Planning a Kid's Birthday: A Few Advertising Basics

via adweek.blogs.com

This video has been making the rounds online and I've got to say that I really, really love it.

First off, it's pretty funny, especially if you work in the advertising industry. But, beyond the obvious humor, what I love most is that it really does show you that most of what we do in advertising can be pretty standard. There are rules that seem to apply to planning and promoting any event, large or small.

I think what really gets me the most that there are businesses that put less effort into their marketing and promotions than they would for a child's birthday.

I'm not suggesting that we all go out and offer free pony rides (or whatever the relevant equivalent for your business might be), but I am suggesting that there are some basic actions that can be taken to get the word out (many are very inexpensive) and keep the message moving.

Sure it takes planning,... and money,... and time, but if those kids are any kind of reflection of what an engaged, happy customer might look like, then I'd say it might be worth the effort.

Watch the video. Take notes. Take action.

-Oran

Posted via email from The Parker Brand Picture Post!

Related articles

• Are Ads Too Sexy? - PR Newswire (press release) (news.google.com)
• How to Make Unique Flyer Templates (eyzona.com)
• Small Business: Your Questions Answered, Part I (community.microsoftadvertising.com)

Dissatisfaction=Action (Time To Do Something Different)

I've always been bothered by excessive consumption. It has never really sat right with me, and there were times in my life when I would try to make sweeping changes in my life to rectify this. Each time I've went down that road I've realized pretty quickly that it's near to impossible to go all-or-nothing, especially raising a family, in our country. I've tried to find ways to satiate this dissatisfaction, but I would fall back into old habits and go about business as usual.


Well, the old sting has come back, but this time I've decided to make small, easy changes that I can truly implement on a personal level, and some that I can apply at home daily with my family as well. I want to share the journey, and my thoughts, with you.

I've openly shared my thoughts with others and I often get asked, "How does this fit in with your job? Aren't you in advertising?" I think this is a very good question, and it makes me look even harder at my chosen profession. I often ask myself this very thing. Being in advertising, a field that is very obviously geared towards the buying and selling of goods, can I honestly be true to my own feelings about consumerism without being a hypocrite? And on a side note, does this perspective that I embrace keep me from being good at my job? 

I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle for me. I've always sort of half-joked that the reason I'm decent at small-market advertising is because I'm not a victim to it. I resist being "sold," always keeping a healthy dose of skepticism about the advertising I am exposed to.

I think that advertising can be creative field that can do a lot of good, especially if the program, event, business or group is offering something this is truly beneficial to the community. Of course, there's also the reality that it's just pushing another plastic bottle, or styro-foam cup, encouraging people to "buy and toss," rather than reuse.

I've decided to walk that tightrope, and live in the middle-grey area, for now. I think that embracing these thoughts and finding a way to apply them to my craft will be good for me and my clients. It will help me look deeper into what they do, and the message they are trying to communicate to the public by approaching it with honesty, looking for ways to create the most impact with the smallest drain on resources. 

In presentations concerning social media I've often said that the dissatisfied will light the world on fire, while the satisfied sleep in the flames. That seems to apply here. Often, satisfaction breeds complacency, but dissatisfaction leads to action. Small actions. Small steps. Real, workable application in everyday life. That's the path I plan to take. I'll keep you posted on how it's going. -OP

Related articles

• Advertising, marketing and public relations: Where should your resources go? - Toronto Sun (news.google.com)
• Advertising/Marketing/PR/Consumerism (ask.metafilter.com)
• Advertising Ideas for Small Businesses (thinkup.waldenu.edu)
• Unconsumption does not think you are ridiculous (dothegreenthing.com)
• The Best Ways to Advertise a Small Business (thinkup.waldenu.edu)
• On globalisation, consumerism, and F2P (spinksville.wordpress.com)

The Goodwill Girls

I love to go picking at Goodwill on $.50 Sundays. I always find something great, and even if it's not so great it's still only $.50. It's usually packed with folks, so I have to get in there and get pickin' like I've got a purpose. With all those folks jammed in the place I'm sometimes treated to a few horrible, yet wonderful sites. In fact, this past Sunday I was treated to something so horrible and wonderful that I felt I had to share it with you.

WARNING!! 

These creatures are not for the faint of heart, but I would encourage you to not look away. Take a minute to really reconcile your thoughts on what you are seeing. My friends, meet the Goodwill Girls!

Now, I'm sure these lovely ladies were placed near the check-out line to help sell the fine dresses you see them wearing. They were so odd, and terrible, and strange, and AMAZING... I felt that if I stepped to close they may actually turn their heads and speak. It was like being in an Old Navy mannequin commercial gone horribly wrong. I'm certain that one of these débutantes will eventually make their way into my dreams, or rather my nightmares.

I'm always curious to see how creative businesses can be with their in-store displays and packaging, and I know that Goodwill certainly doesn't have anything that resembles a big-brand budget for that sort of thing. Still, I can't imagine the person who put this ensemble together thinking "that looks damn good." Although, in it's own quirky way it actually works.

So, I'm curious... which of the Goodwill Girls scares you the most? My money was on the one in purple, but after looking at the pictures again I think I'm gonna go with blue. something about those thin eyes and rosy cheeks. GAH!

What say you? Which one freaks you out?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Wonder Girls are Wonder Mannequins? (allkpop.com)
• Old Navy Will Read Your Booty (adrants.com)

Fusion Five's "Social Media 2.0" Is Almost Here!

What's an "Oran?" It's easy to find out. I'm all over the place! See where... Why not share this with your network? Share | "Social Media 2.0" is almost here! Have you sent in your RSVP? Fusion Five, a professional organization in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is hosting a Social Media Summit for Southwest Louisiana professionals. The event, titled "Social Media 2.0" is this Friday, August 27th at the Willis Noland Resource Center (The Chamber) from 2-4 pm. There was a great turn-out for last year's Social Media Summit, and it appears that Fusion Five is preparing for this to be a "standing room only" event, so please make sure you take a moment to RSVP. It was my pleasure to share "My Tweet Story" presentation with the attendees from last year's Social Media Summit. This year I'm really "egg"cited (I know, I know) to share my thoughts on using social media to develop your personal brand in my new presentation, "ID Thy Self: Using Social Media to Build the Brand of You." This is an "egg"cellent (Sorry!) presentation for those who are well versed in using social networks, and it's even better suited for a beginner who is interested in using the tools to step into the spotlight. After this presentation you'll have a better handle on how to identify the things that make you who you are, and learn how to use them to build and manage a strong personal brand... even if you have to break a few eggs in the process. So, what the heck should you be using Linked In for? Make sure you RSVP for the Fusion Five: Social Media 2.0 event to see Becky Girola's presentation, where she'll give us the Linked In low-down! This is sure to be an eye-opener for those of you who have a Linked In profile, but haven't quite put it to work just yet. I'm really looking forward to sharing what I've learned by putting Social Media to work for my personal brand over the past few years, and I know that Becky is pretty pumped as well. This should be a lot of fun for everyone, and a great professional networking opportunity. See you at the social! -Oran

ID Thy Self: Using Social Media to Build the Brand of You

View more presentations from Parker Brand Creative Services.