If It Fits, It Ships

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has done a terrific job of rebranding and reinventing their brand by promoting a flat-rate box to ship anywhere for a low flat rate.

Their philosophy changed on the way they do business was mainly due to the deficit the postal service was dealing with, and the economy. With competitors such as FEDEX and UPS all seeing an increase in revenue due to their service and price, the USPS had to do something since they were in debt. Their choice was to offer a flat-rate shipping box and it has helped.

Due to the struggling economy, many businesses and people are finding an alternative solution to ship their mail and packages by not spending out of their means or budget. The USPS just aided them with their product.

This relates to what we have discussed in class as a company/organization, especially a government organization, rebranding itself to compete and create awareness on their new product to help people ship mail and packages for one flat shipping rate. Their promotions have been simple, using a catchy tag line, and the products colors matching with the postal service colors.

Conan is back!

I love the commercials for the new Conan O'Brien Show on TBS. It's funny, catchy, and again, has a lot of humor in it.

Conan has been off the air for quite some time since his departure from NBC's, the Tonight Show. Since then, Conan has revamped his image, and of course, his brand, to persuade the newer, and older audience from the NBC network to follow him. His new shows are more raunchy, hip, and eye-popping as it will get your attention. Also, with a new campaign called TeamCoco, it's a YouTube channel and on his official site where the audience can view segments of his shows, as well as full clips of interviews, monologues, etc.

This relates to what we have been talking in class because since Conan left, nobody would thought he be back in the TV business. Since then, he changed his image, and revamped the brand to persuade both newer and older audience, as well as taking a different step on how the show will work. Revamping the brand and image can have rewards as well as ratings.

The New 4G Network

Recently, T-Mobile has upgraded and improved service and brand by offering a new, faster network, as well as expanding the phone catalog. By offering a new, faster network and broader option of phones, T-Mobile thinks and hopefully it will convince new consumers to sign up for their service as well as convince other network customers to switch over to their network.

T-Mobile just launched a TV commercial that is a spoof and spin-off of Apple's very own commercial on the iPhone. T-Mobile directly attacks the iPhone 4 and AT&T with an Apple's legendary "You're a PC and I'm a Mac" ad format. In the T-Mobile commercial, as shown below, it's similar as it has a white background shot, and characters resembling the products. The characters in the TMobile commercial are the new MyTouch 4G and the Apple iPhone. T-Mobile's newer MyTouch 4G, an android phone, plays on the fact that you can video chat with the myTouch 4G anywhere using T-Mobiles HSPA+ network, rather than using Apple's FaceTime video chat which only works via Wi-Fi.

T-Mobile plays on the fact that you can video chat with the MyTouch 4G, anywhere using T-Mobile's HSPA+ network. As you know, Apple's FaceTime video chat only works via Wi-Fi.

This relates to what we have been talking in class as it is a somewhat a newer way of promoting your product by having simple colors, a catchy commercial, and product.  The strategy is well put as it compares and contrast.

Love My Wings

Lately, I really like the Buffalo Wild Wings commercials, for it is not only football season, but, because their wings are actually that good, beating out other competitors like Wing Stop, Wild Wings and even Pizza Hut's very own WingStreet campaign.

In the Buffalo Wild Wings commercials, it is all related to a sports kind of theme, since practically it is a sports bar and grill. But all of their commercials tie into extending the time of the game for the people to continue to enjoy their food.

Also, with newer restaurants opening nationwide, they have promoted and campaigned heavily. Recently, got a postcard in the mail stating a new Buffalo Wild Wings is opening down the street. The postcard design looks simple, and attractive. Their promotion is to get the first 150 people to come in and they will receive a year of wings free and also for just bringing in the postcard, you get 10 wings free.

This relates to what we have talked in class since the postcard has simple design that has making it attractive. Also, the promotion strategy is very well organized and attracts your attention since the restaurant does have a good reputation.

