AT&T and TOMS shoes

The AT&T commercial features Blake, the chief shoe-giver at TOMS shoes. Blake claims he needs a network with great coverage because for every pair of shoes his company sells, they give a pair to a child in need in other areas of the world. It would be impossible for TOMS to do so without a network that works around the world. The commercial continues with "More bars in more places. AT&T: the best coverage worldwide." The adverstisement is beneficial to both companies. It successfully informs the viewers of TOMS brand and their mission, and shows company employees handing out shoes to exited children in another country. AT&T capitalizes on this image of good will since this image is featured in its commercial, and makes it clear that AT&T helps TOMS stay in touch during the company's travel.

Victoria's Secret Mother's Day Campaign

Heidi Klum announced Victoria Secret's Mother's Day sweepstakes this morning on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. To participate in the sweepstakes, women can log in to the Victoria's Secret Web site and write about funny childhood stories that happened with their mother and talk about how much their mother means to them. The winner and her mom will be flown to New York City with airfare and hotel paid for, and will win a Victoria's Secret Shopping spree. I thought this was interesting. Victoria's Secret is trying to capitalize on Mother's Day and the special bond between mother and daughter and attach those feelings to its brand image. The announcement of the campaign by Heidi Klum on national TV was well planned.

Product Placement in the Cereal Isle

I went to the grocery store tonight and as I was buying my usual breakfast cereal I noticed the well-planned and deliberate product placement on the shelves. The more flavorful, sugary cereals marketed toward children were on the lower shelves where they were in reach of young kids. These boxes tended to be brightly colored with cartoon characters on them. The more plain, healthier cereals where placed higher on the shelves where more adults would see them and grab for them. I know when I go to the store, I never know what cereal I am going to choose beforehand. I assume product placement and the amount of visibility can influence people's purchase decisions. Marketers want their products to be very visible so that adults and children will make impulse decisions on products they otherwise might have overlooked.

Pepsi Max for Men

I saw a commercial the other day for Pepsi Max, a product that I have never heard of before. After watching the commercial, I understood why. Pepsi Max is a new diet soft drink targeted specifically toward men. The commercial showed multiple men being put in odd situations and getting injured. However, instead of being seriously hurt, they each shrug off the pain and say "I'm good." The deep-voiced announcer then follows with" Men can take anything, except the taste of diet cola, until now. Pepsi Max: the first diet cola for men." I though this was interesting. The commercial clearly appealed to men's masculinity and tried to convince men that they could maintain their dignity while drinking what some may consider a traditionally feminine drink. Pepsi wanted to market the idea that Pepsi Max is different from the other diet drinks. It is manly. I can't help but wonder what a "masculine" diet soft drink would taste like.