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MARKETS

8 The hard sell

Start-up
Read the poem opposite. What is the message? What effect does advertising have on your life?
I think that I shall never see A billboard lovely as a tree. Indeed, unless the billboards fall Ill never see a tree at all.

Look at the different forms of advertising in the box below. How often are you exposed to each one? Have any of them persuaded you to buy a product or use a service? Discuss your answers with a partner. billboards sponsorship website community events press releases word-of-mouth

telemarketing

public relations (PR)

TV and radio commercials

ads in magazines and newspapers spam (unsolicited email advertising) In your opinion, which

product placement (in films and on TV shows)

is the most effective in reaching a niche market / the mass market? is the most cost-effective for the advertiser? is the biggest nuisance to the public?

Reading and speaking

Product placement is a marketing tactic in which real commercial products are used in films, soap operas and music videos. Match the film (14) to the product (ad). Films 1 Mission Impossible 2 (2000) 2 Superman 2 (1980) 3 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) 4 James Bond Casino Royale (2006) Products a Marlboro cigarettes b none c Apple computers d Heineken Beer

You are going to read an article which was published on the release of the James Bond film Die Another Day in 2002. Before you read, discuss the following questions: 1 2 3 4 What are the effects of extensive product placement in such a film? Why do you think advertisers are keen to place their products in films appearing at the cinema? What types of audiences do Bond films appeal to? What is the future of product placement?

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Bond film is a giant advert

The release of the latest James Bond film Die Another Day is good business for firms outside the film industry. After 40 years of Bond films, winning a place for products within a scene has become big business. So much so that Die Another Day is, in some respects, one long advert for vodka, watches and cars. People looking for the usual Bond features will not be disappointed. Die Another Day has flash cars, gadgets, and, of course, plenty of action. But critics say some of the authentic Bond characteristics have been sacrificed on the altar of advertising. There is so much product placement in the film that people in the marketing industry are calling it Buy Another Day. At a time when the advertising industry is in a downturn, it seems surprising that companies are falling over themselves to pay such huge sums. But brand consultant Steve King said that such a strategy made sense. Years ago you could expect to reach 80 per cent of TV viewers but with the proliferation of cable and satellite channels that figure has fallen. One of the unique things about cinema is its global appeal which means advertisers get the reach they cannot obtain elsewhere. Bond movies are especially popular with advertisers because of their appeal to the young and old. The 60:40 malefemale ratio among Bond audiences is also appealing to many advertisers. But where is product placement going? Experts say it may not be too long before interactive television and mobile technology link up. You will be able to buy the watch straight from Pierce Brosnans wrist.

Listening

Read the quotation below about mass marketing. Do you agree with it? The US advertising executive, Fairfax Cone, once said, There is no such thing as a Mass Mind. The Mass Audience is made up of individuals, and good advertising is written always from one person to another. When it is aimed at millions, it rarely moves anyone.

You are going to listen to the advertiser Antonio Gonzlez being interviewed about reaching the Hispanic market in the United States. How do you think companies gain customer loyalty in this niche market? Discuss your ideas with a partner. 8.1 Listen to the first part of the radio interview and answer the questions. 1 How much is the Hispanic market worth? 2 Antonio mentions one slogan and one motto. What are they? 3 What other tactics do companies use to tap into the Hispanic market? 8.2 Listen to the second part of the interview and answer the questions. 1 2 3 4 Why are advertisers changing their approach in marketing to Hispanics? How are they changing their approach? Why isnt mainstream advertising effective in reaching Hispanics? What is a fusion market? Which fusion market ad does Antonio describe?

What are the main niche markets in your country? How are they likely to change in the future?

Speaking

Work in small groups. You are responsible for advertising one of the following products or services to a specific niche market. Discuss how your campaign will show that your service meets their unique needs, and how you will speak their language, get their attention and, hopefully, loyalty. 1 A community subscription website over 50s (mainly retirees) The site will feature interactive games to increase mental agility, news on entertainment and hobbies, a weekly IT literacy guide, and a discussion forum. 2 A political party (of your choice) 1825-year-old age group 3 International telecommunications services newly arrived immigrants 53

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MODULE 2

Grammar

Making predictions
To make predictions, you typically use will (ll) or will not (wont) + infinitive. There are different ways of saying how sure you are that your prediction will come true. Look at these sentences and say whether you think they express certainty, probability, possibility or doubt. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ive no doubt well see more examples of this type of advertising in the future. I very much doubt that theres a future in radio advertising. The Hispanic market is worth about $700 billion, and is expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2010. Interactive television may have a big role to play in advertising in the future. I bet well see more fusion advertising in the future. Your experience in the Hispanic market is sure to give you a head start. Here are some ways of predicting something you are certain about. Im (absolutely) certain / sure / positive / convinced that ... Definitely, certainly, inevitably I have no doubt that; theres no doubt that ... be sure to / bound to / certain to + infinitive Complete the sentences using an appropriate phrase from the box above. 1 Markets will 2 become more global and multicultural. doubt that advances in communication technologies will open up new opportunities for advertisers. 3 Im that the use of scents in outdoor advertising will take off in the near future. become more sophisticated.

4 Niche marketing techniques are

Here are some ways of saying what you think will probably or possibly happen. may, might, could + infinitive Its likely, probable, possible that ... Probably, possibly, perhaps be (widely) expected / predicted to ... Theres a (good) chance / a (strong) possibility that ... I bet (that) ... To express doubt, you say that something is unlikely, that it probably wont happen, or that you (very much) doubt that it will. Work in pairs. Use the words and structures above to give your own opinions about the statements. 1 2 3 4 Internet advertising will become more and more popular in the future. Music and entertainment will play an increasing role in gaining customer loyalty. The media will determine the future of advertising if current trends continue. Advertisers will increasingly use interactive television to sell their products.

