CMOs and their marketing staffs are under an increasing amount of pressure from the C-suite to perform at a higher level and add to the bottom line. At the same time, marketing budgets are on the decline. According to Gartner’s 2017/2018 CMO spend survey, marketing...
While it doesn’t matter how you remember, just take the time to remember those who have sacrificed their freedom for yours, your family, your children and their children. The world is a better place because of these heroes. My husband, a United States Marine Corps infantry...
What Gives with LinkedIn? Mental challenges, nostalgic photos and other non-business related posts are creeping into LinkedIn feeds. Yet this content is receiving quite a bit of engagement. A few recent examples are below. Be sure to note the engagement. Is LinkedIn the place for this content?...
Trade shows can be a large investment for brands including hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on trade show booths, sponsorships, marketing, special events, staff time and more. The last thing you want is to walk away from a show asking what did we accomplish?...
Specificity is essential when documenting target audiences and goals as part of the strategic planning process. The more specific you are the better focused your strategies and tactics can be, and the more likely you will achieve your goals. Consider how this plays out in our...
Since arriving in Chile about 1.5 years ago, I continue to be amazed at the number of American brands advertising in English. From storefronts to billboards, time and time again I see American brands communicating to a predominantly Spanish speaking community in English. Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday...
Automated marketing has its perks, but this is what you get when you allow technology to do all the thinking. Granted few people probably live at DPO, FPO or APO addresses or use PO Boxes, but this is worth a good laugh. The good news is...
This headline might seem a bit obscure. What can you learn about being an American living abroad? The short answer is a lot! Living in Chile for the past year has definitely taught me more about the American culture and myself than I would have...
A recent experience I had with Vitacost is a perfect example of how to make customers happy on social – even if it is one customer at a time. Just last week, I was meeting with about 5 fellow U.S. military wives in Chile. We are...
When it comes to email marketing, there are certainly approaches you should avoid. The example below is a real email marketing campaign that highlights some worst practices. You’ll get the picture rather quickly, but here are a few hints: Do not pester your target audience,...
Pitching and media relations 10 years ago was much easier than today. Why? Because a decade ago editors, reporters and news producers used to answer their phones. Today, however, media professionals are plagued with smaller staffs and the need to report news faster. Today, reporters...
H&M created a unique campaign on Instagram revealing its 2015 holiday campaign and captivating followers. The brand started revealing snippets of a larger photo hour by hour on Instagram, leaving followers guessing what celebrity was headlining its holiday marketing campaign. Here’s how it played out. ...
A community of influential consumers can be extremely helpful to a brand in a variety of different ways from securing future and current product feedback to educating consumers on new products, programs, and more. Developing this community online can provide immediate feedback and save costs...
Data and analytics can be extremely helpful in learning about your customers and prospects’ behavior and predicting future behavior. And the good news is… you do not need an expensive data and analytics system to take advantage of the data you already have at your...
Our industry is all a buzz about big data, but just because you have it does not mean you are using it correctly. Here are two big mistakes marketers should be aware of and work to avoid. 1. Interpreting the Data Wrong Big data is only as...
Digital is not the end all be all when it comes to marketing. A perfect example of this is what Pinterest is doing to grow its current following. Just last week they announced their Pinterest ambassadors - currently 9 chefs, DIYers, woodworkers and fashion experts...
For years there has been all kinds of talk in the PR industry that media is dead. My general feeling is - media is not dead, they are just evolving. And evolve they did, in fact they continue to evolve just like the PR, social...
Memorial Day is not about the start to summer. It’s not about retail sales. It’s not about a day off. Believe me, I at one time was guilty of not understanding the true meaning of the day. Prior to marrying my husband, a United States...
There has been talk in the industry for some time now that deskside editorial meetings are a thing of the past. Certainly, media do not have the luxury of time they use to. Digital – from websites to social media – have pushed editors and...
We have been tapping influencers for many years from celebrities to athletes, media, bloggers, YouTube stars and more. But recently influencer marketing has become a buzzword in the public relations and marketing world. And rightfully so; key influencers can help support your public relations, marketing,...
The decision to conduct a silent versus grand opening any retail outlet is driven by internal operational and marketing goals. A silent opening gives the staff an opportunity to work the bugs out of the system before a full flow of foot traffic is established....
Most trade shows offer an excellent opportunity to meet with media. Media are at the show looking for the hottest products and trends, and of course you are highlighting your latest products and possibly featuring your leading experts. However, especially at large trade shows, getting media’s...
Media are extremely busy, and there is very little time in their day to be building relationships with every company/contact who is pitching them. The good news is there is a way to cut through the clutter, and work to build relationships with your priority...
This is a good question and a question we field very often from current and new clients. The short answer is campaigns can be designed and effectively dialed up or down in accordance with client needs and desires. Of course, there is more to it than...
Whether you distributed a news release through email or though a news release distribution service like PR Newswire or Business Wire, it's a guarantee that not all the media you want to target have read your news release. Some media are receiving hundreds and hundreds...
At Sweeney we don’t agree that any media coverage is good media coverage. Landing coverage in The New York Times or on the Today Show isn’t always the best course of action for every client. We focus on securing good quality coverage for our clients that...
Landing media coverage for your brand is not a science – although us public relations professionals would like to think so. Most of all it requires time, attention and dedication. The media relations process boils down to three key essentials. 1. Identify the Correct Media Contact:...
The most common publicity and media relations question we receive from prospects and clients is: What media contacts do you know? But media relations is not about how large your media Rolodex is; it’s about the media relations process. We have pitched thousands of stories throughout...
I have always admired Method from a marketing standpoint. However, when I opened the company’s e-newsletter this week, I was totally flabbergasted when I saw: Surely they weren’t communicating that pregnant women eat like pigs?! Yes… they were. Click playlist and watch "Super Pregnant". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWc1YX2TKA0&feature=share&list=PLqcAM6xk7n18qexV6XO-WQE5AZHcj_UpO&index=4 I understand the...
