If P&G gives you a professional headshot will you buy their products?

P&G has taken notice of the fact that some soon-to-be college graduates are posting selfies for their online profiles and has decided to step in and help them out with some advice and professional quality head shots.

Specifically, they will be launching a campaign that will include visits to three college campuses by company representatives from their Aussie, Cover Girl, Gillette, Olay, Secret and Venus brands.  They will provide beauty and grooming services and the opportunity to take a professional headshot.  LinkedIn is a partner in the effort and career specialists will be on hand to help students update their profiles.  A companion website will offer information about the topic as well. (Baar, 2014)

So what do you think?  Will this effort motivate participants to use their products? 

Baar, A.  (2014, April 22)  P&G Helps Grads With Professional Profiles.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved April 24, 2014, from  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/224098/pg-helps-grads-with-professional-profiles.html?edition=72071

Brazil Bans Advertising To Kids Under 12. Should the US follow their lead?

Earlier this month The Brazilian Ministry of Human Rights banned advertising to children under 12 and imposed restrictions on campaigns aimed at 12 - 18 year olds.

Not surprisingly, the narrow list of exceptions includes educating children about good nutrition, safety, education, and health. (Jaffe, 2014)

So what do you think?  Is this a good idea?  Should the U.S. do the same?

Jaffe, J. (2014, April 15)  The End Of Advertising.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved April 17, 2014, from

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/223665/the-end-of-advertising.html

Free Socks Anyone?

At $15 a pair Thorlos are not your typical socks.  Not surprisingly, Jeff Lawson, Director of Marketing, admits it's hard to convey, in ads, how comfortable their padded socks are.  So what's a marketer to do?  Thorlo thinks the answer is sampling. 

While the socks limit the number and size of sports related blisters, making them popular with athletes, the company sees their biggest opportunity in Adults 50+ who are experiencing aging related foot pain. 

The giveaway, which requires people to pay their own shipping and handling, is being made via email and social media has generated a 40% lift in the first week.  But of course the ultimate goal is to create loyal customers and increase their share of the sock drawer. (Mahoney, 2014)

So, have you ordered your free pair yet?  Will you?

Mahoney, S. (2014, April 11) Free Socks?  For Thorlos, Sampling Beats Advertising.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/223421/free-socks-for-thorlos-sampling-beats-advertisin.html?edition=71748

Cute video but will it sell anything?

In 2013 Evian released a video called "Baby & Me," where people danced with baby versions of themselves.  To date it has drawn roughly 140 million views.

Now they have released a new baby-themed video with a Spider-Man twist.  They even posted a trailer for it last week to drum up interest and increase anticipation.  (Lukovitz, 2014)

If you haven't seen them yet, here is the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfxB5ut-KTs

And here is the new one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyV57QlGUGI

So do you think these will increase sales of Evian?  Will you buy some?

Lukovitz, K. (2014, April 3)  Spider-Man Meets His Baby Me In Latest Evian Video.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved April 4, 2014, from  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/222874/spider-man-meets-his-baby-me-in-latest-evian-video.html?edition=71475