Archives for 2009

Marketing And Movie Trailers – Sherlock Holmes

Very much looking forward to the upcoming “Sherlock Holmes” movie with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.

I’m a big fan of the original stories and have read them many, many times. So there’s always a degree of trepidation when someone decides to “interpret” a classic.

In this case, however, the director Guy Ritchie is himself a fan of the books and has gone back to the source material. And there is plenty in the original stories to support a darker and edgier take on Holmes (recall his cocaine habit, for example).

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What Copywriters And Marketers Need To Know About New FTC Guidelines

Unless you’ve been completely cut off from the online world the last few months…

…you’re most likely aware that there has been a fair amount of discussion and not a little concern about new guidelines issued by the US Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) relating to online marketers.

Specifically, as how they relate to bloggers, affiliates and the use of testimonials.

Marketing maven Jim Edwards has done the internet marketing community a great service by going straight to the source and interviewing Rich Cleland of the FTC about these new guidelines.

You can watch the webinar right here…

http://www.igottatellyou.com/blog/ftc-change-interview/

It’s completely free, nothing to buy and in the spirit of the FTC regs, I am NOT an affiliate (LOL!).

Seriously, all marketers and copywriters need to be on top of this and a big “Thank You” to Jim for organising this and making it freely available.

If you’re not in the US, don’t think this doesn’t apply to you. Most countries have similar laws (in Australia it’s the ACCC and the Trades Practices Act) and the FTC is often seen by other authorities as setting the standard.

Looking Ahead – Marketing Calendar January 2010

Christmas is fast approaching, along with the end of the year of course. Anyone else wondering what happened to 2009? Or even the first decade of the 21st century?!? Zoiks!*!

Not too late to launch your own Christmas or New Year promotion. With “New Year’s Resolutions” and plans for 2010 on people’s minds right now, it’s a great time to promote health, personal development and pretty much anything linked to achievement and business.

Now, looking ahead to January…

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Marketing And The ‘Madness’ Of Luxury Goods

Good article in “The Economist” titled…

“Salesman Of The Irrational”

It’s all about a Swiss marketer called Jean-Claude Biver who has an impressive record of success in marketing high end watches.

Couple of points to note…

1. What he’s really selling is exclusivity and cachet. It’s not really about the watches.

2. Note a great example of differentiation with the Blancpain brand and making a virtue out of what was seen as a problem.

You may not be selling $100,000 watches but there are great lessons here for any marketer. The key question…

“What are you really selling?”

Looking Ahead – Marketing Calendar December 2009

Hardly needs to be said that the main events in December for marketers to focus on are Christmas and New Year!

Retail stores have been in full “Christmas Mode” for weeks already…

…so if you haven’t yet started to plan your own promotion, there’s no time to lose.

I’ve mentioned before that the start of the New Year is a great time to promote…

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