February 16, 2009 95 Comments

The Tricky Path of Brand Relationships

Cyndi Lauper was right: money changes everything. At least that’s what I was told in some informal surveys yesterday. I asked a series of questions to better understand people’s perspectives on products and brands and endorsements. My questions came after reading a bit more of The King of Madison Avenue, about David Ogilvy, and the rise of advertising. First, here’s what I asked:

What brands would you love to have the chance to represent passionately?

Most people had fast answers: Apple, Peets Coffee, One Laptop Per Child, Lexus. They were comfortable talking about the brands they loved, and sharing their enthusiasm.

I added a second question.

Now, if the brand paid you for the pleasure of representing them, does that change the equation? Would people’s view of your support change?

People bristled at once. Very few people suggested that this was an okay relationship. Most felt that by adding money, the opinion of the advocate was suspect. Interesting, eh?

Go another step:

So if I love Canadian Club, and could promote the hell out of it, the company should pay Crispin Porter Bogusky to make the ads?

Some people saw my point, but others held to the “money changes everything” equation. Press further:

Celebrities endorse brands for money. Do you feel they’re legit? Does it influence you?

Oh no. Not at all. Most people said that Tiger Woods wouldn’t tell you what to do. That’s not what Lindstrom tells us in Buyology, but why should I quibble?

The Larger Confusion

So let’s review:

People would love to endorse and support the brands they love.
People would be suspect of money changed hands related to that.
People don’t trust celebrity endorsements.
Advertising supposedly doesn’t work (if you listen to some).

See how those don’t really add up?

Or rather, what seems to be the next obvious step for brands would be just to build relationships of acknowledgment and appreciation between their passionate fans, but never incent them in any clear and obvious way. I imagine my PR friends like Todd Defren would be okay with that. He likes earned media.

But what does it mean overall?

I’m of the mind that content marketing is one way to supplement the declining impact of advertising. I believe the best possible minds to provide passion and insight into brands would be the customers who use them (not all customers, but those who intersect neatly the Venn diagrams of “can make decent media of some kind” and “really passionate about a product”). And yet, at least on the surface, this seems to upset or rile people.

What’s your take on it all? What am I finding here? What’s the view from your side of the street?

Photo credit quaziefoto

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http://netvibes.com/stevegrossman Steve

I’ve been interested in this topic for years Chris because it seems like the perfect model for social networking. Social Networking today has two pieces: an ad driven business model that gives users functionality for free – MySpace, Facebook, etc.

Those two pieces support walls. Walls to keep the users in – and all their communications too.

What you’re proposing removes the walls.
- Build me an “online home” with no restrictions in or out (controls, but no restrictions)
- Everything I send out – IM, e-mail, blog, link – has advertising representing my interests and choices.
- The “online home” host keeps the revenue in exchange for “free” or could split it with me and/or the destination site too. Whatever.
- The advertisers get direct access to people I know and presumably influence. Aka – targeted advertising to my friends, family, associates, etc.
http://netvibes.com/stevegrossman Steve

I’ve been interested in this topic for years Chris because it seems like the perfect model for social networking. Social Networking today has two pieces: an ad driven business model that gives users functionality for free – MySpace, Facebook, etc.

Those two pieces support walls. Walls to keep the users in – and all their communications too.

What you’re proposing removes the walls.
- Build me an “online home” with no restrictions in or out (controls, but no restrictions)
- Everything I send out – IM, e-mail, blog, link – has advertising representing my interests and choices.
- The “online home” host keeps the revenue in exchange for “free” or could split it with me and/or the destination site too. Whatever.
- The advertisers get direct access to people I know and presumably influence. Aka – targeted advertising to my friends, family, associates, etc.
http://modite.com/blog Rebecca

Take a look at the Walmart 11moms campaign – the moms are supposedly not getting paid, but do enjoy benefits, and there’s been a bit of divide (some publicly and some privately) over whether it’s viable, right and fair. There’s also many that love it. Companies do what they can, but they will always upset people because that’s the nature of corporate vs. individual.

