Taking a little diversion from my regular posts to share some very clever viral videos from Toyota. The Swagger Wagon is great as it takes on the negative perception mini-vans have. Really funny if you have had or still drive one.
Share any other viral videos you find that other auto manufacturers are posting.
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Delivering Promotions That Are Sticky and Legal!
I get asked from time to time to provide advice on the legal requirements of running a promotional contest. While familiar with most of the legal requirements for running a contest in Canada (outside of Quebec), I encourage clients to seek advice from their lawyer to ensure the promotion they are planning doesn't contravene the Competition Act nor the Criminal Code. Infringement of either of these can be very costly - in terms of fines and reputation of your company.
To assist you in the planning of your next promotion that includes prizing, following are some resource sites you can reference.
1. Competition Bureau Pamphlet on Promotional Contests: http://bit.ly/csYaYj
2. Competition Bureau current summary of requirements including purchase requirements: http://bit.ly/akqfXR
3. Norton Stewart blog outlining recent infringements of rules by marketers and interpretation of requirements:http://bit.ly/9akF51
4. Canadian Marketing Association offers seminars and guidelines for members on running promotional contests: http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47|K=225856.
The purpose of running of contest is to generate increased sales, generate new customer leads, and engage consumers with your brand. But ensuring it meets the legal requirements and doesn't mislead consumers is a critical part of the planning process.
If you can recommend other resources or can share your experience, post a comment on our blog.
To assist you in the planning of your next promotion that includes prizing, following are some resource sites you can reference.
1. Competition Bureau Pamphlet on Promotional Contests: http://bit.ly/csYaYj
2. Competition Bureau current summary of requirements including purchase requirements: http://bit.ly/akqfXR
3. Norton Stewart blog outlining recent infringements of rules by marketers and interpretation of requirements:http://bit.ly/9akF51
4. Canadian Marketing Association offers seminars and guidelines for members on running promotional contests: http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47|K=225856.
The purpose of running of contest is to generate increased sales, generate new customer leads, and engage consumers with your brand. But ensuring it meets the legal requirements and doesn't mislead consumers is a critical part of the planning process.
If you can recommend other resources or can share your experience, post a comment on our blog.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
New concept in mobile promotions
Just found an interesting mobile idea on YouTube from City Green Advertising. Use of old technology (bicycle) and new (solar power) that really can deliver a sticky promotion. Memorable and interactive.
Could be an interesting way to launch new product - online game, software, entertainment site. It will be interesting to watch if this concept spreads to other markets.
Could be an interesting way to launch new product - online game, software, entertainment site. It will be interesting to watch if this concept spreads to other markets.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Trade Show Marketing is more than paying for a booth
I spent a few hours at the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary yesterday. Have to say it is a pretty complex business which I understand very little of.
But I do understand the importance of measuring results to determine if the investment of time, money and staff resources generates real value. Many of the exhibitors appeared to be there because they felt they had to be seen. An incredibly small number really made the effort to engage or attract visitors to their booth or provide a reason to visit (and track visitors) to their website after the show.
There were the regular tradeshow giveaways - pens, mints, hand sanitizer, key chain flashlights, etc. I still don't understand why items like these are handed out as they are not memorable in anyway, don't make an impact nor generate measurable results.
And of the course the mandatory draw for hockey jerseys, golf games, gift certificates and the like were everywhere. But few exhibitors I saw or spoke with really seemed intent on standing out or trying to create a buzz among both visitors and other exhibitors.
The approach we take for our clients is to identify a promotional vehicle that is totally unique, engages attendees curiosity and offers an incentive that only can be redeemed by visiting the client's website or dedicated landing page. It might be a music card, an instant win with online redemption or even an entry for an online promotion. Plus every booth visitor would walk away with a unique keepsake that would reinforce the brand.
To stand out and be noticed at large tradeshows, takes effort, planning and willingness to not do the ordinary. But interestingly it doesn't have to cost more.
For some other thoughts on how to increase your tradeshow ROI, I highly recommend downloading the white paper from Active Conversion.
But I do understand the importance of measuring results to determine if the investment of time, money and staff resources generates real value. Many of the exhibitors appeared to be there because they felt they had to be seen. An incredibly small number really made the effort to engage or attract visitors to their booth or provide a reason to visit (and track visitors) to their website after the show.
There were the regular tradeshow giveaways - pens, mints, hand sanitizer, key chain flashlights, etc. I still don't understand why items like these are handed out as they are not memorable in anyway, don't make an impact nor generate measurable results.
And of the course the mandatory draw for hockey jerseys, golf games, gift certificates and the like were everywhere. But few exhibitors I saw or spoke with really seemed intent on standing out or trying to create a buzz among both visitors and other exhibitors.
The approach we take for our clients is to identify a promotional vehicle that is totally unique, engages attendees curiosity and offers an incentive that only can be redeemed by visiting the client's website or dedicated landing page. It might be a music card, an instant win with online redemption or even an entry for an online promotion. Plus every booth visitor would walk away with a unique keepsake that would reinforce the brand.
To stand out and be noticed at large tradeshows, takes effort, planning and willingness to not do the ordinary. But interestingly it doesn't have to cost more.
For some other thoughts on how to increase your tradeshow ROI, I highly recommend downloading the white paper from Active Conversion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)