Research Quickies

From my email this week...

Hispanic Internet Audience Reaches Record 20.3 Million

The US Hispanic online population reached a record 20.3 million visitors in February 2009, experiencing 6% growth over the same period in 2008, according to a report on the US Hispanic internet market from comScore, which also revealed that the Hispanic online demographic is expanding...

Apr 17-09: Online, Videogames, Hispanic, Online Networks, Measurement/Analytics, Behavioral Marketing, Demographics, Entertainment, Interactive

Four in Five Americans Attached to Old T-Shirt

Nearly 80% of Americans in all demographic groups say they feel a sense of attachment to at least one of their old t-shirts, and that shirt is most likely to be one that was acquired on vacation, according to research from BlueCotton and conducted by...

Apr 17-09: Youth, Traditional, Retail, Promotions, Elderly, Branding, Demographics, Behavioral Marketing

Magazine Ad Pages Plummet 26% in Q1

Advertising pages for consumer magazines totaled 37,196.43 in the first quarter of 2009, a decline of nearly 26% over the same period last year that was caused primarily by the faltering economy, according to the Publishers Information Bureau (PIB), writes MediaBuyerPlanner. PIB also reported that...

Apr 17-09: Sign of Doom, Traditional, Retail, Research, Packaged Goods, Financial, Magazines, Measurement/Analytics, Print

Affluent Survey Revised to Collect ‘Wealth’ of New Data

In response to major societal, demographic, and media consumption shifts among America’s affluent population, Ipsos Mendelsohn recently announced that it is giving its well-known Mendelsohn Affluent Survey one of the biggest overhauls in its 33-year-old life. As a result, the new 2009 study -...

Apr 17-09: Signs of What's to Come, Research, TV Network, Wealthy, Retail, Traditional, Planning, Packaged Goods, Behavioral Marketing, Interactive, Demographics, Integrated/Cross-Media/Convergence, Measurement/Analytics, Television

Nebraska Fiscally Happiest State; Oregon Saddest

Nebraska has captured the #1 spot on a list of America’s fiscally happiest states, based on several financial and economic indicators, according to MainStreet.com, which also reports that Oregon, which came in dead last at #51 is the least happy state. MainStreet.com’s “Happiness Index,” a...

Apr 16-09: Signs of What's to Come, Traditional, Sign of Doom, Research, Financial, Topics

America’s Best Small Cities for Startups

Small US cities that have a stable base of industry, a young and educated workforce, plentiful venture capital and a reasonable cost of living are the most conducive to startups, according to BusinessWeek and ZoomProspector, which recently collaborated to identify the best small city in...

Apr 16-09: Small Biz, Traditional, Research, Financial, Demographics, Topics

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How Impulsive Are You?

Advertising and marketing works...

Impulse Buying Still Prevalent Among Shoppers

In the 2.3 seconds that most people spend on in-store brand decisions, it turns out they are more easily influenced than you might think.

Just over 90 percent of shoppers make unplanned purchases, and "about 51 percent of them take place right in the aisle," Curt Johnson, SVP for the consumer industries division of Miller Zell, told Marketing Daily. The Atlanta-based retail consulting company recently tracked the buying triggers of 1,000 shoppers. "We were surprised. Because while we've been hearing so much lately about how careful shoppers are being, making lists and doing research on purchases beforehand, there's still a lot of impulse buying."

The study did find, however, that shopping list use is up substantially (65 percent say they are making shopping lists prior to the shopping trip).

And it turns out that Gen Y is especially likely to do so, and more susceptible to advertising. "People talk so much about this generation researching everything online before they buy it," he says, "but this study showed that they actually index much higher than other age groups in terms of finding all advertising -- both in-store and outside the store -- as 'very effective'."

And Gen Y shoppers are also more likely to make impulse purchases at "end caps," the display at the end of store aisles, as well as along the periphery of stores. "Gen Y is, in fact, a lot more malleable inside the store than many marketers think," he says.

Overall, shoppers believe that ads designed to reach them in stores work better -- giving them a 32 percent effective rate -- than ads outside the store, which earned a 27 percent "very effective" rating. About 70 percent say they responded to end-of-aisle signage, 62 percent to merchandising displays, 58 percent to department signage, and 55 percent to shelf strips.

The study also found key differences in the way that stores trumpet their prices. Sale prices motivated more shoppers (70 percent) than "everyday low price" positioning (47 percent).

Overall, however, some groups are less interested in price than most retailers seem to think. About 93 percent of Baby Boomers, for example, say they prefer product messages rather than price-point messages while shopping.

