Monday, 30 September 2013

Advert Break A la Greek

As much as advertising has become a part of people's lives, it is safe to say that it's repetitive in terms of content and overall theme. Everyone knows to go about the passion/sex route, because in today's world that's what works and that's what's going to drive a product to its success. This is why when an advert like TOTAL's Greek Yoghurt, that differentiates from the rest comes on TV, its more likely to capture someone's attention. It's different, it's unique and... it's in a different language! Cross cultural marketing is the next upcoming theme. 

Coming from a Greek background myself, it is great to see an advert like this particular one on TV. Fage went about this sticking to the roots and embracing the culture and history of the product. What I like most about this advert is the abandonment of the HD graphics. Everyone has become so numb towards regular television, that anything below HD nowadays is "unacceptable", especially to the younger generation, which HD is all they are used to. Fage did an amazing job in coming up with a creative idea that differentiated the advert to not only their competitors but advertising on TV in general. It's an advert that can easily be noticed, just by being so different. 

Living in such a diverse society nowadays, embracing cross cultural marketing is a smart way to promote products, expanding to a wider audience. Once in a while it's good to break away from the status quo, especially in the competitive communications world that we're living in these days. 

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Will iOS7 change Apple as we know it?

After a long think, I have chosen to make this blog about brands that are personal to me, that I hold close in my heart; brands that define me. This way, through my blog posts you can form in your heads a rough image of me.

Today's post is about Apple. Apple is one of the most amazingly innovative brands to me. It's different, it's catchy and, as much as some try to deny it, it's damn cool. I am comfortable to say that by now, I am familiar with Apple. I know their products and I know how to use them. Now... Here is something that has a big question mark for me. The latest software called iOS7.

By now it's old news that Apple have introduced their iOS7 software, which will be available later this year.


Taking a look at the design of iOS7, it had me a little outside my comfort zone. It's a design that will change the look of an iPhone/iPad/iPod display as we know it. Of course, it is needless to say that it's a brilliant design, sticking to the roots but also looks different. The question that popped in my head was; is Apple bringing out this new exciting software because it has reached the peak of it's innovative devices? Is Apple struggling with the absence of Steve Jobs?

I know for a fact that I will be one of the first consumers to give into the temptation of trying iOS7 out. I just hope that for the company's sake, it will work as well as they have presented it to do so. I am sure that as different as it looks, people will get used to it in no time. It's just that sometimes it's nice to stick to the originals... But in this time and era, technology is moving way too quick for anyone to be getting used to what they know.

Monday, 19 August 2013

O2 - 62 Days of Summer

I have always rated O2 as one of my top brands; partly because I have been under their custom for 10 odd years now. But this summer, they have truly out-done themselves by introducing their '62 days of summer' scheme. See, for me, this scheme has reassured me why I am such a loyal customer to this bubbly company.

Despite the minor screw ups with their service, O2, unlike many other phone companies, know how to be respectful to their audience and reward them for what they deserve. For those of you who are not yet familiar with the scheme, O2 from July through to the end of August are celebrating 62 days of summer with bigger and better offers, more exclusive experiences and more incredible giveaways than ever before. This includes freebees, entries to numerous competitions and exclusive discounts off many products and shops.

Looking at this scheme from a communications point of view, it is a brilliant idea not only for simultaneous relationship building with their millions of customers, but staying connected with them through unlimited platforms. The offers touch on every type of consumer, from female to male, individual to family, single to married and beyond. Some may consider this somewhat of a promotion, but it is an idea that has outdone their competitors and merged their audience together, considering a little bit for everyone. Absolutely brilliant!