Blog Assignment # 10

I had the opportunity to go home and visit the Ford City mall in Chicago. The mall was pretty packed due to Easter shopping. The exclusive brand store I visited was New York & Company. I'm the type of girl who loves shopping and typically doesn't have a preference but I never shop at New York & Company. To be honest the only reason I went in this store was because my older cousin shops their for causal clothes for work.

My first impression of New York & Company is that they target an audience that is older. When I think of their clothes, I think of office wear and more mature clothing. I would only shop there to get a sweater or blouse for a interview, I wouldn't shop there on the regular and they would most likely be my last resort.

They do have good customer service but then again I think they have good customer service at that particular moment because there wasn't many people browsing the store. They were extremely friendly and willing to help so that was a certain plus.

The set up of New York & Company is pretty nice and spacious. It seemed stroller accessible to me, especially since I feel like they target a more mature and older women they want to make sure mothers are able to get around the store without any problems. The store was well lit. There were displays of outfits throughout the store which were bright so that they could catch someone's attention. I did enjoy the layout of the store.

To be honest I did see a couple cardigans that I really liked, but the price of them turned me off, 39.99 was too much for a short sleeve cardigan. The prices of some of the clothes I believed was too expensive but they also offered a whole wall full of clearance clothing for the budget shopper.

All in all I think New York & Company isn't that bad of a brand and I could see myself shopping there when its time for me to start wearing business attire. I won't bash the brand and say that that it sucks. I just think its a brand that appeals to people in their later twenties and older. For right now I will continue not shopping at New York & Company.

Blog Assignment # 9

Chapter 8
1. Media Strategy inputs are based on all EXCEPT :
A. Objectives
B. Focus Groups
C. Target Audience
D. Message Theme

2. A Media Planner :
A. Stays in touch with media representatives
B. Is low in demand
C. Conducts research on audience
D. Determine how much money to spend

Chapter 9
1. Which is NOT a Trade Allowance?
A. Slotting fees
B. Drop ship allowance
C. Off invoice allowance
D. Time share industry

Chapter 10
1. Which is NOT a problem of Rebates and Refunds?
A. Costs
B. Paperwork
C. Time
D. Diminished effectiveness

The Persuaders Video
1. What is the name of the airline that is associated with Delta and that's targeted towards women?
A. Song
B. Tune
C. Harmony
D. Lede

Blog Assignment 8

I thought the The Persuaders video was very interesting. I think it was pretty informal. I never knew that the reason why ads were put into television shows and movies was due to the shift in technology. I never realized that Americans use brands as a way to identify themselves. I didn't realize it was so prevalent. People like to identify with people who are similar to them. This video explained to me that brands attempt to go deeper than just being a brand, in essence they want to be apart of the consumer's lifestyle. Every brand and product really has an underlying meaning.

The common elements in the persuasion/ selling strategies of advertising and marketing are to create an emotion that consumers can relate to. They also want to create a message that reaches the majority of people. Advertisers use emotional branding in order to make a connection with the consumer. Advertisers look to build relationships because they want the customer to become loyal to their product. Advertisers also do targeted marketing. This is where they create a particular product and aim it towards a specific group of people. An example would be Delta's air Song. This airline was developed to cater to women, therefore women were the targeted group.

I can't really say how far advertising will really go. I think it will go really far because it hasn't even reached the limit yet. I think that advertisers will take a different role in the future, they will become way more competitive. Advertisers just have to work harder to overcome the clutter and make their ads more appealing and more familiar to the consumers.

Blog Assignment # 7

1. What are the responsibilities of deciders?
a. shape buyer decision by providing information
b. authorize buy
c. control flow of information
d. make the purchase

2. Which one is NOT apart of Communication Market Analysis?
a. Competitors
b. Opportunities
c. Budgeting
d. Target Markets

3. Buying habits include all except for?
a. affluence
b. self indulgence
c. competition
d. comfort

4. Attributes are?
a. What it does
b. What you get
c. a connection
d. a scenario

Blog Assignment # 6

This is our video for the RAW campaign. Please check it out and leave comments!!

This is a link to a survey about the campaign. Please take the time and fill it out. Thanks.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cGdpM3ZvRmRndGdIOTBQZUVmN3gyZHc6MA..

