Eventhough young rapper Cory Gunz is the son of New York City rap legend, Peter Gunz and the god-son of NBA legend, Shaq, one still might not know who he is. Through Facebook, Twitter and even Blogger, Cory Gunz has emerged as an up and coming rap artist. His fan base has grown incredibly since using these networking sites. He has been rapping since he was 8 and at the age of 22 he is finally somehwat on the map. Gunz is now set to start a reality show on MTV called "Son of A Gun." He has teamed up with entertainment mogul, Nick Cannon, to help get not only this show but his career on the road.
Through networking sites, he was able to post new songs for potential fans to download. He has made plenty of mixtapes and his popularity has grown out of New York to the south and even the west coast. He has been givrn the chance to use cheap media to boost hype and have music executives want to sign him. He couldn't rely on his family, though they do play a part. By using social media, people got to see who Cory Gunz really was. They got a chance to see and hear what he was about. These internet tools has also taken him out of both his father and god-father's shadows. It is a beautiful thing.
Social Media can take nobodies and turn them into somebodies. People can become famous just off of how many times someone watch their video on YouTube or what new exciting thing they blogged about. Attention brings in dollars. Everyone is speaking money because it isn't that much going around. People are hungry for the green and they are trying new things just to get a buck. For many it is working and for some, it is a complete failure. For Cory Gunz, it is working great.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Why Doesn't Nike Just Do It?
Nike is the top athletic shoe in the world. I have too many pairs of Nike sneakers and so does many other people. For years Nike has been the center of attention because of the athletes they sign and the sneakers that come out. How is it possible to stay on top when there is no social media usage? I was able to get in touch with Howard White. He is the Vice President of Marketing for the Jordan Brand under Nike.
Because of the attention thhat Nike gets, it is important to stay as private as possible. We do not need to reach out to people because they reach out to us. There are plenty of Nike discussion boards and clubs on Facebook. None of them are official but none of them are negative either. With the rise of sneaker heads, Nike has been able to become even more popular just by word of mouth and also how customers embrace the brand with fashion. Because of bootlegging, we must keep our customers anxious. Nike only releases dates of sneakers and most of the time they are the wrong dates. Nike does this purposely. Only the dedicated Nike customer goes through all lengths to get information.
There is no need to spend money on such media sites when you are the top brand of that particular market. Nike owns most of the market share and I don't think a change is gonna happen anywhere in the far future. What sense does it make. Nike is the best of the best for athletic wear. It's not that Nike won't just do it, it's just that Nike doesn't need to do it.
Because of the attention thhat Nike gets, it is important to stay as private as possible. We do not need to reach out to people because they reach out to us. There are plenty of Nike discussion boards and clubs on Facebook. None of them are official but none of them are negative either. With the rise of sneaker heads, Nike has been able to become even more popular just by word of mouth and also how customers embrace the brand with fashion. Because of bootlegging, we must keep our customers anxious. Nike only releases dates of sneakers and most of the time they are the wrong dates. Nike does this purposely. Only the dedicated Nike customer goes through all lengths to get information.
There is no need to spend money on such media sites when you are the top brand of that particular market. Nike owns most of the market share and I don't think a change is gonna happen anywhere in the far future. What sense does it make. Nike is the best of the best for athletic wear. It's not that Nike won't just do it, it's just that Nike doesn't need to do it.
The Fight to Stay on Top
ESPN has been the world wide leader in sports for many years. It might be safe to say that ESPN would not be ESPN if not for another giant, Disney. Through Disney buying the company, ESPN got the tools needed to reach for the stars. It's channels are a part of almost every male's morning, evening and nighttime before bed news. But, how are they able to continue to be on top? I asked 1050 ESPN New York Radio Marketing man, Greg Brodsky for some answers.
