US Electronic Store Offers Guns As Promotional Giveaways

Marketing gimmicks and promotional stunts are always watched very critically. Especially, if you are giving guns as a giveaway, it ain't too easy to miss out your offer.

The owner of RadioShack store in Idaho, United States has started this strange promotion this week. John Marshall explained that customers who sign up for a Dish Network package for the first time are given a coupon for $135 with a choice to either buy a pistol or a shotgun from a local sporting goods store.

Gun control advocates throughout USA are not happy to see John pull off such a stunt so easily because it is very dangerous. But John Marshall thinks that there is no such problem in Idaho where things are quite different from New York and other such states.

If we look back, it was in Montana that a RadioShack store owner started a guns-for-subscription offer because firearms were common in that area. He had statistical proof to show how his promotional offer on the Dish Network packed increased his sales by threefold. Interesting thing was that most of the clients were females.

Well, America is one place where everything is criticized. Criticism is their speciality I guess. If you offer a gun in a place where everybody has guns - there is a problem ; if a celebrity smokes up - they have issues; if celebs pose nude and their photos get leaked - that too is a problem. It will just be a matter of time when if you will shit on an unshitty hour of the day that will get you a lot of criticism too.

However, such promotions can be good for the business looking at the lifestyle of that particular location but obviously it is best to do things that are more safe. But I personally know friends who have always had guns in their homes and in their states it was quite normal for everyone to keep a number of guns at their place.

Jack Wills Breached ASA Rules With Provocative Catalogues

Jack Wills, a luxury fashion label that is preferred by celebrities such as Prince Harry, Emma Watson and Hugh Grant is under a lot of speculation because of its bold advertising. The advertising authorities are worried the label is using extremely provocative pictures on its clothing catalogue.

So far it has been observed that Jack Wills has published catalogues with nearly naked women in the catalogue. They have also shown images of a woman wearing nothing but a brief. Similarly, they have shown topless woman being held by a man and the girl's upper half was fairly prominently displayed. Often, the models pose in a sexual position besides revealing body parts.

It is breaching advertising rules and is not such a positive influence on younger teenagers.

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) will censure Jack Wills, which is not for the British company that started a decade ago. Though the censor will not harm its position in anyway.

However, Jack Wills has responded that all its models were over the age of 18. Besides they say, that their products are for university students and not for school children. Anybody who wants a catalogue needs to tick and confirm if they are 18 years or older.

ASA is sure that the label is influencing and inspiring school children towards a dangerous lifestyle too early. Also, considering the loyal following of celebrities like Prince Harry and Hugh Grant is aspirational enough.

Jack Wills was started in 1999 but two University College London graduates -Peter Williams and Robert Shaw. Their clothes are quite expensive. They aim to target privileged students and their shops are only in university towns and wealthy areas of London.

I understand that sex does sell to quite an extent and most advertisers seem to use this strategy. It is used as an appeal obviously to touch the senses and catalogues are an important part of a clothing business. I guess Jack Wills already has an impressive client and customer base and censuring won't damage their profits.

It is ok if ASA is taking these measures after a good 10 years - they are doing their bit. But teenagers and kids will always have access to things anyway in one way or the other. It is not easy to hide anything from nobody in these times.

Time For AdSmart

Although Pakistan has not yet reached this level, but in many countries around the world advertisers have realized that their advertising budged is being wasted as people keep on changing channels when their ads are aired or more than often their ads are displayed to the wrong audience.

Therefore, broadcasters are introducing advertisements based on personal tastes so that traditional advertising is not finished completely either. Through this, people will not be disturbed and will see only ads that are relevant to their interests and needs.

Personal ads would use information gathered from viewer preferences, their geographical locations and thorough customer research. The one size fits all idea will finish with smart ads.

BSkyB is doing a test scheme called AdSmart to see the workability of this idea. In this scheme ads will be stored on the customers Sky HD set top boxes and ads will be transmitted during live viewing. The ad break will not change either. Only the difference would be that the right ads will reach out to the relevant target audience. They will not bug the audience as they will feel a connect to the ads.

Since 50% of the advertising budget is wasted in countries like UK, advertisers are happy with this move. It will take at least two years though to roll the entire scheme.

I guess it is a smart move. Ads can be a nuisance if they are not even relevant to you. It would be great if they could work this one out.

A Few Naughty Ads