Soccer. In America?

The World's Sport. Soccer. Gooooaaaaal! Ole Ole Ole Ole! In America? 

This sport has been kicked aside for, well ever in the states. David Beckham was thought to be able to be unstoppable. They brought him to the LA Galaxy and wasted millions with no success. 

Why is soccer suddenly being talked about? Sounders FC. They have been able to create an exciting environment which has packed quest field to sell out status at each game so far this season. They have marketed themselves on television, created jingles for fans to sing, the twirling scarfs. Everyone wants a piece of the excitement. All these symbols of global soccer sickness have been tediously thought over for the goal of making coin. 

People are feeling the sickness. Suddenly a sport with no buzz has people jumping on the bandwagon in Seattle. We have now forgotten the Sonics and instead of Ray Allen no celebrate goals by Montero. I only hope this marketing machine continues to grind Soccer into a national phenomenon. 

The Kid Is Back... Alongside Vintage Nike Ads

The return of Griffey to Seattle has meant alot to this city. Griffey is more than just a ballplayer. He is an icon, a larger than life hero, and truly above the game of baseball. He is a walking God. 

As with Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, Nike has thrown huge dollars at Griffey to market their products through various ad campaigns. Nike has chosen to re-air the vintage advertisements unseen since 1999 when he marked his sad departure from the Mariners. 

Nike has brought back the ads and created quite a buzz. They have reminded us how Griffey's long ball changed Seattle. They have stamped their name alongside a superstar. And recycled ad dollars. 

Great Move Nike!

10th Anniversary of Safeco Field: A Seattle Milestone Marked

Seattle Mariners celebrating the 10th anniversary of Safeco Field. This ceremony was a marketing strategy to show the magic of a day at the ballpark. By marking this moment, the created a want to all the fans. I was ready to drive 300 miles to experience everything they described. From 116 wins, Griffey's Return, The smell of Hot dogs, and Many majestic blue sky ballgames on the green grass. My Oh My what a game. And what a marketing ploy to create a want for a Mariners fans to be there each and every game. 

Pricing Strategy

This week in class we are discussing pricing strategies. I was just recently at GI Joe's Sporting Goods which are nationally going under just as Linens and Things, and Circuit City has within the past year. I noticed that although they slashed their pricing, I was paying more. What they ended up doing is raising their retail prices and then putting everything on sale. I was paying the same amount as in previous visits, yet now their store was filled with customers. It seemed they had generated a sense of urgency which filled their stores while their price points remained constant. I would have never noticed if I wasn't such an aware consumer. I'll leave the crowds there and shop elsewhere. 

Good Slogans Can Say Alot

I was recently listening to the radio and heard an appropriate slogan as we are studying advertising/promotion this week. It was a painting company whose slogan read "Where you'll never get the brush off". I just thought it was very clever by highlighting their business and highlighting their dedication to customer service. Slogans are a powerful tool and this is one that really grabbed me. I don't normally remember a painting company so this shows the power of a good slogan. 

Saturn's "We are still here" Campaign

Saturn has been out of the media spotlight when it comes to the recession. In the midst of failure after failure of American car manufacturing, Saturn has chose to enter the media spotlight and announce their presence. I think that the emergence of this company in this time claiming their solvency and their continuation to manufacture appealing low budget American cars is a very smart move. It is a slap in the face to Ford and GM and comes at the right time. We need American business we can depend on. I hope that their continued success is a model for others to follow. Meanwhile the campaign gives us hope and a homegrown product we feel confident in buying. 

Microsoft Needs To Market Themselves Differently

Microsoft Corporation is a multi billion dollar corporation. Yet they have terrible PR. Their monopolous ways, antitrust lawsuits, and error driven products are causing this giant to waver. Here are my suggestions. First off Separate from Vista. This product is flawed, difficult, and unpopular. After years of struggle quit trying to resuscitate a brand which never had life. Distance yourself from it, and pray Windows 7 is a smash hit. Secondly, dump the Zune. You cannot go against the Ipod; so stop the bleeding and go back to the arena in which you are more familiar. Third, Google is an unstoppable force. Yahoo is dwarfed by Google and buying up a dying brand is not going to defeat Google. Google will continually evolve; releasing gadget after gadget to enhance their already staggering assortment of features. I would try to fight back with a new Microsoft Office, Killer Windows, and Software. 

Product Innovating

I thought it was interesting how Apple continues to constantly innovate their product lines. They have taken their star product from a brick with little memory just a few years ago to a new sleek, slim,  memory hoarding marvel. It is Apple's continues improvement and innovation to their product line which has kept the Ipod at the forefront of demanded products. My friend recently bought an Ipod Touch and I was blown away by all the applications. Now a music device can help you locate your car, sort contacts, game playing, and much more. Maybe if the Microsoft Zune or other products in the same market did similar leg work they would be counting the millions as well. 

