Kevin Harrington // marketing // blog

Posts Tagged ‘opinion’

Is Lord Digby Jones right when he says, “The last thing in the world we need is the younger generation thinking they don’t have to work.”

Well, of course I agree with the above raw statement. But in context, on the BBC website, he seems to make the link from Glaceau Vitamin Water consumers to young people to days off sick. Now that seems a bit unfair to me.

Anyway, my experience is that questionable employee sickness is not the preserve of any particular age group.

Of course a major part of the BBC news item was Digby Jones moaning about Coke’s use of humour in advertising. Personally I think we need more Coke humour and less Digby Jones concern.

But the great thing about it all is we are allowed our opinion. In fact I’ve been out to vote today as part of my democratic rights. Marvellous.

So, have a guess what this is all about:

Since 1997 there has been much discussion of the use of focus groups, handfuls of people picked to be representative of a target demographic, then questioned in relative seclusion.

I’m thrilled to say this all about politicians. It is an extract from the BBC News Magazine.

The rather disgaceful scenes being enacted in Westminster do at least have some benefits. Finally we have some debate about our elected politicians and the need for them to be in touch with the UK public, and not just their constituency party club members.

>>> read the full article

Perhaps a few conventional marketing approaches would help them?

Lists of top tens are often used to gain attention in the media. They seem to mostly appear in the tabloids and the best of them get repeat airings on the radio.

But of course the list can just be a personal opinion. Here’s one that worked from Sarah Drew at Marketing Ladder which arrived in an email newsletter:

“With the recent flag-waving, face-painting patriotism that comes with Wimbledon, the cricket and the upcoming Olympics, we thought – what better time to remind ourselves of the reasons you’re proud to be British?”

“Without further ado, here are my top 10:

:: The Queen (and open tours of Buckingham Palace this August!)
:: Wimbledon
:: Beer Gardens
:: The Edinburgh Film Festival
:: Grand Prix Champion, Lewis Hamilton
:: English Wines (Some of the finest in the world! No, really!)
:: Footie
:: Pimms and Lemonade
:: Tom Jones!
:: TheLadders.co.uk

Well, it was her personal opinion so we can’t argue with that can we? What’s your top ten things that make you proud to be British or whatever nationality you are?