The benefits of media coverage do not have to stop once the coverage appears. Continue to use the media coverage to reap the benefits of the media’s endorsement. Below are eight easy ways to further maximize media coverage. 1. Post on your website. 2. Post a...
Smart phones have created an entirely new way for consumers to approach shopping. There is no longer a clear distinction between e-commerce or in-store shopping, and in fact both in-store and online shopping complement each other. According to a study by MIT, 80% of in-store...
Millennials – also known as Generation Y - are the generation born beginning 1980 to the early 2000. They are unique in terms of their digital and mobile use, yet will clip coupons from newspapers. Here are five key facts to consider when marketing to...
Hashtags - simply adding the pound sign before a word - are used to mark keywords and topics on social media. They allow people to search/follow specific topics. For example, if you are a runner, you might be interested in following these hashtags: #JoysofRunning, #RunningTips...
Launched during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, P&G’s “Thank You, Mom” advertising campaign continues to run strong just like our Olympic athletes. The new 2014 Olympic advertising campaign headlining video – launched January 5th on YouTube – already has close to 4 million...
Native advertising is a form of converged media that combines paid and owned media. Think sponsored content on a website or social media platform that looks and feels the same as content typically found on that particular site. While the industry is still debating the exact...
Day two of #Greenbuild was more exciting… what could top talking about poop with Kohler, being motivated by the USGBC President Rick Fedrizzi- who was a phenomenal speaker - seeing Hillary Clinton and rocking out to Jon Bon Jovi? We spent a little more time yesterday...
Whether or not Burger King’s fake name change to “Fries King” was a good digital marketing move, it has grabbed the attention of national media. Burger King’s new French Fry Burger and new Satisfries – featuring 40 percent less fat and 30 percent less calories –...
You worked hard to land a media interview...
I would like to consider myself a savvy consumer. But recently Care.com slapped me in the face. Back in July 2012, I signed up for a one-month subscription. I quickly found an amazing caregiver for my daughter, and then never logged back onto Care.com again. I...
Ensuring email is readable on smartphones is critical according to a recent survey from Constant Contact and Chadwick Martin Baily. Of the 1,497 consumers who participated in the survey, 80% said it is “extremely important” to be able to read emails on their smartphones. Even more...
With millions of blogs it can be a challenge to determine what blogs to invest your time and money. This is precisely why we recommend the following three-step approach. 1. Review the blog content and consider the following: content, voice and interaction. Is the blog well...
Bloggers are their own unique target audience. They are not media and they are not your typical consumer. So it is important when conducting a blogger relations campaign to follow the proper etiquette. 1. Build relationships: Blogger relations is about building long-term relationships with bloggers. Consider...
If you are targeting the trade audience, bylined feature articles are an excellent strategy to position your company and employees as experts on a specific topic. Often the trade publication staff is small, and they are hungry for good quality content. However, there are five essential...
Note: This entry is a continuation of a past blog post. View the 1st five strategies here. Whether you are a retailer, retailer developer, museum, restaurant or amusement park, grand openings provide an opportunity to increase awareness among your target audiences, drive attendance, drive sales and...
Whether you are a retailer, retailer developer, museum, restaurant or amusement park, grand openings provide an opportunity to increase awareness among your target audiences, drive attendance, drive sales and increase employee excitement. In order to achieve these benefits it is critical to document a solid...
As we get ready for our Memorial Day cookouts, take a minute to reflect on those who have served our country, especially those who gave all. Freedom has its price, and we are forever thankful for all the troops, families, friends, non-profits and companies who...
This morning I saw Tide’s new bilingual commercial for the first time, and was interested to see how the Hispanic community was responding to it. The commercial has been airing since September 2012, yet continues to receive feedback on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apruDWVmLkY Comments from Tide’s YouTube page include: “After...
The baby boomer and senior marketplace is online. They are emailing, using smart phones and tablets, purchasing products online and using social media. Here’s the proof: • One-third of the 195.3 million Internet users in the U.S., adults aged 50+ represent the Web's largest constituency (Jupiter...
There is no doubt about it that blogs/bloggers continue to be influential, and blogger relations should be considered as part of a company's marketing/public relations plan. There is also no doubt about it that blogger relations continues to be the Wild West. Many bloggers have made...
Similar to the Gangam Style video, the Harlem Shake video has gone viral. And everyone and their brother is jumping on the bandwagon to develop their own rendition. University of Georgia Men’s Swim and Dive Team http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkNrSpqUr-E Pepsi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shJBFyct2XE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeMuHWai8-o SeaWorld http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf8Itx8swpc As of last Thursday, the number of Harlem Shake videos was...
Being a wife of a Marine, I know first hand what it feels like to send your husband off to war, and to welcome him home. I have sent my husband off to Iraq and Afghanistan four times in less than 7 years. I know how...
Some may consider unpaid, unaffiliated ambassadors old fashion word-of-mouth marketing, but in today’s digital world word-of-mouth marketing takes on an entirely new meaning. Rather then telling three friends, you can easily tell 250 friends by posting on your Facebook or Twitter page. Or better yet,...
We recently had a client ask us how many news releases they should be distributing in a year. While the short answer is it all depends on how much news an organization has to share, every organization should focus on conducting an ongoing publicity and...
Measuring the success of marketing, public relations, advertising and social media campaigns is a no brainer. However, it requires significant commitment and dedication before, during and after the campaign. 1. Establish Measurable Objectives: Push yourself or your department to establish measurable objectives. How much do you...
A case study is an excellent marketing tool to help show - rather than tell - customers and prospects how wonderful your products or services truly are. They help build confidence in what a product or service delivers, as well as in the brand/company. Depending on...
We often receive phone calls from production companies looking to feature our client’s products or services in a television show. The television show name is typically very similar to a popular national show. The pitch is fast and furious, and there is typically a very...
The landscape of blogger relations and product review campaigns is changing. Through our ongoing work with bloggers - from mommy bloggers to baking bloggers, fitness bloggers, weight loss bloggers, DIY bloggers, and bloggers with diabetes - we have seen a significant shift in how bloggers...