Protecting You From Mayhem

I love the new commercials by Allstate: it's catchy and has a sense of humor, which is good. The new campaign by Allstate which is designed as to "nobody protects you from mayhem" which says it all, all the mayhem or problems you run into during your life. Whether it be on the road, air, water, Allstate will protect you, no further questions or obligations.

The new Allstate commercials have an actor portraying every possible hazard you can imagine that'll affect your insurance from driving. One spot portrays as a teenage girl texting while driving, and what was funny about that commercial was he was driving a pink Dodge Durango while trying to text and call, swerving all over the parking lot. Other spots portray him as an attractive jogger dressed in pink headband and carrying pink dumbells. This commercial was intended as another distraction while driving. The campaign's purpose was an attempt to invoke fear in consumers from their everyday life situation from weather related to burglary to incidents like in a parking lot to someone keying your car.

This relates to what we have been talking in class as it improvises a new strategy that'll draw attention to the brand, as humor plays a dramatic role. Also, the new Allstate campaign has not just been on television, but on radio and print ads such as magazines, and mail. In the mail form, it's pretty much simple, and complex, as the mail publication has just a simple Allstate logo with information, with a white and blue kind of design. However, I've seen mail print forms with the mayhem actor, with a picturesque design to draw attention and to make it attractive.

My Xfinity

Recently, Comcast decided to broaden their product selection by adding VoIP (voice over internet protocol) in the previous years to their already popular selection of cable television and high-speed internet, cable internet that is. I was surprised and delighted they decided to change their campaign and brand image to Xfinity, a combo package of VoIP, cable and internet. Previously, it was called a Triple Play bundle package. It seems more attractive and easily recognizable then the old Triple Play brand.

It's basically a new brand that has many new technological advances in media and room for growth.

Xfinity was started during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games held in Vancouver, when Comcast was on the verge of buying and merging with NBC. And the agreement went through, as GE (General Electric) and Comcast had a joint venture agreement to buy NBC. The agreement included offering more HD television programs, revamp, redesign, and increase the speed in the infrastructure in high-speed internet. Also, offering VoIP, and other technologies competing and leading the competition with other cable, and media companies.

With the new design, and campaign logo to kick Xfinity off to a good start, you can do just basically anything with Xfinity. Xfinity was designed to be consumer friendly, as well as a media and technological standpoint. From cable to internet to DVR to even your phone, you can connect to the internet anywhere in the world.

This relates to what we have been discussing in class by re-designing, re-positioning a brand, and creating awareness on a previous brand, and putting a new logo and concept as well as rebranding an already large market for their triple play package of voice, cable and internet.

Here comes the.....BOOM!

I'm really fascinated and hyped up by the new Nike commercials on how they manage to change their perspective by throwing in catchy moments and phrases.

Nike decided to turn things around and stay competitive by producing a commercial about that magical moment in sports. The Boom! Campaign was designed to help capture the loyal fans and newer audience to draw your attention on their products by implementing and persuading you that by using their products, it will help you define those high-impact moments in sports by the fascination of their product.

It's that game changing play that determines what the whole outcome is about, winning. It's the plays you want to see on replay or ESPN Sportcenter's Top Ten Plays.

I'm really impressed how they threw in big-name celebrities/stars like rapper Rick Ross, Tim Tebow, Nndamukong Suh, and others.

This commercial relates what we have been talking in class by designing a commercial or advertisement to building that strong relationship between the brand and the consumer through elements of integrated marketing communications. They also used television to capture the audience by the power of sight, sound and motion. The elements and combination of video shots, sounds and the way the commercial was formatted was to immediately capture and inspire the consumer to use their product.

As an athlete and sports fan, that special and magical moment really gets you hyped, and emotions swirling because you live, breathe to stay fit, competitive and worked hard to get to that point where a magical moment will happen anytime. Everybody can relate what Nike is saying. You just have to wait patiently, your instincts will kick in and the time will come.

