No Nuggets This Week

Don’t be sad, I’m just really busy and away on business.  I’ll be back next week, though.

Hey, feel free to share any crunchy marketing nuggets you find.  And I’m happy to post and give you full credit, k?

See you then!

Contagious Emotions

FRESH FACTS:  Facebook has shared the results of a recent analysis, looking at approximately 1 million English speaking FB users, and their roughly 150 million friends in multiple countries who are using the network.  Facebook wanted to see how the words people use in their status updates drive the emotions of their online friends.  Interestingly, it seems that emotions are contagious.  What they found, specifically, was that when Facebook users wrote emotionally loaded words such as “happy,” “hug,” “sick,” and “vile” in their status updates, these posts sparked similar emotions in later Facebook updates and posts by their friends.  And it seems that the bad vibes lingered as this phenom lasted up to three days later, for people who used more negative words.  But the analysis also found that people who were using more positive words, not only inspired their friends to also use more positive words, but their friends also used fewer negative words.  Why does Facebook care?  Because of consumer behavior and inspiration through insights, silly.  Like a good marketer, these insights enable Facebook to create advertising platforms and tools that make relevant connections to users.  Keep all of this mind the next time you post to your FB wall or update your status, Happy Pappy or Debbie Downer!  Here’s the full article if you wish to read:  http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18183052?nclick_check=1

So hey there, happy person!  I wish you laughter, joy, and positive vibes this weekend!  Be sure to spread the love!  TASTY TREND:  Socially Acceptable

Wise Words

CRUNCHY NUGGETS:  Greetings from my beach vacation.  You know, vacation at the beach is a lot like pizza — even when it’s just OK, it’s still pretty darn good.  Inspired words, no?!  Speaking of inspired words — and pizza, for that matter — I wanted to share a cool program.  It’s Domino’s latest, crowd sourced contest called Pizza Proverbs.

A proverb is a “short statement expressing an observation or principle that’s generally accepted as wise and true.”  Domino’s is cleverly leveraging proverbs in its current contest.  In 100 words or less, they’re asking consumers to write truisms about pizza and its ingredients.  Here’s what makes this program — like pizza — so good…

• Simple – Nothing to upload, nothing to capture or choreograph.  Just write and enter.  And be clever, of course.
• Share Options – Every entry is given an option for readers to Tweet it or Like it on Facebook.  Nice, organic word of mouth to support the program.
• And did I say simple?! The eight winning phrases (as chosen by a panel of judges) will be printed on pizza boxes.  That’s it.  No fancy final voting rounds, no crazy prize packages.  The total number of “Likes” counts only in the event of a tie.  And the winners get straightforward “thanks so much for being clever” acknowledgment/fame on Domino’s “packaging.”  Nice!  The program ends in October this year.

A good blog post often ends in extra cheese.  Crunchy marketing nuggets are best when delivered fresh.  Hey, I could get into this proverb thing!!!  Enjoy!  TASTY TREND:  Traditional Experiential

Crunchy O’Nuggets

CRUNCHY NUGGETS:  This time of year, “going green” is usually a wee bit more Irish than eco.  So in honor of the upcoming holiday, I wanted to share stats around consumer behavior and St. Pat’s Day.  Here’s what to expect…

• 8 in 10 people will wear green (two duds in the group wearing black!).
• Although I’m sure after a few pints and good cheer more will claim it on St. Pat’s Day…36+ million Americans claim to have Irish ancestry.
• No matter what the lineage, 44% of Americas say “yes!” they’ll celebrate St. Pat’s Day.
• How they’ll celebrate…One third of Americans will stay home and cook a traditional meal (pass the corned beef and cabbage).  While just about one third will go out to party or a bar (I guess you must call it a “pub” on St. Pat’s).
• And the average spend on St. Pat’s decorations, apparel, and party goods per individual is expected to be $33.05, up from $32.80 last year (an optimistic up-take).

The crunchiness, by the way, comes from two surveys, one conducted by American Greetings, the other by BIGresearch.  And look at you, kissed with Irish luck, you can find it all here at this URL: http://www.marketingcharts.com/topics/behavioral-marketing/st-patrick%E2%80%99s-day-set-to-be-greener-in-2010-12268/

Having made and purchased “traditional” Irish food this past weekend, I’ve decided that Irish soda bread is really one big scone.  And thank goodness it comes but once a year…it’s highly addictive!  So beware!  TASTY TREND:  Holidays 2010;  Don’t Worry, Be Happy Optimistic Marketing

S’no Posts ‘Til 2010

Hi – Crunchy Marketing Nuggets is taking a lil’ holiday break.  “S’noway?!?!”  you’re saying?  I like you, you’re an excellent participant and so quick with the appropriate puns!  If you need your crunchy fix, don’t forget to check out the “Crunchiest Marketing Nuggets of 2009 Year End Review.”  You can find it at this URL:  http://www.slideshare.net/LisaFritts/crunchy-marketing-nuggets-2009-year-in-review

See you with more crunchy, nuggety goodness is 2010!  Stay warm…or not and feel frosty…whatever makes you happy!  Enjoy!