It’s important to be as much a part of the conversation as possible. I personally think that one issue with the Walmart 11 moms campaign is that Walmart isn’t speaking themselves. Have endorsements, absolutely, but make sure you and your company are also a large part of the conversation.
http://modite.com/blog Rebecca

Take a look at the Walmart 11moms campaign – the moms are supposedly not getting paid, but do enjoy benefits, and there’s been a bit of divide (some publicly and some privately) over whether it’s viable, right and fair. There’s also many that love it. Companies do what they can, but they will always upset people because that’s the nature of corporate vs. individual.

It’s important to be as much a part of the conversation as possible. I personally think that one issue with the Walmart 11 moms campaign is that Walmart isn’t speaking themselves. Have endorsements, absolutely, but make sure you and your company are also a large part of the conversation.
http://www.michaelmurray.tv Michael Murray

Good survey!
Highlights the current incongruities even within out own community.
Until our mindsets shift into something slightly more practical (easy for advertisers to exploit) this area will always be one difficult to tackle.

I for one must cast a ballot against the “anit-celebrity” sterotype.

I believe them to be very successful.
I love John Legend, and his endorsement of Bailies is perfect.
Don’t tell me people don’t buy Air JORDANS anymore.

I believe that celebrity endoresement has become so commonplace that we not only do we not appreciate it anymore we avoid it.

Today the everyday man and the nonsensical seems to be selling far better.

Better ad tactic would be to place these very popular faces in some very awkward positioning for audiences to consume their brands. It would have the appeal of a car wreak. Can’t quite look away.

For example.

What if Joaquin Phoenix’ recent antics (and beard) were to endorse an aftershave?
Or Salma Hayeks overseas aid mission were sponsored by Land Rover?

Give us our celebrities being authentic about the brands they represent!
I love Demi Moore much more now that I can see her for who she is on twitter. No media bias or awkwardness. Double goes for her hubby.

So there….
http://www.michaelmurray.tv Michael Murray

Good survey!
Highlights the current incongruities even within out own community.
Until our mindsets shift into something slightly more practical (easy for advertisers to exploit) this area will always be one difficult to tackle.

I for one must cast a ballot against the “anit-celebrity” sterotype.

I believe them to be very successful.
I love John Legend, and his endorsement of Bailies is perfect.
Don’t tell me people don’t buy Air JORDANS anymore.

I believe that celebrity endoresement has become so commonplace that we not only do we not appreciate it anymore we avoid it.

Today the everyday man and the nonsensical seems to be selling far better.

Better ad tactic would be to place these very popular faces in some very awkward positioning for audiences to consume their brands. It would have the appeal of a car wreak. Can’t quite look away.

For example.

What if Joaquin Phoenix’ recent antics (and beard) were to endorse an aftershave?
Or Salma Hayeks overseas aid mission were sponsored by Land Rover?

Give us our celebrities being authentic about the brands they represent!
I love Demi Moore much more now that I can see her for who she is on twitter. No media bias or awkwardness. Double goes for her hubby.

So there….
http://www.brandfasttrackers.com Brian Martin

Successful advertising and marketing strategy is deeply rooted in science and strategy. Sure you can talk about celebrity advertising, or the hypothetical decline in advertising, but successful marketing takes more than just paid placement.
You mention Martin Lindstrom, who I’ve interviewed in my podcasts. If you truly interested in the science behind why we buy, might want to listen to it.
Being in the advertising and brand management industry for years, there are more optimal venues and ad placements for certain brands. Advertisers take in account optimal consumer dwell time – when is the best time to reach the consumer. We find in-flight advertising and vacation based venues are the best for reaching consumers during their dwell time.
For social media, would you say it’s on your blog? Is it on Twitter? Is it through a sponsored post? If you do sponsor a post, would consumers take your recommendations seriously?

@Jacqueline, you make a great point. One of the most solid ways to reach a consumer is through sampling. A consumer who tries a product and relates back to a positive experience is more likely to buy.

