Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Everything old is new again.

3/31/10

This just in – Iconoculture, a trendspotting firm, that tracks online chatter says that many Gen Y consumers are “home artisans”, and are embracing hobbies ranging from gardening to sewing. How retro!

What about you? Do you know anyone born between 1977 and 1994 who knits?

Mahoney, S. (2010, March 30). Spring Cleaning: Gen Y Dirties Its Hands. mediapost.com. Retrived March 31, 2010, from
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=125201&nid=112770

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Are women more persuasive then men?

3/24/10

According to a recent AdWeek Media/Harris Poll, 48% of Americans believe a male voice is more forceful selling a product or service in an ad, while 46% believe a female voice is more soothing. (Loechner, 2010)

If the ad is trying to persuade someone, it’s pretty much a wash – 20% give the edge to the female, with 18% saying it’s the male.

What do you think? Which one makes you want to buy something?

Loechner, J. (2010, March 24). Forceful, Soothing or Persuasive Voice: Which to Pick For Ad? mediapost.com Retrieved march 24, 2010, from
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124695

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Metro Sexuals vs. Machos; Part II

For your reference, here are links to the commercials discussed in the previous post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuexzKkMIDc&feature=pyv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE

Enjoy!
Prof. Lehrer

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

It’s metrosexuals versus macho men.

3/10/10

Dove’s introduction of Dove Men+Care has created quite a stir, at least within the industry. The recent launch of this line for men with sensitive skin has prompted competitors to tout the superior manliness of their own products. Old Spice is urging women to get their men to stop using “lady-scented body wash”, while Gillette is saying “Just because it says it’s for men doesn’t mean it is.” (Neff, 2010)

It’s an interesting debate. And where men net out will likely depend upon their own self image. My husband for one, rejected the Dove Men+Care proposition in its entirety, based on his belief that he needs a strong soap. (Ok, he is an Irish Spring loyalist.) But, I know several men with sensitive skin, who were already using Dove products before the launch.

Which group are you a part of? Do you relate to the Dove Men+Care positioning? Or are you sticking with a more macho brand?

Neff, J. (2010, March 8). Male Call: Marketers Jump of Men’s Grooming Trend. Adage.com. Retrived March 10 2010, from
http://adage.com/article?article_id=142655

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Can an iPhone app sell MRI machines?

3/3/10

GE has taken their “Healthymagination” campaign to the web with a content-rich website, a mobile app, and social networking.
Saying that: “From a digital perspective the difference between business-to-business and business-to-consumer is starting to vanish”, they are betting that breaking medical information into small bites, and delivering it to iPhones, will ultimately lead to more sales of high tech imaging equipment to their key customers -- doctors and hospital administrators. (Mahoney, 2010)
What do you think? Will such an indirect approach be effective? Will consumers influence doctor/hospital purchasing?

Mahoney, S. (2010, February 25). GE Launches Consumer Web Initiative. Mediapost.com. Retrived March 3, 2010, from
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123191&nid=111573