Post 8: Stay In Touch

Being a 21-year-old female, social media is something that I’ve grown up with all around me. I use social media to connect with my friends, to make plans with classmates, to avoid homework, to find out where my favorite celebrity grocery shops, to discover new music, etc, etc, etc. 

Some types of social media market towards my interests more than others. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are all facets of social media that I’ve dabbled in. Others, such as HootSuite, LinkedIn, and Google+ are created more for the working professional (in my opinion). 

Ultimately, however, social media is made for people to interact with one another. Certain websites are more suitable for people looking to communicate in a relaxed atmosphere (such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Pinterest), while others are used for professional development (i.e. LinkedIn). Those who grew up with social media around them may have first entered the non-professional realm of social media, but eventually all types of social media will market to us in the different stages of life we go through. 

Post #7: I’m a Creep

I’m no prowess when it comes to social media. I’m on Facebook, WordPress (obviously), Tumblr, and that’s about it. I have no Twitter, no other blog, and to be honest, my Tumblr account hasn’t been touched since April. So really, I’m truly only active on Facebook. But boy, I’ve gotten good at hunting people down on that thing.

You see, I’ve used my skills of homework procrastination, insomnia, and laziness to amp up my Facebook creeping skills. My friends will ask me to find ex-boyfriends, my boyfriend will ask me what’s new with his sister (on Facebook), and my mother is constantly chiding me for “being such a creeper!”

Knowing all the ins and outs of Facebook is a curse, however. The fact of the matter is, people can creep on me and find things I’m sure I’d be embarrassed for them to know. Because of this IMC class, I’ve taken further steps to protect my privacy, and to ensure I’m only showing people what I want to be showing them. While it may be fun to stalk others–I sure as heck don’t want them to be able to stalk me.

Post 6: Oooh, Shiny!

After my last blog post, I’m sure you all know I’m an avid fan of Target.  So it should come as no surprise when I say that today I was at Target (I know, I know! I’m obsessed!).You all can now imagine me hanging my head in shame .

Today’s Target experience was no different than the last few trips I’ve made. As I amble my way down to the register, trying to ignore the voices of the lonely shorts or dresses left hanging on their respective racks, my eyes spot the magazines. “Buy me, Paige,” they say, “You NEED to learn how to get a firmer tooshie in 12 days.”

“No,” I say with defiance, looking the insanely fit woman on the cover in the eyes, ” I do not need you….. But maybe just this once. Okay, you win.”

Now from this I’m sure you’ve gathered two things: 1. I’m incredibly weak-willed, and 2. I love magazines, especially of the fitness variety. What about magazines pulls me in to buy them with little hesitation? The brightly colored, glossy cover? The fit woman on their covers, showing readers what they’re striving to achieve? The headlines addressing issues most women struggle with?

Yes. We as a society buy magazines because of all of the reasons listed above. The biggest reason magazines sell, in my opinion, is based on the advertising that takes place on the front cover. Taglines that address issues almost everyone can relate to, and a quick way to solve the problem, make customers want to buy that magazine. While the ads between the covers that different companies place inside are good, I believe the advertising that takes place on the front cover is even better.

I would never buy a magazine if there were no taglines on the cover.

Perhaps this is why I don’t usually buy newspapers. Yes, newspapers have headlines that can be attractive, but they don’t offer any resolution to a problem I have. Maybe I’m just more interested in “stay slim” than reading about death and destruction, who knows. What I do know is, when posed with the choice between a magazine and a newspaper, the magazine will always win.

Post 5: Target… Enough Said

I feel like I tell everyone and their brother (and sister, and cousin, and estranged family members) that Target is the best store in the entire world. I know that’s a pretty broad claim, but I’m willing to take the risk of making it.After last Thursday’s class I began to question my loyalty to my favorite store however. What makes it different from places such as Wal-Mart?

Well for one, Target’s ads are so incredibly catchy and innovative! They turn lamp shades into skirts! Additionally, I feel like Target’s overall feel is so much classier than Wal-Mart. I have no shame in saying that I bought a shirt or dress from Target, but buying clothes from Wal-Mart seems to be slightly “taboo” for my age group.

I think ultimately what it boils down to is Target uses their advertising and marketing to promote their store in a way that makes customers feel like they’re getting a higher quality item. Take a look at the ad I linked down below. While watching it ask yourself, “Would Wal-Mart ever make an ad like this?” I think the answer is pretty straight forward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HXVZmry0QE

Post 4: I Need an iPhone Like the Desert Needs Rain

I’ve wanted an iPhone for about two years now I’d say, and every time I see this iPhone ad I begin to get more and more wishful.

I’m not entirely sure why I love this ad so much. I think maybe it reminds me of those rainy days I had as a kid where I’d just eat soup and lounge around in my pajamas and do nothing. This ad makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and wishful for a day like that, as well as make me want an iPhone. Plus, Zooey Deschanel is pretty rad.

Post 3: Can You Smell What the “Wok” is Cookin’?

For this third post, I knew I just had to choose Cleveland Wok as my local business. Their food is to die for in my opinion, and whenever I think of Cleveland Wok, I think of so many fun times had there with friends.

Yet, while I sit here and think harder about my loyalty to Cleveland Wok, I begin to question why. Why am I so loyal to this small, run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant? What draws me in to their restaurant every time I’m craving Chinese? What brought  me in to Cleveland Wok in the first place?

The answer to the latter of the three questions raised would be “word of mouth.” From what I can tell, Cleveland Wok doesn’t run ads in the paper or have T.V. time. I haven’t found any coupons in my mailbox, or any chalkboards outside their establishment telling me what specials they have going on that night. What Cleveland Wok does have, however, is a friendly atmosphere, kind staff, and food that makes people want to come back again and again. Cleveland Wok has a devout following that spreads their love of the place to others who don’t know of its Chinese goodness.

Cleveland Wok could do even more to bring people in to their restaurants by having coupons, specials, or even ads. With that being said though, their customer loyalty stems from their kind service, and I believe that’s a wonderful marketing strategy in and of itself.

Post 2: It’s Cool to be Hip

After visiting several sites of different ad agencies, I began to notice a trend…

It’s cool to be hip.

Every single website I visited had their own special flair, yet they were all very much minimalistic. I found them to be a bit difficult to navigate at times, and eventually I just gave up. Then, I came across Crispin Porter + Bogusky’s website. Their clients’ logos were located on the top, their design was easy to use, and I came across several ads I found to be very interesting.

Being slightly obsessed with Canada and all things Canadian, I just had to look at a project they did for the Toronto Tourism board, and man, was it cool! The project itself was called “The Cheating Wall”, and it gave citizens of both Montreal and Toronto the ability to look into a portal of the other city. Take a look at the ad both here on the CP+B website, and through an external source for even more information here.

Suffice it to say, while CP+B’s website might be a bit underwhelming, their ads are definitly both cool and hip. I’m sure I’ll be thinking about the Cheating Wall as I continue throughout my day, and I can guarantee that’s exactly what the people at CP+B want me to do.

Welcome!

This blog will be used as a chronicle my summer experience in MKTG 2350 here at St. Kate’s, plus a couple other little doodads and whatnot along the way. Thanks for taking the journey with me!

Also, here’s a video that just brings a smile to my face whenever I see it…. Enjoy 🙂