I didn't get any direct mail today. However, my roommate is a frequent shopper at Victoria Secret. She has a VS card, similar to an incentive plan. She gets mail from them all the time, offering her special deals and coupons. She receives these messages because she is obviously a frequent customer, and she takes advantage of the offers that they give to her. The mail is definitely persuasive because it's an interest that she has for the company and she likes their products a lot. This just gives her another reason to shop there more, because the mail makes you think you are saving money. However, in all reality you might just spend more because they are getting you to actually go into the store.

Blog 11

Chapter 8
1. CPM stands for cost per thousand. True or False.
Answer: True

2. Which of the following is NOT a way to achieve advertising objectives?
A. 3 exposure hypothesis
B. Nielsen ratings
C. Effective Reach
D. Effective Frequency
Answer: B

Chapter 9
1. Which of the following trade allowances comprises 33% of all trade promotions?
A. Off-invoice allowance
B. Slotting fees
C. Exit fear
D. Drop-ship allowance
Answer: A

2. Which trade incentive calls for a two-way marketing effort where the retailer performs a function to recieve an allowance?
A. Corporate sales program
B. Back-haul allowance
C. Cooperative merchandise agreement
D. Producing plant allowance
Answer: C

Chapter 10
1. What is a price reduction offered to a customer?
A. Coupon
B. Rebate
C. Premium
D. Sweepstakes
Answer: A

2. Which is NOT a factor of international consumer promotions?
A. difficult to centralize
B. laws vary
C. requires experienced coordination
D. brand switching
Answer: D

Chapter 11
1. Which is NOT a factor when enhancing a manufacturers brand?
A. provide training for retail salespeople
B. advertising extensively
C. offer trade contests and incentives
D. telemarketing
Answer: D

Coupons

While on the search for online coupons, I came across a few Web-sites that I really liked. I found one called fatwallet.com that was interesting. You could put in a name of any store and the site lets you know if there is a coupon available. Also, RetailMeNot.com was an interesting coupon site because you could actually type in your zip code, and it provides coupons within your specific area. I like certain beauty products, and sometimes they can be expensive. But, I found a coupon on fatwallet.com that offered 20% off a single item at ULTA Beauty. Father's Day is also coming up, and Barnes & Noble has a few deals, one specifically dealing with cd box sets, and my dad is a big fan of music so that might be a good idea.

Blog 9

Sunday May, 31 2009
12pm: Woke up
1pm: went to Wendy's
1:15: stopped by a friends house
1:30- 3:30: went to Spillway
3:30-5:00: went to friends house to play bags and layout
5:00-8:00: showered, ate dinner and relaxed
8:00-10:00: watched Video Music Awards on MTV
10:00-11:00: got ready for bed
11:00-12:00: watched Sex & the City
12:00- bed

Monday June, 1 2009
8am: woke up, breakfast, got ready for class
9-11 am:
11- 1: laundry, cleaned room
1:20-3:30- marketing 305 class
3:30: checked facebook, webmail, and blackboard
4:00: friend came over, went to gas station
4:30-8:00: sat outside on the porch and socialized with neighbors
8:00-9:00: hung out with my roomate
9:00-?: tv, get ready for bed

Blog 8

Chapter 4
1. Which of the following is NOT an opportunity within the Promotions Opportunity Analysis?
a. ignored customers
b. brand positioning
c. saturated markets
d. current company customers
Answer: d

2. Which of the following is a factor impacting promotion and sales that uses a s-curve?
a. threshold effects
b. carryover effects
c. decay effects
d. wear out effects
Answer: a


Chapter 5
1. Who prepares the creative brief?
a. client
b. account executive
c. traffic manager
d. creatives
Answer: b

2.Which of the following does the traffic manager NOT do?
a. ensure work gets completed
b. prepare creative brief
c. manage work flow
d. works with everyone in the agency
Answer: b

Chapter 6
1. True of False, there is no direct relationship between advertising and sales.
Answer: True

2. What is the universal language that makes advertising possible and is more likely to transcend cultural barriers?
a. visual esperanto
b. dual coding process
c. radio visual imagery
d. processing of images
Answer: a

Chapter 7
1. Which of the following is not part of the cognitive message strategy?
a. comparative
b. hyperbole
c. preemptive
d. resonance
Answer: d

Blog 7

Rachel is 21 and a student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is about 5'10" with brown hair and green eyes. She was raised in a suburb of Chicago and didn't move until college. She will be a senior in the fall. She's a very dedicated student with a great social life. She has many close girlfriends and is also very close to her family. She dates around but is currently single. She really enjoys working out, outdoor activities, and water sports. She is very athletic but also has a prevelant feminine side. She has a trendy bohemian style when it comes to clothes, and she doesn't have a favorite store. Her favorite magazines are Cosmopolitan and Allure. Her favorite shows include Gossip Girl and anything on the Lifetime network. In the future, she hopes to live in California and eventually have a family of her own.

Blog 6

Rapaille makes a good point in 'why do people do what they do'. The way that we feel about a product, and our emotions toward it, makes way for our decision making process about actually purchasing it. It is a deeper look about how we decide to buy a product. I always think through before I make a purchase, hardly ever purchasing at random. He also states that consumers are driven my unconscious needs. I can definitely relate to this point. I think that he is on the right track with his points about marketing and consumers.
Frank Luntz was interesting to watch. He says that it doesn't matter what you tell people, it's what they want to hear. He is more interested in how we feel then how we think. The film also pointed out how he merchandises ideas and a movement. I think his view can help advertisers because it pertains more to the language. However, the political advertisements don't affect the way that I vote. I tend to stick with what I believe in, and I don't pay too much attention to the ads. But, word choice is key.
Narrowcasting is the act of spreading information to a more specific group, rather than the general public. This seems like the best way to market and sell your product. It's the future because as of now, consumers are constantly surrounded by advertisements (clutter), so this helps your message to be more focused.