Marketing Unplugged
Marketing Unplugged: Pot Pourri
1. Egyptian Cotton Bed, Bath and Beyond wants me to believe that sheets made of “Egyptian Cotton” are the epitome of luxury and that my bed partner and I are worth the price bump. They tell me that Egyptian cotton is synonymous with “comfort, opulence and sophistication, the perfect indulgence for snuggling up, getting comfy and letting…
Read MoreMarketing Unplugged: Super Foods
Going to the grocery store can be a dreary chore, so I reframe the trip as a contest of wills between me, the wily consumer, and marketers, eager to suck me in with their coveted eye-level shelf-space, flashy packaging and dubious health claims. I have seen marketing terms come and go. Natural, light, organic, craft,…
Read MoreMarketing Unplugged: The Logo On My Computer
At first I was enamored with my new Lenovo laptop. Its peppy red color and compact design were as cute as a bug’s ear and perfect for spontaneous writing venues. And then I tried to open it. The laptop was so sleek that there was no visible latch in front or hinge in the…
Read MoreMarketing Unplugged: An Honest Advertisement
The Genius of Birds is a book that provides a compelling tour of bird intelligence based on their navigational skills, architectural skills and vocal virtuosity. But it was the chapter on avian aesthetics that most piqued my interest. Specifically, I was startled by the description of the peacock’s tail as an “honest advertisement,” a term that,…
Read MoreMarketing Unplugged: Madagascar Vanilla
Recently we dined at a local bistro, a casual spot falling comfortably between family dining and fine dining. Very straight forward entrées – grilled rosemary chicken, grilled salmon, various pasta dishes – but I was confused by the description of the crème brulée on the dessert menu – “Creamy Madagascar vanilla bean topped with a layer…
Read MoreMarketing Unplugged: Roasted Black Garlic Potato Chips
On a quick dash through the grocery aisles to pick up last minute items – mascarpone cheese for a lime pie, lemon for the kale salad – I impulsively grabbed a novelty bag of “Kettle Cooked Black Garlic Chips.” When I got home I was filled with remorse; I realized that I had succumbed to…
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