Twick or Tweet!
October272011
October252011
The Politics of Advertising
While most of the nation has their eyes focused on the festivities of the upcoming holidays, and rightfully so, we in the media buying world have only one event looming ever so largely on our horizon – POLITICAL SEASON. Yes, that term prompts many in our line of work to reach quickly for the aspirin and breathe a heavy sigh quicker than you can say pre-empt. However, the bright and shining star in our sky appears when our clients are aware of the importance of pre-planning during these times.
Political years differ because, in a nutshell, the media outlets (television, radio, etc) have an incredibly high demand on their commercial inventory. This, of course, drives the rates up based on the simple concept of supply and demand. Also, media vendors cannot charge considerably less for any other advertiser than they charge the politicians (also called issue advertising). This means, when the political camps start spending dollars, the rates hit a high note and when Joe’s Plumbing down the street calls to place his advertising, he’s going to note equally high rates because of this.
This can all be avoided by planning early. As a Media Buyer/Planner, nothing gives me more joy than to hear a client say “Let’s go ahead and book this annually” and it’s still a few months away from the new year. Joy is in my heart, birds sing, rainbows appear, and well….you get the idea. But it’s never more important to pre-plan than during a political year to avoid high rates, low inventory, and therefore, bumped spots.
The issue advertising has started being placed at this point for 2012, so just a word of caution: If you have not begun booking your advertising for next year, you might want to consider doing so very soon. It will save you time, money…and a LOT of aspirin. - CS
October212011
The Best Intern Ever at G-Force
We asked our intern Cynamon to provide insight on being an intern at G-Force Marketing Solutions. Here’s what she told us.
My name is Cynamon Frierson and I was asked to write a little about what it’s like to be a Marketing Intern here and also come up with a great title for myself (which I feel like I have). It’s my last year in the full-time MBA program at UNC-G and it is required that we complete a summer internship after the first year. I was a little nervous at first as with starting any new job, but my fear was that I would be doing what most interns do, all the things that nobody else wants to do. Although I’m sure I have, I also have been able to do some truly amazing things with wonderful people and I was thrilled when I got to extend my internship for a few more months.
I’ve worked with just about everybody here in some form or fashion from Account Executives to the Digital Marketing Strategist (whose title should be Digital Marketing Guru, by the way). The best part about being here is that we’re able to have great relationships with our co-workers and it truly feels like a family. No matter what needs to get done, we work together and do whatever it takes to get the job done right.
Although I’m not sure where life will take me in my future, I can only hope that I’ll be in a work environment similar to G-Force. It would also be great if I could bring my dog in to help me (like I do here), but that’s another story.
October202011
Displaying our new foursquare cling…
4PM
To Tweet or Not to Tweet….Wait, What?
Twitter in a political year? Absolutely!
Would you elect someone based on 140 characters or less? First off, yes, because we did. In the 2008 Presidential election, Barack Obama used Twitter to reach a core younger demographic. According to Read Write Web, Obama gained over 2,865 new twitter followers on or around election day in 2008 for a total of 118,107 followers.
President Obama reached his core demo by being in their hands when they wanted, answering the questions they asked, and listening to the comments. People share information – they share opinions, facts, problems, needs. The public is speaking (tweeting) are our politicians listening?
The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln says it best –“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. I suppose in this decade we should add tweeted by the people. -JB