Prepare a short presentation about one or more of the following points in relation to the future of your company or country. Use as many of the words and structures above as possible. Example The population is bound to go on increasing and there may not be enough resources. The company is widely expected to computerise the production process soon. advertising popular culture political changes demographic changes the environment economic factors technological developments competitors

Review and development page 62 Grammar overview page 160

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Communication

Feedback
Here are two types of useful feedback. Affirmative when you recognise something that is being done well, you point out that success and reinforce it. Development when you recognise that something could be done better, you point out that gap and see how you can fill it. In this section, we explore ways of giving feedback. Discuss how much feedback you get at work or studying. What type of feedback do you receive?

8.3

Kate Milligan is Bill Carters boss. Twice a year she holds performance review sessions for all her team. Today she is talking to Bill about his performance at work and any actions he needs to take. As you listen, complete the table.
Targets 1 2 Progress Further action?

How did Kate manage this session? Did she give the feedback or did she get it from Bill himself? What type of feedback came out affirmative or development? Look at the Key language below. Then listen again and tick the phrases that you hear.

Focus on progress

What were your targets? Hows it going? How do you think things have gone, so far, this year? Ive been making quite an effort. I feel Ive made more of a contribution. I think Im on the right track. From what I hear, its going well. Im pleased about that. I can see youve made an effort. To be honest, not very well. Im finding it difficult. I feel Ive got nowhere. In fact Ive gone backwards. I understand. I think we all do. Its not easy. Whats stopping you from ? Whats getting in your way? How are you going to move forward? So what are you going to do? I wondered whether I could ...?

Recognition of success

Reinforcing success Recognition of a gap / lack of progress Showing understanding Obstacles Next steps

Work in pairs. Student A looks at this page. Student B looks at page 103.
Student A
Review and development page 63 Communication page 149

1 Give Student B feedback on one of the following topics: progress in learning (language, business, management skill) progress in career (new jobs, opportunities) challenge they face at work (deadlines, personalities, conflicts, etc.) Follow the process and use the language above. 2 Reverse roles and get feedback from Student B on one of the topics.

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Global marketing
Companies sometimes assume that what works in their home country will work in another country. They take the same product and same advertising campaign and expect it to succeed. The result in many cases is failure. In this section, we explore how culture affects marketing. Work in groups. Discuss what you have to take into account when you want to reach local markets. Look at the photographs below. Discuss how you would market these products in your home market. Would it be the same in a foreign market?

Work in pairs. Student A reads extract one. Student B reads extract two. Read the extract and summarise the main points to your partner. Extract one Global versus local advertising is a strategy marketers working in the international field have been wrestling with over the last few years. Finance executives find the costs that they can save by marketing products on a global scale very appealing. However, not all brands can be marketed internationally and many marketers are implementing local campaigns or adapting global ones in order to effectively sell their products abroad. Product type is a key factor when deciding whether to implement a global campaign. Technology and clothing brands cross borders effectively while food, drink and packaged goods often encounter difficulties such as cultural differences, the overall brand experience, product development and the state of the local economy.

Extract two When marketing products abroad, some companies like to have a common look and feel around the world. Keyvan Cohanim, the Vice President of marketing and communications for IBM Canada, says, Were really trying to portray ourselves as a single global company. The IT industry we participate in, the services area of consulting with customers, and the solutions we talk about are all applicable globally. However, some global companies prefer to implement a local advertising strategy. An example of this is Unilever, one of the worlds largest marketers. Stephen Kouri, the Vice President of brand development says that with a big company like Unilever its very important to find the right balance of global and local advertising. Brand propositions travel well, but TV executions may not, he says.

Work in small groups. Use the information from C and your own ideas to prepare a presentation about global versus local advertising. 56

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8.4

Listen to extracts from three different markets. Use the table below to make notes.
Market How they resist globalisation Impact

Iran

Work in pairs. Discuss whether you think markets can resist globalisation. Do you think the government should protect their local market and culture? How? Work in pairs. First read the text below. Student A looks at this page. Student B looks at page 103.

new Your task is to launch a home and th bo telecom service for r target You . sia office use in Malay ge lar the consumer is both d local expatriate community an meOffice Ho led cal Malaysians. It is rk from wo to ers and allows custom nt to wa You . ice home and the off or tdo ou d an use TV advertising duct. pro w ne s thi posters to launch

Student A

1 Read the information below. Group each point under one of the following headings: work status and titles ceremonies dining gender time personalities Malaysians are very warm, friendly and hospitable, but may appear shy and reserved initially. Most Malaysians view the organisation as an extended family. Expats may find themselves being called Uncle/Auntie by the children of their local colleagues. Malaysians consider ceremonies as part of their way of showing hospitality and building relationships. Dont mix business with food and refreshments. Business always comes second and should not take precedence over eating. Malaysians tend not to hurry and are quite easy-going. Malaysians respect titles and status. People with local status are often important for the long-term success of the business. When interacting with Malaysians, be aware of gender and sex role differences. Malaysia is still largely a male-dominated society and women must be prepared to be treated as number two. 2 Exchange the information with Student B to build a picture of Malaysia. 3 Use this information to brainstorm an advertisement for your product.

Business across cultures page 152

Checklist

product placement

marketing to the
niche markets

making predictions:
I bet well see more Internet advertising in the future.

feedback global marketing

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