Corporate rumors can be a headache for marketing departments, and potentially be very damaging to the brand if they are not addressed properly. However, this does not always mean the best course of action is to address the rumor directly. There are a variety of different...
Let me take you back to 1986 when… Approximately seven million Americans joined hands in "Hands Across America". Mike Tyson became the youngest Heavyweight Champion in history. Smoking was banned on all public transport including trains, planes, buses and coaches. The first 10 musicians were inducted into the Rock...
We all know there is a huge obesity issue in America. Many are trying to address the issue, including the First Lady Michelle Obama. But what is the right approach to get people motivated to change their behaviors? Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota thinks...
Did you know yesterday (September 19) was International Talk Like a Pirate Day? If not, you are not a lone. There are literally hundreds of wacky “holidays” that have been created for marketing purposes from national miniature golf day to nation chocolate milkshake day, national elephant...
Disagreements between networks and cable provides are commonplace. However, thanks to social media, the current dispute between AMC and DISH Network has now gone social. DISH Network customers have been without AMC for two months. Rather than just sitting in the boardroom negotiating a contract, AMC...
Are handwritten “thank you” notes a good marketing strategy? Sprint thinks so. In the competitive telecommunications industry, Verizon, Sprint and AT&T are doing whatever they can to set themselves apart. Just think about the advertising battle Verizon and AT&T had a few years ago over signal...
While a recent study by Green Up Street, LLC focuses on product packaging, it confirms that cheaper still beats eco-friendly when it comes to consumer products. The study, conducted for a national cereal brand, presented consumers with two cereal boxes - the company’s current cereal box...
As we get ready for our Memorial Day cookouts, take a minute to reflect on those who have served our country, especially those who gave all. Freedom has its price, and we are forever thankful for all the troops, families, friends, non-profits and companies who...
Just months ago, Tide launched their new breakthrough laundry detergent – Tide Pods. The pods are laundry detergent packaged in a dissolvable shell. The pods have two swirls of colorful liquid on one side and then powder detergent on the other. However, the swirls of colorful...
Right now Facebook is under a microscope as it prepares for its IPO. One of the biggest questions is how will Facebook continue to increase profits when its profits rely on its advertising dollars. A recent Associated Press article reported Facebook has 900 million users,...
What do media and bloggers know and think about your company, its products and its experts? What better way to find out than ask. Listening to what media and bloggers have to say is the best way to start building a good relationship. We have been...
Selecting a non-profit to sponsor is only the first step to implementing a successful cause marketing campaign. Now that you have a mission to support, it is essential to develop a strategic marketing plan on how to help increase awareness for the cause while also...
As we continue to move into the heat of the 2012 presidential election, marketing strategies and tactics continuing to unfold on both sides that fascinate me. For example, my husband received the “Stand Up for America Survey” in the mail. It’s a survey for the Republican...
We all know that smartphones - from constant Internet and social media connection to apps - are changing the way we operate as a society. The change is happening so rapidly and almost seamlessly that most of us probably don’t realize how much we use...
Just like there is no magic bullet for getting rich, there is no magic bullet for becoming a YouTube sensation overnight. Sure there are those who just happen to get lucky like “Evolution of Dance” or “Keenan Cahill’s Only Girl in the World (With Me)”,...
The exciting aspect of social media is it opens the door for participants to make connections outside their geographic reach and focus on common interests (being a mom, running, cooking, etc.). However, a recent article "Geography of Twitter" by Barry Wellman, Yuri Tahkteyev and Anatoliy Gruzd...
Car manufacturers are not waiting for the big game anymore to share their Super Bowl commercials. But being able to track the interest on YouTube is proving to be a game in and of its self. So who is winning? Right now Volkswagen’s The Bark Side...
In December 2011, LEGO launched LEGO Friends targeting girls. What most thought was a brand that could do no harm, is now feeling the heat about their gender specific marketing campaign. A pair of 22-year-old activists for girls, Bailey Shoemaker Richards and Stephanie Cole, launched a...
My husband and I were watching The Middle on DVR last night. The entire show revolved around the family “borrowing” their neighbors new Volkswagen Passat while they were on vacation. Every member of the family basked in the luxury of the new Passat, highlighting some...
Get ready to transform the way you do laundry. In February, Tide is launching Tide Pods - laundry detergent packaged in a dissolvable shell. This seems like such an easy solution that it is a bit perplexing none of the laundry detergent manufacturers have launched this...
More than 24 million pairs of underwear where predicated to be given as 2011 Christmas gifts from men to their wives and girlfriends in the UK. But almost half of those underwear will never be worn or washed because they are either the wrong color...
Google+ is gaining momentum. Just launched in September 2011, Google+ has 40 million users. This might not seem like much compared to Facebook’s 800 million plus users, but Facebook has had more than 7 years of lead time to perfect its system. Just this week Google+...
Say goodbye to last year’s hot-pink hue Honeysuckle. And say hello to Tangerine Tango, a reddish-orange hue that Pantone announced as the top color of 2012. This color is already making its way into consumer products from fashion to furniture and kitchen products. Why Tangerine Tango?...
Email is not dead. In fact, the way we view email is beginning to shift as more people use smart phones and tablet computers. According to Knotice, a provider of direct digital marketing software and services, there was a 51% increase in the number of people...
Retailers are hungry this year to meet holiday shopping sales goals. If seeing holiday decorations before Halloween wasn’t enough to prove this point, now the biggest shopping day of the year – Black Friday – is sneaking into our Turkey Day. I was absolutely shocked when...
When united, consumers do have power. How corporations respond to their customer base can be the difference between retaining customers and losing them by the masses. Just take a look at these two very different situations. Netflix In July Netflix announced it would split the DVD and...
Okay… Maybe Rosie from the Jetsons isn’t quite in our future yet. However, at this year’s CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) trade show, new and future technologies forecasted to be in our kitchens soon does seem like something more out of the Jetsons. Here’s a...
