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| Just sayin' |
Via Post Secret
Showing posts with label Advertising. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advertising. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
René of the Day // 10.21.11 // Quit the QR codes!
For reals - it's unbelievable the way the American society picks up on fads. It's a joke at the advertising agency where I work to just "slap a QR code on it." Of course, we do not do this - it's just disappointing to see how many marketing campaigns have included Quick Read codes on their products and in their marketing collateral in recent months. WHY???
I will vouch that they can, in fact, be a great tool for a well-planned campaign. But I'll get to that later. Beyond recent conversations with colleagues, this post was sparked from an experience I had this morning. I was brushing my teeth and saw a tiny square on the back of the tube of toothpaste. Are you kidding me? This is asinine for so many reasons:
1. I don't bring my smart phone into the bathroom - who does that? Toothpaste is a home-based consumer product. Full-size tube, not travel size. No need for mobile marketing there.
2. Again, I'm using this at home, so I have access to my computer. I don't use my phone to access the Internet at home. So just give me a damn URL and I'll look it up if I'm interested. Crest.com - thanks!
3. Unless you have a compelling campaign or contest, I'm not going out of my way to visit your site.
4. If the site is not optimized for mobile usage, DO NOT use a QR code! It leads to a horrible user experience - you see 1/8 of the top left corner of the site, you have to zoom in to click on anything and it's just a hassle. If brands decide to include these, they need to have the budget to execute properly.
Other instances where QR codes are not well played include billboards - if I'm driving 65 mph (let's be honest - 74 mph) on the highway, I do not - nor do my passengers - have time to pull up a QR code app and focus to snap the code. You go by WAY too fast to capture that! Not to mention, isn't texting and driving illegal and highly unsafe even if it isn't against the law? I'm sure QRs on billboards have led to accidents - and even due to the confusion because many people still wonder, "WTF is that?" Which is also funny -- the messaging marketers include to inform users. I've seen simple messages like "Learn more here" which assumes the consumer is familiar with the technology. To convoluted text that practically insults intelligence: "Download the QuickMark app and use it to scan this barcode to visit our website with more details on this lame promotion." Really? There is no industry standard yet on the language.
I don't think QR codes are a terrible idea - they can be very useful tools when used for the right concept. For example, they're great for events, concerts or even in signage AT the grocery store, when your mobile device is all you have. Again, the site it points to needs to be optimized for mobile and have a clear call to action - why should I go there? Is there a coupon, a recipe or directions or a map for the event? Another great use is for tourism - for example, scan a QR code at Fountain Square for a listing of all the local restaurants and shops - that would be awesome! But it's silly to use one just take people to your general website - just post the URL (simplified vanity URL if needed) or let them Google it. I understand that it increases sites visits and CTR but, if people aren't getting anything out of it, they won't become return visitors or share it with others.
If marketers keep posting them all over, QR codes will indefinitely become advertising trash. People will be annoyed rather than compelled to pull out their phones and see what prize they lead to - because they know they won't. Maybe I will scan the code on the toothpaste just to see if the juice is worth the squeeze.
I will vouch that they can, in fact, be a great tool for a well-planned campaign. But I'll get to that later. Beyond recent conversations with colleagues, this post was sparked from an experience I had this morning. I was brushing my teeth and saw a tiny square on the back of the tube of toothpaste. Are you kidding me? This is asinine for so many reasons:
1. I don't bring my smart phone into the bathroom - who does that? Toothpaste is a home-based consumer product. Full-size tube, not travel size. No need for mobile marketing there.
2. Again, I'm using this at home, so I have access to my computer. I don't use my phone to access the Internet at home. So just give me a damn URL and I'll look it up if I'm interested. Crest.com - thanks!
3. Unless you have a compelling campaign or contest, I'm not going out of my way to visit your site.
4. If the site is not optimized for mobile usage, DO NOT use a QR code! It leads to a horrible user experience - you see 1/8 of the top left corner of the site, you have to zoom in to click on anything and it's just a hassle. If brands decide to include these, they need to have the budget to execute properly.
