Comments for Marketing Solutions Group

Comment on The Importance of a Clear Message by Terry McDonald

Terry McDonald — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:09:26 +0000

Wow…had to click on your enlarged view to finally figure out what the subject of the ad WAS…yeeesh. I guess they’re going for hip and cool, but what good does it do if the viewer, in a car zooming by, doesn’t have time to figure it out?

Comment on Keeping Distractions Down by Audra

Audra — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:34:49 +0000

I agree with you Gary!

Comment on Keeping Distractions Down by Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:55:52 +0000

Hi Gary,

I thought the image was amusing, however, maybe it is the darkness of the photo, but, I didn’t even notice the information on the top of the billboard.
It gave me a smile – that was about all.

BTW, check your spelling – “next Thursday”

Comment on Keeping Distractions Down by Doug Hogue

Doug Hogue — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:23:19 +0000

Too many words. Too many messages. Outdoor should be limited to seven words with one message and who it’s from. A different visual solution showing a “real” woman before and after with just the phone number and the name of the company would have done it.

Comment on Savvy or Tacky Marketing? by GaryB

GaryB — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:42:19 +0000

In reply to Doug Hogue.

Thanks for your thoughtful observations. It’s possible that you’ve gone a shade deeper into the marketing motives than the broadbrush, “first impression,” moment — when a person sees those posters in the windows for the first time.

Comment on Savvy or Tacky Marketing? by GaryB

GaryB — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:38:30 +0000

In reply to Saul Bromberger.

Thanks for your thoughts, Saul. The irony of “the audience they’re trying to reach,” is that the institution (the building) is pretty much on a side street — not a main thoroughfare…

Comment on Savvy or Tacky Marketing? by GaryB

GaryB — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:35:41 +0000

In reply to B Nott. Thanks for your thoughts, Bill. You're right on: the institution needs to be careful about the perception that the posters are butcher paper in the windows!!

Comment on Savvy or Tacky Marketing? by B Nott

B Nott — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:25:40 +0000

It does attract the eye, but not necessarily in a positive way – for me at least. I’m more interested in the stability of the institution where I keep my money. Here you have an elegant building that says “big & stable”. The signs give the appearance that they need my money and giving something for free to get it. All financial institutions seem offer something “free” until you read the fine print. tend to distrust the appearance of ‘gimmicks’ The sign that refers to the “Credit Union Difference” would peak my curiosity more. Also, the frequency/placement looks more like an auto dealership. The style of the signs themselves are OK. But I respond more to stability, integrity, safety and accessibility to my money. Caveat – I’m an older male that is tight with money & don’t respond the way most people do – which is why mass marketing surveys tend to ignore me!!! I was at my bank yesterday & 2 managers were hovering over the teller trying to urge me to open another account – unsuccessfully. You have your work cut out for you!!

Comment on Savvy or Tacky Marketing? by Saul Bromberger

Saul Bromberger — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Good to see you today Gary, and glad you’ve put this up for discussion. My take is that these posters would be more appropriate at a 7-11, a low cost clothing store, a hardware store, and so on. The advertising posters on these windows given that it’s a financial institution would work better for me if they were presented in a much more esthetic and pleasing way – one that isn’t so jarring, and out of place. J S Gilbert’s suggestion of a nice LED reader board could work really well. This is all about marketing that needs to appropriate for the audience we’re trying to reach.

Comment on Savvy or Tacky Marketing? by Doug Hogue

Doug Hogue — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:15 +0000

Hi Gary: My thoughts about the signs in the credit union windows are that it is impossible to validly assess their marketing approach being an outsider. It’s been awhile since I did creative, but one thing a lot of consumers don’t know, is that often a particular communication isn’t directed at them. I see commercials all the time that are created for a certain market THAT I’M NOT IN. Unfortunately, we all have to sit through (or not) endless repetition of commercials that aren’t even aimed at us specifically. What needs to be know is why this strategy is in place. What is their competition doing? What research lead them in this direction? Who are they talking to? What else is being done as a part of this particular marketing “campaign”? Also, where is this taking place? This might not make the right “statement” in some neighborhoods, but in other neighborhoods, it could be perfectly persuasive. Some people will care more about “Free Checking”. Some people go out of their way to pay extra for “prestige” credit cards. These signs are not hand-painted messages like those that are used in grocery stores and used car dealerships. They are big, bold, messages printed on paper. If the credit union “cheaped out” and didn’t use UV resistant inks to keep the colors from fading, the message may start looking tacky just because of fading. Finally, what was the result? If they achieved their goal by displaying these messages, it was a good campaign.