Each year the National Retail Federation conducts a survey with U.S. consumer about their anticipated holiday shopping behavior. This year, the three most important statistics consumer product companies and retailers should pay attention to are: consumers increasing spending on themselves, more consumers shopping online and...
Consumer product companies are always trying to find the next big solution. Bissell seems to have succeeded with its new Stomp‘N Go stain lifting pads. Bissell claims its Stomp’N Go pads will permanently remove tough set-in stains and leave carpet smelling fresh. What a great name...
Just yesterday, Amazon launched its first tablet computer – the Kindle Fire. So when a unique situation like Amazon taking on Apple occurs, it's a great opportunity to evaluate how the new competitor is going to market. Setting aside the technical aspects of the Kindle Fire...
Working in the consumer products industry nothing really surprises me. However, when I saw the product, “Bye Bye Monster”, I was completely baffled. Really… a product that gets kids to believe there are no more monsters under their bed? Are your kids afraid of monsters? Do...
PSAs are not just for non-profit organizations. According to Ray Salo who pioneered the concept of “co-sponsored” PSAs, deregulation during the Regan administration provided a key opportunity for for-profit organizations to “co-sponsor” PSAs. For the last 10 years, Salo Productions has been developing co-sponsored PSAs...
Changes occurring at Target and Walgreens directly effect consumer packaged good manufacturers. Target Seeing Positive Sales Results from Addition of Fresh Foods Target’s 2nd quarter profits rose 3.7%. The company credits the increase to adding fresh food to its stores. Target said sales rose from more consumers...
As a marketer, determining consumer-purchasing behavior is key. For example, is it third party media or blogger coverage that drives purchases? Is it price? Celebrity endorsement? Referrals? Advertising? Social media? Direct marketing? I’m constantly evaluating my own consumer buying behaviors to help shed some light, like...
From pink KitchenAid blenders to colorful tissue boxes and Toy Story Band-Aids, customizing consumer products is nothing new. However, even in light of the economic challenges, consumers are still willing to pay a bit more for commodity products that bring a touch of personalization to...
With hundreds of kitchen products on the market and only so much room in consumers’ cabinets, Sweeney set out to discover just what kitchen product categories consumers are most aware of, what they actually own and their purchase intent. What this survey clearly indicated is consumers...
Just recently Toyota announced it is building a private social network, “Toyota Friend”, for its customers. Toyota Friend connects Toyota customers with their cars, their dealership and with Toyota. It will first be offered in Japan in Toyota’s electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles...
Having a bad day? Need a good chuckle. Check out these commercials. Biz Markie’s is back and he’s got what you need. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3qK8gT5LLg A product you never knew you needed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHTPAx9_g2s Red House Furniture forgets about orange, green, purple and brown people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnOyMSEWNTs...
When Leanne LaFave, a triathlon-training buddy, told me she was going to do a 10-mile solo swim in the Intracoastal Waterway this summer, I thought she was crazy. Five hours in jellyfish infested waters; what was she thinking? Even though Leanne will be the first person...
It is certainly easy to continue to beat your chest and tell your customers and prospects how amazing you are, what contracts you won, what awards you won and how much your customers love you. But typically this type of communication is only good...
The daily deal industry has exploded over the past couple years. The industry is estimated to be worth $1.25 billion, and according to Bloomberg, Groupon will seek an initial public offering of about $20 billion. Also, sites like Groupon and LivingSocial have become...
This past year has been a difficult one for both my husband and myself as he defended our country on his second tour to Afghanistan from mid-2010 – early 2011. I can honestly say that our lives have been changed forever, probably more so...
Lush, a manufacturer and retailer of fresh handmade cosmetics, serves up a very powerful brand experience when you visit their retail stores. I was just at a Chicago store in April and had the opportunity to visit a Philadelphia store this week to stock...
This year I started taking note that my husband and I have been bombarded with direct mail from American Express. It seemed like once a week the pieces were coming in and there was typically a slightly different twist on the offer. So I started...
Just because media does not respond, does not mean the media contacts are not interested in your message. In fact, there are numerous reasons why media may not respond to your news release, pitch, press kit, etc. 1. Too much to review; not...
Happy Cinco de Mayo! But what are we actually celebrating besides excellent Mexican fare, Coronas, margaritas, tequila and a big hangover on May 6? Cinco de Mayo celebrates the legendary Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which a Mexican force of 4,500 men faced...
Less than 24 hours until the Royal Wedding. But many product manufacturers have been hard at work hoping to get some attention and to cash in on the world’s obsession with Prince William and Kate. You can pretty much find it all from hand sanitizer...
Earth Day has certainly become more commercial since it was first celebrated on April 1970. Now companies, retailers and associations are all taking part. When done well, an Earth Day promotion can certainly help increase brand awareness and loyalty. Check out a few Earth Day...
I had the opportunity to attend the “Joining Forces” campaign spearheaded by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden at Camp Lejeune. Joining Forces is a new national initiative that mobilizes all sectors of society (from neighbors to schools and businesses) to give our service...
If this headline makes you wonder why you need the “original ventilated shoe”, you are not alone. While I do have a pair of Glagla shoes, I didn’t purchase them because they were ventilated. Instead, my husband and I were recently on a cruise and...
I was just thinking the other day about Abercrombie. What use to be a big name in clothing for tweens and teens seems to have fallen by the wayside. I considered the fact that I was just too old to care about the...
Every relationship with a journalist is unique and specific to his or her preferences. However, no matter the situation, there are certain questions you should NEVER ask media. But that does not mean you can’t get your message across. It is all about learning how...
Our product is going to be featured on a national DIY show. How can we ensure we maximize this opportunity? Getting national TV coverage is a major accomplishment and using that coverage to further your product’s credibility is an excellent strategy for continuing to maximize...
Problem based marketing is a very effective way of selling products to customers. This strategy involves knowing the problem your customer/prospect has, introducing a solution and effectively communicating that solution with your customers/prospects. This seems like a simple marketing 101 strategy that almost doesn’t deserve...
Industry awards and accolades can add credibility to your brand and establish your company’s position as category leader. While it is a nice surprise to be notified of an award or recognition without applying, many programs require a thorough application process to even be considered. How...