To brand successfully, advertise successfully, and market your product successfully takes engaging your consumer in multiple ways. Engaging in social media is only one avenue – but still you reach a niche market to which the blogger reaches. Advertising in-flight or even on TV, reaches a broader market in general.
http://www.brandfasttrackers.com Brian Martin

Successful advertising and marketing strategy is deeply rooted in science and strategy. Sure you can talk about celebrity advertising, or the hypothetical decline in advertising, but successful marketing takes more than just paid placement.
You mention Martin Lindstrom, who I’ve interviewed in my podcasts. If you truly interested in the science behind why we buy, might want to listen to it.
Being in the advertising and brand management industry for years, there are more optimal venues and ad placements for certain brands. Advertisers take in account optimal consumer dwell time – when is the best time to reach the consumer. We find in-flight advertising and vacation based venues are the best for reaching consumers during their dwell time.
For social media, would you say it’s on your blog? Is it on Twitter? Is it through a sponsored post? If you do sponsor a post, would consumers take your recommendations seriously?

@Jacqueline, you make a great point. One of the most solid ways to reach a consumer is through sampling. A consumer who tries a product and relates back to a positive experience is more likely to buy.

To brand successfully, advertise successfully, and market your product successfully takes engaging your consumer in multiple ways. Engaging in social media is only one avenue – but still you reach a niche market to which the blogger reaches. Advertising in-flight or even on TV, reaches a broader market in general.
http://www.firstcollegenowwhat.com Joe Mescher

I can see it now Chris…

Cut to you sitting in an oversized leather chair, wearing a tuxedo and holding a crystal tumbler full of Canadian Club (think Bill Murray in “Lost in Translation”). :-)

Seriously though, I’ve got no problem with a person being compensated to endorse a product, especially if they genuinely believe in its value.

The quality of their message will be directly tied to how straightforward their endorsement is anyhow.

Speaking of whiskey, ever tried Tullamore Dew?
http://www.firstcollegenowwhat.com Joe Mescher

I can see it now Chris…

Cut to you sitting in an oversized leather chair, wearing a tuxedo and holding a crystal tumbler full of Canadian Club (think Bill Murray in “Lost in Translation”). :-)

Seriously though, I’ve got no problem with a person being compensated to endorse a product, especially if they genuinely believe in its value.

The quality of their message will be directly tied to how straightforward their endorsement is anyhow.

Speaking of whiskey, ever tried Tullamore Dew?
http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

@Joe – I haven’t, but it sounds lovely.
http://chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

@Joe – I haven’t, but it sounds lovely.
http://www.hajjflemings.com/blog Hajj E. Flemings

I am sorry we live in a business world, product endorsements, commerical, and ads have been around for a long time and it is ethical for people to get paid. There are a variety of reasons people endorse products for one a person could be finanically distressed and really need the money.

People have to do their due diligences and be accountable for their own decisions. Every person has a motive when they push a product, the motive could be to help someone out or for a financial benefit. I feel that the social media space is some what behind in its approach to whether it is ethical, right or wrong to get paid to endorse products. A word of advice don’t take anything at face value.
http://www.hajjflemings.com/blog Hajj E. Flemings

I am sorry we live in a business world, product endorsements, commerical, and ads have been around for a long time and it is ethical for people to get paid. There are a variety of reasons people endorse products for one a person could be finanically distressed and really need the money.

People have to do their due diligences and be accountable for their own decisions. Every person has a motive when they push a product, the motive could be to help someone out or for a financial benefit. I feel that the social media space is some what behind in its approach to whether it is ethical, right or wrong to get paid to endorse products. A word of advice don’t take anything at face value.
http://www.ereleases.com Mickie Kennedy

While I agree that money changes everything and that celebrity endorsements do not say much about the quality of a product (except that the company has a high advertising budget), I do think that the endorsement brings awareness to a product. Many people will pay attention to an advertisement with a celebrity and then, at a later time, subconsciously rememeber or recall the product name and purchase that because they have heard the name before.
http://www.ereleases.com Mickie Kennedy

