Small Corner

I personally love advertisements, I find them genuinely entertaining. Sometimes I turn on the TV just to watch commercial, and flipping through magazine ads are one of my favorite things to do in the washroom.. anyways enough said. The main point here is I enjoy a good ad that’s entertaining.

As I read my daily advertisements, I came across an ad I haven’t seen before on Heiju’s blog, regarding Coke Zero. This picture was truly entertaining. Like what Heiju said, yes, Coke is refreshing themselves in the minds of their consumers to keep them entertained, and reminding them that “We’re still here (and as big as ever!!)”

Coke’s products have already been established and known to the world, they’re not necessarily looking to convince more sales but just a friendly reminder to their consumers that they’re are still here 🙂

While skimming through my colleagues’ marketing blogs for inspiration for my new entry, I found MANY interesting issues; but one particular entry from Chris Woo’s blog was especially of a concern to me.

Chris wrote an entry regarding the access of information and privacy on Facebook, one of the largest online social networking site. Many might argue that Facebook “gives no privacy”, but regarding the information each users post on their profile, I think Facebook has done a decent job with the privacy issue. The online phenomenal has set privacy settings to protect each user by allowing users to choose whom can access their wall/profile and the ability to selectively filter information to the public on their own preference. So you can’t say “Facebook gives me no privacy”, it is you who chose to put yourself voluntarily up in public.

However I too have no idea to what extend does Facebook have access to each users’ private information either. For all we know they could sell valuable informations regarding our private behaviors to other companies in exchange for massive amounts of money.

Internet is beneficial to many of of us but to a certain extend, there is a cost. We, the consumers, access the internet based on our own perception of the risks involved. (Risk averse/risk neutral/risk loving.)

I am taking a risk right now…

J Brand denim company embraces customer orientation when designing their pricing strategy. Their high price is designed to enhance the brand’s value and image in the minds of the consumers. Consumers also tend to relate high price to high quality products, without further information nor research. J Brand relies on premium pricing, a competitor-based strategy, to deliberately capture the market share for those who shop for the best or those why are ignorant of prices.

J Brand’s denim is a prestige product, it has achieved and maintained a certain status in the consciousness of fellow consumers. Therefore the demand curve for these products are not downward sloping with respect to pricing, but increases as price increases up to a certain point. As consumers’ disposable income increases, the quantity demanded also increases.

Production costs help the company understand its profit status, but when contemplating price range, the deciding factor should not be solely based on cost, but also on the benefit/value perceived by the consumer. (Consumer purchase based on value/benefit received rather than how much production costs were…they could care less.) The consumers in this case apparently perceive quite a substantial benefit/value offered by the product.

J Brand has decommodized itself from the pure competition by branding itself first of all, and by differentiating their product from the rest of the denim industry. I am convinced that J Brand is engaged in fair trading, which ensures the producers will receive fair prices for their goods.

The internet has definitely made consumers more price sensitive and more knowledgeable about J Brand denim. Consumers can access internet at home and browse websites which provides them with price, description and reviews from other users on specific products, as well as comparisons to other similar products. (Such as Rock Jeans, Nudies etc…) This has helped to make researching more convenient for consumers, which lowered the cost and shortened the process needed to obtain the item.

Finally, so far as I am aware there are no deceptive/illegal price advertising concerning J Brand!

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays! Imagine pretty lights dangling on trees along the streets on your way home. Hills of wrapped Christmas presents from “Santa” under the Christmas tree next to your fire place. It is a time for family gathering, and time to be jolly! Christmas spirit enlightens me and hopefully everyone around me too.

Since Halloween passed, all the stores have noticeable replaced all their Halloween decoration with red and green ribbons, and other Christmas related accessories.  People perceive Christmas as a time to give and feel a need to interact with love ones (motive for love needs).

While reading the Marketing Blog, I read about one particular holiday promotion from Canadian Tire that I especially enjoyed. This advertisement was notably heart warming. I felt touched after watching the commercial, and this have definitely altered my attitude (affective component) toward Canadian Tire. I learned to see that Canadian Tire highly encourages the sprite of Christmas as a merry place for families.

I think if the advertisement can affect the emotions of consumers it is considered successful. Human are affectionate beings, and tend to act upon their emotional rather than logical sense.

Co-branding is the arrangement of marketing activity when a single product/service is associated with more than one brand name. The 2 or more companies would have to act cooperatively for the various marketing elements. This form of cross promotion combines the strength of both brands which protects the product/service from being copied by private label manufacturers.

MAC Cosmetics was originated from Toronto, Canada by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo way back in the 80s. Although the initial products were designated for professional make-up artists, they are now available for consumers worldwide.

They offer a variety of products ranging from areas such as lips, face, eyes to others such as nail polishes, body powder etc.

Barbie has been around for ages and have recently celebrated its 50 year anniversary. Barbie is a stylish toy doll produced by the American Company Mattel Inc.

This figurine can be accessorized, dressed and physically adjusted much like a mini mannequin.

What happens when MAC + Barbie?

Barbie loves MAC

This is the first ever co-branding between MAC and Barbie. The cooperation between MAC and Mattel created a new MAC spring color collection inspired by the most fashionable doll in the world.

(PS. This line of product was launched in 2007 spring)

The different category of products in this line consists of lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner,eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner, mascara, powder blush, shimmer powder, beauty powder, nail polish and brushes.

