Blog Post #5

Current Event:

I saw this link on Facebook and was intrigued. While it is merely an idea at this point, I think it has potential. I am in the market for a new phone, simply because mine is over three years old and is not functioning properly anymore. For people like me who use their phones until they no longer function due to an old battery, or a failing camera, Phonebloks could work for them. Phonebloks is a phone with customizable and interchangeable parts that can be swapped out without buying a new phone entirely. This could decrease electronic waste that is generated yearly as people upgrade their phones. Here, instead of buying an entirely new phone, one could buy a new screen to get that ‘new phone’ feeling. While I am sure this idea will not be for everyone, I think it would be a great idea to try out. 

Cohn & Wolfe:

This visit helped me solidify the fact that I do not want to work at a PR agency. While I was interested in hearing about Healthcare PR, and the different roles each presenter had, I still do not see myself working at a public relations agency. Most of the presentations did not capture and hold my interest, besides the one that Amy gave about her hotels project. I found that to be interesting mainly because it related a lot to marketing and positioning, and relied less on on social media. One thing that my classmates and I felt bothered by was the first presenters asking us if we were juniors in college. I feel that the presenters do not speak to as graduate students and Columbia. This is disappointing and frustrating, especially since most of the girls in the program have more work experience than did the presenters. 

TTIY:

Burt’s Bees did not upload any new videos on YouTube since my last post. On the other hand, their presence on Facebook has been more prevalent than usual, with a new post daily. Currently, they are promoting a new lip gloss by including a coupon and a well-worded blurb which reads: Step out into the crisp autumn evening and let the glowing night sky fall upon you. Burt's Bees Starry Night Lip Gloss blankets your lips with a canopy of plum color and star-like radiance to match. Its rich hue and luminescent finish transforms your smile into a celestial body of the night.” This paints such a nice pictures and I can see how it would intrigue lip gloss lovers to try out the gloss, especially with the $2.00 off coupon. This Facebook advertisement falls under their “Nature knows color” campaign that integrates quite seamlessly with their brand image. The other current posts are heavily promoting their classic products as well as encouraging followers to read their 2012 sustainability report. 

AdWeek showed an article about Burt’s Bees on October 9th titled: Burt’s Bees Stages Classic Works of Literature in Six-Second Vines. This is a spin-off of Burt’s Bees “Classics” line, meshed into the classic tales of literature. Perhaps this is an attempt to branch out into another area of social media? I am not sure how this would make people want to purchase their products, but some of the vines are mildly entertaining.