After getting our part B back, we realize that there’s something that should be improved on. Since the part B of our assignment is lower than we expected, we spent a lot of time trying to rebuild a more concrete structure of the segmentation, targeting and positioning. For the first few meetings, we kept on changing our approach on the storyboard of the video. At the end of the day, we decided to alter our target based on the comment we received from Prof. Rui from our second project. As this is my first time being fully responsible on editing, I am kind of nervous to see the product from the other groups and the reaction of others on our project. At the same time, I wonder if my effort is enough in comparison to my other classmates.

However, the whole process was fun and I believe we have tried our very best. I could not help myself but to laugh out loud while watching the videos recorded by So Tze Yong. If it’s not for the assignment, I do not think that I would see the hidden talents of my group members, Eric, Khabibah, Wilfred and Agape. The shooting was done for two sessions. Although the idea of being present for a meeting is mentally tiring for me, it was worth it. At the end of the day, we changed the whole storyboard to make it more clear to the audience. Personally, I like the previous video more. At the same time, I must understand the whole idea of the video. It is supposed to be a platform for us to answer question in a more explicit manner.

Among all the assignments given, I personally think this part is the most interesting one. I enjoy working with my group mates and seeing how our creativity differs. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were asked to do the first blog post on ethics. Now it’s time for the 6th and the last one. Having to work with incredible team members, I can’t express how grateful I am

Great service, but to what extent?

As we all know, service is a part of intangible product. Good customer service often adds value to the products. However, as a profit maximizer, it is often to difficult to calculate if the beyond excellent service is sufficient to cover the cost. While trying to provide good services, it is crucial to take note that some services might reduce more of your profit than the revenue you generated.

Service and placebo effect

Nevertheless, some services are just placebo effect. For example, you could feel so much better after going to the doctor although you are just being prescribed with the same paracetamol that you’ve been taking. Unnoticeably, most of the services we pay for are almost as good as what we can get for free. The feeling of security and positive energy we obtain from some services is what makes us see value in it.

Other example of service: Spongebob Squarepants

In an episode of a well-known cartoon called, Spongebob Squarepants, Mr. Krab decides to open a hotel business called Krab Tower. A quote from him is still fresh in my mind, “We Shall Never Deny A Guest, Even The Most Ridiculous Request. “. In spongebob, marketing is also portrayed in the burger business under the see. At the same time, in terms of promotion, Mr. Krab is a good promoter of its own brand. He promotes a species of his own. Although I’m not sure what the patty is made of, eating from a restaurant owns by a crab is much better than eating at Chum Bucket owned by a Plankton.

Lessons to learn

The secret formula of Krabby Patty isn’t the only thing that attracts consumers to eat there. I believe they are happy to be served by the joyful Spongebob Squarepants. As a note, it is obvious that demand of service is originated from simple mundane request of consumers. By being more sensitive of these requests, the supplier would be able to offer a great service. Or perhaps, find a new target market.

For the hotel episode of spongebob, click here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zVJEKxf4zE

Comment on a blogpost

After reading one of classmates, Tifany Gunadi’s post regarding on the unseen boundary of marketing, I am inspired to write about the some application of marketing in religion. The issue that she brought up about using a family centric ads during Thanksgiving in promoting animal awareness is definitely worth to read. I have to agree with her that I too do not support PETA’s way of promoting animal rights this time. Although this platform is effective because of the publicity, it seems to go a little bit overboard. However, just like some other ethical related problems, this matter is subjective. For a further info:
https://blogs.ubc.ca/tagunadi/2013/10/14/peta-thanksgiving-terrorism/

Religion as a brand

Religious people are the most loyal believer. At the same time, it makes them more vulnerable to the “brand” or religion they associate themselves to. According to Mara Einstein, an associate professor of media  studies at Queens college, “people become attached to a religion in the same way someone takes on a brand”. For example, a consumer will most likely support any fund raising events related to the religion although some other religion has a better for of fund raising activity. In marketing terms, they are engaged in brand loyalty. In this post, I would like to highlight a simple application of marketing.

Product

According to Dr. Rawn in my Psychology class last year, from a social psychology perspective, one of the five ways to be happier includes a spiritual contentment. Hence, this product satisfies psychological needs.