Other instances where QR codes are not well played include billboards - if I'm driving 65 mph (let's be honest - 74 mph) on the highway, I do not - nor do my passengers - have time to pull up a QR code app and focus to snap the code. You go by WAY too fast to capture that! Not to mention, isn't texting and driving illegal and highly unsafe even if it isn't against the law? I'm sure QRs on billboards have led to accidents - and even due to the confusion because many people still wonder, "WTF is that?" Which is also funny -- the messaging marketers include to inform users. I've seen simple messages like "Learn more here" which assumes the consumer is familiar with the technology. To convoluted text that practically insults intelligence: "Download the QuickMark app and use it to scan this barcode to visit our website with more details on this lame promotion." Really? There is no industry standard yet on the language.
I don't think QR codes are a terrible idea - they can be very useful tools when used for the right concept. For example, they're great for events, concerts or even in signage AT the grocery store, when your mobile device is all you have. Again, the site it points to needs to be optimized for mobile and have a clear call to action - why should I go there? Is there a coupon, a recipe or directions or a map for the event? Another great use is for tourism - for example, scan a QR code at Fountain Square for a listing of all the local restaurants and shops - that would be awesome! But it's silly to use one just take people to your general website - just post the URL (simplified vanity URL if needed) or let them Google it. I understand that it increases sites visits and CTR but, if people aren't getting anything out of it, they won't become return visitors or share it with others.
If marketers keep posting them all over, QR codes will indefinitely become advertising trash. People will be annoyed rather than compelled to pull out their phones and see what prize they lead to - because they know they won't. Maybe I will scan the code on the toothpaste just to see if the juice is worth the squeeze.
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| To provide context, here is one I generated quickly that links to René of the Day. Try it out if you want to get an idea of how they work. |
Thursday, December 1, 2011
René of the Day // 10.17.11 // Yuengling Fling!
My friend Melissa called me at 3:30 on a Monday afternoon when I was at work - it worried me. She'd recently experience a family tragedy and I hadn't heard much from her since then... And I was damn glad I answered my phone! She's the food and beverage director at a country club in Cincinnati and she had two free tickets to the "Yuengling Fling" at the Hyatt downtown that evening. w00t!
What an event! To introduce the beer to local industry professionals, they filled a ballroom with unlimited availability of Yuengling - light, original and dark - The Rusty Griswolds played on stage and there was a delicious spread of favorite foods from Cincinnati and Pennsylvania (Yueng's homeland.) We grabbed a beer and loaded our plates with cheese coneys, soft pretzels with cheese and mini Philly cheesesteaks. NOM. The ice sculptures were pretty neat too - a bottle when you arrived off the escalator (see photo below) and they also served from a bar made of ice with bottles tucked inside.
We had a hell of a good time catching up and letting the beers flow... It's funny how everyone was freaking out about Yuengling coming to Cincinnati. So many of us have been rum running it here the past few years. My mom and I brought back 24-bottle boxes from Pittsburgh two autumns ago when we went to visit Falling Water and the Andy Warhol Museum. They don't sell beer in the grocery store so we went to this beer shack on top of a hill - seriously. And MR always brings some when he visits from Tennessee. It's been such a treat and now its here! Cheers!
What an event! To introduce the beer to local industry professionals, they filled a ballroom with unlimited availability of Yuengling - light, original and dark - The Rusty Griswolds played on stage and there was a delicious spread of favorite foods from Cincinnati and Pennsylvania (Yueng's homeland.) We grabbed a beer and loaded our plates with cheese coneys, soft pretzels with cheese and mini Philly cheesesteaks. NOM. The ice sculptures were pretty neat too - a bottle when you arrived off the escalator (see photo below) and they also served from a bar made of ice with bottles tucked inside.
