Enter to Win

Enter to win contests are not a good idea. They really hurt the brand and company rather than create any stronger followers. Statistically, there are bound to be a lot more let down fans. The contests might be anywhere from designing a poster for a prize, or simply entering all of your guarded information. Expectancy Theory tells us that we are preparing to win and we are elated, when we don't it means a bigger fall down the heights of discouragement. That fall is even harder when there is a lot of time involved in a contest where you have put hours into the masterpiece, only to see a less tasteful winner emerge. This will significantly hurt the brandspace in the mind of the disgruntled non-winner.

Don't design a contest if you are trying to actually build a stronger following. There will only be stronger language in the bashing rants of your now brand-deserters.

Unless of course, everyone who enters will win something, which could be interesting...

Sign Spinning, a downward spiral

Sign spinning is becoming a common sight on street corners and busy roads everywhere, like a new marketing phenomenon is being born. Being noticed isn't everything, after all it can actually dilute your brand. They shouldn't be though. It is a terrible idea, for many reasons.
-The sign is SPINNING, how can moving cars possibly read the message.
-The sign is too small to have a readable message on.
-Be careful who you select to hold the sign, they are a part of the brand. Bored teenagers do not sell products nor do middle aged burnouts.
-I can see the building right behind the person, shouldn't the sign on the building be enough?

I say ditch the sign spinners and go with the classic monster balloons attached to your building, they do they same thing and cost much less. OR go all in, and make sure people get the message...

Ad Review: VW Piñata

The latest ad for the VW Tiguan is out, and it is amazing. Not a word needs to be spoken to clearly demonstrate the VW durability and toughness.

*****/*****
This ad was outstanding. This simple, yet rich ad clearly shows the strength of the VW in a very funny way.  I especially love the end of the commercial where you are left with the sound of the father swinging in vein. Great tone, use of humor, concept, and execution. Ditching CP+B couldn't have happened soon enough for VW.