Our Jeep is Standing the Test of Time

            During workshop on Wednesday, my group and I decided to use the Grand Cherokee 2013 4x4 Laredo Jeep as our product for the senior citizen customers. This model is perfect for our older audience because it consists of handy features like the anti-lock brakes, advanced air condition and heater system,  an enhanced accident response system, and automatic headlamps. These features would help the older customers by ensuring safety to the maximum and comfort in a stable updated vehicle. Other features we would add to the product to make it better accustomed to the audience is a rear back-up camera so the driver can see clearer when backing up (especially since the older customer make have back or neck issues). Along with the easiest GPS system since some of the older customers aren’t as tech-savvy as the younger crowd. Lastly, we would ensure the vehicle is 4 doors (since it’s difficult for older people to push themselves in a 2 door vehicle), has storage availability, and many cup holders. By adding these features to this improved vehicle it will make it more appealing to the audience with it’s toned down yet still up-to-date qualities.

            For the advertisement of this Jeep, we decided to go with a commercial that is reminiscent of the past that this older audience experienced. By making the overall advertisement patriotic, we visualized an older couple in their early 70s driving the Jeep from their house in the city to a camping site by Mount Rushmore. As their driving through the calming wilderness the male driver reflects on the enduring times when he was serving in WW2 (all of this is in black and white). His memories consist mainly of him journeying in an older version of the Jeep and combatting with his fellow comrades. These memories slowly ripple away and reverts back to the couple arriving safely at their destination of Mount Rushmore with our logo, ‘Standing the Test of Time,’ written in the clouds above the forest, Jeep, and Mount Rushmore. 

Harley Davidson: A Way of Life

Question 1: Yes I do believe that brand communities, like Harley Davidson, result in greater involvement with the community because they host rallies and events that get their consumers participating first-hand with the brand and other fellow consumers. This strategy of strengthening a bond between consumers is very wise and will strengthen the brand name to its fullest. Also, by having resources in the touring rallies the consumers will get to voice their opinion and have it be heard so the Harley Davidson Company can improve their already beloved products. Although, I don’t believe that all brand communities result in greater involvement with the community because this is only achieved if they, like Harley Davidson, put out the effort to host events and opportunities for the community to be involved.

Question 2: Elements of the Posse Ride that I believe enhance the meaning of the brand for the riders is the rallies that the Harley Davidson riders participated in brought together riders from all over so it created a sense of togetherness when riding all together on their Harleys. By riding together through check points they were able to feel a sense of friendship that was all created by riding their Harleys so the riders valued this brand for helping create these adventures and memories.

Below is a video of a Harley Davidson European Rally:

I think it’s just amazing how this brand reaches out worldwide and to all age groups of people. From featuring young children wearing Harley Davidson jackets to senior citizens wearing their leather vests, the Harley Davidson company has succeeded in imprinting their brand as an integral part of their consumers’ lives.

Question 3: I think Harley Davidson shouldn’t get more involved in the ride because the participants might feel like their ride is being overpowered by commercialism. By having the Posse Ride consisting of Harley Davidson riders (with only a few resources dispersed throughout) the participants get an authentic sense of riding their motorcycles with only fellow motorcyclists. When you throw in a bunch of Harley Davidson promoters it will take away from the meaning of the ride being solely consumers who are reminiscing in their journey as a Harley Davidson rider.

Question 4: Other than the Posse Ride, Harley Davidson could increase involvement in the brand by expanding their rallies to be across the country. For example, the rally could start in California and end in New York and along the way the riders would be able to rest at checkpoints where local riders would be at to share stories and experiences. Another way to increase involvement would be for consumers to be able to visit the Harley Davidson headquarters, view the upcoming products, and then input their suggestions or preferences so the company could get immediate responses and opinions for future references. Riders could also have the opportunity to design their own product if Harley Davidson created a software so that the rider can interact directly in creating their own product.

