In Response to Joe Littlewood

What do you think product placements role is in television?

After reading about how the TV show "Chuck" and how there was advertising from Subway, all that comes to mind is Subway's role in the Adam Sandler classic film "Happy Gilmore".  Subway became a sponsor for Happy and paid him to do commercial.  This product placement in the movie was humorous but also was a great ad for Subway because of the huge success of the movie, Subway's name was put out there and made everyone want a "Cold Cut Combo".

This strategy is used in many shows and movies and I think can be good as long as the product isn't overly advertised than it just gets annoying.

Pop up ads online

We all know the annoying pop up ads that appear on just about every web site we go to, and we all get annoyed with them, so why do companies use them?

In my opinion, although annoying, these pop up ads do help in getting a businesses name out their.  For the split second that the ad pops up, before we exit out of them, we see the company name and that is a success for most.  I know that for me, if I see a pop up ad I try to pay no attention to it and disregard whatever product or service they are trying to sell me because all I think of is spam.

Do you think that pop up ads have a bad reputation as spam or can be a useful marketing tactic for some companies?  

In response to Even Miller

I agree completely that face to face communication is the best form of communication.  This generation has become so dependent on cell phones and texting that we are losing simple communication skills that are key when it comes to business.  Giving up my cell phone would be an easy task and for how ever long as needed.  My phone has become more of a job now, having to try and text back as fast as possible and keep up with all the different social medias that I would love to just get a way from it all for a while and go back to the simple ways of life we used to live.

Advertising on Uniforms

When it comes to a professional sports team and their jerseys, no one wants a big brand name advertisement on them, but that is exactly what we are begging to see.  The MLS has had to sell into the large brand name on the front of the jersey strictly because the league doesn't make enough money and needs to get income any way possible.  

We see it here with the Seattle Sounder's jersey sporting a giant XBOX 360 Live logo on the front and center with the team logo small and in the upper right corner.  Although this branding idea isn't new in soccer, European Club teams all do the same thing, it isn't common for other, more profitable sports such as the MLB, NBA, and especially the NFL.  

But guess what, the NFL is selling in now too.

Although this is just the practice jersey, it is the start of an epidemic that could be seen in game jerseys any time soon.  For such a profitable business it is sad that they have come to advertising on uniforms just for more money.

Do you agree that the NFL should stop the advertising on uniforms?

In response to Arthur Brockelman

Arthur brings up a great question about companies advertising on YouTube and the fact that the ads can be skipped.  I strongly believe that this advertising is very beneficial for a company.  Although sometimes when I am on YouTube I will skip the ad because I have no time to waste and have no desire to watch an ad, but regardless I will still see the start of the ad and the name of the company.  Most of the time just seeing the companies name is enough, because you will remember that ad when you watch your video on YouTube because in a way it is a part of the video.

I have caught myself actually watching full 2 minute long ads before a video because the commercial was catchy enough that it got my attention and really made me interested in the company.  Even if only 1-10 people have that affect from the commercial, I believe that that is a success for any company trying to get their name or product out to new customers.    

Do you disagree with me or feel as if companies should invest in YouTube advertisements?

Humor in Commercials

If you are you are to watch TV these days you know that commercials are taking a more comedic approach to get their names out.  Some make you LOL and some just make you want to change the channel so you don't have to see that annoying commercial anymore.  One commercial that stands out to me and a lot of my friends is the Dikembe Mutombo "Geiko" commercial.  Mutombo is a retired NBA player know for his size and blocking shots, so Geiko knowing that they can target any Basketball fan took advantage of his skill and made it into a successful ad.  

Watch the Commercial by clicking the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_0fyUYB3cA


Although I am not looking at getting Geiko right now, this commercial makes me laugh every time and I know every time that its Geiko that put the ad out so that way the name is always in my head.

Do you think that humor is the best way to advertise on TV these days, or does it make a company look less serious than it should?

In response to Jade Brulette

When it comes to the case of the RED T-shirt, I believe that all of the proceeds need to go to the charity. This was supposed to be a huge fund raiser and it ended up being just a good when with Gap keeping over 50% of their profits. That is millions of dollars that could have saved even more lives but instead went to an already successful business.


The biggest shock to me is that Bono himself told Gap to keep that amount of profit. He claims to be this "superman" lifesaver but instead is telling a big name corporation to keep more money than they donate?? Something doesn't seem right. The t shirts were going to sell regardless and that alone would bring people into the stores and make them look around and buy more products. Gap would have helped their image much more if they took zero profit and more people would support the cause and the store by buying other shirts and jeans.

Do you agree that keeping over 50% over the profits was a bad move for for Gap's business and their ethics?