Stupid Marketing, aka Not Suffering Fools Gladly: Recent Comments

Comment on Customers Brilliant, Ignorant, Lazy… Human? Geico, Dyson, Kelloggs, and flavors of smart and Stupid Marketing

clayton — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:02:30 GMT

I enjoyed your third and fourth points. I never really did understand what the caveman or Geiko had to do with car insurance and felt that the commercials were basically pointless. I feel that the four point is a pretty safe technique to use when advertising because it is a way to grab the audiences attention and really leave a positive impact on potential customers that view your advertisement.

Comment on Customers Brilliant, Ignorant, Lazy… Human? Geico, Dyson, Kelloggs, and flavors of smart and Stupid Marketing

Mike Marn — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:23:14 GMT

Interesting little exercise, esp. with the examples. (I notice it was harder to find examples of the "right" way!)

Can you apply these models to the much-hyped Super Bowl spots? Where would you place the Google spot? Or the Census or Taco Bell? Sorry to add even more attention to them, but the timing is too good NOT to think of them through your filter!

Comment on Customers Brilliant, Ignorant, Lazy… Human? Geico, Dyson, Kelloggs, and flavors of smart and Stupid Marketing

KC — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:48:44 GMT

I agree wholeheartedly, but please give us an example of the last type...I can't think of one.

[KE - Apple. Intuit. GoDaddy. There are more.]

Comment on The Fine Line Between Persistent and Annoying: LeadSpark, Kyle B, and Stupid Marketing.

Scott Albro — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:46:24 GMT

Kevin, I'm the CEO of Tippit and I wanted to personally thank you for acknowledging Vinny's work in this post.

One of the things that we try to get our entire sales team to understand is that "Always be Helping" is the new "Always be Closing". Hopefully you've seen some of this in your interactions with Vinny.

Scott

Comment on The Phrase that Pays... or not: Bank of America, things not to say, and Stupid Marketing.

Dana Marks — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:54:04 GMT

While you point out some very valid issues with the marketing approach, it sounds like Sara is the hapless, minimum wage foil, and the real villain is the script writer. On the other hand, she could be an out of work actor trying to pay the bills while plying her trade. Bottom line: You are right to point these things out and I, for one, appreciate the points you are making. Bravo!

[Editor's note -- Sara is in fact the regional manager, and likely makes more in salary than I do. - K]

Comment on The Phrase that Pays... or not: Bank of America, things not to say, and Stupid Marketing.

Tom Chavez — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:57:48 GMT

Also -- when making a call, don't assume that the recipient has time to talk, just because you do! Ask if it's a good time rather than starting your speech.

Maybe a customer prefers to read and respond to an email so make that part of the offer of information, with a follow-up call after a reasonable amount of time.

Comment on Evelyn Makes A Smart Choice: Toyota Motors and not so Stupid Marketing

Amit — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:47:41 GMT

Nice article that touched my heart! I have put it on Twitter hoping some TOYOTA Exec will read and take action.

Comment on Evelyn Makes A Smart Choice: Toyota Motors and not so Stupid Marketing

Ophir Kra-Oz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:59:05 GMT

Excuse for being a bit cynical.
Is it possible that an employee that was laid off would be happy to be generous on his employers expense ?
The other cynical option is that they laid her off for beings too generous in in other cases ...

[But what's "too generous"? If giving a consumer $5000 generates more than $5000 in good PR, that's not "too generous"...]

Comment on Marketing “Just Because”: Cash Money, Startups, Popularity and Stupid Marketing

MF — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:06:50 GMT

Absolutely! It's about the passion for a product or service. And frankly being an entrepreneur is too much work just for the money. I suppose that isn't true for the marketing consultants out there, but I wouldn't know. If you are truly passionate about your product, idea, etc. you can sell it. Of course the how is a whole different story.

More on passion if you are so inclined:
http://cubes.typepad.com/otc/2009/09/entrepreneur-tip-3-wheres-your-passion.html#more

Comment on “But it works!” part II: Story vs Product, “Power Presentations”, and not-so-Stupid Marketing

Roark Pollock — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:19:44 GMT

Not only does a good story increase the value of a product in the eyes of the customer, but it helps them reach the conclusion you want to deliver before you tell them. People will believe your conclusion much more if they feel they arrived at the conclusion on their own.