Earlier this week I was at the International Home and Housewares show where 2,000 exhibitors displayed their hottest products for 21,000 U.S. and international retail buyers and 60,000 professional attendees. The show is packed with innovative products from LED light bulbs to green cleaning products,...
First and foremost, if your website doesn’t have analytics installed, it is a must do. Analytics allow you to see important statistics about your website, including how many visitors are coming to your website, how long visitors are staying on your website, how visitors found...
The short answer is no. However, web-based email usage (Yahoo, Google, AOL, etc.) is seeing a shift. More youths are abandoning email and opting for different forms of mobile and social media communication. But older Americans are continuing to use the Internet and sign-up for...
Typically the first thing product manufacturers do when launching a product is to start segmenting their markets by product categories, price, function or by the target audience’s demographics and psychographics. However, Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen, is suggesting product manufacturers take a different approach. Christensen...
According to the Better Business Bureau, there is no law requiring a website to have a privacy policy. However, consumers are becoming very savvy and want to know what information corporations are gathering about them online and how it is being used. Therefore, we highly recommend...
Disney sales representatives are currently visiting 580 hospitals across the country to market to newborns’ parents. The pitch is simple. If you give Disney your email address to sign up for BabyDisney.com you get a free Disney onsie. According to NPR, sales...
I see that Good Housekeeping does a VIP award every year. How do I get my consumer product considered for this? Thousands of new products are launched each year so getting recognized as one of the 11 VIPs by Good Housekeeping is going to be...
Until the Browns make it to the Super Bowl, the only reason I watch the big game is for the commercials. But in today's YouTube world, you do not even have to wait for the Super Bowl to get a sneak peek at some of...
Trade shows can be expensive. How do we ensure we get a good ROI at trade shows? Exhibitions deliver highly qualified prospects with buying influence – many of whom target one exhibition and event exclusively. According to industry research, an overwhelming percentage (79%) of all...
At Sweeney we get the opportunity to launch some really cool consumer products. The Yube certainly falls into that category. What’s a Yube? Yube is a new personalized furniture system featuring modular cubes that easily assemble into virtually any furniture design. You can configure,...
We are launching a new consumer product in the health and fitness category. What marketing strategies should we consider? When launching a new product or service, we recommend always taking the long view and complete approach. To achieve success it is critical to consider all...
Whether your organization is “flying high” or “getting by,” it is unquestionably in your best interest to always evaluate minimum-investment, maximum-return marketing strategies as key components of your marketing plan. Following are Sweeney’s Top 5 “Must Consider” strategies for 2011 – strategies we believe cannot...
My product is expected to be reviewed in Consumer Reports. Should I be prepared both online and with retailers for a big influx in sales? Also, assuming a positive review, how can we market this information to our retailers and consumers? If...
I consider myself a practical person. I try to be realistic purchasing things my family needs and doesn’t need. Although, my husband is completely the opposite and is always trying to get me to buy products/services I don’t think we need. It’s...
I received an email from a source I don’t know telling me a link was broken on my website and recommended we link to a new site. What is this all about? We highly recommend you do your homework first and don’t automatically change...
Apple has a very strategic product development/launch schedule. Take the iPhone for example. Every year around June a new and more exciting version is launched. This is not by accident of course. Apple wants its customers to continue to come back...
I sent my news release out on the wire and I have only seen a handful of media results. Why is that? There could be many reasons why you are not achieving the results you expected. First, it is important to understand the different “wire”...
I feel strongly that manufacturers and consumer should be doing their part to protect the environment. It shouldn’t even be a consideration for a manufacturer to say “we need a green product.” Rather all products should be as green as possible, basically ending...
Every November in Northeast Ohio people go nuts for Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Ask any Clevelander and they will tell you I’m not exaggerating. In fact, I headed to Cleveland in early November for a short visit right when Great Lakes began selling its Christmas...
The FTC is recommending a universal “Do Not Track” option online that would give consumers the ability to opt-out of third-party online tracking for advertising purposes. As marketers we certainly understand the value of customer and prospect behavior, but when do we draw that...
On Black Friday weekend more than 138 million people plan to shop according to a preliminary survey by the National Retail Federation. That is a lot of people and I plan to be one of them. But Black Friday isn’t like any other shopping day;...
Black Friday, the day that most retailers begin operating in the “black”, is almost a week away. We all know that on Black Friday retailers are known for slashing prices on popular gift giving items (electronics, toys, etc.) to get shoppers...
As most of you know today is Veterans Day. As I began thinking about the day and all the veterans who have served our country and those who have lost their lives, I realized it is one of the only holidays that the greeting...
A few weeks ago I was at dinner with friends who ordered a bottle of The Prisoner wine for the table. It is an Orin Swift wine and is simply divine. If the wine itself is not a conversation starter, the label artwork, which...
Just this week I saw a Revlon commercial for its new lip stain called Just Bitten. It comes as no surprise that the commercial features Jessica Biel and one of the lip colors is called “Twilight”. I’m definitely not into Twilight or True Blood or...
As a board director of a local non-profit, I can certainly appreciate how much time, talent and treasure (dollars) it takes to gain awareness for a cause. So what the organizations behind National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) have accomplished is nothing...
Back in June, I wrote about Sun Chips’ new 100% compostable packaging. You can read the full post here. At first I was a little annoyed with the new compostable packaging because it is super noisy. But after taking a closer look at why...
A 71-year-old South Carolina man used a Swiffer to fend off an intruder. He was cleaning his kitchen when a man in a ski mask tried to enter his home. "He told me to get down and I grabbed the Swiffer, started jabbing him with...
Just this week I received a Pottery Barn catalog with a nice fall décor on the cover. As I flipped through the catalog, I was surprised to see Halloween decorations because it wasn’t something I expected from Pottery Barn. But that wasn’t what got...
While I don’t have one of my own, I have heard or seen many uses for the Apple iPad besides the obvious. Just a few weeks ago, I was in a meeting and one of the attendees came with his iPad rather than a...
