Mozy makes a controversial t-shirt out of online backup

I came across this article today:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/27/mozy_back_the_fslash_up/

It was the image of the t-shirt that caught my eye…

There’s also a competition that they’re running, which is great for getting involvement from their users and customers:

http://www.computernightmare.com/cn/

Could you make a promotional item that your customers would actually want to wear or use in public?

Posted under Corporations with personality

This post was written by gordon_mullan on November 27, 2008

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How LEGO used comics to build a community

Virtual Lego on a translucid floor
Creative Commons License photo credit: fdecomite

Short post today to link over to a great article on The Personality Project, entitled How LEGO used comics to build a community.

My reasons for linking over are the first and last paragraphs in the article, which I absolutely agree with:

“Perhaps the real challenge for organizations looking to find their unique personality is figuring out how to convince clients that newly discovered personality isn’t yet another marketing trick or sales tactic.”

“…personality is more than just telling customers what you or your company are about; personality is showing that you’ve learned something and doing something about it.”

Couldn’t agree more Jake!

Posted under Corporations with personality, Products With Personality

This post was written by gordon_mullan on May 29, 2008

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Small Business Marketing Tips #3: What Most Marketing & Vacuums Have In Common - They Both Suck!

Came across this great article today by Jimmy Vee, where he shows how you can have personality in your product, as well as your marketing.  Enjoy!

– Begin article –

Being a man and a gear head I love mechanical marvels and innovation. New tools, new kitchen gadgets, new electronics and new high tech appliances – with that in mind you shouldn’t be surprised when I tell you that I am in love with the new Dyson Vacuum.

I love it for what it is, what it looks like, what it promises and I love the marketing.

Let’s talk about the marketing. Let’s talk about it because the marketing is all the things I just mentioned.

This company is smart. They build marketing into the product at ground zero. They vacuum is scendsational to look at. It’s a cool and innovative thing of beauty and I’m sure to some it’s a hideous yellow beast, which from a marketing perspective is the right place to be.

They are following our rule of thirds principle here which is one I suggest you all strive to follow. Not being afraid to piss off, turn off and not be for at least a third of the population.

The Dyson also has a completely innovative design that moves completely based on a ball concept for revolutionary mobility – that’s worth looking at and talking about. They have built in buzz right in the product design.

See how that’s marketing at ground zero. You can do that too…

Next, I want to talk about the claims they make. Their irresistible offer is short and simple – “The first vacuum cleaner that doesn’t lose suction.” Let’s analyze this.

1. What are we selling?

A vacuum

2. What’s in it for me – the customer?

It doesn’t lose suction

3. How much does it cost?

Not mentioned (more on this later)

4. Why should I believe what you say?

The first vacuum to not lose suction.

A short and simple statement that answers 3 out of the four power questions of an irresistible offer. That is a Gravitational Proposition that pulls people to them like crazy. What is the most frustrating thing about a vacuum? Losing Suction!!!
So smart and it gets even better.

The company has made several models all that cater to very specific sub-niches.

1. Base model
2. Low Reach – for people who are frustrated with not being able to get under things
3. The Animal - The most powerful upright for pet hair – for pet owners.
4. Full Gear – for all the floor cleaning gadgets – for the people who always buy the top of the line.

This is a great marketing strategy.

The Website:

The front page of the web site uses an education based marketing approach that discusses the four things you need to know before you buy a vacuum.

The website is the best. They are a bit too caught up in fancy flash and they are losing some of the effectiveness as a result. They could make the site simpler and easy to navigate and ultimately make more sales.

The Advertising:

The advertising spokes person is the inventor of the vacuum and the owner of the UK based company, James Dyson. In 1970, Dyson graduated from Royal College of Art where he studied furniture design, then interior design.

In the advertising, Dyson is very persuasive and passionate about his product. He exudes believability and credibility by doing very little other than demonstrating the product and being confident in its ability.

Unwavering confidence is a key and often overlooked corner-stone of marketing. You must be confident in your personal ability and the ability of your product or service to deliver on its claims.

Many small business owners and independent sales professionals lack that level of confidence. It’s only when you have that level of confidence can you back up your products with solid, no-nonsense guarantees.

