I'll Take This Over A Popular Super Bowl Ad Any Day
By David Miranda
Gerry Davidson, author of Real Concepts, showcased a rare and real example of great marketing.
I encourage anyone that wants to see a great marketing idea, well-executed to read her article on the Lexus promotion.
I join in the chorus of kudos.
Enough said, read Gerry's article.
The Historical Contest Between Barack and Hillary
By David Miranda
We are witnessing a historic political contest between Democratic Presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. It not just that one is an African-American and the other a woman. It is about the differences in their messages -Sen. Clinton's "I" versus Sen. Obama's "We".
Sen. Clinton's speeches are filled with statements beginning with "I" as in "I am the most experienced." "I am ready to lead the country on Day One". "I am the best person to take on the Republicans in the general election." As the frontrunner since declaring, she seemed to be the inevitable nominee of the party." (and still might be).
Sen. Obama's speeches, on the other hand, are filled with statements that embrace "We", as in, "We can do this together". "We can and must do better". "We can be a better America" He concludes his speeches by getting his audience to chant. "Yes, we can" which has become his campaign slogan.
Who will win the Democratic nomination? At this point, it is still a horse race, but one thing is clear, Sen. Obama's "we" messaging has resounded with many people and the once long shot has gained momentum and audience. His "we" messaging is working and working well forcing Sen. Clinton to recently retool her own messaging along the lines of Sen. Obama.
What is the marketing lesson here?
The lesson is that it's not about you. It's about your clients and customers. What is it that you, your products and services can do for them - to make their life better? People respond to sincere, empathic messaging and will generally reward you with the ultimate consideration - "votes" in the cash register.
While your competitors are touting their own importance, let your customers know that "we" are here for you.
How The RFP Has Lost Its Way
By David Miranda
What was once intended to be a fair way to consider among many alternatives in a competitive marketplace, the RFP has evolved into a flawed process that requires an extreme makeover.
It goes something like this.
Let's say you are an advertising agency and you receive an unsolicited letter (or email) from an advertiser that your firm has been invited to participate in an RFP to be their new agency of record. So far, so good.
It, however, goes south from there.
The letter states that you are one of a number of agencies under consideration. (The letter fails to mention how many agencies have received the letter, what the judgement criteria is for consideration, or who is the ultimate decision maker) The letter goes on to say that after fulfilling the requirements of the RFP, the field will be narrowed to three finalists. The three finalists will then be asked to present at the company headquarters. After these face-to-face presentations, a winner will be selected within 30 days. The process is generally lengthy taking weeks and months for a decision.
Oh, by the way, the requirements of the RFP request many pages of information, i.e. how long you have been in business; bios of key management; key clients; samples of previous work done including results; financials; references; head counts; core competencies; methodology; compensation formulas and, believe it or not, sample creative executions "if you were to get the business." That's right, asking an agency to produce intellectual property, that by the way, is not protected is the submitting agencies do not get the business.
The effort to respond to an RFP takes a considerable amount of time, effort, and resources on behalf of the agency and at its own expense.
But here's the real rub. The people at the advertiser who typically are put in charge of the RFP process are bureaucrats since, on the surface, it appears to be a process-driven exercise. These are people who have little imagination or understanding of the end game, i.e. to select a great agency for the business. The RFP process administered by a bureaucrat or bean counter leaves little room, if any, for showcasing the important intangibles that make for a strong client/agency relationship - the dynamics of people interacting with people. It's called collaboration. Imagine a short list being determined before anyone at the client has met anyone at the agency.
Many agencies can look good on paper, just like many people can look good on CV's, but the proof of the pudding is the dynamic intangibles that come with person-to-person interaction.
In short, the RFP process has been hijacked by bureaucratic managers - people who unwisely think that doing things right is superior to doing the right things.
To all the clients out there, I implore you to delegate, not abdicate the responsibility of the RFP. Streamline the process, reduce the red tape, and get in front of the agency's leadership.
Chances are you'll pick the right agency and not just the one that looks good to bureaucrats.