You can even get crystal eyeliner too! A company called “Carlashes” is now selling eyelashes for your car for $24.99 and eyeliner for $19.99. According to the Carlashes website, “Carlashes is a new automotive aftermarket brand created to allow cars to be personalized with a...
I was a bit perplexed when my old college roomy sent me an email today with the subject line “90210” and told me her co-worker came in with a shirt that said “Donna Martin Graduates”. It was just so out of context for me, but...
For you Pepsi lovers (I’m a Coke fan), this might not be news to you; however, I just saw cans of Pepsi Throwback with real sugar cane in my local Wilmington, NC Harris Teetter this past weekend. What caught my eye was the old school...
Most people know that vinegar has hundreds of uses. But before this past week, I had no idea what household challenges it could solve. First, I had a fruit fly infestation in my house. I couldn’t figure out where all these fruit flies were coming from. ...
Are product fragrances harmful to our health? I’m not just referring to perfume, body spray or cologne. I mean everything from your laundry detergent to dryer sheets, dish soap, body wash, hand soap, cleaning products, sweat odor removal products, shampoo, lotions and even pet shampoo. ...
Last week I wrote a post about Hulk Hogan being the new pitchman for PumMax - a pumice based cleaning product. As I expected, the video doesn’t do a good job of connecting with the target audience, the product packaging needs some work and the...
Next week a commercial for a new line of pumice-based cleaning products (PumMax) featuring Hulk Hogan as the spokesperson will be released online. The spot is scheduled to launch as a preview on www.pummax.com and www.IBCGlobalInc.com early next week, and is expected to begin...
When I was a kid I dreamed of a place like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. After all, Willy Wonka was the dreamer of dreams! So when I heard this week that scratch and sniff wallpaper is now available, all I could think of was that...
Over the weekend I was in my local grocery store when I spotted a large point of purchase display for Off Clip-On Mosquito Repellent. Since mosquitoes tend to like me, I’m always open to new ways to avoid getting bit that doesn’t involve terrible smelling...
TrySports is a regional retailer in the Carolinas that offers a range of products and services for runners, walkers, swimmers, cyclists, gym enthusiast and of course triathletes. We were lucky enough to get a Wilmington, NC location, and in late 2009 I become a loyal customer. ...
I was introduced to Libman Wonder Mop conducting a mommy blogger campaign about a year and a half ago. I instantly became hooked. I love not having to touch dirty water when mopping because the Wonder Mop has a plastic sleeve you push over the...
The state of California is considering digital license plates featuring advertising to reduce the state's $19 billion deficit. I have mixed feelings about this approach as a consumer and as a marketer. As a consumer, we are bombarded with advertising everyday. From billboards, to emails, online...
Yesterday my father-in-law was sharing a story about how he purchased a new patio set on Sears.com at a much lower cost than if he had purchased it from the brick-and-mortar Sears. The gazebo was $599 at the store and only $319 online. The table...
You know it is summer when you see fruit shaped Kleenex boxes! Really… it’s the new sign of summer. Just this week I was in Target and saw an end cap display of Kleenex’s “Perfect Slice of Summer” tissue boxes. At first I thought the...
Frito Lay SunChips continue to amaze me with its commitment to sustainability. I just purchased a bag of SunChips and noticed it is now using 100% compostable packaging. Rather then paying lip service to sustainability, this is an excellent example of one brand that continues to...
Prior to marrying my husband, who is a United States Marine Corp infantry captain, Memorial Day was just another day off to me. A day to plan picnics and spend time with friends and family. However, after two tours in Iraq and getting ready to leave...
I was in Pet Smart yesterday getting Rachael Ray Nutrish cheap dog food for our boxer, Monty. (click here to see reviews of Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food). While checking out, a point of purchase display caught my attention. It was Body Glove dog apparel. ...
You are looking at the future of lighting – LED light bulbs. GE will be launching their Energy Smart LED bulb sometime in late 2010 or early 2011 for $40-50. Sooner than later we will all be using LED lights in our homes, offices, malls, etc....
We are launching an online product sampling campaign and are wondering how many product requests we should expect? ___________________________________________________________________ Online product sampling campaigns can be very successful in building company and product awareness, increasing product trial and driving sales. However, the success of the campaign and...
Just this month Sears Holding Company launched a test for a new retail drive-through concept called MyGofer.com. The concept is simple and feeds off American’s need for fast and convenient. You simply place your order one of three ways - online at mygofer.com, using the mygofer...
Clorox and Method are in a heated battle over the use of a daisy, that Clorox claims it owns. On March 10, Clorox sent a letter to the president and CEO of Method Products claiming that a recent use of a yellow daisy on a...
Just this week the Natural Products Association announced the first recipient of its “natural home care seal” – Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner. The goal of the certification program is to “eliminate confusion about the meaning of “natural”. Right… that certainly clears it up for...
As a consumer, I rarely participate in contests, unless it is completing a simple form, because I just don’t have the time. However, my husband and I were recently watching TV and we saw an ad for the “Fan vs. Wild Degree Men Adventure Challenge”. ...
It will come as no surprise that coupon use is up in light of the recession. According to DMNews, consumers redeemed 3.3 billion consumer packaged goods coupons in 2009, compared to 2.6 in 2008. And marketers embraced this behavior by distributing 367 billion coupons in 2009. ...
We are considering conducting a product sampling campaign. But product sampling can be expensive, and I want to ensure we achieve a return on our investment. Is product sampling a proven strategy to increase product awareness and drive sales? ____________________________________________________________________ While there are many marketing strategies...
This past August I wrote about Gap getting back to the basics with their denim jeans campaign. Apparently, that is just what Gap needed. After struggling financially for the past few years, Gap posted a profit last quarter and it is attributing it to focusing on...
My husband and I were watching CNBC earlier this week and saw the new Coke Freestyle Jet Machine. We were both equally intrigued. Coke Freestyle Jet Machine actually launched in 2009, but is currently being test marketed across the country. It is a drink dispensing machine...