(Source: Marketing Daily, 04/03/09)

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Conversational Selling

Read and follow:

Want to Sell More? Pipe Down and Listen Up

By Barbara Findlay Schenck

Here’s a counterintuitive formula for achieving greater sales success: Stop pitching and start listening.

Most customers would rather talk than be talked at. They want to maintain control. So instead of grabbing the wheel and steering the deal, let the customer take the driver’s seat while you slip into the role of navigator. Once you establish where the customer wants to go, recommend a route for getting there, reroute around obstacles, tune in to directional concerns and negotiate roadblocks without ever taking your eye off the destination.

Listening, instead of talking, works in good economic times and rocky economic times alike. “The questions you ask customers might differ,” says Dawn Garzoli, director of sales for family-owned Nelson Staffing in Northern California, “but what remains consistent is the need to commit to listening, which develops a collaborative partnership that ultimately leads to more sales.”

In fact, listening is more important than ever during down economic times, when it’s easy to assume people just aren’t buying.

“The economic news says one thing, but if you ask thought-provoking questions, customers may tell you something far different,” says Garzoli. “You may learn that while the customer’s business has changed, with the changes come new opportunities that you’ll only hear about if you’re listening instead of talking.” She tells her sales team to imagine the customer saying, “Don’t tell me. Ask me and I’ll tell you everything.”

For your own sales success, follow these tips:

Ask, don’t tell. Make listening your top priority. By asking effective questions you prompt your customer to reveal wants and needs, share concerns and buy into the sales transaction while you become the customer’s knowledgeable, credible business partner.

Listen, don’t talk. Garzoli likens an effective sales conversation to a game of table tennis. You say something, then the customer says something, then it’s your turn again, and back and forth it goes. To encourage your customer to speak more, say even the smallest phrase, such as “uh-huh,” or “good point,” and you put the volley back in the customer’s court. If a silence follows, don’t jump in to fill it. Your customer may need the time. Sales trainers encourage these pauses, which are often followed by customer insights or buying decisions.

Collaborate, don’t assume. Assumptions reveal what you’re thinking and may be far different from the customer’s reality. When you ask and listen, your customer will share the accurate information you need to provide a good solution. Follow this advice:

Stay focused on the customer’s goal. Ask questions that get customers not only talking, but describing what they want to achieve, so you can address their needs.

Revolve the conversation around the customer’s situation. Instead of saying, “My purpose today is. …” or “I’d like to show you our solution. …,” redirect the discussion from your needs to those of your customer. For example, “Based on what you’ve shared, I think this solution would have a strong impact on your business. …”

Ask multipart questions. You’ll get the most useful information by linking a thought-provoking question with an action term that invites the customer to participate as you map out the sales solution. For instance, “Share with me the process you’re following and the key decision points you’re dealing with.” Or, “Based on the importance of the needs you’ve outlined, help me understand the total amount you plan to invest in a solution and what areas we haven’t yet discussed.”

See how it works? By asking the right questions and listening to the answers, you’ll establish a collaborative relationship that leads to a positive solution for your customer and stronger results for your business.

Barbara Findlay Schenck is a small-business strategist, the author of “Small Business Marketing for Dummies,” and the co-author of “Branding for Dummies,” “Selling Your Business for Dummies” and “Business Plans Kit for Dummies.”

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Friday Night Marketing News

You know the routine, I'm out of here for the weekend, except there will be more updates Saturday & Sunday...

Food

SunChips Rolling Out Compostable Package

by Karl Greenberg

Thomas Oh, who directs the brand, says the choice of making SunChips the first brand to get the new packaging was easy. "Our consumers very much want a healthier snack, and we realized a couple of years ago that those same consumers have an interest in what's healthy for the planet," he says. "From an organizational standpoint, SunChips is the lead brand for communications around sustainability initiatives." ... Read the whole story > >

Trends

Sponsors Line Up To Back Green Apple Festival

by Les Luchter

Earth Day Network has also teamed up with the Organic Trade Association and MusicMatters for the fifth year of Go Organic! for Earth Day, which has just launched a new iPhone application. People with the app can find local Earth Day events as well as stores in 10 major markets that are offering $12 coupon books for CLIF Bar, Van's, R.W. Knudsen Family and other brands. ... Read the whole story > >

Food

Post Shredded Wheat Celebrates 'Non-ovation'

by Karlene Lukovitz

"There's been a marked change in American values, with a greater desire for honesty, trustworthiness and security during a time of economic and societal uncertainly," says Kelley Peters, director of integrated insights and strategy for Post Foods. "Post's marketing messages underscore that Shredded Wheat has always been a simple, honest brand, and one of the healthiest foods on the grocery shelf." ... Read the whole story > >

