What IS Blockbuster on Demand

I don't know how I got to this page—Blockbusternow—but apparently Blockbuster still has not realized that their business model is out-dated and over-priced although I guess it's now Dish's fault since they bought them.

Why would someone want to stream a movie from Blockbuster for between $2.99-$4.99 per movie when they can play a flat rate for Netflix, Amazon Prime Movies, or any other better-than-Blockbuster streaming service.

They were on top of the world with all their stick-it-to-you late fees and now...it's too little too late for these guys.

Redbox Scratch Off

This is a pretty neat way to market to people. I texted to a number a particular phrase and I get a text back with a link. I visit the link and what you see in the video is what happens.

I'm easily amused and enjoyed the digital scratch off. It's still a pretty cool but simple way to interact with customers...at least it keeps people (me) involved.

Best advertisement ever

...for men, of course. I've ordered gifts for the wife (is it really for the wife? Hmm...) from Victoria's Secret before so I'm on their email list. I get email ads from them probably every other day but at least twice a week. I usually just delete them since I'm not looking for anything to purchase from them at this time. I opened today's email and was wonderfully surprised by the image you see (click it to view in all it's wonderfulness.

Does it make me want to purchase whatever it is they are selling (as I didn't even read it to see what they were promoting)? Somewhat, yes, it does. Does it make me just want to stare at my computer screen gawking at this image? Yes, yes it does! However, I cannot since I'm at work.

Bummer for me!

I really don't want the product but what is wearing the product...or is it what the product is wearing?

Anyway, it's definitely eye-catching.

Blockbuster really needs help

Blockbuster should seriously reconsider their marketing plan and business model. If they want to survive, Blockbuster is going to have to come up with something WAY better than this!

Why would I want to rent three movies to get ANYTHING at a Blockbuster store for free? The popcorn, candy and/or Coke have usually been around the store for a while that's why they are "giving them away for free." But they already make their money off of you by making you pay $1.99-$3.99 for each of the three rented movies.

I guess that's smart business if you can get the stupid customer to do it. I'm not a stupid customer and no one else should be either!

If you haven't read any of my other Blockbuster rants, I am a Blockbuster Total Access Plan member. So, I don't speak from inexperience or from an outsider looking in. I have a pretty good grandfathered deal with my Total Access Plan but the moment they increase it or get rid of it, I will no longer rent movies from Blockbuster.

I've recently used Red Box a few times and although it has to be watched within 24 hours, I think $1.20 (total with tax) isn't a bad deal—especially back in the day when there was a dollar movie theater. I also got a free movie rental for signing up and after my initial rental. Then I got a free online credit for one movie. Basically I've watched seven movies from Red Box for the price of four. Granted they don't have a lot of new releases and sometimes I have to find the movie I want at different Red Box locations but overall it's not been too bad.

Outbeak Steakhouse ad on Facebook

Saw a Facebook status for Outback Steakhouse mentioning they brought back their special of Sirloin and Lobster Tail (see image).

I don't find the image very appealing. Both the sirloin steak and lobster tail look dry to me. I don't know if this is a "low-calorie" meal but it definitely looks low appetizing from the image. Where's the dripping butter from the lobster tail or the succulent juice from the steak. I honestly saw this image and thought, "I'm gonna have to drink a lot of water/soda to help wash that meal down."

Now, I haven't tried the meal and I probably won't get around to ever doing so. I'm just making my observations from the image alone and if the image doesn't make my mouth water, I don't think it will get me in the doors to an Outback Steakhouse! It's common sense marketing—it needs to make the potential customer WANT to go eat this meal now! This image and advertisement did not do it for me.

Groupon advertising

I'd have to say this is a pretty good advertisement for boob enhancements...err...skydiving.

It doesn't make me want to purchase the Groupon or go skydiving but it does make me think the boobs!

More on product placement...subliminal advertising...good marketing?

I got an advertisement in the mail today. It wasn't even addressed to me or my wife but after seeing it I had the urge to suddenly purchase a product from the company that sent it, Victoria's Secret. Sometimes I wonder how the hell ANYTHING got purchased with the marketing and advertising of the "olden" days.

Subliminal advertising

I previously blogged about product placement here.

Today, I received an email from CompUSA regarding some advertised deals. I captured just the top portion of the email. Before I present the capture, I ask you to think about a question or two before viewing:

• What is the type of customer/person that pops into mind when you think of CompUSA?
• If there is something that would influence your decision to purchase a product, what would it be?

Okay, so view the capture. Does anything about the ad/graphic/image entice you, influence you, make you think of something other than the product(s)? Is there no effect on you? Are they advertising to your expected customer type?

How effective is product placement?

I don't know. How do you/can you effectively track such a thing? I really don't think they have a sure fire way at this time.

I recently saw some article that said Apple won the award (imaginary, I think) for most product placement in movies, TV shows, and the like.

That's great but does it really make people want to get an iPod, iPad or Mac for themselves just because they saw it in a movie? It's just not trackable. Now, if they had a product that was specifically made for that movie or had something that made it unique because of the movie (something like the U2 iPod even though I don't recall it was in a movie but you get my point, I hope), then maybe it could be tracked.

I'm not saying this isn't a viable marketing tool. I'm just curious on if they take the time to track something like this.

What made me type this is different kind of product placement. The product placement is obviously positioned strategically for certain potential customers but I'd like to know if it really works. I would think somewhat because I'm a male and I know how we think (you'll see the correlation when you see the advertising product placement).

Click here to see the first image. Enticing? Yes. Are you aware of the product that's being advertised? Maybe. Are you thinking about the product that's being advertised? Males = Not really, Females = Maybe. If you know what the product being advertised is, are you interested in buying it? Males = Maybe but probably not for the real reason of liking the product. Females = Who knows?

Click here to see the second image. Enticing? Yes, especially to males. Are you aware of the product that's being advertised? Males/Females = Wha...can almost see boobs. Are you interested in buying the product being advertised? Males = Still can almost see boob, Females = No, because the close up of the actual product was a better view of the product.

I don't remember where I saw this link but product these photos are trying to sell can be found here while it lasts.

So, which is better for sales: product placement in movies/shows or product placement on an attractive model? We may never know.