WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE STUPID STUFF GOING ON IN THE WORLD
Instead of going into computers, I often think that I missed my calling - marketing. I have been almost 100% in determining if a product will be successful based solely on how the commercials look. I think the Droid Incredible is going to be successful because so many people are unsatisfied with AT&T’s service for the iPhone, but the commercial for the device is definitely subpar.
First, it is stupid to show a product without showing EXACTLY what it can do. The iPhone is not the best at anything. It isn’t great or even good with audio. It doesn’t have a great or even acceptable camera. It doesn’t have the best call quality. It isn’t great with video. It isn’t the best of anything. However, the commercials articulate clearly what the product can do. One commercial showed that you could identify birds. One commercial showed that you could call someone and look something up on the web at the same time. Another commercial showed how you could accept payments for your business. Another commercial showed how you could print an invoice. Another commercial showed how you could send a picture and have a phone conference about it with a group of family members. Another commercial showed how you could open a garage with the phone. So on and so on. Do you see a pattern here? Apple showed me what I could do with their imperfect, not-great-in-any-one-area phone and that approach works for the masses because as much as the masses want gadgets, they also want simplicity.
People don’t care about rays of light shining over the phone. They don’t care about seeing the phone emerge from the ocean and glide across water unless you are saying that the phone is waterproof. What people DO care about is what the product is going to do for them. I think the people who created that Droid Incredible commercial should be put across my lap and spanked REAL, REAL hard! While I’m administering my version of punishment, I would explain to them that people will buy something if they can clearly understand the immediate benefit and value. What makes the Incredible better than an iPhone. Show me the value - CLEARLY and IMMEDIATELY! Showing people what a phone can do is going to make people move to buy that phone so much more than telling them what it can do. If you show me how to download and use an app that styles my hair (I’m being sarcastic here), I’m going to buy that damn phone! Show me stuff! Show me stuff! Show me stuff! I’m telling you right now - if the Droid Incredible commercials showed how to tether the phone to my laptop, my iPhone would be gone quicker than AT&T could say, “Please don’t go, we value your busi………… They would not even be able to get out that last “ness” on the end of business before I would be over to knock on Verizon’s door and get that phone. Show me something that matters to me. I don’t care about lasers and robot arms. Who thought of that stupid crap? These people get paid to do this stuff? Now THAT is INCREDIBLE!!! Give me a digital camera, some editing software and a few days and I would create a commercial that would actually make people want to buy the phone. I’m not saying that Verizon’s sales are hurting, but having a commercial that will move those people on the fence is what will really drive people over to Verizon. Otherwise, what is the point of even having a commercial?
Marketing people, if you are out there, I want you to know that not showing me exactly what a phone can do is VERY, VERY, VERY STUPID. Verizon, if you are out there, your commercials are very, very stupid. I want to come over to your dark side, but I need to know what I’m getting into. I know I can research the phone and I will, but I want quick and dirty eye-candy to tell me what I’m missing if I don’t come over to your side. Not doing that is very stupid.
bob andrews
July 16th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
To Ms. Very Stupid….the only things stupider than Verizon’s commercials is the fact your name is NOT at the very bottom of this post. How does a web designer forget important things like this and still make a living. I guess ANYONE can be a web designer. I thought when people grajiated from High School, and were dumba**es beyond help, they got into “Landscaping”. Guess that has changed and the “dumba**es” have figured out a way to make a buck without getting dirt on them. What a country.
Your assessment of the marketing skills of Verizon is absolutely right on the money. I have been in marketing for more than 30 years. I can’t tell you the amount of simple misspellings I’ve encountered…much less off topic advertising!! You can package crap, and if it’s done properly it will sell. Verizon depends on the total stupidity of the American public, and they make money! Guess we’re trying too hard. The only way to beat the system is to do the “BUY-TRY for 30 DAYS-RETURN…whether it’s good or not. And, then wait for Rev. #1. They are all prostitutes, and will go overboard to hook you. The only answer is to take them up on it, and then spit the hook out!
Ms. Very Stupid
July 20th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Well bob andrews the reason I don’t post my name along with my rants, is because they are just that - MY RANTS. I have my professional space in the world AND I have the place where I can be less PC than I would be in the “real world” and this is it! My name is plastered in the places where it SHOULD be. So you see, my reasons are NOT very stupid….to me (and that is the only opinion that counts here on VeryStupidThings Bobbbb)!
Anyway, I think marketing has to be quick and efficient or smart and intelligent. Those Old Spice commercials got me buying Old Spice for my man even though I tried to resist………(very stupid right?), but marketing needs to communicate the point. There are some campaigns that do it and do it well, but the Verizon commercials just don’t do it for me.