Research

NPD Forecasts Hike In Entertainment Spend

by Karl Greenberg

Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed expect to spend the same amount or more on movies in cinemas. The firm says theatrical movies are poised for growth because last year only 66% survey respondents said they would spend the same or more in theaters. NPD says 65% will spend the same or more on video games, and 60% will spend the same or more on CDs. Print media experienced the only declines in spending on entertainment. ... Read the whole story > >

Retail

Macy's Launches Eco Marketing Campaign

by Sarah Mahoney

While Earth Day is actually next Wednesday, Macy's is also linking the campaign to its One Good Turn National Charity Shopping Day on April 25. Shoppers who make a $5 donation to the National Park Foundation -- either in the store or online -- get an all-day shopping pass, which entitles them to 20% off most clothing, and 10% off most home items. ... Read the whole story > >

Packaged Goods

Gillette Enters 70th Year Of MLB Sponsorship

by David Goetzl

Procter & Gamble has signed a new deal with Major League Baseball that will take the marketer's Gillette brand through its 70th year as an official MLB sponsor and into the next decade. MLB said its relationship with the razor marketer is "the longest-running sponsorship association of any U.S. sports league." ... Read the whole story > >

Krispy Kreme's Financials Improve

RadioShack Tunes In New Creative AOR

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Media Consumption

Eat it up:

Arbitron/Edison Infinite Dial Study Released
Yesterday Arbitron and Edison Research released the Infinite Dial 2009 study. These are the highlights:

· The weekly online Radio audience has again exploded in the last year, to about 42 million Americans aged 12+.

· One in five Americans aged 25- to 54-years-old listen to online Radio on a weekly basis -- an all-time high.

· Awareness of both satellite Radio companies remains essentially flat for the third year in a row at around 60 percent.

· Online Radio is showing up in the Arbitron ratings, thanks to Portable People Meter (PPM) measurement.

· An astounding 69 million Americans viewed online video in the last week.

· About 42 percent of Americans 12+ owns some kind of MP3 player; the vast majority of them own an Apple iPod or iPhone.

· The growth in MP3 player ownership is now fueled by adults.

· Social networking is a rapidly growing phenomenon among Americans of all ages.

The complete study is available from www.arbitron.com or www.edisonresearch.com.

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Timeless Thoughts on Positioning & Branding

Certain truths not only age well, they become more and more clear as the years pass. I attended our local advertising Addy awards a couple months ago and saw a ton of creative work that was very impressive.

However, does creative matter? Or does response matter?

I wrote about this a few days ago and you can click here to learn how both creative and response matters.

But also check out this article from BrandingStrategyInsider.com:

The New Positioning

This week I came across a 1997 interview I gave to Bob Lammons. The more things change the more they stay the same...

Q: What's the battlefield look like to you these days?

"Well, there's good news and bad news on the battle front. The good news is that, because of all the downsizing and re-engineering we've gone through in recent years, U.S. companies have learned how to handle global competition very well. The bad news is it is still amazingly competitive out there -- kill or be killed."

Q: In The New Positioning, you talk about the explosion of information in business today, and our inability to handle it. Isn't it good to have lots of information?

"Not really. Many people have so much information these days it paralyzes them. The Internet has made things worse, because it's full of non-edited information. I call it 'non-information.' It's a vast wasteland of unfiltered facts, pseudo-facts and non-facts, and the mind doesn't know what to do with all this data."

Q: You quote experts like Edward de Bono and Jack Welch on the "lost art of thinking." Does this result from information overload?

"To some extent, yes. The thing I find dramatically missing in business today is common sense. Many managers are so concerned about losing their jobs, they spend a disproportionate amount of time collecting and generating data to back up whatever decisions are ultimately made. "

Q: How can business-to-business communicators benefit from this insight?

"Read the first six chapters of my latest book. (At the time, The New Positioning, McGraw-Hill, 1996) This is not as self-serving as it might sound, because for almost 30 years we've studied the psychological aspects of marketing, and we've based our consulting practice on understanding the human mind and how it works. We've just never publicized the amount of information we collected from expert psychologists until this most recent book. My advice to communicators is, if you understand the mind, you'll do fine."

Q: In 1989, you and Al Ries wrote an article in Advertising Age titled, "The decline and fall of advertising." In that article, you chastised agencies for being preoccupied with awards instead of creating selling propositions for clients. Is it still true today?

"If anything, it's worse. Everybody hooted us down for that article, but the chickens have come home to roost: there's less client loyalty today and more accounts up for review. Agencies are turning out so-called creative campaigns that win awards, but fail to move products."

Q: Can you cite some examples?

"Nissan's 'Enjoy the ride' animated spots are very popular, but sales are down and dealers are very anxious. I'm not sure what to say about the new 'Miller Time' spots. The only brand image I can associate with Miller Lite is that they like goofy things. I think the inmates have taken over the asylum."