While I agree that money changes everything and that celebrity endorsements do not say much about the quality of a product (except that the company has a high advertising budget), I do think that the endorsement brings awareness to a product. Many people will pay attention to an advertisement with a celebrity and then, at a later time, subconsciously rememeber or recall the product name and purchase that because they have heard the name before.
http://www.asthemoonclimbs.com Mary

No getting around it, money corrupts.
I’m put in mind of the honorable tradition of critics, producing published reviews of art, performance, literature. These thought leaders’ endorsement of the product is essential to the latter’s success, but any salary is paid by the publisher, and (supposedly) no influence of money has sullied the critic’s respected and educated evaluation.
If the publisher is the critic, however (as in the case of a blogger), even more must the separation of monetary reward and detached judgment be made clear.
If your blog claims to be an honest reporting of your observations, and if its content is intended to be taken seriously in the long term, what you write can’t be connected to financial reward.
http://www.asthemoonclimbs.com Mary

No getting around it, money corrupts.
I’m put in mind of the honorable tradition of critics, producing published reviews of art, performance, literature. These thought leaders’ endorsement of the product is essential to the latter’s success, but any salary is paid by the publisher, and (supposedly) no influence of money has sullied the critic’s respected and educated evaluation.
If the publisher is the critic, however (as in the case of a blogger), even more must the separation of monetary reward and detached judgment be made clear.
If your blog claims to be an honest reporting of your observations, and if its content is intended to be taken seriously in the long term, what you write can’t be connected to financial reward.
Janet Ryan

Chris, consumers want to think of themselves as rational, and answer rational questions with rational answers. But most buying rationalizations appear (based on latest research…which I’d have to look up to cite properly) to happen after the buying decision, to convince ourselves we were right. Beyond that, consumers lie on surveys regularly, especially when asked for that opinion in an open forum. we can’t help, we give the politically accepted ‘right’ answer, and usually have n oidea what the truth really is.

Back in my print media days, it was widely known (in industry) that if readers told the truth about magazine readership, the New Yorker would have tens of millions of paid subs and Playboy/Hustler, none.

So, do celebrity endorsements influence consumers work? of course they do. If you pay attention to a shoe ad simply because a sports star got your attention, that ad was more effective than if you’d changed channels or turned the page. Does that make endorsements a surefire approach…of course not, needs the right magic combination of celebrity fit, product perception, marketing objectives, sales process, channelmix…and even then all can collapse when your celebrity gets bad personal press. So its a very tricky and costly solution that is only sometimes right.

Content marketing? Absolutely. I am convinced it is the future in a UGC/ “consumers control the medium” world. But I don’t think it will come from paying consumers to endorse (there is, as your survey showed, a high ICK factor to that one). I think it will come from marketers, media and leading edge consumers interacting authentically to find the case by case examples,

Just my $0.02…@janmaran

Janet
Janet Ryan

Chris, consumers want to think of themselves as rational, and answer rational questions with rational answers. But most buying rationalizations appear (based on latest research…which I’d have to look up to cite properly) to happen after the buying decision, to convince ourselves we were right. Beyond that, consumers lie on surveys regularly, especially when asked for that opinion in an open forum. we can’t help, we give the politically accepted ‘right’ answer, and usually have n oidea what the truth really is.

Back in my print media days, it was widely known (in industry) that if readers told the truth about magazine readership, the New Yorker would have tens of millions of paid subs and Playboy/Hustler, none.

So, do celebrity endorsements influence consumers work? of course they do. If you pay attention to a shoe ad simply because a sports star got your attention, that ad was more effective than if you’d changed channels or turned the page. Does that make endorsements a surefire approach…of course not, needs the right magic combination of celebrity fit, product perception, marketing objectives, sales process, channelmix…and even then all can collapse when your celebrity gets bad personal press. So its a very tricky and costly solution that is only sometimes right.

Content marketing? Absolutely. I am convinced it is the future in a UGC/ “consumers control the medium” world. But I don’t think it will come from paying consumers to endorse (there is, as your survey showed, a high ICK factor to that one). I think it will come from marketers, media and leading edge consumers interacting authentically to find the case by case examples,

Just my $0.02…@janmaran

Janet
http://www.obannonsleap.com Scott

Chris, I have to agree with Janet’s comments here. Before moving online I spent a lifetime in retail sales and marketing. I can recall a rigged survey I once ran on in-store promotional signs where we surveyed customers as they entered the store, had special promotional displays setup on the sales floor specifically matching the survey questions, and then monitored the customer’s purchases as they cashed out. This was all permission based by the way, nothing Big Brother about the checkout monitoring.

An overwhelming majority of the shoppers who took the survey went on to make purchasing decisions that directly contradicted their given responses. I can’t recall the exact numbers so many years later, but the bottom line was people lie when asked what motivates their purchasing decisions.

I’m not sure it’s as much about trying to rationalize or “fit in” by saying what’s expected, so much as it may be that there’s a difference in the thought process of many people from when they’re in discussion mode to when they’re in shopping mode.

I myself believe that paying more for a cup of coffee than a gallon of fuel is insane, $40 a gallon for coffee seems crazy to most people if you say it out loud, yet if I’m meeting a friend and they suggest the local coffee shop I order the $4 cup of coffee every time without a second thought.

The difference is my thought process in conversation or sitting here at my desk vs. standing at that coffee counter.
http://www.obannonsleap.com Scott

Chris, I have to agree with Janet’s comments here. Before moving online I spent a lifetime in retail sales and marketing. I can recall a rigged survey I once ran on in-store promotional signs where we surveyed customers as they entered the store, had special promotional displays setup on the sales floor specifically matching the survey questions, and then monitored the customer’s purchases as they cashed out. This was all permission based by the way, nothing Big Brother about the checkout monitoring.

An overwhelming majority of the shoppers who took the survey went on to make purchasing decisions that directly contradicted their given responses. I can’t recall the exact numbers so many years later, but the bottom line was people lie when asked what motivates their purchasing decisions.

I’m not sure it’s as much about trying to rationalize or “fit in” by saying what’s expected, so much as it may be that there’s a difference in the thought process of many people from when they’re in discussion mode to when they’re in shopping mode.

I myself believe that paying more for a cup of coffee than a gallon of fuel is insane, $40 a gallon for coffee seems crazy to most people if you say it out loud, yet if I’m meeting a friend and they suggest the local coffee shop I order the $4 cup of coffee every time without a second thought.

The difference is my thought process in conversation or sitting here at my desk vs. standing at that coffee counter.
http://crystalsquest.com CrystalsQuest

Mary, I disagree. Money doesn’t corrupt. Money is an amplifier – if you’re corrupt already, it’ll make it more obvious. If you’re generous already, it’ll let you be more so.
It’s too easy for people to blame their own motivations on the things that they use to express them.
http://crystalsquest.com CrystalsQuest

Mary, I disagree. Money doesn’t corrupt. Money is an amplifier – if you’re corrupt already, it’ll make it more obvious. If you’re generous already, it’ll let you be more so.
It’s too easy for people to blame their own motivations on the things that they use to express them.
http://www.calliopeworkshop.com Laura Zavelson

I think the one positive thing about content marketing is that the amount of influence you have is only as good as your last recommendation. In advertising, there really isn’t a trust relationship so if they tell me about a product and it’s terrible who am I not going to trust? The manufacturer, certainly. But it’s not like I know what agency made the ad. They have a chance to “get” me again. People have had enough of those experiences so what can they do but not trust any of them. Hence the downward trend in advertising effectiveness.

Celebrities are a nice try if we could trust them, but they generally have another job. What do they care if we buy the car and it sucks and we stop trusting them. We’ll probably still go see their movie/golf match/whatever.

However, the Chris Brogans and Seth Godins and TwitterMoms of the world are different. Their recommendations actually affect their JOBS. So why do I care whether or not they’re getting paid to make recommendations? That’s generally why I’m seeking them out in the first place. And the first or second time they tell me something is great and it sucks I’m going to stop trusting them. If that happens a lot they will lose influence and poof! no more job. For the consumer, the content advertising model has less risk and lower switching costs than the traditional advertising model and so it’s less about who is getting paid and more about the trust. (and the transparency of the revenue stream is part of that trust)

I think this issue is more about the internal ethics required of the recommender because it’s darn hard to get something for free or get paid and then have to say it’s bad.
http://www.calliopeworkshop.com Laura Zavelson

I think the one positive thing about content marketing is that the amount of influence you have is only as good as your last recommendation. In advertising, there really isn’t a trust relationship so if they tell me about a product and it’s terrible who am I not going to trust? The manufacturer, certainly. But it’s not like I know what agency made the ad. They have a chance to “get” me again. People have had enough of those experiences so what can they do but not trust any of them. Hence the downward trend in advertising effectiveness.

Celebrities are a nice try if we could trust them, but they generally have another job. What do they care if we buy the car and it sucks and we stop trusting them. We’ll probably still go see their movie/golf match/whatever.

However, the Chris Brogans and Seth Godins and TwitterMoms of the world are different. Their recommendations actually affect their JOBS. So why do I care whether or not they’re getting paid to make recommendations? That’s generally why I’m seeking them out in the first place. And the first or second time they tell me something is great and it sucks I’m going to stop trusting them. If that happens a lot they will lose influence and poof! no more job. For the consumer, the content advertising model has less risk and lower switching costs than the traditional advertising model and so it’s less about who is getting paid and more about the trust. (and the transparency of the revenue stream is part of that trust)

I think this issue is more about the internal ethics required of the recommender because it’s darn hard to get something for free or get paid and then have to say it’s bad.
http://lenalindstrom.blogspot.com Lena

I honestly don’t know what to think of this :)
Interesting thread and good reader comments.
http://lenalindstrom.blogspot.com Lena

I honestly don’t know what to think of this :)
Interesting thread and good reader comments.
Pingback: Financial advice | Finance Articles
http://appsapps.info app

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, consumers have a vested interest in the success of products & services that they use and feel strongly positive about.

If these products fail due to bad marketing, the consumer loses what they love. And in some cases, that can be quite painful.

Word of mouth advertising can make up for poor marketing when enough consumers that love a particular product tell others about it.

Anyone that loves a product and out of their own free will tells others about it, without any thought of monetary compensation, still hopes to receive compensation, in the form of continued product availability, even if this thought is only lying just below the conscious surface.

For most, this is enough compensation and they consider their endorsement an investment in their own consumer happiness. And for many, accepting money in exchange for an endorsement somehow may imply (subconsciously?) that they would rather have the money than the product, itself.

These feelings may partly be the basis for the mistrust of paid endorsements in general, as if to say that if you accept money you don’t really love the product. (also goes hand-in-hand with the general mistrust of people that trade words for money, is that being paid to say anything also equals being paid to lie)

But I wonder if they would feel the same about bragging about their favorite toothpaste, if the company offered them a years supply of the product they love as compensation. Would they trust a celebrity endorsement if the compensation wasn’t money and was product, instead? Would that have any effect on the consumer’s perceived integrity of the endorser?

BTW: Thank you very much for this article. Between this one and a recent conversation with my daughter about providing free advertising for lesser known products she loves, on Facebook, I managed to squeeze a related blog post out of it.
http://cranialsoup.blogspot.com app

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, consumers have a vested interest in the success of products & services that they use and feel strongly positive about.

If these products fail due to bad marketing, the consumer loses what they love. And in some cases, that can be quite painful.

Word of mouth advertising can make up for poor marketing when enough consumers that love a particular product tell others about it.

Anyone that loves a product and out of their own free will tells others about it, without any thought of monetary compensation, still hopes to receive compensation, in the form of continued product availability, even if this thought is only lying just below the conscious surface.