Eco-Friendly Blogger

     James is an eco-friendly blogger who enjoys his time being extremely cautious of the environment around him and blogging his thoughts away online. He wakes up to the sounds of his iPhone alarm and makes his way over the shower. Using his Whole Foods brand shampoo and soap he makes sure to start off the day fresh! After showering he dresses himself in a pair of khakis, brown sandals, a white t-shirt with a blue quarter sleeve button up top. He goes downstairs to his kitchen to eat a bowl of Heartland Granola cereal with Vanilla Silk Soy milk. After filling his silver eco-friendly canteen with purified water, he grabs his brown messenger bag with his Mac laptop to go to work.

     Staying green, James drives in his blue Chevrolet Spark eco-friendly car to the local coffee shop. Playing his ipod on the way to work, he arrives shortly at his destination. Once inside the coffee shop James sits at his usual table in the corner and begins to blog on his Go Green website. After writing for about 6 hours he decides to check his social media sites and sips on some freshly made green chai tea latte with turkey sandwich. After blogging and researching a few new ways to be green, James drives to get some dinner from Trader Joe's. Once home James eats his vegetarian won tons, grilled chicken, and iced tea. James then watches some Discovery Channel and Friends before going back upstairs. By 11 pm James is back in bed and ready to refuel for the next day.

Loco for Tacos

Who doesn’t love tacos? Who doesn’t love Doritos? Put these two together and just like that it’s Taco Bell’s most successful item on the menu!

According to an article in the Orange County Register, 100 million Doritos Locos Tacos were sold in roughly two weeks at an Irvine Taco Bell alone. With it’s price being only $1.29 and the fact that it is enveloped in the seasoned Dorito taco shell, this new product has become the newest favorite among the other tacos, burritos, nachos, and tostadas. By keeping the price exceptionally low for such a sought after item, Taco Bell caters to its loyal customers who are on a budget. Of course this new taco wouldn’t be as successful without the added help of its signature Dorito logo, which is displayed proudly on a custom wrapper made especially for this taco. Customers of Taco Bell want to keep purchasing delicious, cheap, easy to eat, and a little out of the ordinary food, and the Doritos Locos Tacos does exactly this.

Below is a commercial promoting the new Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos:

Now Taco Bell has even expanded this already popular taco by making it available in an additional Dorito flavor. Using the theatrics in the commercial of the depressing rain and man helplessly combing Ranch Doritos with his soggy taco, Taco Bell gets the consumers to highly anticipate the newest addition to their menu. By continuing to update and innovate this unique taco, Taco Bell should have a positive future with such a tasty item that is easy to alter to the customers’ choosing. 

Here is the link to the article from Orange County Register: http://fastfood.ocregister.com/2012/06/04/taco-bell-doritos-taco-most-successful-product-launch-in-chains-history/156264/

Water Rippling Through the Internet

“Enjoy, respect, protect water” was striking to me when I watched the YouTube video promoting the Surfrider Foundation’s Second Annual video contest. Visiting the website of the Surfrider Foundation I discovered that they are linked to all types of popular social media outlets so they can keep up with the technology of today. Since I’ve never heard of this foundation I was expecting just a simple, boring, website with lots of facts and articles but this was not the case with this connective website that offered links to their Twitter Feed, blog, email signup for their weekly newsletter, and Facebook. On their Twitter Feed they extend their use of technology by promoting their 3-second video contest which leads the supporters to Youtube where people have created videos stating why water is essential to us. Their Twitter account also has the campaign’s website linked at the top of their profile along with each tweet consisting of some type of relevant hashtag (like #3secondmovie or #water) or easy access link to videos and media. Below is a screenshot of the Surfrider Foundation’s twitter page…

Here is a Youtube video that strongly promoted the Surfrider Foundation’s 3-second video contest and reached out to get the public involved easily:

            By making the contest easy to do (only being 3 seconds long) it allows the supporters to participate and voice their opinion easily and quickly. Plus, the audience has easy access to Youtube to watch these short videos and be influenced to join the movement of keeping our water and beaches safe and clean.

 

Along with the Twitter Feed, the foundation gains viewers and supporters by keeping the audience continuously updated through the use of weekly newsletters (by easily signing up online) and their blog. This blog has frequent posts and articles about plastic invasion, coastal conservation, and many other relatable water environmental issues. Overall, I was impressed with how the Surfrider Foundation thought of every possible way to promote their cause, catch the audience’s attention and get viewers involved.