Target on Target with advertising

We know that retailers have been studying and analysing our buying and browsing habits in detail for a while now. Last week's story regarding US retailer Target rather letting the cat out of the bag by posting coupons for baby products to a teenage shoppers' home address before she'd had a chance to tell her parents, gave some very interesting insights into their analysis and predictions on consumers changing lifestyles.

The next generation are being born into a world where their progress has been tracked in utero. These retail giants will no doubt be able to store information on whether 'junior' develops lactose intolerance by a change in purchasing or is a problem sleeper by unusual late night shopping trips.

We deal with advertising campaigns on as personal a level as possible. Making the end user feel like this message is targeting them and talking to them directly. We want to encourage user activity and social conversation.

But we also want to protect our privacy.
Who would want their parents to find out about their teenage misdemeanours through the next Tesco Clubcard mailout?!!!
Strike the balance right and your customers are your friends - brands like Spotify allow you to reach select groups of people and connectivity with Facebook allows conversations to flourish.
Have you received coupons or targetted offers from retailers that you feel have overstepped a line of privacy? Tell us about it www.facebook.com/redapplecreativeuk

If you want to find out more about targetted advertising or the creative you need to make conversation happen, then drop us a line via www.redapplecreative.co.uk
(and don't worry, we're very discreet!)

Freedom on Expression vs. Silly Tweet

Twitter. Facebook. Text....we've all said something in this new era of communication that's harder to erase than it is to forget spoken word.

Like the current story of Paul Chambers who is challenging his conviction for tweeting that he would "blow Robin Hood Airport sky high" if the snow closed airport didn't open in time for him to be able to fly to see his girlfriend. He's charged with causing a menace by the Communications Act. He's chellenging that the conviction is in direct contradiction to the Freedom of Expression Act.

Who's right?
Well, considering it took police officers a week to arrest him for the comment, we can assume the threat of terrorism from Mr Chambers wasn't taken seriously. So why got to such lengths to admonish him for making the statement? It would seem the case is merely a good opportunity for the judicial system to remind us, the general public of the implication and impact our little social 'bites' have on the world and it's fight against terror/bad PR/factual inaccuracies in the tabloid press.

So Tweet carefully people - Big Brother is watching, and he doesn't have a sense of humour!

The Foghorn.

The Foghorn is our alter ego, where we let loose our corporate image and throw caution to the wind, so to speak. 

Last week we;

...inspired: Unexpected Art http://vimeo.com/23864881

...amused: Food on My Dog - http://foodonmydog.tumblr.com/

...and educated: "Bats always turn left when exiting a cave."

We send our weekly musings every Friday so to make sure you don't miss anything, sign up here - thefoghorn@redapplecreative.co.uk

www.redapplecreative.co.uk

    

Good casting is gold dust

Why good casting is so important.




Those of you with young children will most probably be aware of the programme for pre-schoolers on Cbeebies, Waybaloo. This cheery collection of crack induced characters are familiar for their yoga moves and more sedate programming than some of the other offerings on the channel.


So it was with much surprise a few weeks ago when a narrator was introduced for the first time. Even more surprising was the negative reaction from the parents that the narrator was none other than Dave Lamb of Come Dine With Me fame.


He is very possibly one of the most in demand voices in UK radio commercial casting and for good reason. However, much like all artists Dave is not suitable for every job that's available to him and a well experienced radio copywriter or producer should be in a position to give you a shortlist of artists who fit the brief and the brand. The artists' known work connections and profile are important considerations.Someone synonymous with a recent drink driving story in a high profile TV programme may not make the most sincere voice to a campaign on road safety.


We've spent years casting for commercials and only once have I been inclined to promote one artist specifically - well, Thierry Henry does have a certain appeal! Proffesional integrity prevailed, the hormones subsided and our casting service is thriving.
If you have an ongoing project that you'd like casting assistance with then get in touch with us here http://www.redapplecreative.co.uk/