With Disney having such a gentle image because it is really a children-based company, how is it that ESPN can be allowed to use social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace and even Twitter? The answer is that Disney is not stupid. The same way ESPN has adult viewers, it also has teen viewers. The teens are on all of these social networks and adults are now just moving into it. ESPN controls what content can be posted. New York has some of the most passionate fans that sometimes discussions can get out of hand. Because of ESPN being in the social networking realm now, people do not need to open new windows to go to its website. If a person is on facebook, he/she can go to ESPN's page and find out everything there. People want to know what going on in the sportsworld 24/7/365.. that means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and all 365 days of the year. Facebook and Twitter helps ESPN do that. These sites make it possible to update things within a minutes time. There is no need for anchors to be scripted or anything of that nature. It just takes signing in and typing away.
ESPN has not only reached the homes of many but now it has reached the people who live in those homes at the job and at school. People can now check ESPN while at weddings just like in the commercial, at church practically anywhere. Sports are like another religion for some people and ESPN is their holy book of reference. It is the Buble, Qur'an and Torah all in one.
With Disney having such a gentle image because it is really a children-based company, how is it that ESPN can be allowed to use social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace and even Twitter? The answer is that Disney is not stupid. The same way ESPN has adult viewers, it also has teen viewers. The teens are on all of these social networks and adults are now just moving into it. ESPN controls what content can be posted. New York has some of the most passionate fans that sometimes discussions can get out of hand. Because of ESPN being in the social networking realm now, people do not need to open new windows to go to its website. If a person is on facebook, he/she can go to ESPN's page and find out everything there. People want to know what going on in the sportsworld 24/7/365.. that means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and all 365 days of the year. Facebook and Twitter helps ESPN do that. These sites make it possible to update things within a minutes time. There is no need for anchors to be scripted or anything of that nature. It just takes signing in and typing away.
ESPN has not only reached the homes of many but now it has reached the people who live in those homes at the job and at school. People can now check ESPN while at weddings just like in the commercial, at church practically anywhere. Sports are like another religion for some people and ESPN is their holy book of reference. It is the Buble, Qur'an and Torah all in one.
The Club
The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club of New York City has been the second home to so many young people throughout the years. It is helped kids stay off the street and do something recreational. Many staff members have been like parents to the young members. I remember having many people I looked up to while I was a member. The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club has seven local branches throughout the 5 boroughs. They serve as a refuge for kids living in unsafe neighborhoods. They get to participate in sports, arts and crafts, drug prevention programs and computer programs just to name a few. It helps kids ages between the ages of 7-18.
I was able to get in contact with a good friend of my family, Wyndy Sloan, who is the Director of Marketing and Communication for the "club." She says that in previous years, she was never able to convince clubhouse executives that using new ways of communication was a good thing. With almost all of the board members being over the age of 50, one knows how difficult that could be. She says that it wasn't until some board members began to watch television commercials talking about these tools such as facebook and myspace that they began to spread the word to other members pushing them to do it in hopes of increasing membership and reaching out to club alums. With Sloan's help, the club has been able to reach over 2500 alums and membership has increased throughout its 7 city branches. It is an amazing thing.
She says in this age you have to be able to reach kids by what they are doing. So many of our members are on social networks. "It has become their new escape because they put everything up there. By becoming a part of it, we remind them about us and make sure that they never forget about us. They will always be able to comeback," Sloan Continued. This is a good thing because New York City has plenty of troubled teens who need something to help them maintain. For some, it has been the club. For others, it has been school or somethng else positive. But for more of the majority it has been nothing. These are the people that go to selling drugs, getting killed or ending up in jail. The club must not only reach out to them but to everyone. We can't lose the club.
I was able to get in contact with a good friend of my family, Wyndy Sloan, who is the Director of Marketing and Communication for the "club." She says that in previous years, she was never able to convince clubhouse executives that using new ways of communication was a good thing. With almost all of the board members being over the age of 50, one knows how difficult that could be. She says that it wasn't until some board members began to watch television commercials talking about these tools such as facebook and myspace that they began to spread the word to other members pushing them to do it in hopes of increasing membership and reaching out to club alums. With Sloan's help, the club has been able to reach over 2500 alums and membership has increased throughout its 7 city branches. It is an amazing thing.