Q: Why do you think this is being tolerated by marketers?

"Well, I can't speak for every marketer, but too many agency people claim that, because their client's products are essentially the same as the competition, they feel their advertising must be different in order to make those products stand out. It's one of the most tragic observations we hear, because an agency's job is to FIND A WAY to differentiate products based on product features and consumer benefits.. Those are the only things that count. Unless advertising helps build brand images that support product positioning and provide customers with solid buying incentives, it isn't good advertising."

Q: Probably the most controversial "trick of the trade" described in your new book is the importance of sound versus sight, or words versus pictures. This would seem to have enormous implications for marketing communicators.

"Absolutely. I'm a little surprised we haven't been challenged on this by the advertising community, but it's well documented that you can put ideas in people's minds without pictures a lot more successfully than you can without words or sounds. The old saying, 'a picture is worth a thousand words' is probably backwards."

Q: Have your consulting assignments changed over the years as positioning has matured as a marketing strategy?

Surprisingly, no. I've probably counseled close to a thousand companies now, and marketers still want us to help them do two things: (1) Differentiate them from the competition, and (2) Define exactly what it is they are selling (the category). In my latest book, we discuss the concept of "repositioning" as a way of dealing with change. New technologies and changing consumer attitudes are reasons why we should constantly reassess our playing field.

Q: Do you have any examples of business-to-business marketers that have gone through this "repositioning?"

"Silicon Graphics is a good example. Their initial success was based on defining their market as '3D graphics.' When they started to feel stifled by this definition, they created a bigger position -- 'visual computing.' Now that technology has made it possible to do this inexpensively with low cost computers, Silicon Graphics has changed the playing field again by defining a new category: 'high performance computing'."

Q: What's your best advice for advertising and marketing people as we look ahead to the 21st Century?

"It's still a battle for the customer's mind, and perceptions are your key to success. Because advertising and marketing people are charged with building perceptions, you will be more important to your company's success in the future than ever before. In order to do this, however, you must understand how the mind works and package your communications programs for maximum effect."

Sponsored By: Brand Aid

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15 Prospecting Questions

From a weekly email:

Practical Tips for Selling During Tough Times
by D.M. Arenzon

Tough times call for new strategies and tactics. Here are 15 practical things you can start doing right now to boost your sales.

1. Make sales calls by industry to start selling 10 times more than what you're doing right now! Think about it; if you made 10 calls a day in the same industry five days a week for one month, can you imagine how much you will learn about that industry? Can you imagine how much more you could bring to the telephone call? Rather than sounding like just another cold caller, you will soon be viewed as an expert in your field.

2. Treat your customers like gold. Give them good service. Give them more than what they expected. Start listening to your customers more. Build relationships with them. Focus on how you can help them. In time (meaning tomorrow, next week, next month, six months from now or one year from now), they will tell others. They will tell your story for you.

3. One excuse that a lot of salespeople make is "No one's buying anything." Stop the excuses! What's the solution? You need to knock on more doors to find one that opens completely! Change your thinking pattern. Stop the negative thinking. Now is the time to think of new and creative ways to cross-sell business to existing customers and to attract new customers to your book of business. When was your last brainstorming session with your co-workers, management or sales team?

4. In order to compete and make your sales during tough market conditions you may need to re-invent yourself and the way you do business. Ask yourself, "What can I do to strategically create more interest in my product or service?" If the sides were reversed and you were the prospect, what is the one "Magic Line" that you would want to hear? What would move you to take action and become a buyer?

5. How's your marketing collateral? When was the last time you updated it? Is your material engaging and eye-catching?

6. Quick question: When was the last time you sent a thank you card? I'm not talking about sending one through your email; I'm talking about sending a handwritten thank you note. This note could be for someone that you recently met with, a recent customer, or a new prospect. Thank you notes make your customers and prospects feel important.

7. People are always looking to save money, but when the economy is down, saving money becomes their number one priority. On your next cold call, let your prospect know that you have a customized money-saving program specifically designed for their industry. If they're interested in your offer, suggest a day and time that you may drop off this information. Send a friendly confirmation via email of your conversation one day before you visit their office. The contents of this email should summarize your telephone call and the day and time you will stop by.

8. Try testing new messages. Maybe it's time to refine your sales pitch or perhaps it's time to reword what you say over the telephone because your current message is not working. Take a look at what your competition is doing and review their website for new and innovative ideas.

9. Start introducing your customers to each other. Look for synergistic opportunities between the two. There's an old saying, "What comes around goes around." If you take the time to introduce a client to another, in time, they will take the time to refer you business!

