Why Marketing Is A Lot Like Game Shows

Jeopardy, Deal Or No Deal, The Price Is Right, Wheel Of Fortune - Sound Familiar?

By David Miranda

Marketing has a lot in common with television game shows.

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? - How many times have you asked yourself "is your boss smarter than a fifth grader?" He or she sometimes doesn't appear to have the sense of a grammar school student in coming to grips with things so obvious, a fifth grader would get it.

Wheel of Fortune - Some marketers rely on a "spin of the wheel" to determine a brand's latest direction rather than the practice of best marketing practices. They can't seem to solve the "puzzle" so they relent and say "I'll spin again, Alex".

Deal Or No Deal - Some marketers simply cannot make a decision. They study, they research, they analyze, they re-analyze while the opportunities pass them by.

The Price Is Right - Marketers sometimes forget that it is the consumer who is the ultimate arbitor of price. It doesn't matter what the "suggested retail price" is, it only matters if it is the price that people are willing to pay.

Jeopardy - Can't push that "answer button" for consumers faster than your competitors? Can't provide the right "solutions" for consumers? You lose.

The final Jeopardy answer is "Profits".