Place

The market of the product is wide. Normally, it is being delivered in the sacred places or religious centres.

Promotion

Promotion is made by scholars who are passionate about preaching the religion. Sometimes involved positive word of mouth from devoted practiser. Unlike for products or services, consumers are more willing to share positive feedbacks than negative ones.

Price

Price is the trickiest thing in my analysis. It might be the consumers involvement in terms of anything valuable like time or principles and even their way of living.

Personally, I don’t think anyone would label religion as a transactional operation. A change is often what people are scared of. From my example, it is obvious that marketing is a part of many things in our lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBe9lyv6U_g

After watching the above video from youtube, it seems like consumers would purchase almost everything. The video shows 10 bizarre products and services that have managed to make a million dollar. One of the similarities of these 10 companies is that they know how to differentiate themselves from others. Their ideas are simple but they market them in a way that they actually create demand when there is a problem without a solution. From the video, the product that has caught my attention is The Pet Rock.

The Pet Rock

Basically, Pet Rock was created in 1975. The idea was originated from Gary Dahl, a salesman who became a millionaire after the success of the product. Animals are cute living creatures but most of them made a mess, misbehave at times and cost too much money. For him who actually had a pet rock himself, he believed that a rock was an ideal pet. He said, “it is easy,cheap and it had a great personality”. Although I am not to sure about what personality he is referring to, the people around that time did not think so. It was sold for over 5 million units for the first 6 months.

Instruction Manual

Surprisingly, the first edition of the pet was just an ordinary grey stone. It had no chemistry value and could easily be obtained for free. The marketing method of the product was the main reason that attracted sales. It was marketed like real living animals. What I find interesting is, the consumers were given an instruction manual that came with each set of their new pet. It had 32 pages and consisted of instructions on how to properly raise and care for the pet. In my opinion, this definitely appeals more to the psychological needs of consumers.

Will you buy it? For me myself, I am quite skeptical about spending $13 (its current price) on this product. But as much I do not want to admit, I might possibly have bought it if I were in 1975.

More information on the product:

http://www.thepetrock.20m.com/

Irrefutably, the phrases like “gluten free” , “zero trans fat”, “organic” and “no MSG added” have widened up a new target of consumers in the market. To most who are really concerned about eating right, they might be willing to fork out extra money in buying groceries. In most instances, the value that the consumers put on healthy products has also led them to devote more time in reading and analyzing the labels in each of the products. Organic food is often being differentiated with stickers or even being completely isolated in another section at most the stores. Without noticing, organic food has attracted a large number of citizens especially in the developed nation.

How many of your e-mail remain unread? Is there any reason that makes you not read them? Let’s move on to the things that you sorted as junk. For my case, most of them consist of some strange advertisement with cliché title. There should be nothing uncommon here, as the majority of us have faced this. In my humble opinion, we have received way too much promotional e-mail to be annoyed.

My view on e-mail address

Nowadays, internet users appreciate ther e-mail addresses just like my real home addresses. It is one of the common way for people to connect with each other. They link their email it to all their electronic devices. Generally, people would not be happy if somebody knocks on their door to talk about new cosmetics. The same goes to this form of advertising. Personally, I feel that this method of promoting invades people’s privacy.

Not enough space?

My personal experience

Recently, I was somehow ‘selected’ to distribute the spam e-mail to all my contacts including my family, my friends and even my lecturers. For me, it was an awkward experience. I was promoting about a green coffee that helps people to lose weight. Instinctively, there is a certain spyware that has collected related information and data on search engines. People that received it actually thought that it was really sent by me because the ads sounded relevant to my experience. I am unsure of how the spam works, but they really know how to choose their victim. The day after I sent out my “recommendation”, a few people actually texted me asking more about the product. For most innocent spammers, including myself, I became more conscious of how people perceive me after the e-mail. Hence, e-mail marketing does affect the victims emotionally.

Unethical marketing

Other tactics

If all victims were to believe all the e-mails they received, most of us now have accomplished so many things. We have successfully become the 100,000^th visitor in a page, become a millionaire, win a trip to Hawaii, and being hired to work at home with a high salary. Sadly when I was younger, they used to attract my attention.

Find out more about other tactics:

http://www.techjaws.com/unethical-marketing-tactics-and-scams/

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