Influx Insights Tag Feed: utility http://www.influxinsights.com/blog/ 2008-11-20T10:42:33Z nike plus resolutions http://www.influxinsights.com/blog/article/1723/nike-plus-resolutions.html R/GA's <b>Nike+ </b>site, although created in 2005, has been much heralded this year as the gold standard in "Brand Utility". <br><br>It has been the marker to judge this new hybrid world between the banner and the website, sadly, nobody, not even R/GA has come close to the excellence of the Nike site. <br><br>So, while we wait for another contender, it's worth taking a look at what's happening on the Nike + site today. <br><br>Interestingly, in common with every diet product and fitness center, <a target="_blank" href="http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=goals,gallery">Nike + is now in full resolution mode. </a><br><br>The site is allowing its users to upload their resolutions, to track them and send notes and encouragement to others making resolutions. <br><br>It's a great example of the dynamics of the site and how the experience can be flexible enough to respond to short-term needs like New Year's resolutions. <br><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edcotton/2140733141/" title="Nike Plus Resolutions by ed100, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2231/2140733141_279c579368.jpg" alt="Nike Plus Resolutions" height="185" width="500"></a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edcotton/2141523202/" title="Nike Plus Resolutions by ed100, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2141523202_8ce226ea78.jpg" alt="Nike Plus Resolutions" height="211" width="500"></a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edcotton/2140733175/" title="Nike Plus Resolutions by ed100, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2140733175_0649375f52.jpg" alt="Nike Plus Resolutions" height="213" width="500"></a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edcotton/2140733157/" title="Nike Plus Resolutions by ed100, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2140733157_012cdd75c2.jpg" alt="Nike Plus Resolutions" height="205" width="500"></a><br><br>Posted by Ed Cotton Influx Insights 2007-12-30T20:42:44Z marketing's three options- a) entertain b) provide utility c) die http://www.influxinsights.com/blog/article/1571/marketing-s-three-options--a--entertain-b--provide-utility-c--die.html We are rapidly moving into a landscape where there will only be two models of marketing communication.<br><br>1<b>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An entertainment based model</b> where marketers work hard to breakthrough the clutter. The goal is to raise awareness and to get people to like you.<br><br>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>A utility based model</b>- the brand provides something useful, good and meaningful to its consumers and perhaps the world beyond. Instead of just running regular ads, they are big idea platforms that inspire, encourage engagement and give something back. <br><br>If you don&#8217;t do either of these, you will die.<br><br>The &#8220;shouting&#8221; benefits model of marketing communication is about to become as extinct as a dodo.<br><br>So the challenge for brands that operate is to understand how they get to entertainment and/or utility.<br><br>The secret is the same as it has always been. <br><br>It&#8217;s all about having a disciplined strategic process that allows you to uncover the big idea. <br><br>Something that allows you to stand for something that&#8217;s way bigger than yourself or your category. <br><br>Once you have it, the opportunities become boundless. <br><br>It&#8217;s a place that comes from a brand truth, but expands way beyond that. <br><br>It can be like over the top entertaining emotional &#8220;<b>Joy&#8221; of Cadbury&#8217;s chocolate or Omo&#8217;s philosophical belief that &#8220;Dirt is Good&#8221;.</b><br><br><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/y8q-hP7XnzY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y8q-hP7XnzY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br><br>Think only about small functional benefits and you will die.<br><br>It&#8217;s time to think big.<br><b><br>What are you about?<br><br>What do you believe in?<br></b>&nbsp;<br><br>Posted by Ed Cotton Influx Insights 2007-09-13T00:35:02Z