She says in this age you have to be able to reach kids by what they are doing. So many of our members are on social networks. "It has become their new escape because they put everything up there. By becoming a part of it, we remind them about us and make sure that they never forget about us. They will always be able to comeback," Sloan Continued. This is a good thing because New York City has plenty of troubled teens who need something to help them maintain. For some, it has been the club. For others, it has been school or somethng else positive. But for more of the majority it has been nothing. These are the people that go to selling drugs, getting killed or ending up in jail. The club must not only reach out to them but to everyone. We can't lose the club.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Is Microsoft Going Soft?
Microsoft has pulled out of a sponsorship with the popular animation series "Family Guy" creator, Seth MacFarlane. Microsoft pulled out of the deal after learning of the content that would be on the show. Now eventhough joking on deaf people, Jews, incest and even hygiene is nothing new to "Family Guy" viewers, Microsoft decided to pull the plug because it did not fit with the windows brand. The show has been airing on Fox since 1999. It has given another animated show on Fox, "The Simpsons" a run for its money. The jokes said on the series have been like that since its beginning. How can Microsoft not know what's going on in pop culture. People love Stewie, a chracter from the show. Are the employees there really so stcuk on trying to be better than Apple that they are that ignorant.
This is bad for business. Microsoft thinks that by pulling out of the deal they are doing justice to their brand. Microsft is really doing a disservice to itself. The younger generations of this world watch "Family Guy." How can Microsoft expect to beat out Apple if they can't reach the people that Apple attracts. Apple pushes buttons and tries to raise the bar. Apple takes risks. They do it with their computer applications and their merchandise. Look at the Ipod for christ's sake. The only people that would probably care about jokes and remarks said on "Family Guy" are extremist and old heads. The people who don't care about that stuff outnumber them. Old heads don't buy computers. The people who are trying to run the world are buying computers. These are new times. People are beginning to accept their past and embrace and as a part of embracing it, they are laughing at it.
Hopefully, Microsoft gets it together. They are losing younger people more and more each day. Those young people are going to get older and they are going to stick with what they know which is Apple. As a result, thwy will start their childeren off with Apples until something beats Apple out. But when this happens, will it actually be Microsoft or will it be dead by then?
This is bad for business. Microsoft thinks that by pulling out of the deal they are doing justice to their brand. Microsft is really doing a disservice to itself. The younger generations of this world watch "Family Guy." How can Microsoft expect to beat out Apple if they can't reach the people that Apple attracts. Apple pushes buttons and tries to raise the bar. Apple takes risks. They do it with their computer applications and their merchandise. Look at the Ipod for christ's sake. The only people that would probably care about jokes and remarks said on "Family Guy" are extremist and old heads. The people who don't care about that stuff outnumber them. Old heads don't buy computers. The people who are trying to run the world are buying computers. These are new times. People are beginning to accept their past and embrace and as a part of embracing it, they are laughing at it.
Hopefully, Microsoft gets it together. They are losing younger people more and more each day. Those young people are going to get older and they are going to stick with what they know which is Apple. As a result, thwy will start their childeren off with Apples until something beats Apple out. But when this happens, will it actually be Microsoft or will it be dead by then?
Monday, October 26, 2009
It's On Me for We.. Really?
Fall is here and that only means one other thing besides the World Series, the NBA season is here. On Tuesday, Ocober 27, the season will officially start. With that being said, there will be plenty of basketball sneaker commercials. There will be commercials form the top 3 competitors: Nike, Adidas and Reebok. Adidas has recently showed off its new campaign: It's On Me for We. With the stars of Adidas being Chauncey Billups, Keven Garnett, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Josh Smih and Tracy McGrady Adidas messed up this whole campaign by excluding one player who really displays this campaign slogan. There is no reason why Gilbert Arenas a.k.a
"Agent Zero" is not in this commercial. Arenas, has been the face of the Washington Wiazrds for the past few years. After Michael Jordan went back into retirement, Wizrds fans had nothing to look forward to.