BK GOES BIG ON BREAKFAST !!!

Recently, I'm impressed with how Burger King has managed to stay in the game (competition) with other fast food restaurants like McDonalds, serving a bigger, better breakfast menu. For years, McD's has been serving Hotcakes (pancakes) and other delicious breakfast menu, and has recently revamped their menu items.

So in order to stay competitive, Burger King has managed to add more variety to their breakfast menu, like the new BK Breakfast Bowl,etc. Not just more items added to the menu, but better and popular breakfast items like pancakes, and croissants. Although, Burger King has been serving croissants ever since, they have managed to add more ingredients to the croissant sandwiches.

In BK's promotion on TV, Radio and the internet, the way the commercial was produced and written was to grab the viewers' attention by adding a catchy jingle to the new and better breakfast menu. They have people from all sorts of background (jobs) humming and singing a jingle about the new breakfast menu.

The ads BK has been putting out relates to our class about creativity, selling messages that are unexpected but relevant. Creativity has been the key ingredient for BK to promote the new breakfast menu. Also, strategizing on what the consumers want, and how to give them what they want. In addition, the jingle is what grabs their attention, it seems corny at times but it does the job.

Shards of Glass Everywhere!!!

Recently, I've been noticing these ads of a television, print, and internet ads by a well-known campaign company/organization, bringing awareness to the consumers about the dangers of cigarettes. Operated by TRUTH.com, the campaign, Shards-O-Glass, has recently taken off draw attention to this warning about consumers being vulnerable and unaware how the [cigarette] industry mislabels their warning labels, how they advertise denying any allegations on how dangerous it is, and how they mislead the consumers on the numerous hazardous chemicals they put in their cigarettes.

On their website, they state their mission as "Our philosophy isn't anti-smoker or pro-smoker. It's not even so much about smoking. It's about an industry manipulating its products, facts and advertising to secure replacements for the 1200 customers they 'loose' every day. You know, because they die."

This definitely relates to what we have discussed and read in class about materials on how brands bring awareness to the consumers. Instead of being the ordinary consumer brand, this would particularly be a sort of public announcement/public awareness type of brand grabbing the consumers' attention and letting them know the reality on the truth and real facts about how the industry operates and manipulates its customers.

Bags Fly Free.....Anywhere!!! REALLY!!!

I'm really impressed how Southwest Airlines has stayed competitive among the other giant airlines, i.e. American Airlines, United, Delta, and so on.....Yet again, the reason is they bought their jet fuel (oil) reserve prices fixed on the market about 10 years down the road, which is an advantage since other airlines are struggling due to the rising cost of oil. In return, the other airlines are ridiculously coming up with ways to increase profits to offset the soaring cost of oil.

In the Southwest Airlines TV, Internet and print ads, they do a good job capitalizing on travelers' unhappiness about the growing list of fees and charges. Other airline's ideas include tacking on bogus fees like baggage fees, carry-on fees, food and beverage fees, even pillow fees among others.

Southwest Airlines doesn't charge any fees whatsoever, as their signature tag line is "Bags Fly Free." They are really pushing their message out there as the brand is not going to do what other airlines are going to do, and they want to get the message out there that they are different than their competitors. This airline brand has done a superb job of targeting their audience, which is people who travel anywhere whether you're a business person, a family taking a vacation or a relative visiting other relatives; you're not going to be surprised by any hidden fees when you're flying this airline.

The ads Southwest Airlines are running pertains to what we are learning in class as it persuades the audience to fly an airline that charges no baggage fee, whatsoever. Also, flying a quality, and comfort airline, you're going to get to your destination on-time, with your baggage being there at your destination.