The Return of Tiger

Tiger Woods long awaited return to golf after his knee surgery was not a wasted marketing moment. The game of golf has in its hand the most recognizable athlete in the world. His return marks the return of large audiences, media coverage, and skyrocketed attendance. Nike and their relationship with Tiger have pounced on this moment. Their hilarious advertisements have propelled their brand and the PGA tour into the spotlight. The media buzz surrounding this return have gotten my attention and single handedly returned my attention back to the Television to watch the tour and his Prowess. Good Move Nike!

B2B Marketing The Way I see It

Business to Business Marketing is a very powerful tool. As we have learned in class this can be a great way to pick up significant business with bulk purchases while still dealing with just a single client. My dad works in San Francisco and is in the midst of a multi million dollar remodel to his business. He is adding a Spa, Pool, and Work out & Class facilities to his business among other things to attract a younger demographic. He recently was contacted by Lucy who sells sportswear. He was able to build a relationship and then purchase yoga mats, athletic apparel for his employees among other things. What an easy way for them to pick up $10,000. I thought it was a good representation of B2B marketing and its role. 

Confused? Think It Over thats their goal.

Ever seen one of those advertisements in which you were left speechless? The advertisement left you dazed, confused, and wondering what just happened. Well chances are, that was the goal of the advertisement. Marketing firms, and major corporations have the resources and man power to support multi million dollar advertising campaigns. Meaning if it doesn't make sense chances are that was their purpose. So why leave your customers  without a clear message? Sometimes the more you do not understand the more you think about it and retain the brand. After frustrating yourself into figuring out their purpose chances are the brand has been burned in for later use in shopping trips. Bingo they just made a buck.

Restless Leg Syndrome a Marketing Gold Mine

Years ago, Restless Leg Syndrome or (RLS) was a relatively unknown issue. That is until prescription drug companies knew that drugs would sell.  Today multi million dollar ad campaigns have led to millions of sales of prescription drugs. The ability of prescription drug companies to market a drug that consumers will buy is a powerful influence. It is a relatively non debilitating disease in which people lived with prior to the saturation of the market through television campaigns. This is the power of marketing. The ability to make a consumer determine that high energy, sleep deprivation, etc. is mistakenly RLS. Direct Sales of drugs to consumers is an ethical dilemma. I believe the less consumers know about current drugs on the market the less chance they will diagnose themselves and seek out drugs to aid them. It has become a billion dollar industry for just RLS in the past two years. 

Low Marketing Budget, Lack of Consumer Spending Leading to the Recession Bowl

I just thought it was interesting that NBC still had two commercial spots available for the Superbowl up until the night prior to the big game. Yes, spots were being sold for 2.4-3 million dollars for a 30-second spot, but were talking about the world's largest stage. 100+ Million viewers and open spots? This is a sign of the economic downturn. Severely limited budgets on the business end and a lack of spending on the consumer end leaves a bad taste with both parties. 

Electric Kool-Aid My Big Idea

Continuing with the in class discussion why not package a six pack of Electric Kool-Aid with a six pack of Crayola Crayons? They would  feature the Electric Kool-Aid Flavors? Imagine the little hands reaching out for Electric Cherry and Blue Rasberry crayons. Crayola seems to be in bed with tooth brush companies why not produce some brightly colored wax and join familiar brands into selling a new sports drink benefiting both companies. We have established a young demographic with this drink, so math it with Crayola a familiar brand in this target market. 

Voss Bottled Water: A Symbol of Class? Or Marketing Ploy?

I purchased Voss Bottled Water. Because of it's elegant shape and thick glass packaging I chose it. It is just water. Its appearance simply says elegance and class. I purchased it simply because I wanted to be seen with such a bottle in my hand. It undoubtably has no higher level of quality than Fiji or other fine bottled water. Its packaging just made a statement with me. 

The Nostalgia of Dad's Root Beer

I was recently in the grocery store and picked up a 12 pack of root beer. I walked down another aisle to see Dad's Root Beer. I switched the boxes and went on my way. I was later struck that I had not seen this brand on any advertisement, preferred its taste over the other, no price differentiation, and no other explanations as to why I made the switch. I knew internally that what had happened was that this brand comforted me with memories of childhood. The nostalgia of this product and memories which it had triggered from backyard barbecues, friends homes, and after sports snacks. If that is not powerful brand recognition I don't know what is.