Nudge- Week 5

Well, this week has been spent with studying/preparing for two exams, including consumer behavior, and reading Nudge! I haven't had much time to read anything else, or watch too much tv. So I figured it would be a great opportunity to talk about Nudge, and everything I've read in it thus far. This book is great, and such an easy read. The first few chapters engage readers in real-life examples that are relatable to college students. This information also relates to consumer behavior because it discusses various ways consumers act and think. For example, they compare average consumers(which they call Humans) to ideal, perfect consumers(which they call Econs). It would be a perfect scenario if everybody thought and acted like these perfect "Econs". But we don't, so this book gives tips and nudges to "Humans" on improving health, wealth, and happiness. The examples they use allow consumers to apply everything they talk about in the book with ease.

 I'm only on chapter 9, but I'm excited to see what else this book has in store for me to learn. I'm glad I am finally reading a book that will be applicable throughout the rest of my life. Most books I read will only help me get my first job. But this book I will be able to use beyond that.

Advertising without actually looking like advertising -Week 4

After watching the first half of persuaders, I felt a need to talk about advertisements inside tv programs and movies. Traditionally, ads were placed before the movies and in between tv programs. Now this tactic seems obsolete. I personally don't watch any tv unless it is recorded on my DVR, and I can fast forward through the commercials. On the off chance I am watching an unrecorded show, I usually mute the commercials or pause the tv and go do something else until the show is back on. The only time I think most people enjoy watching commercials is during the super bowl! And this is most likely why:

I think most people can relate to the statement that we hate being advertised and sold too. I don't like having products pushed at me, if I don't feel like it is my idea to buy something, I simply won't do it. Especially when I get what seems like hundreds of emails a day from one company, I end up despising them and become so annoyed to the point where I don't want anything to do with them anymore!

I believe advertisers have caught on to this... At least most of them. Consumers do not want advertisements to feel like advertisements. One way they achieve this is by making their commercials funny and relatable. Such as:

This commercial is funny because it is relatable. I grew up in the 90s and remember all these toys and fashion trends. However, it is difficult to create original and witty commercials. Which is why advertising in movies and tv programs is increasing and is a great way to go.

Here is a link to the top 10 most: Shameless Product Placement. Castaway is also very popular for its product placement with FedEx and Wilson.

I think if it is done right, and not too obvious, product placement can be a really powerful tool. Advertisers and companies get a lot of  exposure and consumers don't feel annoyed. However, you have to be subtle. Some movies are made completely for the sole purpose of advertising. Those are some movies I would not want to see. Recently, advertising and marketing has gotten more tricky due to increased technology. I would say traditional advertising methods are coming to an end, and forcing advertisers to get more creative. 

The Dark Side of Consumer Behavior- Week 3

I was really interested in the reading from chapter 6 in my textbook Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and Being. I have heard numerous stories about how advertising is going too far and how it is becoming more unethical. For example, a young girl became pregnant and began charging what she purchased. Target was able to pick up on this, and realized she was pregnant before she even told her parents. She started getting coupons and advertisements for baby products. I think that is ridiculous and such a validation of privacy. And actually pretty creepy.... But I've also learned that we sometimes think advertisers know us better than we know ourselves. However, they don't (but I'm sure they wish they did).

One topic covered was how consumers are becoming addicted to almost everything, but especially Internet addiction, such as all the games and social media websites. People are checking these sites constantly or literally dropping dead from exhaustion after paying internet games for hours on end. I even find myself checking my phone every few minutes sometimes and don't even realize I am doing it for a while. It scares me that I don't even realize it and have to mentally remind myself, "you don't need to check your phone, it will ring if anyone is trying to contact you".

I did a quick search and there are numerous chat rooms, websites, and treatments available for people who believe they are addicted to the Internet. I think these types of addictions can become just as serious as drug or alcohol addictions if they are not treated.

Another dark side of CB is how people think they "need" stuff in order to become who they want to be, or what type of people they want to be friends with. I think this is also completely ridiculous. Why would you change yourself to be friends with people who don't like you for who you actually are. Before I started this class, I didn't realize CB dealt with these types of issues but obviously after doing the readings I feel differently.

About Me- BMKT 337 Week 2

So, I figured it might be helpful to write a little bit about myself so maybe learning where I come from and what my interests are, will help you understand my other posts better.

Well, my name is Brianna Taylor and I grew up in Mission Viejo, California in a suburban gated community with about 4,000 homes. I live right between San Diego and Los Angeles. Neither are too far, unless there is traffic which can take over 4 hours! I lived in the same house all my life, and my mom still lives there now. My parents built a house right out side of West Yellowstone, Montana by Hebgen Lake, where I would spend all the summer vacations and Christmas breaks. The most common question I get asked is why would I choose to come to Montana?! It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. I chose to move some place where I didn't know anyone at all, and a place so completely opposite of home. It was hard at times but I'm so glad of where I ended up.

At home, I love to shop, go to the beach, surf, and hangout with my friends. I was also very active and played a bunch of sports like volleyball, soccer, track, and competitive cheerleading (which was probably the most difficult and demanding of all of them!).

Like most people in Bozeman, I love to hike, ski, hangout by the river, and ride my bike. This summer I went on a bunch of hikes, and here are some pictures from a few of them:

Left is at Beehive Basin and right is at Ousel Falls. 

School is also very important to me and takes up a lot of my time during the school year, in high school I never really tried too hard but now I value college and my education a lot more. At school, I did AdvoCats for two years, I was the person walking backwards and giving tours of campus. I am also the fundraiser chair of Mortar Board on campus.

 In addition to school, I work 2 or 3 nights at Copper Whiskey Bar and Grill, which is awesome! The food is great and they have about 127 different whiskies! What more could you want? Check out their website here: Copper and they also have a Facebook page here: Copper's Facebook

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you have any questions :)