I personally think they have done a good job on their TV ads, having several key messages to have the audience think over when they are flying again. In hard times like these, people are going to find ways to cut expenses, and find ways to fly cheaper. Southwest has that advantage it offers. As a Southwest flyer, I think their airline ranks at the top among other airlines by offering convenience, arrival destination time, no lost baggage, cheaper way to fly, and the best, the airlines flight attendants make trips enjoyable by entertaining the passengers, separating other airline brands from their boring, mandatory announcements.

These ads definitely relate to what we are learning in class as it brings awareness to the consumers by providing a no baggage fee when flying on a quality, top customer satisfaction and convenient airline like Southwest.

My dirty mouth is now clean!

For the past few years, I've found the Orbit, chewing gum commercials to be hilarious and really eye-catching. It seems like the creator keeps taking it to the next level, no matter what.

Every commercial has somebody who has a foul, dirty mouth (meaning they use explicit language). However, the words aren't typically explicit; they are just covered up by using a different word. For example, shut the front door. In reality, it would be shut the.....um, yea you get it, right?

Anyways, the creators behind this commercial did a brilliant job producing and creating awareness for the brand by promoting a chewing gum that will clean your dirty mouth, no matter what. After all, that is their signature phrase, "For a Good Clean Feeling, No Matter What."

This ad promotes to people who have problems with bad breath whether after eating a meal, or just throughout the day, their mouth feels like a swamp or a landfill. Orbit gum is a global brand that offers numerous of flavors to enhance the flavor in order to have that cleanliness feeling similar to after you just brushed your teeth. In addition, it is recommended and backed by the American Dental Association as it whitens your teeth at the same time.

Orbit is owned by Wrigley, the largest producer of chewing gum in the world. By competing with other brands, including brands within the same company like Spearmint Double Mint Gum or Juicy-Fruit, Orbit has clearly separated itself from other leading brands by providing a chewing gum that not only freshens your mouth, but will clean, brighten and whiten your teeth as well.

I think this ad is relevant to all the discussions in class as it draws newer customer's everyday worldwide. It is creative, catchy and has humor as more audience is becoming a fan of not just the gum, but a big fan of the commercials. As for personal experience by using this brand, it definitely makes your mouth feel clean like after you just brushed your teeth. This ad clearly captures the audience's attention for those who suffer from bad breath, even after prescription strength medicines.

The Most Interesting Man in the World

I'm very intrigued lately by a commercial produced by Dos Equis, one of the leading brands of beer in the world. The concept that caught my attention was how the commercial was produced and the storyline. "The Most Interesting Man in the World", what better way to make a commercial of a so-called ladies man....lol (lots of love).

What makes this commercial great and interesting is the advice he gives to all the gentlemen who are either classy or hip. It's like; he wants his student or followers to succeed. It's like having a mentor. In addition, the storyline, along with a narrative voice about a man who accomplishes nearly everything, and stays classy at the end by saying "I don't always drink beer...But when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.....Stay thirsty my friends." Now that's a catch phrase! I mean, its hip, it's catchy, and gets your attention. Plus, what better way to end it with a signature sign-off, "Stay Thirsty My Friends."

The commercial was put together and generated towards the male demographic, between the ages of 30-50. However, even the young adult group between the ages 21-30 find it worth viewing, if not, drinking. The group that produced the commercial had a brilliant idea, having a bearded, Spanish man accomplishing many feats and staying classy, in a hilarious kind of dialogue.

The commercial has footages of the man in his early days, as well as clips from his journey throughout the world, attempting many interesting tasks, while hanging out and enjoying the party lifestyle.

Dos Equis, owned by Mexican brewery Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma Brewery, which is owned and distributed by Heineken International, has an interactive site, dedicated to fans of the "most interesting man in the world." At staythirstymyfriends.com, there are many features that you can explore including meeting the man himself, exploring his wide variety of journeys and accomplishments, and many more.

