Response to Kenra's post

Do you think companies earn more business from advertising or from customers recommending the product to others?

I think this depends on the size of the company and what they're selling. For products found in grocery stores and fast food I think advertising is key. There are so many products alike out there and they are so similar that they way they are advertised makes people think that they are that much more amazing than the other. Of course getting recommendations from friends will push someone towards a certain product over another, but with them all being so similar I hardly think it will make a difference. Most people don't talk about these products much anyway or have a large opinion from one to another. When it comes to things like furniture, TV's, clothing, and so on I think recommendations from others are the most beneficial. These are things that you see advertised but since they are so expensive you do your own research. Most people have either made the mistake of buying products that are advertised to be amazing (like my DELL computer) and turns out they just break down and are cheap. These are the types of things I will ask my friends and people who use them what the best type is, and research it myself. I know better than to listen to a commercial or a magazine add that's telling me to buy this TV because its perfect, when it really will break within the next 6 months. It definitely depends on what type of product and how expensive it is if people will listen to adds or other people.

Have you made the mistake of buying an expensive product like a computer or TV because it is advertised as being the best of the best, and once it broke down on you everyone that you told about it said, I could have told you that would happen. If only you asked for advice from others first, before you listened to the commercial or advertisement, right?

Music on Clothing Comercials

I recently saw a DSW shoe commercial with an extremely catchy song and people wearing fashionable shoes dancing around in them. This actually made me want to go to DSW and check out their shoes. Everyone looked like they were having so much fun dancing in their summer heals to this great song it made the product look so appealing. I often find myself thinking the same thing with other commercials with catchy tunes. I have vivid memories as far back as 6 years ago to a commercial for dove deodorant with a song that I absolutely fell in love with. Now every time I hear this song, I think of dove deodorant. It also gives sentimental value to me because I hear the song, picture the commercial, and picture myself as a young kid listening to it and watching it. Now every time I see dove deodorant I think of those two things and it kind of brings a smile to my face, and often makes me buy the product. I think song choice is a very significant part to a commercial and can have a great impact on customers decisions to go out and buy the product, or go to the store and shop around.

Do commercials with catchy songs tend to have a greater, longer lasting effect on you? Does it make you picture the product in the commercial every time you hear the song? For me, it leaves a long lasting impression in my head of the product when it is correlated to a song I like, does it do this for you?