This past Sunday morning, pop music behemoth Taylor Swift wrote an open letter to Apple, explaining why she was not making her most recent smash hit album, “1989,” available on the company’s streaming service, Apple Music.
How Long Can a Brand’s First Impression Last?
Six years ago I was invited on a golf trip for the first time with a group of other highly enthusiastic golfers like myself. The trip destination changes every year and in my inaugural year, it so happened that we ventured up to the Syracuse, NY area to Turning Stone Resort and Casino.
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Marketing Lessons Learned From the New York Yankee Mustaches
Editors note: This blog post originally appeared on the Mad Marketer website and was re-posted here with the permission of the author and Mad Marketer team.
Recently, the New York Yankees, formerly noted for their traditional team uniforms and specific grooming code, which since the early ’70s has included a no facial hair policy, have started loosening up their upper lips. That is, they’ve joined the #stachesquad, an Instagram hashtag that has gone viral after prominent Yankees players started posting pictures of their newly grown whiskers.
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With Fans On Twitter, Who Needs Enemies?
In what is arguably the biggest social media story of the week, Joss Whedon, the screenwriter and director of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “The Avengers” films, stormed off Twitter after fans turned against him for what they perceived to be sexism and misogyny in the latest Avengers film, “Age of Ultron.”
Whedon deleted his account after Tweeters objected to his depiction of Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, in the film. Here’s a look at his seemingly ironic farewell message…
Why Your Content Isn’t Being ‘Liked’
Content rules the world.
Ok, that might be a stretch, but content is on the rise and it’s starting to rule the marketing world. A 2015 Smart Insights study found that content marketing is valued more by companies investing in digital marketing than big data, SEO and online PR combined! That’s good news, as the same study found 50 percent of B2C marketers expect their budgets to increase in 2015.
Warning: You Are Losing Sight of the Customer
I had an interesting conversation with a colleague earlier this week while reviewing a story I had written for a client. I was quite pleased with the way the piece came out and was looking forward to getting feedback from my teammate before finalizing it and sending it off. I felt the post had a natural flow and was well-written, so I felt confident that my client would receive it well. Continue reading “Warning: You Are Losing Sight of the Customer”
Social Media Contests: Good or Bad Idea?
A few months ago, I entered a contest on Twitter to win a free spa getaway at the lovely Mayflower Grace in Washington, Connecticut. Excited and shocked to learn I was the winner, (I rarely win things) I immediately shared my excitement on social media.
When we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted by friendly staff, and escorted to our beautiful room with a breath-taking garden view. Everything was exquisite, from the delicious food to the out-of-this world spa. At dinner that night, we were asked by our waiter what we did to deserve to win such a great prize. “I think I entered my email address and retweeted something,” I responded. The waiter looked less than impressed, expecting my answer to be a bit more long-winded and involved. His response got me thinking – what is the true value of a contest on social media? Continue reading “Social Media Contests: Good or Bad Idea?”
Four Critical Pieces of a Flawless Product Launch
Taking a new product to market is both an exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience. If the launch generates a buzz, the future is limitless. If it falls flat, months or even years of hard work go down the drain.
To be sure, the stakes for a launch are high, which is why businesses need a detailed strategy to execute during a product’s infancy. Here are five essential components of a flawless product launch that can help you take the market by storm:
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For LeBron James, Four Years Made All the Difference
In 2010, NBA superstar LeBron James, having just completed his first professional contract, announced during a surreal television special that he would be leaving his “hometown” Cleveland Cavaliers (James actually hails from Akron, Ohio) and playing for the Miami Heat. “The Decision,” a 75-minute interview with Jim Gray in which LeBron waited nearly 30 minutes before actually declaring his intention, aired on ESPN and was a ratings boon for the network.
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Saying Goodbye to My All-Time Favorite Branding
This week, the best golfers in the world take aim at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina for the 114th U.S. Open. The event features a lot of juicy storylines, from Tiger Woods’ absence to the recent redesign of the hallowed venue.
One storyline has fallen largely through the cracks, however, with the notable exception of my golf buddy Alex Myers at Golf Digest. With the tournament telecast switching from NBC to FOX next year, what I consider to be the greatest theme music ever written will no longer be part of the broadcast.
And that is a bummer.
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