Servant of Chaos

Competition Reminder - Target Your Message

In case you missed it earlier this week, there are still a few days left to get your entry in for my TARGET YOUR MESSAGE competition.

This is how it works:

• Go here and read the background
• Download TargetCompetition.jpg  the sample Target Billboard ad
• Add your own message
• Write it up for your blog and link back to this post (so that I can find you)

The winner will be drawn out of a hat NEXT MONDAY -- 11 February, so that you will still have a few days to hit Valentines Day without getting yourself into trouble. And what do you win? A $50 Amazon gift voucher -- or if you prefer, an eGift card from Target. Your choice ;)

Note: Judge's (ie me) decision is final. No correspondence may be entered into.

Competition - Target Your Message

Following up on last week's mini-storm around Target, I thought it might be fun to run a small competition that tests your copywriting skills (actually the idea was Drew's). This one is called "Target Your Message". This is how it works:

• Go here and read the background
• Download TargetCompetition.jpg  the sample Target Billboard ad
• Add your own message
• Write it up for your blog and link back to this post (so that I can find you)

The winner will be drawn out of a hat NEXT MONDAY -- 11 February, so that you will still have a few days to hit Valentines Day without getting yourself into trouble. And what do you win? A $50 Amazon gift voucher -- or if you prefer, an eGift card from Target. Your choice ;)

Note: Judge's (ie me) decision is final. No correspondence may be entered into.

So, You Think You Can Market? The Winner Is ...

And the final round of voting has now closed! And the winner is Casey Degon. Congratulations!

To recap ... in this competition gave marketers the chance to put forward their best ideas based on this brief from Sara, the BargainQueen. The best idea in each round will be voted on by a wide, wide panel of marketing experts -- YOU. That's right, you got to decide on the best idea around theBargainQueen.com's Christmas promotion.

Thanks to all who voted ... now, I just look forward to how this will all play out! Roll-on Christmas.

So, You Think You Can Market? - Final

Welcome to the FINAL of So, You Think You Can Market? in support of TheBargainQueen.com.

Round 2 went to Paul McEnany in a unanimous decision -- sorry Jason (you know, it's ok to vote for yourself)!

To recap ... in this competition marketers will put forward their best ideas based on this brief from Sara. The entries will be published here ... and the best idea in each round will be voted on by a wide, wide panel of marketing experts -- YOU. That's right, you get to decide on which idea proceeds to the next round ... and which idea, ultimately, will be worked up in time for a Christmas promotion.

So, the finalist's ideas are:

1. Casey Degon - Charity Partnership
   There are two parts to my solution that I believe will help not only the company’s pocket book but their image as well. The audience I am trying to reach are college graduated men ages 20-30. Their most common tool of communication is just like any other college grad, facebook.com.
   I propose using the application of gifts on Facebook to spread the word. During an in class discussion, the class discussed how they usually will not pay for the gift unless they know its going to charity.
   The Bargain Queen should therefore partner up with a charity group and then create gifts that are exactly like the items they are talking about on their web site.  Half of the sales will go towards charity, the other half towards helping the marketing budget. When men click on the gifts, they are redirected to The Bargain Queen web site were they can find out more. If they choose to by the gift and send it to a friend, their friend will not only be sent the graphic and the link from which they can view, but they will also be entered into a drawing to receive that particular article of clothing for free.
2. Paul McEnany - Empower the Current Readers
   The fundamental issue here is that The Bargain Queen is a site for women. One look at it and a guy like me starts to get nervous. I can start clicking around, but even if I do find something she may like, how can I be sure? I never really know if she likes something I gave her in the first place. So, with this particular site, I think men become the secondary target. It's just too obvious from the beginning that this is a women's site, so we really have to be the site that offers an insight into his specific wife/girlfriend the best, not just women in general.
   
   So, I'd start by making it easy for readers to send suggestions to their husbands/boyfriends. Each post should have a "send to him" button where a woman can anonymously hint that this may be a good gift
   for her.
   Secondly, I'd build a widget for these readers to drop their favorite selections from the site into. She can send this widget to her husband or boyfriend, or just post it on her myspace page for him to find.
   Same goes for facebook by building a similar facebook application.
   
   Now, if you were to send men straight to the site, I'd make a link to "The Bargain King," as well. Maybe a little obvious, but sometimes obvious works. This page would have testimonial video of various types
   of women, with more in depth descriptions written out. For each type of women described, we'd create gift packages for her with various gifts chosen by the experts (readers and editors of the Bargain Queen, of course).
   
   So, these are just a couple simple ways to get men to find their way to the Bargain Queen this Christmas. Obviously, I'd put my money on empowering the sites current readers. Their advocacy is probably the fastest way to get to their husbands with the least waste.

The voting for the Final is now open. It will remain open until the end of day, Wednesday, November 14. At stake for Casey and Paul is a cool iPod Touch and the chance to see one of these campaigns activated in time for Christmas! VOTE for your favourite idea in the Final NOW!

