In response to Maggie's Post...

Question: Do you think our modern uses of advertising/marketing are positive or negative?? Why??

I think some modern uses of advertising and marketing can be positive. However, I believe most of the advertising and marketing in our world today is negative. Whether people realize it or not consumerism is so engrained into each and every one of us in society that material objects in a lot of cases have become a priority in people's daily lives. Yes, I do think there is a lot of focus on children and they are definitely the most vulnerable to these images and mindsets because their mind is absorbing everything around them like a sponge. I think adults today have been exposed to so much adversiting and marketing, thousands of times a day, throughout their whole lives that they are immune to the effect by this point. I think so much emphasis has been put on expensive, name-brand products through advertising and marketing that it is the norm. So when companies put out all different kinds of the same product or service that essentially does the same thing as a hundreds of others, consumers are more apt to buy that product just because of the branded label. I do wonder what life would really be like if consumerism wasn't the media's main focus for so many years leading up to today.

In response to Todd's Post...

Question: How do you guys feel about advertisers using temporary tattoos? Would you wear one?

I think by sending out temporary tattoos it would get people to look twice at the ad in the magazine wondering what the tattoo is for. Young adults may think it is cool or interesting to put one on for fun with their friends but wouldn't necessarily care what the ad is for. However, I think older adults would look at and be interested in the product but either chuckle or probably give the tattoo to their young children. The main group that is interested in temporary tattoos are young children so I think that if the kids wore them it they would be promoting something way past their age group. In most cases though I feel as if the children would just think they were cool, wear them and no one would really know they are promoting an alcholic beverage. I personally might put one on if my friends and I were just joking around having a good time but not with the intent of promoting the product or for many people to see it.

Game-based marketing

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-stoiber/consumers-will-save-the-w_b_1365050.html

This article explains the concept of AIR MILES For Social Change which is a Canadian company that aims to get consumers to buy more green products. The advocates for this company discuss the green intiative and how most advertising doesn't make a significant change in consumers' buying habits. However, swiping the AIR MILES card for most any purchase helps buyers accumulate points which lead to rewards/prizes. This led to another company called Green Rewards which has the same concept except consumers get green intiative rewards when they make sustainable choices. The owner of Green Rewards believes this approach to help consumers become more green has been more effective than past expensive ad campaigns. He also thinks by putting the mainstream idea of green behavior/thoughful consuption into consumers heads this will make more people want to buy sustainable products which in turn collects profit to produce more green products.

*Is this an effective way to get consumers to buy into a more green lifestyle or will the recovering economy cause buyers to continute to consume the cheapest products they can find without thinking about sustainability?

In response to Professor Johnson...

Question: Should John Smith sell the names? Also, Does the AMA Statement of Ethics address this issue? Go to the AMA website (American Marketing Association) and look at their Statement of Ethics. What in the Statement relates to John Smith's dilemma?

I don't think it would be ethical for John Smith to sell the names because he would be violating the privacy of all the respondents. Also, it would be jeopardizing his 75 employees' jobs because the firm is supposed to be honest to the people they surveyed. The AMA Statement of Ethics addresses the ethical values of Honesty, Responsibility, Fairness, Respect, Transparency, and Citizenship- each one of those values has something to do with being ethical and true to all those invested in the company. The one I think it most relates to is Honesty because selling the names just for personal advantage is shady and goes against being "truthful in all situations at all times".

*What would be an alternative, more ethical way for John Smith to make money to avoid laying off employees?

How to use LinkedIn Today

http://searchengineland.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-linkedin-today-how-to-optimize-your-presence-on-it-84029

This article written about 6 months ago written by Greg Finn explains the basics about the website LinkedIn Today. It is a website that is basically Facebook, StumbleUpon and Pinterest all in one. The site helps you connect with your peers about their interests and your interests to create common news about liked industries. I personally think this website is confusing and with Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon and even the new craze of Pinterest fans adding in another site that pretty much adds all that together is kind of overkill. I guess for certain people it could be helpful and interesting but to me I would get overstimulated which is why I only have a Facebook and StumbleUpon account and cannot even get into other popular sites such as Twitter.

*Do you think this site will become the next popular social networking type of site? Why or why not?

In response to Rachel's Post...

Question: What was your New Year’s resolution? And have you stuck to it?

My New Year's resolution was to start eating healthier. The problem with this resolution is I am a college student on a tight budget who is living off-campus. Therefore, when I go shopping for groceries I tend to buy the cheapest things that last the longest and you can imagine those items aren't usually apples and bananas. I did start eating healthier for awhile when I was still home at my parent's house for the rest of winter break. Unfortunately, as soon as I returned to my apartment I was only able to eat healthy a few times a week which then turned into once a week and now I eat healthy once in a while when my finances allow me to.

*What ideas would you suggest to someone trying to eat healthier on a very slim budget?

10 Ideas for Restaurant Marketing

According to foodservicewarehouse.com there are many marketing strategies for restaurants in today's society but the most important and innovative ones are:

1. Get good press

2. Create a website

3. Redesign the menu

4. Implement frequency marketing

5. Host events

6. Try up-selling

7. Market your take-out and delivery service

8. Promote through email

9. Commit to going green

10. Involve customers in a contest

I think all of these are good ideas to help restaurants market themselves but the one that I believe is the best one is to create a website. It seems as though every restaurant has a website these days but you'd be surprised at how many don't have one or if they do it's not very well put together. Not only having a website but having a well presented and appealing website is very important to draw customers in because a lot of people search the web to find a good place to go out to eat before they actually make a decision and head to the restaurant.

*What do you think is the most effective/useful technique mentioned above?

Source: http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/education/restaurant-marketing/top-ten-techniques.aspx