I was one of the more than 60,000 attendees at the International Home and Housewares show earlier this week. With a show featuring about 2,000 companies from around the globe, you are sure to find some new and innovative products. Here are just a few...
Last year I went to Vegas for a girls trip and we stayed at the Wynn. Our experience was absolutely terrible, from maintenance issues, to bad food and poor service. You can read all the details here: http://consumergoods.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/the-wynn-not-all-it-is-cracked-up-to-be/ After we got back last year, I immediately...
As a self-proclaimed wino, I love anything and everything to do with wine. This past Christmas my in-laws gave me this great wine tool that I just have to rave about – the Rabbit Aerating Pourer by Metrokane. You attach the “Rabbit” to your freshly...
I was flipping through the March issue of Glamour earlier this week and was completely shocked to see a series of ads for Kmart’s fashion line. We have all grown accustom to and accepted Target in the fashion industry. Their unique hook is landing big...
Last year Good Housekeeping Research Institute began a VIP (Very Innovative Products) Award, which identifies the top consumer products that help solve problems, perform well and are innovative. This year, more than 1,650 products were evaluated and Good Housekeeping selected 10 “winners” that are featured...
Apparently the toy industry has come along way since bikes, roller skates and Barbie dolls with its first app-enabled toy. This Sunday Wild Plant Entertainment will be introducing the Spy Video Trakr, a remote controlled robot that features a night vision video camera, speakers, a...
Just yesterday, my co-workers and I were discussing spring cleaning and if there are any real miracle products out there that save time. My co-workers laughed at me when I mentioned The Pumie – a pumice stone for your toilet bowl. One day I was...
Besides my own garden, I don’t purchase organic produce because I’m never sure what organic produce is worth the increased cost (I’m a pretty frugal shopper). I have read many articles about this topic, including one article that said if the produce has a thick...
I feel the need to start off this blog post by giving the disclaimer that I am a loyal Coke fan. Thanks to my college roommate, I refuse to drink Pepsi and scoff at wait staff who try and slip me one when I...
From powder to liquid, concentrated liquid, sheets and packets, laundry detergent continues to evolve. The focus on sustainability is what seems to be driving this evolution and likely Walmart is behind most of this. And while the benefit of sustainability alone is not...
I sometimes brainstorm about the next greatest advancements in technology. Internet in the car was something I considered a real possibility, but I just didn’t realize the advancement would come so soon. This week at the Consumer Electronics Show a number of car manufacturers are showing...
Retailers and manufacturers would likely consider me their ideal holiday customer. I spent 8 hours with my mom and sister shopping for deals on Black Friday, and the day after Christmas I was at it again. To my surprise, I didn’t find much at all...
This morning I opened my Retailing Today Email Newsletter and was shocked to find the following headlines: “Target extends store hours in areas hit by blizzard” “Borders extends store hours in snow-affected cities” “Online retailers extend shipping date in wake of snowstorm” “Kmart to...
Today is the last day for most retailers/manufacturers to provide free shipping and delivery guaranteed by Christmas Eve. In fact, more than 700 retailers are participating and have coined the term “Free Shipping Day” (plus warehousing and distribution center service for companies). There is even...
Two new product announcements caught my attention this week. First, Martha Stewart Clean, a new green cleaning line that features 10 new products, will be hitting Home Depot selves in January. The products will carry the DfE and Home Depot Eco Options labels. Second, P&G...
With the weather getting colder, I just had to rave about my favorite Burt’s Bees product – Lemon Butter Cuticle Crème. It is hands down the best cuticle cream I have ever used. In fact, I keep it in my desk and apply it at...
Just last Monday SC Johnson launched a new web site (www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com) that discloses all the ingredients in the company’s cleaning products. Having worked in the cleaning products industry for many years, this is an excellent step in the right direction. Rather than having the government...
If you’re a Leggo my Eggo fan, you better stock up now because Kellogg’s is experiencing a shortage and is rationing Eggos to retailers based on past business. The waffle shortage occurred because of flooding at the Atlanta bakery during a fall rain storm...
With interactive/social media gaining in popularity for marketing messages, do you think traditional marketing mediums will ever disappear completely? How do you think this shift in media has affected the way we market our brands? Will traditional marketing ever be at the forefront of marketing...
The day after Halloween, I started seeing Walmart and Kohl’s holiday television ads. Pottery Barn already distributed its 1st holiday catalog, Target featured a toy guide in Sunday’s paper, Santa is already appearing in the malls, and just this week I started seeing direct response...
This past weekend I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. In our race day packets, runners received a sample of KT Tape. The tape claims to relive muscle soreness. Even though I had never heard of this product before, with both my IT bands...
Retailers including Target, Walgreens and eBay have pulled an illegal alien costume from online and retail stores after complaints from immigrant-rights activists. The costume featured an orange prison jumpsuit, green card and space alien mask. It seems that nothing really surprises me anymore, but how...
In less than 2 weeks, I’m running the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) in DC and cannot wait. Just this week I received an email from the event coordinators highlighting Brooks Sports VIP Porta-Potties that made me chuckle a bit and then give kudos to Brooks...
Just this week we received the following email from a blogger requesting free product to conduct a product review for a client. I removed the name of the blogger as my intentions are not to call out this blogger specifically, but to show why the...
Six months after announcing it would be developing a green seal, 7 consumer products have been awarded the Green Good Housekeeping Seal: Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment Physicians Formula’s Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer Green ...
A new breast cancer PSA (Save the Boobs) has hit the airways just in time for breast cancer awareness month and the ad is already creating controversy. Showing women in scantily clad bikinis seems more like a Victoria Secret commercial and deemed by some as...
Last week I purchased some steaks at my local Harris Teeter for when my in-laws came into town. My husband and I were preparing the steaks for the grill when I noticed one of the steaks smelled badly. Before I could say a word, my...
It is hard to believe we are remembering a tragedy that took place 8 years ago when many of the day’s events are so fresh in my mind. I’m sure most Americans will take a moment to reflect on where they were the day it...
