Born to Lose.. Built to Win

From Social Networking to This

2009-11-08T07:13:00.000-08:00

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.

Why Doesn't Nike Just Do It?

2009-11-08T06:43:00.000-08:00

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.

The Fight to Stay on Top

2009-11-08T06:03:00.001-08:00

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.

The Club

2009-11-08T05:31:00.000-08:00

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.

Is Microsoft Going Soft?

2009-10-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

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?

It's On Me for We.. Really?

2009-10-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

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.

The Porsche Family Tree

2009-10-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

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.

I Should Stay With Verizon

2009-10-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Verizon Wireless over the years have become the leader in mobile communication. There isn't A day that goes by when I'm at home and walk by the Verizon building and feel lucky. I came to Verizon from Sprint in September of 2008. A large part of that was because of the map inside the Verizon store. The map showed all places my phone could reach in and out of the United States. When I look at it and saw how many places were red, which was for Verizon and how so few were blue for AT&T and how many were yellow which was for Sprint, I knew what phone company I was switching to.

Today, that same thing that got me to make the switch is now a commercial and just like me, millions of other people got hooked. It is not easy to get people to switch from a company or brand they know unless you have some powerful people supporting it. As talked about in a article by Abbey Klaassen. In the article she asks the question, Why did Verizon not put the "There's a Map For That" commercials on YouTube? The answer I can come up with is that Verizon really didn't have to. Unlike car commercials where not everyone has one, almost everyone has a cell phone. Because of this odds are everyone knows someone with a Verizon phone. Just like I do with my friends when I'm home, people argue about whose phone company is better all the time. These commercials do not need to be put on YouTube because they can be seen in reality everyday. They can be seen in at the job, in the park, in the gym... EVERYWHERE. Verizon customers can speak about that commercial without having to say the same exact lines as the actors in those commercials.

People are more likely to believe their friends or relatives when it comes to certain things. Cell phones are one of them. The Blackberry movement is one of them. I know hundreds of people that do not have a corporate job with a blackberry. Blackberry phones are the new wave. It is a must have. Just like Verizon is that new wave. It is very simple, if you do not want a dropped call, switch to Verizon. While writing this, I was called by Verizon and the representative asked me about renewing my contract early. I wonder if somone from my network told her I was thinking about them.. Yea that was funny.

The NFL & the Latino Community Together? Who Would Have Thought

2009-10-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

The National Football League had its Monday Night Football game on ESPN that featured the New York Jets against the Miami Dolphins. While I was watching the game it was kind of hard understanding why ESPN kept putting the camera on Marc Anthony and his Entourage that was sitting with him the the owners both. Little did I know that the NFL was celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the Jets-Dolphins game was the last event. I found that out while reading an article from Advertising Age by Laura Martinez.

Marc Anthony is a minority owner of the Dolphins and he helped celebrate the night right. The husband of Jennifer Lopez (Anthony) sang the national anthem and even invited a few of his closest friends to celebrate with him. Dwayne Wade, who is also a minority owner of the team was there along with Cincinatti Bengal Wide Reciever, Chad Ochocinco. The NFL did a great job last night but what capped it off for me was the commercials that aired in Miami leading up the night.

The NFL produced four commercials playing off the Jets-Dolphins rivalry and advertised them specifically to the Latino community. The commercials were played on ESPN Deportes. These four commercials (click on each one to see them) commercial 1, commercial 2, commercial 3 and commercial 4 are very funny. They attract not only to the Latino community but to anyone with a sense of humor. This was simply great advertising. With so many people of Latin descent living in Maimi to the growing population there is in the United States, it was a great way not only to get people to watch last night's game, but to also get people to subscribe to ESPN and all of its other stations.

There are plenty of things that can go wrong when trying to advertise to a certain people of a certain culture. You have to really know what you are doing and you have to make sure that the advertising hits home but not in the wrong way. This campaign hit home immediately as soon as they showed the pinyatta and the little boy hitting it with a stick wearing a Mark Sanchez jersey. This was perfect timing by the NFL. Sanchez who is Mexican-American has gotten the Jets franchise even more popularity by bringing in the Latino community to support them. The NFL could not do this with Tony Romo who is also Mexican American. He just does not appeal that much to the community for whatever reason that might be. Romo does shy away from his heritage where as for Sanchez, he embraces it.

On the night of Monday, October 12, 2010, Monday Night Football was one to remember. It wasn't because the Miami Dolphins embarrassed Jets Head Coach, Rex Ryan's defensive genius by running wild cat plays for 98% of the game and actually ended up winning. It was because of the unity that was shown not only in the stadium and in the press boxes but also on facebook and aim. Millions of people were joined together watching and blogging about an event all at the same time. Every down of every play, during commercial breaks and even during half-time and after the game people shared there thoughts and emotions until the early morning. WOW

Ezines

2009-10-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

While watching the Tigers-Twins 1-game playoff, I read an interesting article by Robert Skrob. It was a sales and marketing article about something called Ezines. An Ezine is a cheap way for a business to market/advertise to current and potential customers through the internet. I have seen this done in the past but I never really knew what it was. I've experienced Ezines by getting them from clothing companies. Those companies include Ralph Lauren, Izod, Gap and Gucci. I find the Ezines to work.

I find them to work because they allow customers to see new products and begin trying to figure out a way to buy them if they are like me. It also gives consumers a chance to see what is new in season. It makes me feel like I have an advantage over those other customers who go inside the store because by then its a few weeks or a few months old. This is the bait that lures me in because as soon as I go to see what's new, i'm going to browse other goods from that particular brand.

Because this is being done over the internet, it is so cheap to do. This fact adds to why it is turning into a major trend in marketing. You basically get to knock out the middle man which is the post office. Because people have friends who basically have the same style or taste as them. Because of this Ezines spread faster. Ezines spread like wild fire from subscribers forwarding them to friends and relatives. This will not only bring in more subscribers but also help revenue go up.

Ezines are a great way for a company to start attracting customers. Anthing that helps bring in profit is good. People are becoming more and more tech savvy and are finding new things to do with the internet. So many banks and credit unions are trying to lead their customers into going paperless. Ezines do exactly that. With the way technology is going, I won't be surprised if anything that requires the use of paper ends.