Angela Qin's Blog

Recently, there has been hype about TOMS shoes. Whether it’s my girls or my guy friends, everyone seems to want a pair. And after seeing the example in the textbook about TOMS, I wanted to analyze further into what has made TOMS such a demanded product. You can read about how the company started here.

The amazing thing about TOMS is that Blake Mycoskie tied together for-profit and charity under one company. One of their primary goals is to provide footwear for underprivileged children, however their ultimate goal is still to make profit. Also, what sets TOMS apart from other organizations that link themselves with charitable causes is that there’s proof TOMS is really helping out. Blake doesn’t just dump shoes  in villages, he personally gives them to children and makes them feel special.

TOMS is very smart to capitalize on consumers as marketers. It’s human nature to want to fit in with our friends, colleagues, and society. This trend is even more noticeable with teens and young adults. For me, having a pair of TOMS is killing so many birds with one stone. I get to be part of the trend, have a pair of comfortable shoes, and help out a child in need! Knowing that the product is helping children in need makes it easier to justify a “want” purchase. The marketing department at TOMS has been smart to realize that they can just rely on consumers to spread the word about their product.