Assign 6: Clicks and Delivery

Clicks


Clicks are an inaccurate measure because some of them are pop-up ads that are purposely placed in the way. They are intrusive in a sense that an individual doesn't know why the news story they are trying to read will not come up. Eventually, they realize an animated ad was placed strategically over the story for individuals to possibly get distracted by advertisements for their goods or services. It's also an inadequate measure because of click fraud, but in the article, they question how affective an ad can be if the individual is set on buying their product anyway.


In all honesty, I believe clicks are inadequate because I have been fooled on several occasions by pop-up advertising. Most of the time, I don't click on side-bar advertising because I see them as an alternative to what I'm originally searching for. Only when I'm intent on buying do I actually click.


I will say, to a certain extent, we are cheapening the value of the click because of click fraud, accidental clicks, and by devaluing a small percentage of customers who do change their mind based off online advertising; however, we can't really say how affective it is if results only slightly speak for themselves.


To be frank, I like Google Ad Planner as a way of measure. If there was a way to measure specific ads verses just clicked upon website via demographics, there would be a more efficient way of marketing towards our target audience. I mean, in general, all a company can do is try to remain top-of-mind, so they have to make the consumer know they are there.


Delivery


The solution the article offers is based upon time. The more time an ad spends in front of a consumer, the sooner the consumer will remember their company. Even though it's a very open-ended statement, there's truth within it where I agree. If the ad is there time after time, I will eventually pay attention to it. The company or ad may not have relevance to my life at the time, but eventually, it can. As far as making a change in online advertising, I don't think there really is a greater solution, yet. Consumers have a choice to pay attention because they are in control unlike through the use of tradition media, so until someone finds a way to monopolize the internet, all advertisers can do is wait.

Assign: 5

Most of the ads that targeted me had several similar qualities that mirrored my lifestyle. I've been in a relationship for four years; I love to travel; and, I enjoy a new experience!


I didn't see many targeting mechanisms; however, I noticed that Facebook matched my progression, whereas the lipstikmag.com matched my spontaneous personality.


Some of the products were relevant, but at the same time, I was shown a link to engagement rings on one page and a link to match.com on another. I think there's more ambiguity on larger websites like cnn.com or msn.com. Although, I was curious as to whether they chose to show me the cholestorol medication because of my age groups tendency to grab fast food or because my race is prone to high cholestorol.


One truth that uncovered my willing blind eyes was that I never noticed how congruent online advertising was to my life. I always chose to look past on purpose so I would never get caught up in the constant distraction that floods the television, magazines, etc. If it wasn't for this homework assignment, I would probably still be in the dark. But... then, why would you want the consumers to know how closely their lives are being monitored...??? Toooooo freaky.

Assign 4: Super Bowl Buzz

It was really hard to choose one commercial because they were all truly unique. When going about selecting the best commercial with the most follow, I had to do some dwindling. It was kind of hard to focus on twitter because I wasn’t familiar with it. So, instead, I chose to use youtube.com and track the flow from several viewers over the course of a few days.


Initially, I looked at the number of views tracked and comments made by users, but with the love building Google commercial, I noticed it had been available online for at least two months. With over 3 million views and 3,000 comments—half of which were posted after the commercial aired during the 2010 Super Bowl—I chose to investigate further.


I wanted to look at the Doritos commercial with the child slapping the man looking to take his mother out on a date; the decision came mostly because of the buzz made throughout the internet; however, with only half a million views and less than 900 comments since the commercial was uploaded, it still paled in comparison with Google and its connection with their audience.


The third top commercial—based on Youtube user views—was the Betty White Snickers commercial. Even though the commercial had been viewed over 1.3 million times in the past six days, less than 400 comments were left about the advertisement.
So, the commercial I chose to stick with was the Google commercial. It impressed me how much the users identified with Google. The idea of going viral—or having a general television commercial—is to get people talking. That was exactly what they did. Google shared an identity through love and courage. Some people spoke about how they were given chills or how the ad made them cry. Others spoke about how smart it was or how it cheered them up. And then, there were others who were so inspired that they had to find out the background music to the advertisement.


The overall idea Google captured was the insight of connecting. Initially, I didn’t believe it would captivate so many users because the commercial wasn’t made to be funny; it was made to be real. Google represented the American love story; and, through them, consumers found their fairytale too.


I didn’t think Google had many negatives. Some viewers felt the commercial could have been more creative; however, I saw it as a story where the user could paint the pages with their image. Others seemed to be completely turned off to the aspect of love, but that wasn’t anything Google could change.


I’m not too sure what Google can do to amp chatter. People are commenting on it as I type this paper. So, I probably wouldn’t change a thing.

Assignment #3

A local client that's a good candidate for GOMC is Mary’s Restaurant. I chose this restaurant because I had no idea it existed. Whenever my boyfriend and I went out to eat, we’d drive to Marion because we were so tired of the same old recipes and scents from local restaurants. I had no idea how interesting Carbondale was until I picked up our 2009-2010 Regional Dining Guide. Because they aren’t well known, I’d assume that many other students don’t know about the restaurant unless they’re tipped off by locals of Carbondale.


Their target audience seems to be an older crowd. They serve wine and also hold a bed and breakfast. So, I’d say it’s a place for mature couples who like to bask in romantic and dimly lit locations.
They do have a website. It is the following:
http://www.marysfinedining.com/home


Another interesting place around Carbondale is the Kokopelli Golf Club. I chose this place because of how chic and confident the place looked. Their target audience seemed to be the “country club” type and/or upper-middle class; however, besides Kokopelli having an outstanding golf course, they serve decadent cuisines as well. It’s a place to relax from day to night without taking any breaks.
They have a website, and it’s the following:
http://www.kokopelligolf.com/p_events.php