We had a hell of a good time catching up and letting the beers flow... It's funny how everyone was freaking out about Yuengling coming to Cincinnati. So many of us have been rum running it here the past few years. My mom and I brought back 24-bottle boxes from Pittsburgh two autumns ago when we went to visit Falling Water and the Andy Warhol Museum. They don't sell beer in the grocery store so we went to this beer shack on top of a hill - seriously. And MR always brings some when he visits from Tennessee. It's been such a treat and now its here! Cheers!
Friday, October 28, 2011
René of the Day // 10.9.11 // Calls for a Carlsberg
Perhaps you've seen this video before... With over 7 million hits, it's fair to call the unconventional ad campaign a YouTube phenomenon. Carlsberg did a hell of a job delivering funny and relevant advertising with this stunt. It definitely calls for a Calsberg. Cheers!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
René of the Day // 9.15.11 // I'd Hit That
This week I finally was able to play in our softball league - I've been working or had other things to attend to the past few weeks. The weather was cool enough to make it comfortable and it was fun to get out and get a little dirty. Lucky we missed the impending storms that were expected. I didn't make it past first base the few times I made it there but had good hustle and the team was a blast to play with - and it's cool to meet people from other agencies and to hang out with co-workers who you don't always work with directly. I was thrilled that we went with the name I threw out there for the team: "I'd Hit That." Now I just need to work on hitting harder and remember my tshirt (left at my desk) and cooler of beer next week! Play ball!
René of the Day // 9.13.11 // MAD MEN @ Banana Republic
SWOON!
Truth be told, I hate shopping. I may have said this in a previous blog post. I just want fabulous clothes in my closet for my ever-ready needs. I get tremendous guilt when I spend money on clothes - even though I wear them for years - I still have clothes from when I worked at the Gap in high school in my wardrobe that get worn. So as MR tells me, I should allow myself to a little shopping treat and not feel bad - isn't he the best? :)
I was walking through the mall and hit my regulars: Ann Taylor LOFT, J. Crew and then Banana Republic - and my jaw dropped when I caught sight of their window displays - MAD MEN Collection for Banana Republic! I mean, are you kidding me? I have recently become addicted to the show and am almost through the Season 4 DVDs. Always adoring the dresses worn by Peggy and Joan, I popped inside and scanned the racks. I would've loved to see more options in Betty's style. Honestly, I wear dresses or skirts almost every day. But I do have a difficult time justifying $75+ for one item of clothing - it's not that much but I still wince with guilt. With this being an exception, I may have to choose a favorite, something sassy and classy, and make it mine.
Truth be told, I hate shopping. I may have said this in a previous blog post. I just want fabulous clothes in my closet for my ever-ready needs. I get tremendous guilt when I spend money on clothes - even though I wear them for years - I still have clothes from when I worked at the Gap in high school in my wardrobe that get worn. So as MR tells me, I should allow myself to a little shopping treat and not feel bad - isn't he the best? :)
I was walking through the mall and hit my regulars: Ann Taylor LOFT, J. Crew and then Banana Republic - and my jaw dropped when I caught sight of their window displays - MAD MEN Collection for Banana Republic! I mean, are you kidding me? I have recently become addicted to the show and am almost through the Season 4 DVDs. Always adoring the dresses worn by Peggy and Joan, I popped inside and scanned the racks. I would've loved to see more options in Betty's style. Honestly, I wear dresses or skirts almost every day. But I do have a difficult time justifying $75+ for one item of clothing - it's not that much but I still wince with guilt. With this being an exception, I may have to choose a favorite, something sassy and classy, and make it mine.
Monday, July 18, 2011
René of the Day // 7.17.11 // NGD
Right?! This absolutely cracks me up - the designer who sits across from me in our "pod" at work created this as a reminder for when shit hits the fan. With design borrowed from Miller Genuine Draft, it's a clear message that speaks the truth - everything will be fine, chill your beans. Amen.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
René of the Day // 5.19.11 // Email Award
So one perk of working with a former screenwriter on "Two and a Half Men" is that he never leaves a chain of emails without entertainment. In a moment of tense project management, he broke through with this comment and it practically made my day:
"I'm glad we're at least saying 'thank you.' When we lose our courtesy, we lose our humanity. If we can't be polite, we might as well be tree frogs."