10. Do more research on your prospects and customers before you call or meet with them. Armed with more information you'll relate to your customers and prospects much more quickly. The more you know about your prospects and customers will always result in better sales questions, and better questions will always close more sales!

11. The best time to make cold calls is during tough times. Everyone's complaining about their vendors. If you strategically position your company and convey the right message you will get the attention of your prospect. Focus on benefits, solution-based selling and bring new ideas to the conversation (do some research on their competition).

12. Some great words and phrases to use on your sales calls during these times include: well-positioned, strategic, take market share, customized, targeted, implement, custom-design, industry specific, tailor-made, generate, caliber, quality, includes, added value and grow your business.

13. Start doing some research on your prospect's industry. Did you find an interesting article in a trade publication? Did you find an advertisement of one of their major competitor's? If so, then try sending it with a note saying, that you look forward to speaking with them soon and thought they may find this article (or advertisement) of interest.

14. Are you making enough outgoing calls? No output means no input. How many outgoing calls are you really making time for each day? Each week? Calculate your statistics.

15. During tough economic times, there is nothing more important than persistence. Being persistent means making not just one sales call, but many more. Being persistent means not giving up on prospects. Being persistent means not giving up period. How many sales appointments did you set this week?

Known as Mr. Cold Call, D.M. Arenzon is the author of How to Have Fun Cold Calling and Get Your Telephone Ringing Off the HOOK. He says, "Your cold call success is dependent on 11 winning personality traits. Collectively, these traits allow you to uniquely market yourself over the telephone so you can inspire your prospect's curiosity, reduce their resistance and close even more sales!" To learn more, visit his site www.MrColdCall.com.

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Thursday Night Marketing News

Goodies from Mediapost:

Retail

Lowe's: People Love Their DIY Moments

by Sarah Mahoney

One study finds that among the growth spots are increasing demand for green improvements, upgrades to the nation's aging rental stock, and the expanding population of immigrant homeowners, whose home-improvement spending has been growing at about 13% a year since 2000, compared to 7% of native-born households. ... Read the whole story > >

Food

Domino Launches Carbon-Neutral Sugar Line

by Karlene Lukovitz

A TV commercial is running in 10 major Florida markets and is posted on the line's microsite. Print ads are in Florida and Georgia subscribers' copies of such magazines as Family Circle, Southern Living and Cooking Light as well as nationally in Vegetarian Times and Mother Earth News. Other efforts include full-page FSIs, interactive online advertising and event marketing. ... Read the whole story > >

Automotive

Ford Tops 'Social Media Index' In Q1

by Karl Greenberg

As part of its plan to promote Fiesta, Ford tapped 100 social-media mavens with 1,000 or more fans on sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to document their experiences with the car. They will drive the car for six months and, it is expected, generate a kind of social media avalanche about the vehicle. ... Read the whole story > >

Telecom

AT&T Joins Rivals In Offer GSP Family Plan

by Aaron Baar

The company will initially promote the service through its att.com Web site, primarily while promoting other products and services, according to a company representative. In-store materials and direct-to-consumer communications are slated for the weeks ahead, although she declined to offer specifics. The new FamilyMap service will be available via an additional subscriber charge of $9.99 for two phones and $14.99 for five. ... Read the whole story > >

Packaged Goods

Dutch Boy Intros Paint That Removes Odors

by Karl Greenberg

The TV spot for Refresh, which will run on prime time targeting 25- to-54-year-olds, has a couple visiting a home that smells of pets. Then the ad states that 64% of people don't notice odors in their own homes. And asks, "Are you one of them?" The first flight starts May 4 and runs through to Memorial Day. Tag: "Adds Beauty, Eliminates Household Odors." ... Read the whole story > >

Comcast Gets Conn. Music Center Naming Rights

Van Halen Unveils Sneaker Line

Oscar Mayer Reaches Out To Hispanic Consumers

U.S. Cellular Adds LG's Banter Handset

YouTube Stunt Hurts Domino's Pizza Ratings

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Communication & Presentations

The purpose of this spot on the internet is to share wisdom from various sources focused on Marketing, Advertising, Sales and related topics.

At our monthly Advertising Federation lunch today we had an amazing presentation. It was amazing because I had low expectations based on the way it was marketed. (And I'm involved as the V-P of Communication!)

We have a V-P of Programs who sets up the event, I get the P.R. materials from the speakers and send it to a graphic designer who creates the direct mail piece which is then adapted for the website and email blasts. (Starting in July, I'll take on a different role on the Board and leave the communications to a different V-P.)

Seth Godin wrote about presentations today:

The hierarchy of presentations

A presentation is a precious opportunity. It's a powerful arrangement... one speaker, an attentive audience, all in their seats, all paying attention (at least at first). Don't waste it.

