Volkswagen 'Crash' Ads Get Results

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The recent Crispin Porter + Bogusky-created Volkwagen Jetta ads in which two Jettas are involved in real accidents filmed in one shot with stunt drivers are reported to have generated positive results. The ads, which began April 10 and carry the tagline "Safe Happens," have, according to Volkswagen as reported in USA Today, increased online dealer quote requests by 58 percent and increased brochure requests though call centers 37 percent and 56 percent through the web. Results happen. Now, maybe, we can all give CP+B a break and realize they do actually create good work. View the ads here and here.

by Steve Hall    May- 2-06    
Topic: Campaigns, Commercials, Good, Research, Television



Study: Big Media Shops Don't Get Better Rates Than Smaller Shops

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Even though we often rail against studies that simply restate the obvious, it's nice to see a study that confirms what we've known for years. Contrary to life as a porn star, in the world of media buying, size does not matter according to a recent study of negotiated media rates. A two year analysis of media spending by Billets media audit arm MMPA found prices paid for the same media vary widely and big agency bulk buying clout did not guarantee a lower rate. Our own personal confirmation of this came several years ago when an idiot sales rep mistakenly emailed us his entire inventory sheet for the past six month showing our little three person media department was kicking the shit out of the big guys rate-wise.

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by Steve Hall    Apr-24-06    
Topic: Agencies, Good, Research, Television



Behavioral Targeting Whoops Contextual's Ass

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A recent behavioral targeting vs. contextual targeting study on an Internet advertising campaign for Panasonic found behavioral targeting identified and reached 50.3 percent more imminent buyers of Panasonic plasma TV's than contextual targeting. The study, by Next Century Media using Insight Express across 1,146 respondents, also found the cost to reach each potential buyer was 50 percent less than contextual targeting.

When considering a plasma TV purchase, people on the receiving end of the behavioral targeted ads showed a 67.6 percent higher preference for the Panasonic brand than those reached by contextual targeting. The study also showed a 168.9 percent advantage for behavioral targeting over run of network in terms of increasing the likelihood of buying the Panasonic brand.

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by Steve Hall    Apr-24-06    
Topic: Online, Research



In Satellite Radio, All Celebrities Are Not Created Equal

It seems not all celebrities are created equal nor are all satellite radio services equal in their celebrity appeal either. While both XM and Sirius have signed celebrities in a bid to win listeners, recent research from celebrity appeal research company E-Poll shows dramatic differences in public opinion for each company's celebrity talent. According to recent E-Score celebrity ratings , XM's talent has far more universal appeal, while the talent at Sirius is much more polarizing.

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by Steve Hall    Apr-21-06    
Topic: Celebrity, Radio, Research



Shocker: Internet Primary Resource Among Affluent For Product Info

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In yet another confirmation of the obvious, a recent Burst Media survey found more than half (57.1%) of respondents to a survey of more than 3,700 web users 18 years and older, say the Internet is their primary source for information about products or services they might purchase. Use of the Internet to gather product information rises dramatically as household income (HHI) increases - going from one-half (50.6%) of respondents reporting HHI less than $35,000 to fully two-thirds (69.2%) of respondents reporting HHI of $75,000 or more. Hmm. Let's do the math. Less money equals higher inability to buy computer. Lack of computer ownership equals inability to access Internet. Inability to access Internet equals inability to use Inter as "primary source for information about products or services." Did we need a study for that or did we just want to put out a press release?

by Steve Hall    Apr-20-06    
Topic: Research



Branded Entertainment Increases, Measurement Difficult

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A recent Association of National Advertisers survey found 66 percent of advertisers involve themselves in some form of branded entertainment. Eighty percent use television as the channel through which to launch branded entertainment initiatives and 76 percent plan to include those initiative in their upfront dealings with broadcasters.

While marketers acknowledge impact on sales is of great importance and are measuring their efforts, 62 percent say it is not easy to do and 87 percent say existing measurement tools can't do the job. Sixty two percent say the money to fund branded entertainment initiatives comes from television budgets, up from 52 percent last year and more (35 percent) are funding initiatives incrementally, up from 18 percent last year. More than half (60 percent) do not rely on their agencies for branded entertainment and initiate projects themselves.

by Steve Hall    Apr-19-06    
Topic: Brands, Product Placement, Research, Television



Boomers Boom, Gen X/Y Flat, Over 50 the New Black

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It looks like all those twenty-something hipster agency creatives might have a tough time identifying with their client's target audiences over the next ten years. Remember those people we called Yuppies? Or baby Boomers? Well, that audience, which owned the 80's with their yellow ties and Wall Street aspirations is about to boot advertising's fave demographic, 18-49, to also-ran status.

Results released yesterday from Survey Sampling International review of Census data notes 78 million baby boomers will turn 50 over the next ten years increasing the size of the 50+ demo from 89.3 million in 2006 to 111.3 million in 2016, a 25 percent increase. In contrast, the 18-49 demo, while still larger overall, will see a measly one percent increase in size from 135.1 million in 2006 to 135.9 million in 2016.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-31-06    
Topic: Research, Trends and Culture



MarketingSherpa Seeks Viral Marketing Campaigns For Survey

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MarketingSherpa needs agencies and companies using viral marketing and advertising to participate in this year's survey on Viral Marketing, and to submit their best viral marketing and advertising campaigns for the 2006 Viral Advertising Hall of Fame here. "Last year, we conducted the first survey, gathering practical information and data about Viral Advertising. We were blown away by participation from more than 2,400 survey participants," explains MarketingSherpa's Publisher Anne Holland. "We're interested in seeing year-over-year data, as well as this year's most successful viral marketing campaigns." The survey results will be available for free at MarketingSherpa.com and will be sent to everyone who participates in the survey. The survey deadline is March 17th; for campaign submissions, March 22nd. get thee virals submitted.

by Steve Hall    Mar-15-06    
Topic: Research, Viral



Gaming Sites On Top, PR Sites On Bottom of Website Effectiveness Study

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The Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the annual international WebAward competition, today announced the findings of a decade-long study of Web development trends across more than 80 industries. The resulting Internet Standards Assessment Report provides industry benchmarks for Web site development and is based on data collected from nearly 10,000 Web site evaluations.

The report reveals that gaming Web sites dominate the top scores in every category, followed by music, which placed second overall, and automobile and sports Web sites, which tied for third place. The industries with the lowest average Web site scores included radio, public relations and search engines.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-15-06    
Topic: Online, Research



AARP Wants You to Know Over 50's Aren't Dead

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The AARP, bastion of those unworthy of inclusion in the coveted 18-49 demo, is issuing a wake up call to youth-fixated media planners and twenty-something ad agency types in the form of a new research service called AARP Publications Marketing Intelligence. The service hammers home the point over 50's have the bucks, aren't all in a rocking chair on a deck in front of a lake in Maine and are cooler that a lot of twenty-something who think they know it all. So, now that we've insulted you enough, go out and grab this research, talk to this audience and smile as they open up their fat wallets and throw money at you and your brand.

by Steve Hall    Mar-13-06    
Topic: Opinion, Research