I think the brand image is good idea by having this middle-aged guy, played by Jonathan Goldsmith. It's perfect for a popular Mexican beer, which are in competition with another popular Mexican beer, Corona. To gain popularity and attention, this is what the producers, board and marketing team came up with, a commercial about the most interesting man in the world. Here's one of hundreds of clips of him:







This commercial definetely generated brand awareness, as it viewed a commercial that was hillarious and the audience just ate it up (meaning: liked it). The audience liked it so much, the company dedicated a site, as well as other followers created sites dedicated about this interesting man. There are sites where you can submit new quotes, and it may be on the next Dos Equis commercial, i.e.: dosequisguy.com.



Another Clip:


Another:

This commercial definetely generated brand awareness, as it viewed a commercial that was hillarious and the audience just ate it up (meaning: liked it). The audience liked it so much, the company dedicated a site, as well as other followers created sites dedicated about this interesting man. There are sites where you can submit new quotes, and it may be on the next Dos Equis commercial, i.e.:  dosequisguy.com.

The Dos Equis brand created a catchy character, generating an audience who are whether new or current fans of Dos Equis brand, but now are liking the brand even more. Some prefer Coronas while others prefer Dos Equis. Either or, it's up to the consumer to test how good this alcoholic beverage is.

Messin with Sasquatch...which can be dangerous

WARNING: PEOPLE SHOULD NOT INTERACT WITH SASQUATCH AS THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES AT RISK....lol

Has anyone seen the Jack Link's Beef Jerky Commercial? It's hilarious. Should I or should I not be amazed at how Jack Link's Beef Jerky commercials has successfully taken off to become one of the popular TV commercial today? I shouldn't, why? The reason is as long as there is humor in any company's commercial, along with a catchy icon/mascot/character; the brand will experience a tremendous amount of demand for their commercials.

Viewers are constantly going to repeatedly re-watch these types of commercials, talk about it with friends and co-workers, and demand new ones in the near future.

However, hopefully the executives at Jack Link's don't turn the infamous Sasquatch series into a hit TV show because it may not become a popular hit. But i doubt that. Take for example, GEICO, viewers started liking the Caveman commercials and it blew up. Viewers constantly watched and talked about it so much, that the writer/producer for the GEICO commercial poured ideas into making a show out of the Caveman from GEICO. However, it didn't turn out quite as popular as the commercial did. The show only ran a few months on ABC from Oct. 2, 2007 - Nov. 13, 2007. The show went on a hiatus due to the Writers Guild of America strike, and was cancelled before it ended.

Honestly, I liked the show, I did. However, in my opinion, the creator should have used the same actors in the commercial for the show. Jack Link's Beef Jerky has inspired me on how they really captured the audience. First, they publish their ads in newspapers or magazines, stating their tag line: FEED YOUR WILD SIDE.

To accomplish the brand, they needed a brand image to relate to the tag line, something related to nature or the wild... a Sasquatch was in the making. Next, they developed a catchy commercial that is filled with humor storylines. Viewers started to like this commercial as they did for the Caveman for GEICO. Advertising creativity is a must in order to accomplish your goals and be successful. The Sasquatch campaign was first launched back in 2006, but wasn't as successful as today.

So the company revamped its brand advertising strategy by creating a comically series of TVand web commercials. The company stated the Sasquatch campaign centers around campers who foolishly prank the unsuspecting Sasquatch, only to find that they've picked on a wild unpredictable creature. It's not just campers anymore; the company has included golfers in it as well.

To get things straight, reality TV has become a huge gimmick for brand marketers as they like seeing people interact with their advertisements. So the beef jerky company launched a website just for its audience in April called LivingSasquatch.com, where customers can interact with an image of Sasquatch, the company's brand image. Can you say what a brilliant idea!? Also, consumers can flock to the company's website JackLinks.com, to view a library of Sasquatch commercials, products, Sasquatch games, etc. Also, Sasquatch even has his own MySpace, and Facebook page. So, be sure to FEED YOUR WILD SIDE.

Watch a Sasquatch commercial here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyVsHNEBeBk