September 7, 2008 12 Comments

The Way I Wish Advertising Worked

John Chow is a smart guy. In fact, I’m regretting to death that I didn’t bend his ear when he was in Boston at the Affiliate Summit. I just didn’t know him well, and didn’t know exactly what I would’ve wanted to ask. He spends a lot of time figuring out how to make money online, which isn’t usually my beat.

Know what got me to write about him? Crabs. Watch this video:

What came to mind after watching that video was, “Oh man, I *MUST* go to that restaurant the next time I’m visiting Washington state.” I mean, hunger pains level of desire just shot into me. If you like seafood, you must agree with me. Right?

That’s better than any ad in any paper, or any banner on John’s site.

That’s the way I wish advertising worked.

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  • http://www.TheDataDigger.com Lara, The Data Digger

    Ahh but advertising DOES work that way. How do you think Dolce & Gabana sells cheap sunglasses for $500 a pair? The tabloids photograph the celebrity of the moment; said celebrity is wearing a pair of designer sunglasses-given to them as a “gift” no less. Fans of noted celebrity flock to the store to buy the designer sunglasses.

    Isn’t that what Oscar night is all about? Designers long to have a celebrity wear their creation down the red carpet. Why? The audience will catapult the designer into famedom.

    Up and coming company wants to market its product. They just happen to make a cheap poor tasting Vodka. Company does in depth market research. They want to target a specific demographic. They choose Pdiddy to be their spokesperson. Slap an outrageous price tag on the product. Advertise to Pdiddy’s fans. Stores cannot keep the Vodka on the shelves.

    Perhaps I missed what you saw but John Chow did not convince me to go to the Crab Pot. In my lil blip o’the world, steamed blue crabs, oysters and clams are a specialty. I am very familiar with seafood feasts. Ok so maybe that makes me a food snob. I am more inclined to think John Chow did not have the “celebrity” status for me. Now, if Chris Brogan said I should go…..

  • http://www.TheDataDigger.com Lara, The Data Digger

    Ahh but advertising DOES work that way. How do you think Dolce & Gabana sells cheap sunglasses for $500 a pair? The tabloids photograph the celebrity of the moment; said celebrity is wearing a pair of designer sunglasses-given to them as a “gift” no less. Fans of noted celebrity flock to the store to buy the designer sunglasses.

    Isn’t that what Oscar night is all about? Designers long to have a celebrity wear their creation down the red carpet. Why? The audience will catapult the designer into famedom.

    Up and coming company wants to market its product. They just happen to make a cheap poor tasting Vodka. Company does in depth market research. They want to target a specific demographic. They choose Pdiddy to be their spokesperson. Slap an outrageous price tag on the product. Advertise to Pdiddy’s fans. Stores cannot keep the Vodka on the shelves.

    Perhaps I missed what you saw but John Chow did not convince me to go to the Crab Pot. In my lil blip o’the world, steamed blue crabs, oysters and clams are a specialty. I am very familiar with seafood feasts. Ok so maybe that makes me a food snob. I am more inclined to think John Chow did not have the “celebrity” status for me. Now, if Chris Brogan said I should go…..

  • http://www.TheDataDigger.com Lara, The Data Digger

    Ahh but advertising DOES work that way. How do you think Dolce & Gabana sells cheap sunglasses for $500 a pair? The tabloids photograph the celebrity of the moment; said celebrity is wearing a pair of designer sunglasses-given to them as a “gift” no less. Fans of noted celebrity flock to the store to buy the designer sunglasses.

    Isn’t that what Oscar night is all about? Designers long to have a celebrity wear their creation down the red carpet. Why? The audience will catapult the designer into famedom.

    Up and coming company wants to market its product. They just happen to make a cheap poor tasting Vodka. Company does in depth market research. They want to target a specific demographic. They choose Pdiddy to be their spokesperson. Slap an outrageous price tag on the product. Advertise to Pdiddy’s fans. Stores cannot keep the Vodka on the shelves.

    Perhaps I missed what you saw but John Chow did not convince me to go to the Crab Pot. In my lil blip o’the world, steamed blue crabs, oysters and clams are a specialty. I am very familiar with seafood feasts. Ok so maybe that makes me a food snob. I am more inclined to think John Chow did not have the “celebrity” status for me. Now, if Chris Brogan said I should go…..

  • http://www.ourmonmouthblog.com IMNJ

    I personally think it had nothing to do with John other than a referral. If you have a great (or in this case extremely appetizing) product a referral does wonders.

    Lara – For the record I think John does have celebrity status in the blogging community, but that is just one blogger opinion.

  • http://www.ourmonmouthblog.com IMNJ

    I personally think it had nothing to do with John other than a referral. If you have a great (or in this case extremely appetizing) product a referral does wonders.

    Lara – For the record I think John does have celebrity status in the blogging community, but that is just one blogger opinion.

  • http://www.ourmonmouthblog.com IMNJ

    I personally think it had nothing to do with John other than a referral. If you have a great (or in this case extremely appetizing) product a referral does wonders.

    Lara – For the record I think John does have celebrity status in the blogging community, but that is just one blogger opinion.

  • http://www.ourmonmouthblog.com IMNJ

    I personally think it had nothing to do with John other than a referral. If you have a great (or in this case extremely appetizing) product a referral does wonders.

    Lara – For the record I think John does have celebrity status in the blogging community, but that is just one blogger opinion.

  • http://www.printplace.com/printing/booklet-printing.aspx Booklet Printing | PrintPlace

    I have to disagree with you here. I love seafood, but that video did not make me want to go to the Crab Pot. Maybe it’s because I like shrimp and there was plenty of shrimp left on the table, but it didn’t do much for me. If he would have explained how good the crab tasted, then maybe. I think a well-designed and shot commercial video would work better in this case.

  • http://www.printplace.com/printing/booklet-printing.aspx Booklet Printing | PrintPlace

    I have to disagree with you here. I love seafood, but that video did not make me want to go to the Crab Pot. Maybe it’s because I like shrimp and there was plenty of shrimp left on the table, but it didn’t do much for me. If he would have explained how good the crab tasted, then maybe. I think a well-designed and shot commercial video would work better in this case.

  • http://www.printplace.com/printing/booklet-printing.aspx Booklet Printing | PrintPlace

    I have to disagree with you here. I love seafood, but that video did not make me want to go to the Crab Pot. Maybe it’s because I like shrimp and there was plenty of shrimp left on the table, but it didn’t do much for me. If he would have explained how good the crab tasted, then maybe. I think a well-designed and shot commercial video would work better in this case.

  • http://www.printplace.com/printing/booklet-printing.aspx Booklet Printing | PrintPlace

    I have to disagree with you here. I love seafood, but that video did not make me want to go to the Crab Pot. Maybe it’s because I like shrimp and there was plenty of shrimp left on the table, but it didn’t do much for me. If he would have explained how good the crab tasted, then maybe. I think a well-designed and shot commercial video would work better in this case.

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