Week Three Forum

Topic 1

  The product I chose to search was the Fidget Spinners. Which as a product originally created with hopes to help those who suffer from attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I think it was a great idea and potentially does hold the ability to help many. However the general public got wind of this, and in the world we live in today capitalized immediately. At this point in time I do not think one singular brand has trademarked their name. Unfortunate as that is, because at this point in time they could be selling the gadgets for a very high price. The target audience, is not only younger kids of the elementary school age but all the way up to college age young adolescence. The products are marketed as fun, small mindless toys. The use of celebrity presence and use regarding this item is exactly what has made it so successful. The fun colors, shapes and different patterns make them customizable. It happened almost overnight, but it has not faded so quickly as most fads tend to do. I would have Trademarked the name of the fidget spinner if it were up to me. And the service and cause would be to capitalize and minimize repetition which is bound to happen with these quick small items that gain momentum overnight. Social media and branding is what spreads so quickly, I would defiantly want to try and commercialize the product and get the word out there as much as possible if I were to be a brand manager. 

Topic 2

  If I was going to choose a singular product or company I would of chosen commercial for the original V8 juice company. Who’s catchy tag line of “should of had a V8” was a popular phrase of my childhood. A campaign as whole in which I find almost more impressive is the entire series of Snickers ads created by BBDO New York. The tag line of “You aren’t yourself when you're hungry.” Features celebrities doing everyday activities, such as having Betty White being a week football player letting down his team. Which progresses to Betty White eating a snickers bar, and turning into an athletic young man. I feel that this not only captures the appeal of the celebrities (association principle), as well as a super human power in which entices people. Similar to Redbulls line of “Redbull gives you wings.” I would go ahead and assume these commercials are made with not only the general public and all age groups. As it is a candy bar, but that it challenges a greater thinking. Where a ten year old would not necessarily know who Betty White is, a teen or young adult would and the older age demographic defiantly would understand the reference.  It inhibits thinking that this product will make you better then you could or would be without said product. While my main take away is the association with a greater strength, or capability given to you by the snickers bar I also believe these ads use the famous-person testimonial in a way. To be in an ad representing a product, an old school mind would like to believe that the person endorsing the product truly does believe in it. 

 

  Industries in Lost Angeles California for Volkswagen presenting the “Luv Bug” commercial. This add displays a blue two door beetle parked at a location in which overlooks the entire town lit up at night. The next scene changes to a couple with a new baby, as their old beetle is pulled away and a four door jetta pulls up. The cycle continues four of five times. Each time after the couple departs the dealership there is a scene where the volkswagen is parked, and rocking insinuating a sex scene. The next scene is at the dealership, where each time they then have a new child and in return get a bigger vehicle. I am unsure who exactly the target audience would be, however I am assuming it would be targeted to the demographic which not only has a need for an SUV style car but could also afford it. Therefore leading me to the conclusion that the target demographic would be 25-40 year olds. The intent behind the commercial I am sure is set to be emotional branding. Showing a family growing over time, would in theory give people an emotional attachment or allow the viewer to make that correlation. However there seems to be an underlying message in which viewers seem to have found offensive. After reading an article found on DIGIDAY’s website written by Mark Duffy referencing the Worst ads of 2017 (so far). There are a few different commercials written about so far, however the summarized jist of the commercial is, “I want to see a couple banging in our cars. … Each time they do it —because they’re Catholics — a new kid happens, so they have to keep buying bigger and bigger VWs. … And therefore, they’re creating more and more future VW buyers who will then also bang a lot in our cars — like father, like son — creating even more future VW buyers, and so on …” To me this campaign is a flop, because no matter how witty and current Volkswagen thought they were being, it can be seen as distasteful. Which is exactly how I viewed this commercial, sex sells lots of things. Could of even sold this car, but when it comes to implications of peoples religions and life choices I would steer clear. https://youtu.be/DZ3cDd-L1Qg

Photos
Fidget Spinner- https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/6gdrw1/what_is_the_deal_with_fidget_spinners/
V8- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld8eAH0MW00
Redbull photo- http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Red-Bull-settlement-false-advertising.jpg
Volkswagen Commercial- https://youtu.be/DZ3cDd-L1Qg