Saturday, February 25, 2012

In Response to Nichole

How much affect do you think NASCAR has on its viewers? What other events do you think have some sort of subconscious affect on its consumers?

I agree with Nichole when she says NASCAR is great way for companies to promote their products and services. Having an advertisement on a race car has to be a marketers dream. It is the largest and most popular sport today. Thousands of people go to professional races, and that isn't including even more people who watch it on television. So companies with advertisements on race cars are definitely doing good for themselves.
Personally I cannot stand NASCAR, but I have family in Virginia, who are obsessed with cars. Watching NASCAR to them is like going to church for religious people. My cousin Matt, is obsessed with Dale Earnhardt Jr. I know a couple of years ago he drove a car for AMP energy drink. Matt never used to drink AMP, but as soon as he saw Earnhardt Jr driving for them he had to have one. So I definitely think NASCAR has an affect on its viewers.
I don't know if any other event has such an impact on its viewers as NASCAR.

National Brands

When I was online the other day, I came across an article titled, "Americans Continue to be Loyal to National Brands".
(http://marketingtoday.com/research/roperstarch/americans_loyal_to_nat_brands.htm)
This article was very interesting. It stated that almost half of Americans are indeed loyal to National Brands. National brands can include everything from food, drugs, beauty care, etc... Brands such as Kraft, Old Spice, Gillette, and so on. It also says that National Brand Buyers are more likely to recommend the brands they use, movies they have seen, cars, television shows, etc.
At first I couldn't believe that half of the country bought National items. Then after thinking about the article it was more believable. I know personally when I go to the grocery store I always buy the same brand of ice cream, deodorant, shaving cream and razors, etc. This is just because I am more comfortable when using these products vs. other products.  I don't even think about trying a new product, I just grab what I need and the brand I use. After looking at what my roommates purchased at the store, one of them was the same as me, with the same razors, deodorant, etc. while the other two just bought whatever was on sale that week.
After reviewing this article, I think many people just get so familiar with the products they use it is almost second nature to continue buying the same products.
Are you a National Brand Buyer, or Local Brand Buyer? Why?