Out and About with McDonalds

Yesterday I driving and I saw a billboard similar to what is above. I think it is great that McD's is touting their new coffee's. In fact, when I was back in Chicago over break I had them a couple times. Now as they roll them out nationwide we're getting in South Bend. The new commercials are catch as they mock the pretentious attitude of Starbucks. As two men sit there and take off fake goatee's, eye glasses, and nice clothes. I too at times don't like the feeling of Starbucks, but other times think its great. Say for a first date... Anyhow the point here is that McDonald's new coffee is good.

This week I also saw McDonalds touting their new $3 meals, which is great to keep people coming in the door during these economic times. For $3 you can get two hamburgers, medium soda and fries. Not bad at all for anyone!

My confusion here is that McDonalds is marketing to two distinct groups of people simultaneously. They are asking their bread and butter blue collar crowd to patronize the $3 meals and they want the group with the disposable income to come and buy $2-$3 latte's. I get it they want everyone at McD's. But there is a point where you have your niche. The point here is that McDonalds is putting a ton of resources into both groups at the same time. Not a good idea in my perspective.

I think this would be awkward and since I don't fit into either group would be confused in the middle.

My Five Sites

In no particular order here are the 5 sites that I feel insightful for marketing:

http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog

Yes, this site is devoted to personal finance and some 20 year old's idea of saving money. But, he has some interesting stories and pictures from time to time as it relates to money.

http://www.ted.com/

Although this is a major site, I still find it to be very inspirational. But the theory and speculation that comes out of this site is amazing. I am able to think much more abstractly once I see a few TED videos.

http://www.japanesestreets.com/

To me the Japanese are very creative and imaginative people. By following their youth I feel inspired and my mind opens up.

http://www.sustainableindustries.com/greenmarketing

In our current day and age of trying to be environmentally friendly at times I found looking to a green expert to be inspiring. We are just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this stuff.

http://www.innovationmagazine.com/

This website allows me to see how other countries are merging science, technology, and medicine. Yes, the core is innovation but once these products make it to market seeing them marketed is what I am looking for.

Hydroxycut...Did they use a fake physician promotion?

Diet pills are something that have intrigued me for years. I am not greatly over weight, at times I carry 5-10 extra pounds. However with curiosity I tried them a few years ago. After a couple days I noticed my heart was beating much faster than normal, so I stopped them immediately. No harm done.

However, these pills are advertised left and right. One in particular really bothers me. It started with their commercial. Hydroxycut uses a young and good looking RESIDENT physician to promote their pills. Everyone knows these pills are bad for you, but somehow they just sell. What irks me about this is how manipulative this commercial really is. Resident physicians are in training. The word resident could also be mis-interpreted by some as a in house physician. I asked a few friends on that angle and some replied that's what they thought too. It turns out this physician who is endorsing the product is a Radiology resident. What does someone who reads MRIs & XRAYS know about weight loss? The use of the Dr. misleads everyone.

Hydroxycut Commercial

What's the deal with these online brokerages?

In the wake of our financial crisis our nations financial brokerages have increased their presence as some our nations banks collapsed. One company which I am a fan and customer of really I think did a great job. Charles Schwab or Chuck. They have setup these situations where everyday Americans can relate to. The average American has some money in a 401k and some in a IRA or savings account. They really do not know what do do with it, but want to feel special. Schwab does a great ok making you feel like a million bucks even if you don't. Trust me, I don't have a million but they make me feel that way. I never find their commercials to be false or mis-leading.

The flip side is many people who aren't Schwab customers might say this is too idealistic of a situation. I know I would think that. My question is there a point where a commercials can be too real?

See some of their examples here:

Commercial 1

Commercial 2

Commercial 3


Rather the other guys I haven't seen much. Scottrade, Etrade, or Fidelity all tout their low online trades. Yes, they're a couple bucks lower than Schwab. But, who cares about saving a couple bucks if they're investment house/bank is going to fail? I think these few companies need to take a wiff of what Charles Schwab is doing. In today's world as a consumer I want safety and dependability. If it means paying a bit more, then fine.

So is it better to be silent or to paint an ideal image? I don't know and only time will tell.