Perhaps this would have been the last thought that crossed my mind when blazing through creation of a microsite submission page, but this is why he worked on a team with Charlie Sheen and I did not. Dare I say, winning?
"I'm glad we're at least saying 'thank you.' When we lose our courtesy, we lose our humanity. If we can't be polite, we might as well be tree frogs."
Perhaps this would have been the last thought that crossed my mind when blazing through creation of a microsite submission page, but this is why he worked on a team with Charlie Sheen and I did not. Dare I say, winning?
Monday, June 20, 2011
René of the Day // 6.17.11 // Scavengers
Friday I roamed Cincinnati on a work-related scavenger hunt. The goal was to be inspired by our city and capture photos linked to points that earned my team a victory of second place! We stole a Segway (sort of), took over the stage on Fountain Square, learned that everybody cha cha’s, hijacked a bus at the Freedom Center and scarfed a coney and a gyro with a flying pig at Findlay Market – all in a day’s work.
My Inspiration Team is a phenomenal group and we had a great time strategizing which places were worth the points and navigating as we laughed and snapped some incredible shots of Cincy. I was so impressed with the ideas and challenges the other teams took on and the whole day was an exciting adrenaline rush.
I’ve shared some of my favorite photos:
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| Assasinated president (50 pts) + yoga pose (5 pts) + handstand (5 pts) = awesome! |
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| Posing with a local celeb – Jean Robert = 50 pts |
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| Winner of Best Optical Illusion – Haley kissing Jim Tarbell in OTR |
It’s really neat to work for a company that is so inspiring, creative and motivated to provide great experiences and outlets for its employees. Everyone had so much fun and I would dare say we all learned a little more about our city! Every month I wonder what the next team will come up with – and it just keeps getting better and better. Now, I’m tempted to re-tool this scavenger hunt and challenge some friends to another round – GAME ON!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
René of the Day // 6.16.11 // Mad Men
Practically every time someone asks what I do and I say I work at an advertising agency, they get quite excited and ask, "Have you ever watched 'Mad Men'?" I don't have cable and I rarely have the patience to sit still through an entire show so my answer was always, "No, I haven't, but I've heard it's phenomenal!"
A gal who's also lived in my building for about 5 years played the above scenario with me a few weeks ago and insisted that I stop by to borrow the DVDs and dig in - and so I have. I've tried to watch an episode a night during the week... once I start a series, I do get hooked.
It's neat to see how some client situations are relative even 50 years later... and I can certainly relate to Peter Campbell, the junior account executive, at times. I love how Betty Draper always has the most lovely tone of voice and it makes me so upset to see her relationship and pillow talk with Don - and then see him canoodling elsewhere. I mean, isn't January Jones just an absolute vision???
What's perfect is that by the time I've completed the DVDs, the next season that everyone has been waiting on with agony will be on TV - so who knows, maybe I'll have to bite the bullet and get cable after all? Pouring myself a dirty martini, leaning against my tufted headboard (quite like that of the Draper's) and watching my next episode. It's getting rather juicy with the Nixon/Kennedy race.
A gal who's also lived in my building for about 5 years played the above scenario with me a few weeks ago and insisted that I stop by to borrow the DVDs and dig in - and so I have. I've tried to watch an episode a night during the week... once I start a series, I do get hooked.
It's neat to see how some client situations are relative even 50 years later... and I can certainly relate to Peter Campbell, the junior account executive, at times. I love how Betty Draper always has the most lovely tone of voice and it makes me so upset to see her relationship and pillow talk with Don - and then see him canoodling elsewhere. I mean, isn't January Jones just an absolute vision???
What's perfect is that by the time I've completed the DVDs, the next season that everyone has been waiting on with agony will be on TV - so who knows, maybe I'll have to bite the bullet and get cable after all? Pouring myself a dirty martini, leaning against my tufted headboard (quite like that of the Draper's) and watching my next episode. It's getting rather juicy with the Nixon/Kennedy race.
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