The purpose of a presentation is to change minds. That's the only reason I can think of to spend the time and resources. If your goal isn't to change minds, perhaps you should consider a different approach.

1. The best presentation is no presentation at all. If you can get by with a memo, send a memo. I can read it faster than you can present it and we'll both enjoy it more.
2. The second best presentation is one on one. No slides, no microphone. You look me in the eye and change my mind.
3. Third best? Live and fully interactive.
4. Powerpoint or Keynote, but with no bullets, just emotional pictures and stories.
5. And last best... well, if you really think you can change my mind by using tons of bullets and a droning presentation, I'm skeptical.

A presentation isn't an obligation, it's a privilege.

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Look who's eating out

And who's not...

Fewer Young Adults, Kids Seen in Restaurants

While Baby Boomers Visiting More Often

In addition to a challenging economy, restaurant operators are also dealing with shifting customer demographics as parents decide to leave the kids at home, and young adults, ages 18-to-24, cut back on restaurant visits, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company.

NPD's CREST, which has tracked consumer purchasing and consumption patterns at commercial restaurants since 1975, shows that in 2008, restaurant visits by parties with kids declined by three percent, and restaurant visits by young adults, the most lucrative restaurant market, dropped from 254 per capita in 2007 to 233 in 2008.

NPD CREST market research finds that the increasing absence of children in restaurants is a result of cost cutting measures on the part of adults, since the average size of a restaurant party when kids are present is over twice as large as for adult-only parties, driving the meal costs almost $8 higher. Both quick-service and full-service restaurants experienced traffic losses in 2008 with kids under 13 years old. Losses were particularly pronounced at supper, but occurred at other dayparts as well.

Although kids' absence from the restaurant scene is a recent phenomenon, young adults have been scaling back on restaurant visits for the past five years, with the decline from 2007 to 2008 being the steepest. Young adults are among the heaviest users of restaurants, and foodservice operators expend considerable resources to attract this group. In 2008, the 18-to-24-year-old age group accounted for nearly seven billion restaurant visits and spent $42 billion.

According to the NPD report, young adults' preferences are shifting. Health and food quality is top-of-mind with them. The study finds they feel restaurant food is often too high in calories, and there aren't enough healthy/nutritious options. They also reference poor food quality, not freshly prepared, and no fresh ingredients when evaluating restaurant food.

"Considering the cost of adding kids' meals to a restaurant check, it's not surprising that adults are deciding to keep the kids at home, and I believe we'll see more kids in restaurants once the economy improves," said Bonnie Riggs, NPD restaurant industry analyst. "It's a different situation with the 18-24-year-olds. Their restaurant preferences have been changing over the last few years, and it will be important for restaurant operators to understand these preferences in order to get them back in."

One group that has increased their visits to restaurants over the past year is Baby Boomers, ages 50-to-64, according to NPD's foodservice market research. In 2008, the number of per capita visits by adults, aged 50-to-64 was 209, up from 204 in 2007 and 201 in 2003.

"Restaurant operators need to understand that their customer profiles are changing, and it's just not about the economy," Riggs noted. "There are long-term behavioral shifts occurring and they need to have a greater understanding of who their customers are and what those customers are looking for in their restaurant experience."

(Source: The NPD Group, 03/31/09)

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New Ad Campaigns

Amy's weekly update:

STIHL cuts through the clutter. Hidden Valley residents eat Kraft dressing. Dr Love hawks Dr Pepper. Let's launch!

Chili's launched a bland TV and online campaign to promote its "10 under $7" menu. The campaign centers on a fictional restaurant chain, aptly named P.J. Blands. This is the franchise where customers settle for bland food that's not bad or good, just average. And made entirely from cardboard. The first ad, seen here, watches P.J. Bland receive consumer feedback. "Hey P.J., my meal has no taste," says one customer. "You're welcome," he responds. The ad is abruptly cut off by a Chili's logo and the statement: "Life's too short for bland meals." P.J. Bland conducts market research in another ad, seen here. Adding cardboard to cardboard still leaves customers with food-shaped cardboard. There's even a P.J. Blands Web site with an elaborate menu layout, bios of employees of the month and an 800 number to call and leave a message for P.J. If you Google "bland food," a paid search ad for P.J. Blands appears with a Chili's ad following. Hill Holliday created the campaign.