Living smarter by saving money

Personal finance is something that won't get me a job, but I know a ton about it. In fact I know enough that I could write one of those books to save more, invest better, and spend smarter. Everyday you see one of these stories or books whether it be online or on a cover of a magazine at Martins. The point is that they all same the same stuff and I still can't believe people read these stories! All it takes is 20 minutes of reading once to know how all this stuff works. One person just needs to write a basic personal finance story, see my irritations below with today's advertising.

Let me break down what I don't like about these stories:

Save More: Everyone pitches the latte factor. It is so old, aren't there any new ideas out there? I mean what about buying a Entertainment Book? That is mentioned in less than 10% of the stories, but believe me $25 on one of these coupon stuffed books can save tons. As a single person I save over $100 a year and I don't eat fast food often. A normal family with a kid or two, just buy one of these. It pays for itself.

Invest Better: Yes, we all know a ROTH IRA is great. But, where does the average person put the money into it? I know the answer, but I am sure many Americans don't since they're buying these stories. Maybe, just talk about two or three starter mutual funds for everyone: i.e. one that mimics the S & P 500 or a target fund toward a certain retirement date. The point here is give people actionable goals, not lofty theories.

Spend Smarter: This is my favorite. Most talk about clipping coupons. All promote some website that talks about printing coupons before you visit the store. I tried this once a couple years ago. It takes two hours to get organized and yes you save a good amount of money. But, people don't have time. Either they have kids, want to relax, or have to work. Want a simple solution that I still have not seen promoted too often? Buy store brand. Just doing that saves at least 10% week without effort!


Part 2 is next: "What's the deal with these online brokerages?"

A Dog in a Lions Skin or the other way around?

Hyundai has introduced the Genesis. While the commercials are catchy and sexy. I just can't seem to buy that a $30,000 car has the same experience of a $60,000 one. That is the claim with this car. By touting its large engine Hyundai is hoping people will come in and check out the car.

I get it. Nice cars are made in Germany or Japan where the labor rate is higher vs. South Korea. Since these established car makers have developed the technology in today's luxury cars all Hyundai has to do is copy. So yes, some savings are there. But, will you really get the same car for half?

I don't think so. I drive a Honda Civic, so believe me I am not a snob but a critic. I think Hyundai leaves out so many features that makes a BMW and Benz what they really are. It's the safety and longevity of the car. There have been so many stories of people walking away from a nasty car accident perfectly fine since the frame of the car saved them (and the airbags). That is a big reason why many who can afford such cars buy them. Yes they're nice, but if you have worked hard you are going to be in a safe car in case you get hit. I know these cars resonate status and have cool features. But, a successful 50 year old lawyer buying a car is not going to save $30,000 if it means he might get severely injured or die in a accident.

So I get it Hyundai is trying to enter the luxury market. But if you put a dog in a lions cloth, eventually he's going to get eaten up or destroyed. I think Hyundai made a great effort, but this will not last.

Genesis Website

Water from Around the World...

Water is a commodity that I think has turned into a luxury during the past few years. Life here in South Bend does not allow too much for this observation. But, when I return to Chicago and shop at Whole Foods this hits me in the head every time. Growing up in Chicago I drank water from the tap. Still living in South Bend I drink tap water, however it is filtered through a Brita since SB water is horrible.

But, when I am in the water section in Whole Foods its like a UN meeting. I have my choice of water from America, Poland, Switzerland, Japan, and Russia to name a few. Why do we need so much water from different places. After all its all clean and taste's the same. The nutritional value is the same. So why? Who really pays $4 for a single serving of Fiji water. I mean I know who does, but who really knows why?

Water companies have done a great job in making us believe we need better water. Yes, I look trendy and rich if I have a bottle of water. But I really don't need it. I actually have a few plastic reusable containers that I take with me. Not only am I saving money, but I am helping the environment. I get the difference with other commodities since a nutritional value is at stake like salt and sugar.

To make the cache of water increase markets are savvy in placing them in hands of celebrities and making the bottles themselves attractive. A brand by the name of VOSS is a great example. One night I was a bit inebriated and needed water at a club. Naturally I asked for a cup, but that was not available. But, for $6 I could get a bottle of VOSS. Yes, for that minute of consumption it felt good and I felt trendy. So my thought was if that is what people want to feel like then bottled water is being purchased as an accessory and not a need to live.

Hats off to water companies for making this a luxury good.