Arenas has many followers through his blog. He is a charming character who fascinates almost all NBA fans with his shooting. Arenas cares for the future of the Wizards. Two years ago he gave up $15 million extra when he re-signed with them. He said that the team needed that money to sign another big name to the roster. That is leadership. It isn't about selfishness with this guy. This is apart of the reason why he has a huge fan base. Adidas might end up losing some customers because of this commercial. There is no way they can have McGrady in this campaign when all he has done is drained a Houston Rocket franchise out of its pockets with having various injuries and still getting paid. The Rockets continue to go to the playoffs and they almost made it to the Western Conference Finals without him but I guess they can blame Kobe Bryant for them not going.
This campaign is not genuine because there is no one in this campaign that really has a team on its shoulders. I thought companies came out with new products to have a maximum return. Adidas shot themseleves in the foot with this one. I just hope they don't bleed too much.
"Agent Zero" is not in this commercial. Arenas, has been the face of the Washington Wiazrds for the past few years. After Michael Jordan went back into retirement, Wizrds fans had nothing to look forward to.
Arenas has many followers through his blog. He is a charming character who fascinates almost all NBA fans with his shooting. Arenas cares for the future of the Wizards. Two years ago he gave up $15 million extra when he re-signed with them. He said that the team needed that money to sign another big name to the roster. That is leadership. It isn't about selfishness with this guy. This is apart of the reason why he has a huge fan base. Adidas might end up losing some customers because of this commercial. There is no way they can have McGrady in this campaign when all he has done is drained a Houston Rocket franchise out of its pockets with having various injuries and still getting paid. The Rockets continue to go to the playoffs and they almost made it to the Western Conference Finals without him but I guess they can blame Kobe Bryant for them not going.
This campaign is not genuine because there is no one in this campaign that really has a team on its shoulders. I thought companies came out with new products to have a maximum return. Adidas shot themseleves in the foot with this one. I just hope they don't bleed too much.
The Porsche Family Tree
The Porsche car is legendary. Since 1875, it has gotten better and better with driving capabilities and speed. This racing car seems to be like no other. It has a long history and has stood against the test of time and to this day still has a strong brand image. Driving a Porsche here in America means that you have not only money but that you are also a power player. For decades, it has been the dream car of many people.
This year, the Porsche has evolved yet again. The first ever sports car is now a 4 door vehicle. It is tough to imagine this idea but once seen in person it becomes very real. To help show off the new car, the new Porsche commercial has all of its cars racing each other. Each car ever made, every model out in the open air racing across the plains. Each car unique in its own right is showed in the commerical. Towards the end of the commercial, the camera takes a high shot of all the cars and they branch out to make a tree. The tree represented a family true and the evolution of the car. The four door Porsche has just become the newest member of the family.
This is great advertising. It takes people back in time to show what was and then brings them to the present with what is now. There is no reason to have a sports car that the whole family can't enjoy. It is about time this has happened. Now the whole family can enjoy going from 0 to 160 mph together and share that great experience. With the current financial crisis many people are facing, family cars are needed most now than before. Why shop out of your comfort zone. If a person is used to buying Porsches, he/she can now buy a Porsche for the family.
This year, the Porsche has evolved yet again. The first ever sports car is now a 4 door vehicle. It is tough to imagine this idea but once seen in person it becomes very real. To help show off the new car, the new Porsche commercial has all of its cars racing each other. Each car ever made, every model out in the open air racing across the plains. Each car unique in its own right is showed in the commerical. Towards the end of the commercial, the camera takes a high shot of all the cars and they branch out to make a tree. The tree represented a family true and the evolution of the car. The four door Porsche has just become the newest member of the family.
This is great advertising. It takes people back in time to show what was and then brings them to the present with what is now. There is no reason to have a sports car that the whole family can't enjoy. It is about time this has happened. Now the whole family can enjoy going from 0 to 160 mph together and share that great experience. With the current financial crisis many people are facing, family cars are needed most now than before. Why shop out of your comfort zone. If a person is used to buying Porsches, he/she can now buy a Porsche for the family.
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