"The Noob Guide to Online Marketing"

I was doing some basic research on marketing as a whole, and found a very interesting infographic (link below) describing the ins and outs of online marketing; everything from social media to pay-per-click (PPC). Out of these, I found that social media seemed to hold the "most" importance, containing the most "to-do" items out of all eight sections of online marketing. I found this interesting when considering social media's youth in comparison to many other online techniques. Yet it makes sense - the majority of a company's potential customer base utilizes social media. As an added bonus, its free.

What do you think to be the most important item within the infographic? Why?

Guide Itself: http://assets.unbounce.com/s/images/noob-guide-to-marketing-infographic-1800.png
Found on http://unbounce.com/noob-guide-to-online-marketing-infographic/

In Response to Jake Atherton's Post

What do you think of this ad? Does it change the way you view Southwest Airlines?
(Video linked at end of post)

In my opinion, this ad is a very powerful one, which is marketable to a large portion of the American public. By using a popular song, the "American Dream" theme, and positive information, it communicates to the public that Southwest is a trustworthy and valuable company. After viewing this ad, it definitely makes me feel comfortable with choosing Southwest over competitors, regardless of what little actual information was communicated to the public.

Retail Customer Monitoring Technology

Image taken from http://www.economist.com/news/business/21571452-

security-cameras-are-watching-honest-shoppers-too-we-snoop-conquer

I read an article about how retail stores have been (for quite some time) using their security cameras not only to ensure theft prevention and safety, but to gauge how many customers are in the store at a given time, aiding in shift scheduling, as well as product placement around the store. The growing demand for  this kind of technology has provided retailers with more extensive - and in my opinion, creepier - additions to their stores. Almax, a mannequin production company, have created mannequins that have the ability to "...look back at customers with camera eyes, noting sex, age and ethnicity." Technology like this allows managers to make strategic decisions to make their stores more marketable and appealing to their target market.

What do you think of this technology? Do you feel it is a violation of privacy, a useful tool for retailers, or a little of both?


For more information on this topic, visit http://www.economist.com/news/business/21571452-security-cameras-are-watching-honest-shoppers-too-we-snoop-conquer

In Response to Nicole Rutigliano's Post

What do you think of them coming up with a drink "not for women?"

I think that this type of marketing strategy could definitely work, no matter how crude it is. I think it is obvious that it is a parody of our society and how dieting is seen as "unmanly." There isn't anything "not for women" about the drink besides the marketing strategy. However, the strategy could also backfire, in that Dr. Pepper is ignoring half of their potential market. Women could be offended by this strategy, and drive them away from not only Dr. Pepper, but all of Dr. Pepper's products.

"Apple iWatch, Wearable Devices Seen Taking Off"

I recently read an article about the possibility of Apple coming out with a new device that you wear around your wrist much like you would a watch - yet this device would function more like an iPod or iPhone.

"[ABI research] says that with a wave of new gadgets set to hit the consumer market, wearable devices could soon become the norm within five years. ABI also forecasts that the wearable computing device market will grow to 485 million annual device shipments by 2018.
Reports Thursday say Apple made a patent filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in August 2011 that hints it's developing a flexible touch-screen device that fits around a user's wrist. Some analysts say an "iWatch" rollout will come this year, as IBD has reported. Google (GOOG), meanwhile, is launching an augmented-reality smart-glass product called Google Glass," (See bottom for link).

I think that as long as Apple markets this product as so much more than just a watch, the sales should skyrocket. However, consumers could very easily construe this piece of technology as simply an overpriced watch. It's up to Apple's marketing team to come up with a way to communicate the value of this new and innovative idea, while at the same time, compete with Google's "Google Glass," a up-and-coming equivalent to a HUD (Heads-up-device).

How do you think Apple could market an iWatch effectively?

Source:
http://news.investors.com/technology/022113-645212-abi-research-says-apple-iwatch-product-breakthrough.htm

In Response to Jake Atherton's Post

Wouldn't a company feel more in control following it's own regulations, rather than the governments?

Although a company would feel more in control following it's own regulations, if these were the only regulations that the company had to follow, it is possible that these would be incredibly biased based off of the companies wants and needs, and thus be skewed and corrupt, catering to these needs and ignoring equally important issues that would hinder the profitability of the corporation. Nevertheless, both types of regulation keep a healthy balance.

Self Regulation vs. Governmental Regulation

Do you believe self regulation is more or less effective than governmental regulatory agencies? Why?

In terms of self regulation, I really think that it depends on the circumstance. Matters that involve legality and strict laws that help keep things safe, especially for the general public, should be both self regulated by organizations and by the government. However, there will always be loopholes for organizations to exploit within government regulation. Self regulation is at the discretion of the company itself, and is therefore more accurate. Yet of course, there will always be a need for governments to regulate things, in order to keep things just.