Capitalize on photo sharing via Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace: Visual endorsement; the new way of advertising?

Much of product placement research concludes that when the product and the plot of the scene are congruent then memory is affected along with attitude change. But there is also a negative effect if the product and the plot seem to be unrelated. Then the consumer will detect the product as being out of place and discredit the product. More times than not, consumers can detect product placements leaving them thinking negatively about the product.

“It’s like people only do things because they get paid, and that’s really sad.”

Check out this clip from Wayne’s World exploiting product placement:



In this example of Wayne’s World, Wayne doesn’t want to harm the reputation of his show by adding a segment in about his sponsor. He then continues to mock product placement by showing how obvious it really is.

Marketers have been using product placement since the 80’s to reach their audience, and now consumers can endorse the products, services, and people they believe-in by putting their own credibility on the line to do so then brands can pay them for their contribution. New start-up companies such as Udorse are capitalizing on visual endorsement by connecting brands and Facebook. Here is how it works, from Facebook you click on your picture and endorse an item, a service, or a new favorite band. If your friends then take action, such as visiting the endorsed products’ website, then the brand will pay you.

Whether Udorse is exploiting social media sites or creating a web version of word of mouth advertising, it is in deed another phenomena to the social media world.

-Annie H.

Capitalize on photo sharing via Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace: Visual endorsement; the new way of advertising?

How Effective is Word-of-Mouth?

I'm itching like crazy for November 21st. Trampled By Turtles is holding a CD release party at First Avenue in Minneapolis, and I can't believe I have to wait two whole months. TWO WHOLE MONTHS. The craziest part? I've never seen them live, I've never heard them on the radio, I can't honestly say I've ever listened to an entire song of theirs. But they have this crazy-amazing reputation among the friends I made at school-- the friends I shared my own favorites with. And when I mentioned Chris Thile (the God of the Mandolin and King of Progressive Bluegrass) to a friend who I later learned also plays a little mando, he immediately replied, "You know Trampled by Turtles, right?" No, I don't, but now I have to.

Word of mouth, indeed.

So I'm rounding up a few people who also migrated to the Twin Cities area at the same time I did, and we'll be there. Actually, I'll be there if I have to go alone. I'll probably end up throwing a few dollars their way for that album, too. If there's one thing I know about these particular friends, it's that they know great live music, and I can't continue to miss out on TbT any longer.

-Courtney

How Effective is Word-of-Mouth?