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Everyone is talking about our new social networking era. Whether its Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, Blogger, or any of the countless other sites out there, almost everyone is a user. The media uses it to research trends, along with make them. People use them to make friends, and lose them. Businesses uses them to advertise and keep people informed. And some people, like myself, use them just for the hell of it. I don't need Facebook or Myspace to make friends. I don't need to follow Jersey Shore cast members on Twitter. I use them because it makes communication fun. We live in an extremely technologically advanced society. We are beginning to move away from interpersonal dyads and moving into an age of conversation in which we are almost fully disconnected from one another. We text, email, IM, and post. The days of phone calls are dying, along with meetings in which every one is in the same room. The "Social Networking Bug" is taking over. It increases efficiency indeed, allowing us to multi-task and have time to think over our responses. Face to face communication still exists. Yet, I feel as though with the next generation it will whither even more. And the next, more. And the next, more. And so on. Until finally, every bit of communication is conducted through fiber-optics or cellular signal, or even the next unimaginable means of data transport.

I have always considered myself a pretty simple person. I don't need most of what I have. Stick me on a river with a fishing pole and I am a happy guy. The "Social Networking Bug" has hit me just like everyone else, but I believe social networking has greater meaning than just another way for people to meet, advertise, or follow stars. Do you agree?

In Response to Eric's "College Basketball Games & Advertising"

I do believe this tactic is very effective. I feel as though this not only occurs during sporting events but during all types of shows as well. I am sure that Nike doesn't advertise their new line of basketball shoes during the commercial break of "The View". I believe that understanding program scheduling is key to reaching target markets. This sometimes drives up prices on advertising slots (i.e. super bowl commercials).

Diner Ads

Today I had the pleasure of dining at one of my favorite locations in Keene, The Pub. The Pub is a local diner with great food, great service, and amazing prices. It is a local hot spot and the meeting place of many group outings.

As I wait for my meal to come I look down at the place mat before me. It is your usual paper place mat with ads covering the whole thing. How ever, this one is very different. On the left hand side of the mat there are trivia questions. Most being very obscure questions which I am sure not many know the answer to. How do you find the answer you ask? They are hidden on each companies ad with the corresponding number next to it. In order to find the answers you must search up and down the place mat, thus looking at every advertisement. I found this to me a very clever marketing idea. Do you share the same opinion?

In Response to Erica's Post "New, 'Skinnier', Diet Pepsi"

I agree with The National Eating Disorders Association. This marketing campaign pretty much says skinnier is better. I do not believe this to be true at all. Pepsi did not make a smart decision in marketing this way. I feel as though it will have a negative on sales. A better way of marketing the new can would be to offer it as a "healthy" option. In that, it holds less thus allowing you to consume less.

In Response to Kristen's Post "Will Television Advertising Be No More?"

I agree that with the introduction to DVR the viewing of commercials have gone down. Personally, I hate waiting for commercials to be over. Companies should continue to spend on TV ads how ever, rather than commercials focus more on sponsorships. When a company sponsors an event it has an opportunity to show its face while they have the viewers attention. Also, they should continue to seek out alternative ways of reaching the public, but without being too intrusive.

"Fit" Gaming

Over the years video games have become overwhelmingly popular. The industry has come a long ways since pong and Pac Man. The main systems in the market now are; Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft XBOX 360, and Nitendo Wii. They market to a wide range of people and have for many years by offering a variety of genres.

As popular as video games have been, they have also gained a bad reputation. They have been linked to obesity and a reduction in health of users. This has become a serious problem for gaming companies. How do you market to those who believe video games are unhealthy? First, they began to offer educational games rather than mindless "zombie killers" or "magical fantasies". Yet still, this was not enough. After Nitendo realized they could not beat Sony or Microsoft for market share, they came out with a revolutionary gaming system, the Wii. Wii offers a gaming experience in which you must physically move your body in order to play. It involves hand motions, arm movement, hand-eye coordination, and sometime even leg movement. Wii gave gamers an experience of not only gaming but also exercise. It expanded its "fit revolution" with Wii Fit. Wii Fit puts gamers through workouts at various degrees of difficulties.

No Microsoft and Sony are catching on with their own "fit" accessories for XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3, respectively. These take it a step further by using infrared to capture body movements, thus forcing one to stand up and move around even more. The industry has adjusted to the demands and needs of customers, while still maintaining its original customer base. Can you think of any other companies in other industries that have done this as well?

"Super" Marketing

There are two reasons people watch the Super Bowl. One is obviously to watch the game, but the other is one some wouldn't expect. Marketing owns the Super Bowl, just as the NFL does. Super Bowl ads have gained the reputation of being the most creative and controversial ads of the year. Many people tune in to the game only to see the commercials. As I sit here watching the game, my girlfriend insists the only good part is the commercials. I look at her, laugh and walk to grabs some food during the break.

Over the years there has been enormous amounts of money dropped into marketing campaigns. The big campaign this year is the Ford Focus Rally America campaign. It involves six teams of two racing across the country in the 2011 Ford Focus in an attempt to win a 2011 Ford Focus and $100,000. The coolest part of this campaign is that the public can get involved in the race. You can join a team, help them make game decisions, and potentially win a 2011 Ford Focus yourself. I believe this campaign is Ford's way of raising awareness to their own gas saving vehicles. Toyota and Honda own almost all of the "gas saver" market. Ford is showing their presence in the market with their much sportier Focus. I think this is an interesting campaign and I am curious as to how many people catch on.

Would you join a team? Ford Focus Rally America