For most, this is enough compensation and they consider their endorsement an investment in their own consumer happiness. And for many, accepting money in exchange for an endorsement somehow may imply (subconsciously?) that they would rather have the money than the product, itself.

These feelings may partly be the basis for the mistrust of paid endorsements in general, as if to say that if you accept money you don’t really love the product. (also goes hand-in-hand with the general mistrust of people that trade words for money, is that being paid to say anything also equals being paid to lie)

But I wonder if they would feel the same about bragging about their favorite toothpaste, if the company offered them a years supply of the product they love as compensation. Would they trust a celebrity endorsement if the compensation wasn’t money and was product, instead? Would that have any effect on the consumer’s perceived integrity of the endorser?

BTW: Thank you very much for this article. Between this one and a recent conversation with my daughter about providing free advertising for lesser known products she loves, on Facebook, I managed to squeeze a related blog post out of it.
http://www.neurowebbook.com Susan Weinschenk

I have a chapter in my book about social validation and another about similarity. People look to others to know what to do (esp. if there is uncertainty). I think some of what you are talking about here is about this concept of social validation. People listen to other people, especially if they think they are similar to them. On the other hand, people don’t really know why they do what they do (another chapter in my book). But they like to think they do, so they make up reasons for their own behavior. Advertising works, and people buy what celebrities say they should… The answers to your survey questions might not match real behavior during the buying process.
http://www.neurowebbook.com Susan Weinschenk

I have a chapter in my book about social validation and another about similarity. People look to others to know what to do (esp. if there is uncertainty). I think some of what you are talking about here is about this concept of social validation. People listen to other people, especially if they think they are similar to them. On the other hand, people don’t really know why they do what they do (another chapter in my book). But they like to think they do, so they make up reasons for their own behavior. Advertising works, and people buy what celebrities say they should… The answers to your survey questions might not match real behavior during the buying process.
http://appsapps.info app

What’s funny is how some people react to celebrity endorsements of product & services.

I am not sure if James Earl Jones did anything to increase the number of people that saw Verizon favorably, but I know a number of people that felt that him taking that job lowered their opinion of him. They lost a lot of respect for him for endorsing a product and attaching his name, face, & voice to it. They felt he was better than that and taking a job like that was beneath him.
http://cranialsoup.blogspot.com app

What’s funny is how some people react to celebrity endorsements of product & services.

I am not sure if James Earl Jones did anything to increase the number of people that saw Verizon favorably, but I know a number of people that felt that him taking that job lowered their opinion of him. They lost a lot of respect for him for endorsing a product and attaching his name, face, & voice to it. They felt he was better than that and taking a job like that was beneath him.
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http://www.natashasartcandy.com Natasha Wescoat

I think it’s a conscience issue. If we feel like we are free to say what we wish, and the product empowers us, we are always more likely to share with others or shout at the rooftops. Direct benefits to advertising and word of mouth seems to be the antithesis to sharing something you love. It’s almost like we’re being TOLD to share, rather than welcomed…to share. Regardless of the good intentions of advertising incentive programs.
http://www.natashasartcandy.com Natasha Wescoat

I think it’s a conscience issue. If we feel like we are free to say what we wish, and the product empowers us, we are always more likely to share with others or shout at the rooftops. Direct benefits to advertising and word of mouth seems to be the antithesis to sharing something you love. It’s almost like we’re being TOLD to share, rather than welcomed…to share. Regardless of the good intentions of advertising incentive programs.
Pingback: Social Media Marketing- The 10 Commandments of Social Media Marketing | SocialMediaBlogster.com
http://www.walterpinson.com Beth Pinson

Make the customer excited. With the economy tight, the customer is in charge and they want to be excited. Businesses have to meet customers on a level that makes them feel engaged. Walter Pinson speaks on this in his blog Hyundai schools us on Relationship Marketing
http://www.walterpinson.com Beth Pinson

Make the customer excited. With the economy tight, the customer is in charge and they want to be excited. Businesses have to meet customers on a level that makes them feel engaged. Walter Pinson speaks on this in his blog Hyundai schools us on Relationship Marketing
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