Blog Assignment # 5

One exhibit I went to was located in the student center and it was in a display case.
I believe it was group A's project. I believe that their display was effective especially since it was kind of random put into a display case and the poster board and naked barbies are a real eye catcher. When I was at their exhibit there wasn't anybody by it so maybe if there was somebody by it to explain what RAW means to the viewer could have been an improvement.

The second exhibit I went to was group K's. I think the beer cemetery was really creative and unique. Its something that really groups a person's attention because it pretty random. Yes I think group K was extremely effective. I think they did a really good job and doesn't need to improve anything.

I do think that activities like this can in fact raise awareness about binge drinking. Yea, some people will blow the message off but others will really pay attention and may even reevaluate their actions and start becoming responsible for their actions. As long as we get our message out to someone, thats all that matters.

Blog Assignment # 4

1. ______ is aimed towards long term building of positive brand attitude?
A) Promotion
B) Marketing
C) Advertising
D) Integeration

2. Which is NOT a trend that impacts IMC?
A) Information technology
B) Changes in channel power
C) Corporate image
D) Increase in competition

3. Overt names are names that ____
A) Contains recognizable words
B) Capture essence of the idea
C) Reveals what company does
D) Doesn't reflect company goods or services

Blog Assignment # 3

Looking around my room, I decided to use my Nintendo Wii for this assignment. The Wii is made by Nintendo which is a Japanese company that originally made playing cards. Five things that come to mind when I think of Nintendo are; video games, Wii, active, Nintendo 64, Super Mario, and classic.
There has always been a Nintendo in my household since I can remember. When I was younger I had the original Nintendo Entertainment System, I can still remember playing Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong, and Super Mario Brothers. As I got older I purchased more Nintendo systems such as Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Nintendo game cube, and presently Nintendo Wii. Growing up playing on these consoles and never really having any problems with my game consoles leads me to believe that Nintendo is an outstanding company that produces fun and lasting products. I also had a PlayStation and Dream Cast which were produced by Sony and I would have problems with them which led me to like my Nintendo products more.
On brandtags.net, the first ten listings for Nintendo are; mario, games, fun, Wii, game, kids, old school, super Mario, video games, and play. My perception does match what others have said about Nintendo. Within the top ten from the website, my list contained four of the perceptions that others shared. When you think of Nintendo the first thought that comes to my mind and others are games, on my list I specifically said 'video games' but its one in the same. I also mentioned Wii on my list which was number four on the list provided by brandtags.net. Wii is the most current release from Nintendo and a couple Christmas's again it was number one on the list for presents. I classified Nintendo as being entertaining and on the list the third brand is fun which means the same as entertaining. I also thought of Super Mario immediately because it was one of the games I played the most on all my Nintendo consoles. No matter what new game system Nintendo developed, they always released a Mario game. Mario was number one on the list which gives me the impression that this is one of the first words that comes to a lot of people's mind when they hear Nintendo. I believe that my perception is the same with others is because Nintendo in an essence left a lasting effect on its consumers. They continued to give us quality products to look forward to without ever feeling disappointed.

Blog Assignment # 2

This is one of my favorite commercials. This commercial is by T mobile, its used to promote their "fav 5" plan. Which allows T mobile users to pick five people in which they can talk unlimited to regardless of their network provider. This is my favorite commercial because its pretty hilarious. What catches my attention at first is the guy asking his friend why his girlfriend is in his favorite five. That question right there screams instant drama. Also the reference to the "foot massage" certainly reminds me of Pulp Fiction. The fact that the friend definitely attempted to play the issue to the left field by calling him "paranoid" is funny. Especially when the ring tone for the girlfriend is "Secret Lovers". At the time that this ad came out I was already looking for a new cellphone service provider and since T mobile had the promotion of unlimited calls to five people in your phone no matter the provider, I was easily persuaded. To be honest, I was already in the market to to find a new service provider so I would have gotten T mobile had I seen the commercial or not. I do believe this commercial is effective because it was one of the first ads T mobile put out advertising the "fav 5". The comedy that's used within this commercial makes it stay in the viewer's head. The scenario is based around drama and people as a whole entertain drama regardless if they like it or not. The ring tone is also pretty catchy and if you are exposed to the commercial enough you will unconsciously find yourself singing "Secret Lovers".

Goals for semester

* Attend majority of my classes.
* I got a 3.6 last semester so I'm shooting for a 3.8 or higher..hopefully a 4.0
* Improve my studying habits
* Participate more in all of my classes
* Do some volunteer work
* Work hard so I can play HARDER!