Real Retail Help

FRESH IDEA:  The November issue of “Shopper Marketing” has an article about an interesting, brand new retail service.  It’s called Aisle 411.  It’s a means for helping customers in-store and offering service in the absence of staff support.  Here’s how it works:  Let’s say you’re in a store and you’re looking for an item you’re unfamiliar with its location in that store.  A hardware store is a great example — and where it’s being tested — as it’s a place you’ve been before, but aren’t always returning for the same need or item, and often can’t get on-the-floor assistance.  So you can’t find the item but notice POP in carts, attached to shelves, and dangling from the ceiling.  It encourages you to call 1-877-AISLE-411.  This service is voice activated, it knows the specific store layout, and will help direct you over the phone to the item.

Now, in this day and age of GPS and text messaging and apps (oh my!), you’d think that a voice system is a bit old school.  But really, it satisfies an immediate need for anyone who has a cell phone (and really, who doesn’t these days) and needs help.  It has a text opportunity, if you wish to get the directions via text instead.  And it also points out offers on specific brands, or cross sells to brands with your find.  Coupons can be delivered, too, with a bar code sent via text to the shopper.

A tiny amount of Ace Hardware stores are testing this service, along with a few other one-off grocery store locations.  Aisle 411′s research says that two-thirds of shoppers would use this service.  And only 13% wish to get the text version.  Aisle 411 supplies the in-store POP.  And tracks calls to identify shopper behavior.  Pretty cool, customer-service-centric thinking.  Now if it could only fix the problem that requires hardware, right?!  TASTY TREND:  Customer Centric

Tasty Trend

TASTY TREND:  “Hey, that tastes like Dragon Berry!”  Despite Dragon Berry’s title of  “superfruit,” Bacardi USA wisely understood that no one would utter this phrase.  Not yet, at least.

So to launch its newest rum flavor Dragon Berry — Bacardi’s latest addition in a few years — they’ve developed  a “Point of Taste” piece.  It’s a unique, peel and taste flavor strip, wrapped in foil.  The lickable strips let consumers “sample” the taste of Dragon Berry rum (which also has a hint of Strawberry) and Ginger Ale –Barcardi’s featured drink recipe for this new rum.  The strips could be experienced at in-store tastings at off-premise locations such as grocery and liquor stores.  They were also affixed to the backs of case cards, along with recipes.  And no, the lick strip does not contain actual alcohol.  But it is a really cool way to let consumers experience a new flavor — particularly as interesting spices and flavor combinations are very on-trend.  Thanks to the June issue of Shopper Marketing for covering this interesting, new sampling technology.  Now I wonder where you can even find Dragon Berries?!  TASTY TREND:  Sensational Experiential;  Flavor Crave

Be Well, Feel Good, Look Good, Other?

FRESH FACTS:  The latest issue of BrandWeek has noted the top selling new products from 2008, per IRI data.  What’s performing strongest seems to help people:  be well, feel good (emotionally and physically), and look good.  Note doses of convenince throughout.

Be well = G2 reduced cal drink; Healthy Choice steamers – wellness and convenience; Progresso Light – wellness, convenience; Zyrtec; Miralax

Feel good = DD coffee – save a few bucks and make it at home; Hormel Compleats – comfort food in minutes; DiGiorno, Doritos, Tyson Any’tizers – more convenience and comfort eating; Smirnoff Ice – cool flavors, easy to carry and serve bottle, look good, too?; Diet Pepsi Max – a little boost without the calories;  Charmin Ultra Strong – feeling clean; Dawn Plus – feel good about a lil’ extra something out of your dish detergent; Tide Pure Essentials – “clean touch of goodness”

Look good = alli – get skinny now;  PedEgg, Cover Girl Lash Blast, Maybelline Define – small purchases of something new and different to improve your appearance.

Do you agree with these conclusions?  Any other common denominators we should include?  Please do leave comments!  Thanks!

TASTY TRENDS:  Be well, feel good.

Customized Crunchy Goodness

CALLING ALL CRUNCHERS! Interested in a specific category or topic?  Looking for a fresh fact or stat about a certain something?  CRUNCHY MARKETING NUGGETS TAKES REQUESTS! Simply leave a comment.  I’ll hop on it as soon as I can in between freelancing superhero gigs, looking for a job, and filling my time with personal pursuits.  I am discrete.  So if needed, I won’t mention why or who, if needed.  I don’t even have to publish your comment, if asked.  But I will post the question and the answer for all to see.  It’s customized, crunchy goodness for your marketing insight cravings!

Buddy + Money = Retention

FRESH IDEA:  Interesting article from yesterday’s New York Times talks about betting sites established to facilitate weight loss competitions.  So let’s say you want to drop a few pounds.  And you want to have a friendly wager around this effort — maybe co-workers or family.  These sites help track the progress and host the wager.  It’s an interesting new way of using online.   And it also supports how retention for significant life changes (e.g., smoking) can be achieved through community, and a little cash!  Here’s the URL to the article:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/health/nutrition/05fitness.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

TASTY TREND:  Web as Social Center