Week 7: Ghostery and Consumer Behavior

So the other day in my market research class with Omar, he told us about this amazing browser tool/software called Ghostery. This tool allows you to see all of the advertisers, and trackers that are watching what you do, and collecting data on the websites you browse. For example, one day I was looking up a particular type of hot tea (ginger peach green tea), and the next day I had ads for tea companies on my internet browsers sidebar and whatnot. Ghostery allows you to block those ads and advertisers. Here is the link for Ghostery if you want to download it: Ghostery.

I downloaded ghostery and I didn't realize how many companies are actually on each website I go on. I knew there had to be a few but some sites had 30-40 hits! I am able to block these advertisers which makes me feel like I have a bit more privacy but I was shocked to see numbers like that. I don't think as consumers we really realize how much companies are watching us and tracking our purchases and other ways to advertise to us.

For me, when I see the ads on the side of my browser specifically targeted to me and products I was searching the other day, I have mixed feelings about it. I understand its more logical and cost effective for companies to advertise to consumers who are in the market for their products. However, I also find it kinda creepy and annoying to have those ads right there. Like, if I want to buy the tea, I will. I will go to there website and buy the tea, I don't want/need a constant reminder flashing in my face when I'm trying to get my homework done.

Above is a little video explaining what ghostery does even more. I like that it allows you to choose what companies you allow to "watch" you. And that it also informs you about those companies and how that data might be used. As a marketing student, I know some of this information can be extremely helpful for those companies, as well as benefit my eventually. So I like that ghostery adds a little about each company so you can decide if you want to block them or not.

This type of product reminds me of something the authors of Nudge would advocate for. It gives people a choice to block advertisers and trackers, and educates you about them. Compared to the other two alternatives of doing nothing, or installing software that blocks all ads/companies in general. Ghostery allows you to make an educated decision.

I feel as consumers, we may alter our browsing/online purchasing behavior if we really knew all of the people tracking us. This may lead to incorrect data, so ghostery may actually be helping these companies record more accurate data because people are more secure in what they are sharing and how it will be used.

I know when I worked at 24 Hour Fitness, customers had to scan their finger to check in too the club. Some customers refused to have their finger scanned cause they were afraid we would save their prints and send it to the government or FBI. However, this was not true and the technology we had didn't allow for that anyways. It only saved various points of ones print. I think this can be applied to online browsing privacy as well. People want to know that the data a company is collecting will not be used against them.

Week 6 Post: Minimalism/Purest

Today in class we talked about the concept of minimalism that seems to be very popular recently. In class today we specifically focused on the "finger" shoes, or bow hunting which seems to be much more difficult, and pure. 

I feel like we are resorting to these types of products to be more connected to ones self, and to be more aware of our bodies, health, and surroundings. One example includes segmented sleep where someone will sleep for four hours and then wake for one hour and then sleep again for four more hours. Before modern electricity this sleep cycle was very popular. It seems as if consumers are engaging in non-consumption by going back to more pure or primitive ways. Another example of a minimalist type of product is any Apple products. Steve Jobs designed his products to be simple. This could be one of reasons his designs are so popular.

Life is usually pretty complex, so I think anytime consumers have the ability to be more pure in their purchases, they take that opportunity. As a consumer, I have noticed that health has becoming a very popular lifestyle. Lifestyle is a, "pattern of consumption that reflects a person's choices of how to spend her time or money" (Solomon p. 469). The minimalist shoe represents a certain lifestyle. When I see someone wearing the particular shoe pictured above, I assume they are healthy, an avid/experienced runner, conscious about their body, and maybe earthy.

The products we buy really contribute to the lifestyle we lead and the beliefs/values we relate too. As we stated in class, the minimalist shoe probably isn't just a fad like any trends from the 80's, which makes it become apart of a lifestyle. This lifestyle may even create over consumption as well. Because these types of shoes require you to own more than one pair of running shoes, at least for a while anyways. My point is, is that something that is considered minimalist is actually causing over consumption. I find that kind of interesting.

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 :)

First blog post/First week of school

So... I think this commercial is hilarious. And I think thats really important when it comes to advertising/marketing your company and product. Personally, I will specifically NOT buy a product just because they advertise too much or their ads are annoying and/or lame. This commercial made me laugh and I wasn't wishing I could fast forward through it like I do with 98% of commercials. I'm sure there is some sort of data or study to show that comical commercials and ads do better than most, so I'm still not sure why more companies don't follow in Oscar Mayer's footprints. I'm not exactly sure if this post is considered good but I'm sure I'll get better as I go along.. Ha.