The South African rhino poaching crisis has been surging across the country, as well spreading across the continent. Even though there is an international trade ban, activists say that a ban will not stop the rhino’s from being killed for their horns, and has in fact caused the creation of a “lucrative black market.” I found it interesting that advocates for saving the rhinos suggested that the first step be to “un-market” rhino horns. Researchers found that it’s mainly rich Vietnamese men who buy these horns as a symbol of wealth and wellness. In order to change the way rhino horns are being seem by consumers, it was suggested that the “product” be presented as being dangerous by injecting poison into the rhino horns as a way to shift consumers’ views about the product. The fact that the rhino poaching issue is being treated as if it were a business issue regarding consumer interest almost seems wrong since they are not just a product to be analyzed and manipulated, but it has been proven that consumers respond very strongly to the way products are marketed and if “un-marketing” the rhino horn will have a chance at saving the population, it’s worth a try.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/schumpeter/2013/10/business-conservation

In recent years, marketing has made a shift from traditional techniques, as such billboards and newspaper ads, to more innovative and modern strategies, like utilizing social media, most likely because of the huge consumer base and cost efficiency. The recent popularity of Twitter has made it a serious competitor for social media marketing. With approximately a billion tweets every two days, Twitter has become the prime marketing platform, mainly because consumers can give direct feedback, which is of the utmost importance in marketing. As said in the article below, Twitter’s open platform “makes it ideal for marketing in the moment.” This popular social media site also offers promoted tweets, accounts, and trends which makes it that much easier for brands to run campaigns and get their message out to consumers, as well as position their brand efficiently and effectively. The marketing director at Tetley Tea expresses how Twitter allows their brand to be in the consumers minds and also builds the Tetley tea community without overspending on marketing campaigns. The fact that Twitter campaigns can be directed to certain users is also a vital tool for marketing. I believe social media will overtake traditional marketing in the near future.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/02/twitter-the-marketing-platform-where-people-answer-back

Picture: http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/att-apologizes-911-image-showing-phone-framing-tribute-light-152363

Today, on the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, AT&T posted an ad on Twitter of a smartphone being held up along the New York skyline where the Twin Towers used to stand. It is unethical to use a tragic event to promote a brand or product in the media. The blatant product placement was in poor taste and was very offensive to those who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks of 2001. The marketing department at AT&T most likely recognized the massive amount of attention the anniversary of 9/11 was getting and used the tragedy to their advantage. AT&T apologized after receiving criticism for the ad being in poor taste, something that the marketing department should have understood before the ad was put out. If AT&T truly wanted to send their condolences to those affected by 9/11, the ethical thing to have done would have been to release a statement, not use the event to promote their brand and their product. The unethical decision to include September 11th, 2001 in an advertisement for a telecommunications corporation has most likely cost the company customers and supporters.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/marketing-tragedy-when-ads-become-apologies/article14267057/

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