Categoryadvertising

QR Codes: The Biggest Missed Opportunity?

When’s the last time you scanned a QR Code? I’m guessing for many of you, it’s probably been at least a few months. For many marketers, advertisers and PR pros, QR codes were (and in some cases still are) the shiny object that was supposed to help bridge the offline and online world. It sounds perfect. For example, X ad agency creates an ad outside a local mall. Then, people...

Do You Suffer From BSOS (Bright Shiny Object Syndrome)?

Marketers, advertisers, PR pros and yes even journalists have an obsession with new and shiny things. We flock to sign up for the beta invites for the newest soon-to-be social media craze. We stand in lines for hours to be the first people to get the latest tech gadgets. We obsess about product reviews and predictions for how this service or gadget will change the landscape in the future. Guess...

Why AMC’s The Pitch Missed The Mark

For the last few Sunday nights, I’ve been watching The Pitch on AMC. For those unfamiliar, each week it provides a glimpse into two top-tier ad agencies, as they compete to win a new client. They have seven days to come up with a winning idea, which they then pitch to the client. It’s a great reality show concept. With lots of drama and tension built in. AMC did a great job editing...

Why You Shouldn’t Aim To “Go Viral”

What’s the last Web video you watched? Think about it. For me, it was a killer cover of LMFAO, “Sexy And I Know It.” What can I say. I do love discovering and watching pure raw talent on Youtube. Now, think harder. Are you going to remember this video you just watched a week from now. It’s likely a one-hit wonder, clustered in the mind field of dozens upon dozens of videos...

Buzzword Bingo: 12 Words That Need To Die in 2012

Every industry has them. Maybe, you are a little short on content for that case study or presentation? Or, you are speaking on a topic that you aren’t entirely comfortable talking about it. So, you pull out those “cool-sounding words” that are meant to “wow” your audience. Some of these “buzzwords” are becoming a bit too overabundant. Here’s 12...

The Psychology Behind Social TV

Social TV. It’s the new (gag me) buzzword. Every week, there’s another article about social TV and how it’s the future. It’s always the same thing about how Twitter and Getglue are revolutionizing the industry. While this is true to an extent, it’s far from the full story. Getglue and Twitter are just two of the main tools powering the social TV shift. But, they are...

7 Deadly QR Code Sins

QR codes, either you love ”˜em or you absolutely hate ”˜em. And lately, I’m seeing more and more marketers, who are absolutely obsessed with them. They are placing them on anything and everything. This can work. But, this can also lead to disastrous failure. Here’s 7 reasons why your codes may be failing you. 1. You suffer from “shiny object syndrome.” Quora, Empire Avenue, heck...

Farewell Groupon! Is This The Beginning of The End For Daily Deal Sites?

Daily deals, group-buying and coupons. Our society loves them. We even have TV shows about them. Don’t believe me, just watch TLC’s “Extreme Couponing.” (Note: This is what happens when Confessions of a Shopalcoholic meets Hoarders. They have stock piles upon stock piles of all the free uber-processed food crap and cleaning supplies they can get their hands on.) First...

5 Reasons Why Marketers Need To Think Like Journalists

For those who don’t know, I have a journalism degree. A little over a year ago, I left the journalism rollercoaster ride for the world of marketing and PR. That being said, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t use something I learned while working in a newsroom. For some reason, this surprises people. And as someone, who has made this transition, there’s tons of...

5 Things Advertisers Can Learn From 90s Toy Commercials

In the days where anything and everything can go “viral” on Youtube, it becomes increasingly harder to get your brand’s message noticed and out to the masses. The answer for creating highly effective ads doesn’t always lie in the future. It can lie in the past and specifically the 1990s. Here are five things advertisers can learn from 1990s toy commercials. 5. Never...