Tag Archives: marketing

Twitter's Effect on Small Businesses

In yet another example of Twitter’s widespread emergence, The New York Times has covered the effects of social media on small mom-and-pop stores across the United States. As their article details:

Much has been made of how big companies like Dell, Starbucks and Comcast use Twitter to promote their products and answer customers’ questions. But today, small businesses outnumber the big ones on the free micro-blogging service, and in many ways, Twitter is an even more useful tool for them.

Twitter has made marketing and public relations to the small business owner. While it was once an expensive luxury for small businesses, Twitter now enables users to spread their messages outside of their local areas. Being a free tool has allowed entrepreneurs to finally have a public relations strategy, and has become the sole way of marketing for many. Now, unlike ever before, local business owners are able to connect with others beyond face-to-face interaction, which in return has created additional sales for their businesses.

This just goes to show that social media has the ability to drive public relations in ways that were unthinkable only a few years ago. The importance of having a experts lead companies through emerging social network is crucial at this time, in order to maximize the resources available.

–Posted by Max Blau @MaxBlau

Mom Has Game: Spots Marketing Genius

My Mom has game. Sure, she is a high level executive for her day job – where I am sure she tests actuaries (Society of Actuaries. Her place of work.) like Jordan tested defenses. But, that’s not what impresses me. What impresses me is her attention to creativity. Her grip on marketing and how it ties into the overall picture — something many marketers and communicators don’t grasp.

I could go on and on about my super power mother, but let’s get to the point. Here’s the story she sent me this morning and recommending my clients attempt something innovative or piggyback an idea such as this:

Airline seeks bald men as walking billboards

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 7:32 a.m. ET

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s national airline is offering to pay bald travelers to use their heads — literally — in a new advertising campaign.

Air New Zealand said it wants 70 recruits to stand in lines in three airports — while wearing temporary tattoos on the back of their heads so the displays can be seen by people lining up behind them.

The airline would pay 1,000 New Zealand dollars ($660) for each walking billboard, a company official said.

The tattoos will promote a new system that is meant to reduce check-in waiting times.

Air New Zealand marketing manager Steve Bayliss described the campaign as ”a bit of fun.”

”It’s a … tattoo on the back of someone’s head, so they have to have their head shaved or be bald already,” he told National Radio on Wednesday. ”It will be an advantage for them to be bald already.”

The tattoos would fade or wash off after about two weeks, he said.

Bayliss added that he won’t be part of the program since he was ”doing OK” in the hair department.

So, what you think? Good idea. Bad idea. Circle the best answer.

Let’s look at the basics. Cost: Limited as they are only giving away basically the price of a ticket. Result: tons and tons of PR, both in the public and in the media. Genius. For what will cost them pennies will drive brand awareness and more importantly, attention.

If you are a franchise, big or small, think creative. Think about stunts that can result in media attention. Consulting your communications firm or firms for ideas. Progressive, my friends. While not overly innovative, this idea has created buzz. Well done.