Friday, April 3, 2009

AT&T Ads Address Economic Gloom

Read the following article: AT&T Ads Address Economic Gloom
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/strategy/e3ifcc0b6f995bc397406217b49637aaf63

Post your answers by Wed. April 8th at 12pm (noon).
1. Are the AT&T ads about its association with the Great Depression and its "share your story" link designed to boost its company image, or is it trying to genuinely be there for people in their time of economic need?
2. Is AT&T taking advantage of consumers economic disparity with this ad campaign, or it is simply tapping into the feel of the nation?
3. Is this an example of targeted advertising, or simply smart strategy? Why or why not?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Let's Talk Ethics at 11am!

ETHICAL DILEMMA
Let's get our Ethics brain working this morning by reading the following article on Spirit Airlines' controversial advertising campaign. When you have finished the article, return to the blog and answer the following question.
QUESTION
If consumers hadn't complained regarding the ad campaign, but employees were, which group is more important to the company? And what should Spirit Airlines do to make its employees, its biggest brand ambassadors, satisfied?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Ethics Mid-Term Questions

This mid-term assessment is designed to be a take home project to be completed by Thursday, April 2nd. You will turn in a typewritten, professional report with a cover page to your instructor at the start of class on Thursday, April 2nd.

You are expected to do research around each question, using different advertising campaigns in your answers to each question.

1. Using your understanding of ethics, define advertising and marketing ethics. Use a current advertising campaign to discuss how that campaign does or does not reflect what you understand advertising and marketing ethics to be.
2. Why do advertisers need to take ethical concerns under consideration when doing their jobs? Use two current campaigns to discuss; 1) from your research, who has identified and taken ethical concerns under consideration when developing and producing their campaign, and 2) from your research, who has shown they did not take ethical concerns under consideration.
3. How can ethics and social responsibility be smoothly integrated into a business marketing strategy? Discuss an organization who has been able to accomplish what you describe in the first part of this question.
4. Using an actual, current advertising campaign as the basis for your answers, discuss in detail how that campaign, its creators and its focus shows social responsibility to owners, employees, consumers, the environment and the community at large.
5. Discuss in detail how, based on what you have learned so far in this class, you will be able to utilize in your professional life. Discuss what strategies and tactics you would take if you found yourself involved in an advertising campaign that you felt was not taking any social responsibilities into consideration.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Let's Talk Ethics at 11am!

ETHICAL DILEMMA
Let's get our Ethics brains on this morning by reading the following case study on Calvin Klein advertising tactics. When you have finished, return to the blog and answer the following question.

QUESTION
Apart from the obvious creative executions of the ads, why the outrage from consumer groups?

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Ad Industry Bans Targeting People with Cancer

Read the following article: Ad Industry Bans Targeting People With Cancer; Ads to Widows and Orphans Allowed
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/ad-industry-bans-targeting-people-with-cancer-ads-to-dead-people-allowed/?scp=20&sq=targeted%20advertising&st=cse
Post your answers by Wednesday, March 25th at 12pm (noon).
1. Research and describe "behavioral targeting". Does behavioral targeted cross any ethical lines or is this simply smart strategy for advertisers and their clients? Provide a case for your position.
2. Research and describe the FTC's position on behavioral targeting.
3. Even though there will be topics that consumers find particularly objectionable, why does the advertising industry continue to target these groups?
4. Who should decide what consumers find particularly objectionable - consumer groups, regulatory agencies, advertising executives - who?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Let's Talk Ethics at 11am!

ETHICAL DILEMMA
A luxury fashion designer’s most recent ad campaign is striking a nerve! The ad features a woman in a sexual pose wearing only a diamond necklace. The ad campaign was placed in women’s fashion magazines and on billboards. The ad received only three complaints from the magazine but hundreds from the billboards, citing offensive, degrading to women and unsuitable for a public space. The fashion designer claimed the ad is a work of art, and not meant to be offensive to women.

QUESTIONS
What was the core of the issue – the image of the woman in the ad OR the placement of the ad in magazines and billboards?

Thursday, March 5, 2009

On-campus Credit Card Advertising Hurts Students

Read the following article: On-campus Credit Card Advertising Hurts Students

Post your answers by Wednesday, March 11th at 12pm (noon).
1. The Better Business Bureau is an organization for the public that helps to regulate ethical business practices. In this case the BBB took the side of advertisers and placed the responsibility in the college students hands. Is it unethical for regulatory bodies such as the BBB, AAF or FTC to choose not to represent those asking for action (such as consumers), but to stand with the opposing party?
2. One concern was that students getting behind on payments results in a domino effect; late penalties result in a rate increase. We’ve discussed the ethics regarding “fine print”. Is it ethical for companies to utilize this tactic in regards to people’s finances? How does this tactic differ from misrepresentation in an ad?
3. Students said that they’ve been bombarded with credit card ads, incentives to sign up and given large credit limits. This has resulted in thousands in debt, losing track of payments and distraction from schoolwork. Do you believe that college students are in the category of “vulnerable audiences”? Why or why not? Should there be a band on campus advertising of credit cards, and would this be a viable solution to the problem?