Millennials are currently the largest US population with an estimated purchasing power of $1.68 trillion. Members of this generation differ significantly from those who have come before them, and it is imperative that marketers understand how to effectively reach them.
Category: Chapter 13 – Advertising; Sales Promotion; and Public Relations
Bud Light Takes its “Up for Whatever” Campaign Too Far
Anheuser-Busch InBev is swarming in criticism stemming from part of its “Up for Whatever” campaign, by BBDO. The company has published 140 scroll messages on its bottles since the campaign’s inception two years ago. One of the messages came under fire last week, “the perfect beer for removing ‘no’ from your vocabulary,” which has been linked to rape culture.
A Series of Lawsuits Prompts SeaWorld to Launch Marketing Campaign Emphasizing Killer Whale Care
SeaWorld has faced intense criticism following the 2013 release of Blackfish, a documentary on the controversial captivity on killer whales. More recently, the company is faced with three class action lawsuits in as many weeks, causing SeaWorld to launch a marketing campaign focusing on the care of its killer whales.
Heinz-Kraft Merger To Create Giant Company With Lean Marketing
The Heinz-Kraft merger announced Wednesday will form the fifth biggest food and beverage company worldwide. While the marketing budget will not take a big hit, the combined firm will implement a lean marketing strategy based on zero-based budgeting: spending money on advertising that is proven to work and generate a strong return on investment.
Starbucks’ “Race Together” Campaign is Pulled Following Harsh Criticism
Starbucks is launching a new campaign that has generated much controversy. “Race Together” is meant to spur conversation about race relations in the US between baristas and consumers. Many worry that racial relations in the U.S. is too big of a topic for the company to embrace, yet CEO Howard Schultz stands firm behind his decision.
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” Receives 2015 Award for Most and Worst Product Placement, While “Lego Movie” Succeeds with Strongest Product Placement Impact
Featuring 55 brands, Transformers: Age of Extinction recently won both the 2014 Award for Achievement in Product Placement in a Single Film (that is, the most product placement) and Worst Product Placement by Brandcameo. It also tied for first in Unwanted Product Placement. The Lego Movie saw greater success, winning the 2014 Award for Product Placement Impact.
Marketing Managers Partnering with Ad Agencies Could Pose Unexpected Perils: Former Mediacom CEO Calls Attention to Ad Agency Kickbacks and Lack of Transparency
Former Mediacom CEO Jon Mandel recently presented that media agency rebates and kickbacks are widespread throughout the industry. By distributing ad money to best suit their own businesses as opposed to those of their clients, ad agencies are breaching their fiduciary duties to clients. They have been criticized for this lack of transparency.
Kellogg’s Faces Marketing Challenges as Consumer Preferences for Breakfast Foods Evolve
Kellogg’s U.S. morning-foods net sales fell 8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014—the division’s seventh consecutive quarterly decline. While this is partially explained by changing consumer trends, what does it say about the company’s marketing abilities?
Google’s Launch of YouTube Kids has Important Implications for Advertisers and the YouTube Brand
Google is launching its YouTube Kids Android app on Monday, February 23rd. The easy-to-navigate app will show only approved content. While this may present good opportunities for advertisers to reach children, companies will have to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
The Value of a Super Bowl Ad: Smartphone Game Marketers Enter the Fray in Search of New Frontiers; While Some Familiar Brands Look towards Other Tactics
With the largest audience ever for a television event at about 114.4 million viewers (according to preliminary figures from Nielsen), this year’s Super Bowl provided marketers with a prime opportunity to promote their brands. One […]
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