This week Trendwatching.com released their September trends “Transparency Triumph: Reviewing is the new advertising”. I don't agree that reviewing is the new advertising because traditional advertising messages are controlled by the brand; however, I do agree that consumer product reviews are very powerful and will...
Swiffer has been aggressively targeting mommy bloggers, including a Swiffer SocialLuxe Lounge at the BlogHer conference this past summer. Most recently, P&G launched an updated Swiffer WetJet and is targeting mommy bloggers to participate in mission Operation: Enduring Clean. The mommy bloggers received a very elaborate...
Gap is using its 40th anniversary celebration to get back to its roots – jeans. With sales slipping, this might prove to be a good move. In honor of the retailer’s 40th anniversary, it is hosting a jean party nationwide to promote its 1969 new premium...
Consumers have been selling used cars from Newton Le Willows and many other locations, as well as boats, vans, etc. on eBay for some time. In fact, about 6 or 7 years ago, a client of ours purchased a fleet of work vans from eBay. ...
Just last week 1-800-Flowers announced it was the first to launch a storefront on Facebook. Now 20 more storefronts are in the works according to an article in the Financial Times. This news has me a bit perplexed. Facebook is a networking site where 250...
Being a consumer is a full-time job. It takes time, patience and persistence, which I don’t really have. So as a consumer, I appreciate companies that make my job easier. And I will continue to be your customer, if you do! Over the...
Heck… who wouldn’t for $928 million? I honestly don’t see Zappos Chief Executive Tony Hsieh living high on the hog though. I saw a story a while back that he only made $30,000 a year and doesn’t believe in sitting in a posh executive...
We all knew it was coming. Even the Federal Trade Commission is adding bloggertising (undisclosed blog advertising) to its hit list. But this morning when I came across the Forbes article “Ted Murphy engages bloggers to write on behalf of corporate sponsors. Marketing...
As more and more manufacturing jobs move overseas, American companies go bankrupt and merge, will consumers look to continue to support American-made products? According to a Yankelovich poll last year, 83% said buying U.S.-made products is important to them, but only 37% said they...
Just today Gold’s gym launched a new membership drive campaign – Say No To Cankles. One of the ads states “Friends don’t let friends get cankles.” Hmm…. According to the campaign’s microsite (Saynotocankles.com) “Millions of people across the country are currently affected by Cankles and millions...
Within the past day I have seen two examples of consumer text messaging campaigns. The first is Bath & Body Works. According to the email I received, a customer who registers will receive “member only” exclusive mobile offers and expert pampering advice. ...
On Saturday at 12:01 a.m. EST Facebook will allow users to secure a unique username for their Facebook accounts on a first-come first-serve basis. This will make it easier for consumers and brands/companies to make their Facebook pages more memorable. So rather than the long...
Not surprisingly, the Federal Trade Commission is currently working on a blogger review and endorsement policy focused on false advertising. Basically if a blogger is paid to write a review on his or her blog, the FTC will require the blogger to disclose this information....
In the April issue of Good Housekeeping, Rosemary Ellis, editor in chief of Good Housekeeping, is launching its official green seal. The seal will help consumers identify “green” products from those so prevalently greenwashing. Unless of course, the products have already been certified green by...
July 6, 1987 - February 28, 2009 I met Ryan in the fall of 2008 as she was my UNCW communications “mentee”. Looking for resume critiques, interview best practices and job searching advice, in the end Ryan taught me more than I could have...
Employees are a major brand touch point. They can make or break your brand. Here is one recent example of how your front line employees from the cleaning crew to chefs and managers can affect your brand. A group of my girlfriends recently headed to Vegas...
Bloggers Gush About Cleaning Products Household cleaning products don't seem to be the kinds of things that would get the blogging community all excited, especially during the holidays, right? But if bloggers happen to be stay-at-home moms who spend a good part of the day cleaning up after their toddlers,...
If you are as perplexed as I am, read on. I thought product development was all about solving consumers’ problems. Not giving consumers a solution to a problem that never existed. Yesterday, Clorox announced it launched a new line of cleaning wipes in eight designs...
Reading my February Glamour, I learned about a great beauty product… Neutrogena Sugar Scrub Body Exfoliator. I made a mental note to get it the next time I was out. This weekend I found the product at Target in the beauty section. ...
Fake blogging – AKA flogging – is prevalent among the 1.5 million blogs on the Internet. Most of us are familiar with high profile flogging like the 2006 Wal-Marting Across America where two “Wal-Mart enthusiasts” traveled across the country in an RV visiting Wal-Marts and...
Certainly extraordinary times create an opportunity to divert from the topic of consumer goods. More than 1 million people are expected to flock to the National Mall tomorrow to see Obama sworn in. But you can enjoy the best seat in the house by watching...
Monty - our 3.5-year-old female fawn boxer - is the sweetest dog ever. As my husband and I say… “everyone loves Monty”. And it is true. However, she has one major issue. Monty is a bit aggressive on the leash when she sees another dog....
I'd like a Big Mac, Mc BLT, A Quarter-Pounder with some cheese, Filet-O-Fish, A Hamburger, A Cheeseburger, A Happy Meal. Hot chocolate, iced mocha, latte, cappuccino ?! Today I gave in and headed to the golden arches for a Coke and some fries. As...
This is a review of Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - Mother Nature’s little present to our lips and cuticles. I don’t remember how I learned about Burt’s Bees. It’s a well-known brand and was...
An ad review for StriVectin Neck Cream & delfogo neck cream I was reading Parade Magazine - the Sunday newspaper insert that reaches more than 30 million Americans – tonight while eating dinner. Two weeks before Thanksgiving the issue is packed with delicious recipes. On the same...
While this is unrelated to consumer products, I thought it was an excellent fundraiser and a good cause for some ink on my blog. For those of you who don't know what Movember is - it is a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. It...
Below is an overview of the Coach retail experience from before, during and after the purchase. I do not touch on the specifics of the Coach product as most women would agree the bags are excellent products. While in Chicago with my husband, I get...