Residents of Hidden Valley, Minnesota love the taste of Kraft ranch salad dressing. Don't tell the neighbors. Samantha Bee from "The Daily Show" goes on a road trip to bring the improvements made to Kraft ranch dressing right to people's doorsteps -- because she's never invited inside. Driving a Kraft-branded bus and armed with an unlimited supply of ranch dressing, Bee hits Hidden Valley neighborhoods, conducting her own flavor of market research. When confronted by police, Bee remarks, "I guess if great taste is a crime, then take me off to flavor prison... Please don't take me to prison." Watch the ad here. Mcgarrybowen Chicago created the campaign and Mediavest handled the media buy.

Gatorade Tiger launched a TV spot last week called "Woods of Wisdom," starring a youthful, animated Tiger Woods, having trouble focusing on his golf game. Tiger is mentored by a grizzly bear, reminiscent of Wood's late father, Earl, who leads the youngster to Focus Falls. Once Tiger drinks from the waterfall, he's able to hit the ball straight through the forest. See the ad here. I like that the ad is promoting a low-calorie drink for athletes, but it feels like it should be running on Nickelodeon, targeting kids, rather than someone like myself, who's on the lookout for low-cal sports drinks. TBWA/Chiat/Day Los Angeles created the campaign.

Before Padma Lakshmi devoured every morsel of her Carl's Jr Western bacon six-dollar burger, the brand ran a TV ad starring a doctor jonesin for bourbon. The doctor has bourbon on his mind as he scrubs up for surgery, glances at a patient's X-ray and walks the hospital halls. "If I don't have a bourbon by noon, look out," says the good doctor as he enters an operating room. The ad promotes the Bourbon Burger, complete with a zero proof label. Watch the ad here. A radio ad, heard here, describes people dubbed as "bourbon burgeraholics," or those who "care more about Bourbon Burgers than their family's welfare." There's a place for them offline at Carl's Jr. and online at EatResponsibly.com. The site rates what type of bourbonaholic you resemble. Apparently, I'm a happy one. In-store ads continue the theme and pair bourbon with Coke. See an ad here. Mendelsohn Zien Advertising created the campaign.

Dr Pepper launched a new flavor, Dr Pepper Cherry. I can't wait to see how this differs from the taste of regular Dr Pepper. The brand found another fake doctor to hawk its new product. Last year, Dr Pepper used Dr J, Julius Irving, in a TV spot; this time around, it's Dr. Love, aka Gene Simmons. Decked out in KISS makeup, Simmons is surrounded by pyrotechnics and lovely ladies as he makes his case for Dr Pepper Cherry. Nick Simmons, Gene's son, emerges onstage to inform his father that he's not being smooth enough in his delivery. Watch it here. Deutsch LA created the campaign and Initiative handled the media buy.

If print isn't dead yet, it might be soon enough, once STIHL is finished with it. The company launched a print campaign in the Wall St. Journal where chainsaws, blowers and trimmers demolish copy. Words are no match for the STIHL products; mock stories are blown away and newspaper columns are chopped down to a more manageable size. See the ads here, here and here, created by Winsper.

Unum insurance launched a national 30-second spot on cable networks such as WE, Food Network, HGTV and Bravo that takes place in a fashion studio. In less than 30 seconds, an evening dress is sketched, approved, created, promoted and walking the runway. Hard work is rewarded with Unum benefits. See the ad here, which launched April 5. The VIA Group created the campaign and handled the media buy.

How do you make the best stuff on earth better? Tweak the packaging, place greater importance on the health benefits of green and black tea, and replace high fructose corn syrup with real sugar. That's what Snapple seems to have done. Two new TV spots launched March 30 and describe the change in Snapple... without really describing the change in Snapple. It's all a mystery. A team of Snapple researchers in the jungle stumbles across "better stuff." This better stuff is packaged in a crate and shown to employees, but viewers have their vision blocked. Watch the ad here. Another ad, seen here, shows a marketing team brainstorming for a new campaign slogan. Deutsch LA created the campaign and Initiative LA handled the media buy.

Amy Corr is managing editor, online newsletters for MediaPost. She can be reached at amyc@mediapost.com.

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The Unexpected

From my email:

Surprise the Customer

This is something to add to your customer appreciation strategy.
Surprise the customer. Make them say "Wow!"

This can be as easy as sending a birthday card or a holiday gift.
Maybe you just pick up the phone and unexpectedly "check in" with
your customer. You might send a surprise gift - nothing
extravagant. Just a small "something" to show you are thinking
of the customer. A very powerful idea is to send a card for
something personal. For example your customer may tell you that
he/she has a big anniversary coming up or their son or daughter
is due to graduate. Sending a card for those types of event
shows how well you listen. I can assure you they will be
surprised.

One of my favorite things is to find an article in a magazine or
newspaper, tear it out and send it to the customer with a note
saying you thought of him/her when you saw this.

The bottom line is that customers like to be remembered and
appreciated.

