20 posts…and then some
We were tasked to post about topics featured in class, namely, how the new media frontier impacts has revolutionized the way people communicate with each other, and as a result, how brands can interact with us.
What a difference 9 weeks makes! With a list of future posts still dancing within my head, I feel like a blogging addict. I will likely take a few days off after this class concludes on December 28, but I will be back in 2010 with more updates. Until then, please look me up on cyberspace at the links below:
Also, please check out my Blogroll at the right hanf side of my screen. These are links to my fellow classmates blogs. Great insights, definitely worth a look. I am proud to be associated with a talented group of individuals from across the globe.
In keeping with our viral video discussion, here is a special video….ABBA’s Happy New Year video. 4 million views on YouTube and counting! I wish you all a Happy, Healthy, and Safe New Year.
Donna
p.s. Go Mountaineers ! Good luck at the Gator Bowl!
GEICO Gecko & Disney Frog – strange bedfellows or marketing geniuses?
I’ll admit it. I have been conditioned to love GEICO. Not only is it my insurance company with reasonable rates, but I also love their ads. From the loveable Cavemen to the silent but wise googly-eyed wad of cash the hapless TV commercial actor could be saving on GEICO, I am a fan of them all.
Being home more than usual the past couple of days, I’ve had the guilty pleasure to catch a little more TV than usual.
Here’s a new GEICO ad that caught me off guard. The endearing GEICO Gecko is now costarring in some ads with characters from Disney’s latest animated hit “The Princess and the Frog.” In one ad, the frog prince is on a Skype call (internet conference call…even small animals are using emerging media!) with the GEICO Gecko. Instead of advising the frog how to change the spell that was cast upon him, the Gecko provides the frog with the GEICO tagline on how he can save hundreds by switching his insurance.
I don’t really see any connection here other than two cute green spokes“people” for their respective companies. At first I thought the GEICO was being used to help Disney sell tickets. With a number one figure of sales in the box office (over 27 million on December 14th) The Princess and the Frog may instead open up awareness about GEICO to a group of new consumers – parents with young children. Ted Ward, GEICO’s vice president of advertising released a statement that the tie –in with Disney is “a great fit at the start of the holiday season with Disney looking to entertain families and GEICO trying to save them money.” My guess? Consumers are so conditioned to pay attention to GEICO’s wonderful ads, that both Disney and GEICO got a run for their advertising dollars.
Either way, this is a pretty clever symbiotic way for GEICO and Disney to promote each other.
Just don’t take away my Caveman ads.
