In Response to Chris Cheever's Post...

   I think L.L. Bean is really setting up for success when they announced their free standard shipping without a minimum purchase amount.  Ever since Cabela's opened up, L.L.Bean really began to struggle to stay within the industry.  By including free shipping, I think L.L. Bean is not only attracting customers, but they're also coming back with a competitive edge.  Chris posed the question, is this approach appropriate for all companies?  And I would definitely say no, this is not the case for all companies.  For many of the companies that are in a similar situation as L.L. Bean and Cabela's...perhaps.  But it is important to first analyze the demands of products, and the available funds at hand before making such a big decision.  Free shipping has the potential of attracting new customers, and eventually creating a profit for the company.  But, realistically, it  is also very possible that no new customers are enticed, and the company looses thousands, if not more, dollars in paying for the shipping costs.  Therefore, it is important that companies are careful in analyzing their situation, pros and cons, before any offers are made by the company.

Diet Dr. Pepper and Yahoo Team Up...

I recently read an article about Diet Dr. Pepper teaming up with Yahoo to create an online scavenger hunt.  The "Hunt for the Unbelievable" sweepstakes participants enter their "...name, basic demographic information and their e-mail address in order to participate..." (McKeefery) with the hopes of winning the $10,000 travel getaway grand prize.  Participants were to locate and virtually capture the Diet Dr. Pepper characters across the Yahoo web, which also included mobile properties.  The hunt ran through March 31, and the winner is expected to be announced in April.  These two firms are participating in a very interactive way of marketing their products and services.  It's a fun way for people to get to know more about their products, probably with the hopes of gaining a number of loyal customers.

But what about the data they collect?  The article did not say what the firms were using the data for.  It could be something as simple as collecting information to consider a new target market.  But it could also be as untrustworthy as collecting data to sell to other companies.  What do you think about the overall idea of the interactive approach?
http://www.dmnews.com/diet-dr-pepper-and-yahoo-team-up-in-online-hunt/article/199209/

In Response to Abby Hajec's Post...

     I have to say that I wasn't as surprised as I probably should have been after I read this article.  In another class of mine, we discussed data mining- where companies are paid for the information they share with other companies.  For example, credit card companies that are paid to exchange your spending habits with companies willing to pay for the information.  In a lot of cases, this probably helps companies narrow down their target market, and also keeps them aware of the promotional ideas that are and are not working.  It is interesting that this didn't seem to be a big problem with Pandora until they went mobile.  I'm sure through these accounts, Pandora is able to access more information than we are probably aware.  I think the Federal Trade Commission should come up with some type of regulation to put in place.  We, as consumers, are very unaware of what goes on with a lot of the information we provide.  Most of us are not nearly as educated as we probably need to be in order to avoid these situations.  Therefore, we really do need someone, or something protecting us from any inappropriate trading of information.

Rolltop Computers

     Technological advances and innovations are, clearly, nothing we're just beginning to learn about.  The focus has been convenience, mobility, and the additions of applications, tools, and capabilities.  Apple computers have recently introduced their lines of Ipads, which is just another example of how much smaller our computers are getting and how great our technology is advancing.  I recently wanted a clip about a rolltop computer, and thought I would share it!  Its size and flexibility allows for a more convenient way of carrying a laptop, which would probably be their number one marketable feature.  Check it out!
  
http://whereispuck.com/2011/03/09/rolltop-computer/#more-489

 After watching the video, what other features could this company market to potential consumers?

In Response to Britney Perkins'...

     I really enjoyed reading Britney's post this week!  Over this past summer, i read Blink for the first time, and loved it!  I was amazed at the decisions we make without even realizing it; ones we can't explain even after the decision has been made.  I, myself, have found my emotions taking over after certain phrases or even foods are mentioned.  But we must also keep in mind, as the book tells us, that some decisions really should take us more time, and our answers cannot be determined by a simple feeling or reaction we have to something.  It is important, then, that we are aware of the types of decisions that can be used when a decision must be made.

Touring to Re-target...

     I recently read an article announcing that the soymilk company, Silk, is driving to ten cities to launch a brand awareness and consumer engagement campaign.  This city sample will learn the multiple uses of Silk product and  be involved in helping Silk collect consumer data that will be used for re-targeting consumers.
     Jen Hartley, Silk's director of marketing, explains that the company was finding that consumers were buying dairy milk in addition to their Silk products.  They say that many users are unaware that their product can be used for cooking and baking and a number of other things.  In order to help gather more data on their consumers, the company is giving out coupons to those willing to participate.  "'When consumers provide that information, they're agreeing to opt-in to our database for Silk", Said Hartley. "So with their permission, we would be sending them e-mails with additional information about our products.'  As part of registering for the challenge, they can select certain preferences, and we can provide certain usage tips and things that would be relevant to the way they use Silk."  (Peterson)  With this information and other promotional tools, they are using ZIP codes for demographic and location analysis; they are using TV commercials and print ads in publications to drive consumers to their SwitchToSilk.com website.  Not only does the website provide coupons for their products, but it also provides a ten-day plan to help consumers switch to soymilk.
     Because the purpose of this new campaign is to identify a new target market, they have identified nutrition "'nutrition conscious' consumers, specifically 30 to 50 year-old women who handle their households' primary grocery shopping..." (Peterson).  Overall, Silk is trying to retrieve a new target market.  But they are also making a big effort to educate consumers about the multiple uses of their non-dairy products.

Do you see this road campaign as being successful for Silk?  Are there any disadvantages for organizing such a campaign?

http://www.dmnews.com/silk-launches-road-tour-to-promote-soymilk-use/article/199424/

In Response to Aubrey Menegus' Post...

     I thought Aubrey asked a really great question to follow up with the movie "The Overspent American".  Personally, I think we can more easily blame this worrisome trouble on the spending habits of individuals.  But I honestly don't agree that the problem stops their.  Our ancestors created this idea of the "American dream".  I think over the years, this dream has been altered little by little, which has blurred our perception on the original idea.  Greed is not a characteristic to be left out, but I think it is only involved because of the competition brought on in living this dream.  I don't believe that marketing, directly, is to blame for this problem.  I think marketing only takes further advantage of the strong desires we have to buy more and more.  Would it help if we were to rid products of their marketing tactics?  Of course.  But I still believe we would see similar problem, perhaps on a less drastic sale.  As a society, I think we need to look at our budgets realistically and confront the fact that we are not all millionaires or billionaires, and that its unhealthy to continue trying to live as those more fortunate do.