Price:

Wouldn’t you think that a vacuum is a commodity product? One vacuum sucks, they all suck – figuratively and literally. You’re looking for the cheapest thing to get the job done, right?

Wrong…With the identification of the pain of the target, an irresistible offer, an overwhelming benefit, education based marketing, social proof and a buzz-worthy, spread-able design this product rips itself from the commodity market and commands more money then all it’s competitors.

And the thing is selling like hotcakes.

Heck, I’m considering it even though is like $500.00. Plus I have pets, so I’m thinking I’m gonna pay even more for the pet vacuum because its niche marketed just for me.

Here’s them using a special offer and action incentive too…great stuff.

Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller are the authors of “The Ten Tall Tales Of Traditional Advertising That Cost You Tons” and their newest release, “The Small Business Owner’s Guide To The Galaxy: Jim & Travis’s Super-Stellar, Out Of This World, Step-By-Step Guide To Generating Leads, Attracting Customers and Making Sales.” Get FREE small business marketing tips, shortcuts and secrets - RIGHT NOW - at http://www.GravitationalMarketing.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Vee
http://EzineArticles.com/?Small-Business-Marketing-Tips-3:-What-Most-Marketing-and-Vacuums-Have-In-Common—They-Both-Suck!&id=93052

Posted under Corporations with personality

easyJet demonstrate a cheeky personality

As the one of the final parts of the acquisition of GB Airways by easyJet, there was a huge changeover overnight from Saturday 29 March to Sunday 30 March to re-configure all the aircraft. OK, so far, so boring…

What I particularly liked, showing the usual easyJet personality, was the T-shirts worn by the people who were responsible for taking out all the BA paraphenalia from the aircraft and putting in the easyJet stuff:

Typical easyjet style - orange and unsubtle

Posted under Corporations with personality

This post was written by gordon_mullan on March 31, 2008

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Are people stealing McVities Jamaica Ginger Cake?

Quick post today.

I saw an articulated lorry today signwritten with an advert McVities Jamaica Ginger Cake - nothing unusual there.

What made me laugh out loud as I went past it on my journey down the M1 was the sign on the back doors:

“NO CAKE LEFT OVERNIGHT IN THIS LORRY”

:-)

Assuming it’s not a genuine warning (unless there’s been a rash of Ginger Cake thefts!) it’s another good example of how you can add personality to your product, and get some ‘word of mouth’ exposure in the process!

Your question: Is there anywhere your product is advertised that you can inject a little bit of ‘make people look twice’ personality?

Posted under Corporations with personality, Marketing

This post was written by gordon_mullan on March 31, 2008

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Delta safety video shows how personality pays off

Similar to the article I wrote about the Virgin Atlantic safety video, Delta Airline has discovered how putting some personality into what is normally a very mundane and ignored piece of communication can really make a difference.

With (at the time of writing) just shy of half a million (499,373) views on YouTube, Katherine Lee (who’s been dubbed ‘Deltalina’ for her resemblance to Angelina Jolie) has brought Delta Airline some huge benefits:

  1. People now actually watch the safety video (the original and admirable intent)
  2. Delta is getting massive exposure on blogs, news channels and so on
  3. I suspect there may even be some people choose to fly Delta purely to watch the safety video and find out what the fuss is.  At the very least, you can be damn sure they’ll be telling other people about it! (Watch for the now infamous ‘finger wag’ about half-way through :-) )

Here’s my challenge for you.

Think about the ordinary, every day, regular communication touch points you have with your customers.  Is there any way you could put more of your personality into those communications?  It could be order confirmation emails, it could be invoices - any time you communicate with your customers and clients, you have an opportunity to inject personality.

Pick one thing and change it - today.

Posted under Corporations with personality

This post was written by gordon_mullan on March 28, 2008

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How Virgin made a boring safety video utterly compelling

A few years ago I was on a Virgin Atlantic flight, and saw their safety video.  You know, those “oh my God, not another boring ‘heard it all before’ announcement - where did I put my book?” announcements.  Well, this isn’t - not by a long shot.  In fact, it’s so engaging, passengers would insist that anyone not watching it watched it. 

UPDATE

Some people would say the Virgin America one is even better - judge for yourself

Posted under Corporations with personality

This post was written by gordon_mullan on February 22, 2008