Marketing discussion

Marketing discussion
Discussion Topic #8
Public Relations
The old Public Relations (PR) adage goes something like this:
• “There is no such thing as bad PR.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Using examples from companies who have endured a PR crisis or two (or more…) over the years, argue both sides in response to this statement.

Discussion Topic #16
Discussion Post #16 – Positive and Negative Reviews
Please read a very critical review of a restaurant by a well-known food critic, Pete Wells.

Now please read the response by owner of the establishment:
http://www.salon.com/2012/11/15/guy_fieri_responds_to_scathing_times_review/
Was this good, bad, or somewhere in the middle PR and word of mouth for Guy’s American Kitchen and Bar? Why? If you were the owner, would your response have been different than Guy Fieri’s and why? What should Mr. Fieri’s PR and social media strategy be going forward? Did the Target Market of the New York Times newspaper have any influence over the review by Mr. Wells?
Now, please read the articles below about a recent positive review. Why did this go viral? What does this tell you about PR, social media, and word of mouth? Was target market of the publication (The Grand Forks Herald of North Dakota) a factor in the type of review?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/08/marilyn-hagerty-olive-garden_n_1332753.html
http://adage.com/article/media/marilyn-hagerty-s-olive-garden-review-a-million-clicks/233356/

Discussion Topic #17
Discussion Post #17 – Social Responsibility
Before we discuss Social Responsibility we should learn about the guy who made this a science and has helped sell product using the technique. Let’s start with learning who is David Ogilvy?

OK, if you believe in the theories of advertising legend David Oglivy he says “The Consumer is not a moron, she’s your wife” — this obviously means tricking and lying is not the way to go. He also thinks brands should be part of a “Big Idea” and social responsibility should live “inside of that brand” and not be a separate department. He convinced Unilever (parent company of Dove) to have an ad during the 2006 Super Bowl that would not show or talk soap and related products (had to cost North of $2 million dollars?). Also, Oglivy felt that women didn’t need to be entertained (many Super Bowl ads are really short comedy entertainment and I question their selling value). Humor was not needed, women needed info and a reason to purchase Dove in a crowded soap aisle at Wal Mart or Target. This he felt, would help women connect with Dove. Please cut-and-paste the next link (below) and watch the Dove ad from 2006. Next click on “Social Responsibility” and spend some time on that website and get a feel for what Dove was trying to accomplish. Do you agree with this message, source of message and credibility of what Dove is selling us in terms of brand reputation? Please share your thoughts and opinions and what this type of campaign means to all brands worldwide.

http://www.dove.us/Social-Mission/campaign-for-real-beauty.aspx

Discussion Topic #18
Adidas and Nike both own wearable tech devices to track workouts and other exercise related functions. The data tracking is just one area these sports giants are using to increase sales and loyalty. These devices link you to a website where you can interact with other Adidas and Nike customers.
The “newer sports giant”, Under Armor, seems to be following this playbook of Adidas and Nike. Please read the article (see url link, below) and share your thoughts as to why Under Armor is moving towards using technology. Share any and all opinions on this topic and if this will increase sales by attracting new customers and also making current customers more loyal.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/11/14/under-armour-to-buy-mapmyfitness-in-embrace-of-sports-tech/?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection
For an update on this topic from a more current article — please see the pdf (below this post).