Fashion Star

Last week I watched NBC's new series called Fashion Star. Its purpose is to give designers the opportunity to create new items and get advise from celebrity mentors. Then they showcase their designs to three of the largest retailers in hopes to have those buyers purchase their collection and sell it exclusively in their stores. The retailers are Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and H&M. I'm not sure how their presence on the show has affected sales so far, but I believe it will increase revenue through the new publicity they will receive from the show. It seems like a great advertising strategy because the show promotes these retailers heavily and under each buyer is a large logo of each company that you can't miss to notice. After each show, consumers then can purchase the winning looks right away on the appropriate retailer's website. This is allowing viewers to be interactive with the company and purchase what they just saw designed on T.V. I think these aspects of the show will greatly help the success of these companies and are innovative advertising strategies that other retailers should envy.

#StopKony

Making Kony famous became very popular this week and was the most talked about trend on all social media networking sites. The video went viral and everyone was talking about it from friends on Facebook to celebrities tweeting about it. Although it isn't an advertisement, it is a campaign which is to inform the nation about Kony, what he has been doing, and how everyone can help. The informative video aims to make him famous through the assistance and raising support by our nation which will hopefully lead to his capture. It was interesting to see how a small campaign could turn into something so big. With no original sponsors, celebrity spokespersons or endorsements, the campaign received so much press and attention by the media. Now, politicians and celebrities with household names are promoting it and urging everyone's support. With all of the media coverage on it now, news sources have used it in headlines and during commercials, advertising the topic and their coverage on it. Stopping Kony and making him famous has turned into a movement. It's great to see how our voices are powerful and how people around the world can come together unselfishly to help others.

JCP

JCPenny has recently debuted their new and improved name, pricing strategy, marketing campaign, and complete company "makeover". From store layouts to a new celebrity spokesperson, JCP will be different. 

For many years now the company has been struggling with sales and against their competitors. Thanks to JCP's new CEO, who formally worked for Target and Apple, he has helped the company create and implement the new strategy. Things will be more straight forward such as their shortened name and new pricing strategy called "Fair and Square". The consistent pricing will eliminate the guess work such as limited time sales and using coupons. Pricing will now include everyday low prices, month long values, and best prices. They also have an improved returns policy without exclusions and free shipping. 

The new strategy has been heavily advertised and it should help the company reach the sales and success  that they hope for. This should bring in new customers and help retain their old ones. In addition to these improvements, JCP has also teamed up with Ellen DeGeneres and Martha Stewart. Unfortunately, there has been some negative critics in response to Ellen teaming up with JCP. "One million moms" are boycotting against  JCPenny for using Ellen because she is gay. They claim to be traditional families with traditional values and have even created a Facebook page but only have 40,000 members. Thankfully, JCP stood their ground and will continue to support and use Ellen. It goes to show the risks involved when using celebrities in advertising and to promote brands. Yet in this case, the positive impacts should outweigh the negatives and because of Ellen, JCP should be expecting to receive a lot of new customers.