This particular co-branded product was a success, but for such result both brands have to be strong relatively to each other!

Halloween is an enjoyable annual holiday for boys and girls’ of all ages. Ordinary Halloween events include trick-o-treating, costume parties, and ghost story tellings. For those who love to shop, Halloween is also a special occasion for situational shopping.

Many stores have targeted shoppers who look forward to this special occasion and to gain a share in this market segment, American Apparel has also advertised their fashion line with adaptations correlating with Halloween “fashion”. They featured their simple everyday wear and accessorised them into Halloween themed outfits.

This is a good strategy, because to me, not only does this appeal to the situational shoppers but also demonstrates the various uses of a simple “American Apparel”garment to attain several looks. This attribution in turn adds perceived value of the product to the customers.

This was one of the outfits featured on their online website; “Prima Ballerina”. Aside from the outfit, they also provided information of the break up of each garment.

Cotton Spandex Jersey Basic Bodysuit

Multi-Layered Reversible Petticoat

Super Sheer Spiral Tight

Information online included price, available color and sizes.

THERE IS SOMETHING THAT DIFFERENTIATES THIS PRODUCT

FROM THE REST

TECHNOLOGY has helped to improve this product from

TO —>

Corresponding with their vision of “people’s car”, Volkswagen created this product that is cheap and easy to work on. It’s signature look can be personalized to consumer’s specific preferences.

Other than the dry summer months, the rest of the year is rainy in Vancouver; the beautiful city where I grew up. To go to school, I now commute about 1-2hours a day to UBC. The weather has become an influential factor to my everyday wear. There’s a noticeable increase of rainy days before the approach of winter and the weather nowadays is something my Converse and flats can’t handle. Recently I purchased a pair of Hunter boots, something my friend recommended.

You might think this is just a regular pair of rain boots, with a ‘hunter’ logo embroidered in red on the front. Well that’s what I thought as well, until I realized that these boots are about $150 a pair. There must be more than what meets the eye..

I went on the Hunter’s site, and realized their slogan was to be outstanding in every field. (haha) These boots were old classics, originally designed 150 years ago! Hunter’s boots offer a combination of different elements that many consumers look for. Its strengths lies in its durability, style, comfort, and superior waterproof material qualities, something that not many competitors are able to offer (a sustainable competitive advantage/value creation). Their market segments range from countryside farmers, to chic business women.

I bought a pair of black legendary hunters, and fell in love with what it has to offer. I now fear no more of dreadful weather. 🙂

Prior to this year, I owned Ugg boots. Although they have nice warming fur features, they are impractical against the weather in Vancouver. I felt the value/benefit received from Uggs are less than its cost, therefore an unbalanced trade.

But do look into Tiffany’s blog on her article regarding UGG boots.

From the above logos, many teenagers can tell what brands they are. These premium denims are highly desired and fast sellers of retail stores. The logos are an identification which passes social reputation to the consumers. These logos are perceived differently by every consumer, depending on their past experiences and personal preferences.

But why is this simple pair of jean with no specific back pocket logo so popular and so appealing to consumers? What is the mystery of this pair of overpriced jeans?

This is a pair of J Brand denim, one of my favorite brands. Why do I personally like it? Because of its simple and comfortable qualities. With no flashy logos, this pair of jeans are perfect for days when I want to keep a low profile.

J Brand’s main objective is to supply women with clean lines and classic style. This relatively new brand has already set their status among the designer industry.

I asked a few friends the same question, why pick J Brands? They answered, because of its quality. It’s comfortable and fits very nicely. There is no flashy logo which could be repulsing sometimes, and it has a nice wash. You want someone to say those jeans look nice on you, you look thin. Not those logos on you back pockets are nice…

Now enough talking about this, i’m off to shop more denims 🙂 bye

Today in marketing class, professor Milne mentioned a friend who was devoted to the brand, Tiffany. This unnamed friend specifically travels to New York to purchase jewelries of her favored brand. What is so phenomenal about Tiffany? And what is this obsession for Tiffany from every girl? Is it because of the cute signature heart pendants? The material they use in their products? Or is it because of how aspirational their ad model is?

Tiffany & Co is just a western fad, but it is also a world renowned and recognized brand. During my earlier singing days I came across this particular Chinese song, regarding Tiffany.

This song basically talks about how this girl doesn’t need Tiffany. The MV started off as her wanting Tiffany accessories but realizing that having the man she loves was enough, with or without jewelries. For a brand to have a song dedicated to them, it must mean this brand has a widely known reputation.

When relating to Tiffany & Co, my first thoughts towards the benefits of their product was that apparently every one of their bracelets have a serial code engraved, and if a purchase was lost, and fortunately returned, they could find their way back to the rightful owner. This little perk shows me how much the company values and treats their customers. What a good way to attract loyal customers! Once one loyal customer is created, a chain reaction is created attached to that one customer. She/He will promote the product on her/his own to their own circle of friends, and possibly purchase Tiffany products as gifts for her/his loved ones, which creates an experience and room for new consumers!

This American owned jewelry company was found in 1837, and actually started off as a stationary store! This store, located on fifth avenue and 57th street in Manhattan, has been film as settings for movies such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Sweet home Alabama”

Social media is definitely one of Tiffany & Co’s strategies. And I look forward to the day when I receive my Tiffany ring 🙂