Comments for Legends of Aerocles http://aerocles.wordpress.com PR, Social Media, Marketing, Advertising, TV, Music, Movies, Randomness, Poetry, Philosophy Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:34:42 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Why Big Brands Can’t Make Everyone Happy this Holiday Season | PRetty Social http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-668 Why Big Brands Can’t Make Everyone Happy this Holiday Season | PRetty Social Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:34:42 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-668 [...] David Teicher blogged about how The American Family Association is asking consumers to boycott Gap Inc. and its brands (Gap, [...] [...] David Teicher blogged about how The American Family Association is asking consumers to boycott Gap Inc. and its brands (Gap, [...]

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Steph Lund http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-666 Steph Lund Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:40:57 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-666 great post - really enjoyed reading this and agree with your comments great post – really enjoyed reading this and agree with your comments

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Paige Holden http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-664 Paige Holden Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:36:35 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-664 The GAP is too big to cave into the AFA. it's size, broad demographic and sheer prevelance in myriad communities, with different social and spiritual values, makes it impossible for them to do so. In fact, at this point, caving to the AFA would create such a stir that they would do more damage to themselves than if they had included Christmas in the first place. National advertising ventures (and the investment involved) requires that the content appeal to the broadest possible audience. Further, the GAP can't really risk alienating anyone in this economy - like most retailers, they need this holiday season to offset some massive losses in 2009. What always gets me is the negativity involved in these silly campaigns. Why doesn't the AFA use its dollars to promote those companies that do highlight Christmas (maybe partner with them to offer special promotions which would be ideal in this environment)and then just ignore the rest. Sigh. You could say the same about PETA. At the end of the day, all the AFA really cares about is the publicity - not advancing its own cause in a productive way. Paige Holden paige@blisspr.com www.blisspr.com @PaigeHolden The GAP is too big to cave into the AFA. it’s size, broad demographic and sheer prevelance in myriad communities, with different social and spiritual values, makes it impossible for them to do so. In fact, at this point, caving to the AFA would create such a stir that they would do more damage to themselves than if they had included Christmas in the first place. National advertising ventures (and the investment involved) requires that the content appeal to the broadest possible audience. Further, the GAP can’t really risk alienating anyone in this economy – like most retailers, they need this holiday season to offset some massive losses in 2009.

What always gets me is the negativity involved in these silly campaigns. Why doesn’t the AFA use its dollars to promote those companies that do highlight Christmas (maybe partner with them to offer special promotions which would be ideal in this environment)and then just ignore the rest. Sigh. You could say the same about PETA. At the end of the day, all the AFA really cares about is the publicity – not advancing its own cause in a productive way.

Paige Holden
paige@blisspr.com
http://www.blisspr.com
@PaigeHolden

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Jessica Gottlieb http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-663 Jessica Gottlieb Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:09:40 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-663 I don't even LIKE the gap and now I'm thinking of buying some of their crummy pajamas just because this is so dumb. I don’t even LIKE the gap and now I’m thinking of buying some of their crummy pajamas just because this is so dumb.

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by BizCoach Tim http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-659 BizCoach Tim Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:13:19 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-659 Great post. It just proves my point that the "customer is always right" is a big fat myth. I'm also a Christian, and I don't believe that any religion should be jammed down anyone's throat. In fact, that's downright un-Christian! Besides, I think it's sacrilegious to have Jesus (in the form of Christmas) hawking products. Christmas is not about consumerism, it's supposed to be spiritually significant. So, I'm completely fine with receiving a "Happy Holidays" card or being marketed to with secular messaging. Great post. It just proves my point that the “customer is always right” is a big fat myth.

I’m also a Christian, and I don’t believe that any religion should be jammed down anyone’s throat. In fact, that’s downright un-Christian!

Besides, I think it’s sacrilegious to have Jesus (in the form of Christmas) hawking products. Christmas is not about consumerism, it’s supposed to be spiritually significant. So, I’m completely fine with receiving a “Happy Holidays” card or being marketed to with secular messaging.

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Social Media is Not for the Weak and When Brands Should Ignore Their Customers http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-658 Social Media is Not for the Weak and When Brands Should Ignore Their Customers Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:44:45 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-658 [...] “Social Media Not the Answer for Weak Brands,” and the second post is called “When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen to Their Customers.”  Both of these posts highlight valuable lessons and learnings from the social media world [...] [...] “Social Media Not the Answer for Weak Brands,” and the second post is called “When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen to Their Customers.”  Both of these posts highlight valuable lessons and learnings from the social media world [...]

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Aerocles http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-656 Aerocles Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:04:04 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-656 Exactly. I think gaps consumer base is so wide they shouldn't be feeling any pressure to give in hear and like you said, it's a cry for attention from a group that probably didn't even expect this much. Exactly. I think gaps consumer base is so wide they shouldn’t be feeling any pressure to give in hear and like you said, it’s a cry for attention from a group that probably didn’t even expect this much.

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by jeffespo http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-655 jeffespo Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:58:49 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-655 Great post. I saw the Brandweek piece earlier today and was wondering when someone would give their take on it - glad it was you. Granted we are in a day and age where beands need to listen and communicate with their constituents. With that comes irrational and rational folks on the other end of the Tweet, comment, posting, etc. It can get heated on both ends with the company keeping an even keel. This decree from the fanatical group is nothing more than a "look at me" type of moment that has gained them notoriety in the past. I would also wonder if these folks would respond to any kind of messages from actual consumers or people that their group represents. As a Catholic, I could care less if a company used Christmas in their ad. If I need a cheap sweater, you can bet your sweet ass a GAP sale would entice me. PC is not so PC after all as demographics are painted with a wide brush. So its either take it for what it is, or go somewhere else. Great post. I saw the Brandweek piece earlier today and was wondering when someone would give their take on it – glad it was you. Granted we are in a day and age where beands need to listen and communicate with their constituents. With that comes irrational and rational folks on the other end of the Tweet, comment, posting, etc.

It can get heated on both ends with the company keeping an even keel. This decree from the fanatical group is nothing more than a “look at me” type of moment that has gained them notoriety in the past. I would also wonder if these folks would respond to any kind of messages from actual consumers or people that their group represents. As a Catholic, I could care less if a company used Christmas in their ad. If I need a cheap sweater, you can bet your sweet ass a GAP sale would entice me.

PC is not so PC after all as demographics are painted with a wide brush. So its either take it for what it is, or go somewhere else.

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Aerocles http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-654 Aerocles Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:53:40 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-654 I think it depends on the medium used - people's expectations from an ad have to be aligned with the medium though which they're receiving it. On TV - The best we can do is make assumptions about people's interests based on the nature of the show or network, and maybe a little geotargeting. With Facebook and Social Networks - Additional Data is available - and should be used. I think it depends on the medium used – people’s expectations from an ad have to be aligned with the medium though which they’re receiving it. On TV – The best we can do is make assumptions about people’s interests based on the nature of the show or network, and maybe a little geotargeting. With Facebook and Social Networks – Additional Data is available – and should be used.

]]> Comment on When Big Brands SHOULDN’T Listen To Their Consumers by Aerocles http://aerocles.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/when-big-brands-shouldnt-listen-to-their-consumers/#comment-653 Aerocles Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:49:23 +0000 http://aerocles.wordpress.com/?p=648#comment-653 There was a sign in my the barbershop where I grew up - "He Who Trims Himself To Suit Everyone Will Soon Whittle Himself Away." Still Holds True... There was a sign in my the barbershop where I grew up – “He Who Trims Himself To Suit Everyone Will Soon Whittle Himself Away.”
Still Holds True…

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