service make every resource available to assist that person.
I just read something that my son wrote. The assignment was that he had to write the similarities and differences of a Green Sea and a Leather Back Sea turtle. The parents were given examples of the proper writing prior. After I read (3) three examples from the other children I noticed that they all had similar content about the reptiles – they are excellent summers, can hold their breath for long periods of time, etc. Not my son. In fact, he chose a completely new route. He talked about the common struggle of the turtle fighting pollution and other man made obsticals.
I dont know what to expect once his professor grades it. He may see how my son is unique and judge him individually and not what’s considered the standard. However, I dont know how confident I feel about the system being accepting of my sons genius vs keeping up with the common core. Is this why creatives are often social outcasts? Considered misfits? Marginalized? Does people like my son often times feel inadequate or inferior like the stereotype of a “dumb jock”.
My son is a creative and I could be more worried or more proud at the same time. Because creatives help to change and shape how we see the world. However, they are also the most likely to get tormented in the process.
Every installation I have ever done, for the most part, starts in its simplest form – raw space. Finding that space, determining the right location, and negotiating the best price just the beginning. What goes into that space? how do we staff it? how do we drive consumers to it? what will be their experience inside the space? how do we get them to share it? how do we get them to come back? and how it achieves its desired results are the 7 pillars. Making all these functions work to in harmony with the brand at the nucleolus takes skill.
Mama use to say…take your time. I know that’s not what we want to hear when we have high speed internet, on demand tv, and credit cards that provide instant gratification. But the truth is, Rome was not built in a day. Neither will a great brand. True, investors want to hear about growth potential. But as Mark Cuban always says on Shark Tank you have to crawl before you ball. Keep continuing to do what you do great, even if the returns are modest, as long as you have a platform, your time WILL come. Any you will be ready.
Bringing in the new year is always great. We all get to look forward to what’s ahead but if you are like most marketers you’ve already planned the new year either at the end of Q3 or the beginning of Q4 of 2013. By now you sights are already set for this upcoming Summer. So before I fall to forget you in my 2015 planning…have a happy new year and all he best in 2014.
Through a very strategic, well timed and magnanimous move, Beyonce released a new album with no pre-promotion. Just a press release on the day of and some blasts on her own social media (and by A list friends) to her millions of followers across the globe. In a world where music is leaked and scrutinized before it even hits the selves this bold and sophisticated move by one of music brightest stars just may have changed the music business as we know it.
This also goes to what a powerhouse we can all be within our sphere of influence. Instead of the uphill climb of the bell curve today’s marketing is like dropping bombs as shown here:
A successful execution does not only involve the activation but the setups leading up to (and after in some cases) the activation. Never discount the value of PR and the promotion. Some people confuse marketing with just showing up on-site and simulating interest and the details often get cut in the interest of time and savings. However, think of the unrealized loses (instead of gains) that factor in with not getting it right the first time. People identify with brands on a variety of levels – timing, trusted sources, their environment, demonstrations, etc. The best way to get the full potential of your investment is to attack each level in phases with a realistic time frame for the main objective. As marketers the goals should not just be a single passion point but a pursuit of perfection for the masses because appearances do mater and in world where everything is being recorded we don’t want to settle for good when we can be GREAT!
When pharma sells you a drug they don’t advertise the chemical compounds that go into the make up, they give you a pill. This pill will do this _____. End of story. But, in order for the consumer to differentiate between your brand and the competition there must be some deeper level of communication involved. Both verbal and non verbal cues will help your brand go from the shelf to the cash register. In this information driven society, we as marketers have to make sure that we are aware where the information along the path to purchase is coming from. In some cases, create our own link in fueling demand. Accessibility to supply is just part of it. The sale doesn’t just start at the store level (or point of purchase) it begins when the consumer identifies it from a trusted source. Not only that, the brand itself has to be ready to do what it says it will do so that the consumer will turn into a completely satisfied customer and add therefore adding another link to fuel demand in their social spheres.
jamalkennedy 