Copyright © 2009- Shep Hyken, Shepard Presentations

Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works
with organizations who want to build loyal relationships with
their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's
speaking programs, books and tapes contact (314)692-2200 or
shep@hyken.com. (www.hyken.com)

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Wednesday Night Marketing News

Clickables from Mediapost:

Restaurants

Tax Day Spurs Fast Food Deal Frenzy

by Karlene Lukovitz

Among the offers being made by QSRs and fast-casuals, McDonald's will sell Big Macs and Quarter Pounders with cheese for a penny with the purchase of one at full price at some locations. In Baltimore, McD's are reportedly giving away small hot McCafés or medium iced coffees, and reps at post offices in the Baltimore, Arlington, Va., and Washington, D.C. areas to hand out McCafé customized postage stamps. ... Read the whole story > >

Automotive

Autotrader.com Launches Hispanic Print, Web Product

by Karl Greenberg

The print publication is critical because, even though the general market has migrated to digital media for its auto shopping and classifieds, "a large percentage of the Hispanic demographic that speaks Spanish still prefers print," says AutoTrader Latino's Jose Ignacio Puente. "And while our Spanish product [once] competed with three or four other English publications, now that they don't exist, we are the only print magazine in the market that offers ads to dealers." ... Read the whole story > >

Beverages

Borden Intros New Packaging, Disney Star Campaign

by Karlene Lukovitz

The campaign featuring Gomez, star of Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place" series and a Dallas native -- plus Borden's iconic Elsie-the-cow character -- will include regional television and radio ads. It will also bring back the tagline: "If It's Borden, It's Got to Be Good." The company's site (www.borderonline.com) will offer sneak previews of the TV commercials and behind-the-scenes footage. ... Read the whole story > >

Retail

Downturn Affects Gen Y, Seniors Least

by Sarah Mahoney

Gen X and Boomers, on the other hand, are making more conscious changes. "Among Baby Boomers, there's more interest in giving up national brands for private labels," says Retail Forward's Mandy Putnam. Only 18% of 18- to 24-year-olds say they are purchasing more private or store brands, compared with nearly a third of shoppers age 45 or older. ... Read the whole story > >

Automotive

Eschewing Campaign, Suzuki Flexes Media Muscle

by Karl Greenberg

The company's mantra this year vis à vis media strategy is "flexibility." "Where in recent years the holy grail has been efficiency, given market volatility in the past year the true holy grail is flexibility," says Gene Brown, VP of marketing and PR, "and we are viewing lot of media planning quarterly, not yearly. I expect the upfront to be soft, and other auto manufacturers are thinking in those terms." ... Read the whole story > >

Electronics

Calif. Utilities, Major Brands In Energy-Saving Effort

by Aaron Baar

Through the Business and Consumer Electronics Program, Pacific Gas and Electric and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, retailers such as Best Buy, Sears Holdings Co., Wal-Mart and computer maker Lenovo will add tags and signage to the most energy-efficient and cost-saving electronic products in the stores. ... Read the whole story > >

Got Milk Peeps Debut Virtual Rock Star

Dunkin' Donuts Enters Lodging Market

Armani Exchange Launches Mobile Campaign

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Customer Service In Action

I bet there is something all of us can learn here:

The Inside Scoop

There are lots of good frozen-yogurt shops in Simon Glickman's Pasadena, California, neighborhood. But one—21 Choices—seems to enjoy bigger crowds than the rest, and he explains in his Editorial Emergency newsletter how the small storefront keeps customers coming back from more:

• It delivers plenty of atmosphere. Unlike most corporate chains, the environment is quirky and inviting—multiple television screens flicker with cooking shows and vintage cartoons while the teenage staff "sing and shimmy" to a Motown soundtrack.
• It makes customers feel valued. When the line moves slowly, staffers require no coaxing to hand out samples, genuine apologies and coupons for free yogurt. If it turns out you don't like a flavor combination, they'll replace it without charge, and Glickman's wife once received an extra scoop because an employee liked her sock-monkey key chain.

"But the company's service ethic goes much further," notes Glickman, "and this is where you should put down your Snickerdoodle Swirl and pay particular attention."

Simply put, 21 Choices excels at thinking in terms of community:

• Personalized touches include a poster by the front door that lists regulars by name.
• Since customers care about environmental issues, the shop made the switch to biocompostable cups and spoons. "A handmade sign explains that this move has added to their overhead and resulted in slightly higher prices," he says. "No one seems to mind."

The Po!nt: Argues Glickman, "No matter how much money and resources are allocated to make a business like this fit into a community, there's no substitute for earnestly getting to know and embracing that community."

Source: Editorial Emergency. Click here for the full post.

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