Thanks to the other contestants -- Matthew Mantey and Jason Collins.

So, You Think You Can Dance, Round 2

Welcome to Round 2 of So, You Think You Can Market? in support of TheBargainQueen.com. As we only received FOUR entries, the winner of this round will go up against the winner of Round 1.

First up, an UPDATE:

Round 1 went, in a LANDSLIDE, to Casey Degon -- claiming 95% of the unexpectedly LARGE vote. Casey clearly understands the potential and approach to activating an online network!

To recap ... in this competition marketers will put forward their best ideas based on this brief from Sara. The entries will be published here ... and the best idea in each round will be voted on by a wide, wide panel of marketing experts -- YOU. That's right, you get to decide on which idea proceeds to the next round ... and which idea, ultimately, will be worked up in time for a Christmas promotion.

Round 2's entries are:

1. Paul McEnany - Empower the Current Readers
   The fundamental issue here is that The Bargain Queen is a site for
   women. One look at it and a guy like me starts to get nervous. I can
   start clicking around, but even if I do find something she may like,
   how can I be sure? I never really know if she likes something I gave
   her in the first place.
   So, with this particular site, I think men become the secondary
   target. It's just too obvious from the beginning that this is a
   women's site, so we really have to be the site that offers an insight
   into his specific wife/girlfriend the best, not just women in general.
   
   So, I'd start by making it easy for readers to send suggestions to
   their husbands/boyfriends. Each post should have a "send to him"
   button where a woman can anonymously hint that this may be a good gift
   for her.
   
   Secondly, I'd build a widget for these readers to drop their favorite
   selections from the site into. She can send this widget to her husband
   or boyfriend, or just post it on her myspace page for him to find.
   Same goes for facebook by building a similar facebook application.
   
   Now, if you were to send men straight to the site, I'd make a link to
   "The Bargain King," as well. Maybe a little obvious, but sometimes
   obvious works. This page would have testimonial video of various types
   of women, with more in depth descriptions written out. For each type
   of women described, we'd create gift packages for her with various
   gifts chosen by the experts (readers and editors of the Bargain Queen,
   of course).
   
   So, these are just a couple simple ways to get men to find their way
   to the Bargain Queen this Christmas. Obviously, I'd put my money on
   empowering the sites current readers. Their advocacy is probably the
   fastest way to get to their husbands with the least waste.
2. Jason Collins - Fashion SnapShots (Jason, send me a link to your blog)
   My solution would start with the women. If men don't know what to get their partners, then the gals often make the suggestions themselves. Why not make this easier?
   
   And what does every gal do when she goes shopping? Takes her cell phone. The Bargain Queen should write a mobile app that encourages gals to take photos of products they see when they are out shopping. These should then be sent to The Bargain Queen's Flickr group (direct from cell or via upload). The Bargain Queen editors would do a "close enough" match with existing fashion profiles and link send an email to the "Bargain King" (the gals partner). The partner can login and see the pictorial wish list and or select from other recommendations from the Bargain Queen editors.

OK ... Now, you have read the last two responses ... now is your chance to VOTE!

You have until the end of Saturday, November 11. Next week we are in to the FINAL PLAYOFF.

So, You Think You Can Market? Round 1 Update

We are well into round 1 voting between Matthew Mantey and Casey Degon. Only ONE of these two can pass through to the next round. Who will it be? That is up to you!

Make sure your vote counts.

So, You Think You Can Market? Round 1

Welcome to Round 1 of So, You Think You Can Market? in support of TheBargainQueen.com.

First up, a refresher ... in this competition marketers will put forward their best ideas based on this brief from Sara. The entries will be published here ... and the best idea in each round will be voted on by a wide, wide panel of marketing experts -- YOU. That's right, you get to decide on which idea proceeds to the next round ... and which idea, ultimately, will be worked up in time for a Christmas promotion. Now is your chance to VOTE!

So, the first two entries to kick off proceedings are:

1. Matthew Mantey - "What the Queen Wants".
   1.  Register whatthequeenwants.com
   2.  Copy and paste the items at bargainqueen onto the new site
   3.  Send new url to existing bq purchasers and bq email list with
   instructions to pass new queenwants url immediately and directly to their
   significant other, upon any purchase conversions (or other qualifying
   conversions) suggest purchasers send it on to their clueless friends of the
   same ilk
   4.  Repeat for all future purchasers and email captures
   5.  Build queenwants application for FB
   6.  Have a few influential male friends download it and jock it
   7.  insert conversions into email stream above
   8.  register whattogetherthisyear.com redirect to queenwants and repeat
2. Casey Degon - senior at Ithaca College (update: Casey's blog - reelmoviemarketing.blogspot.com)
   There are two parts to my solution that I believe will help not only the company’s pocket book but their image as well. The audience I am trying to reach are college graduated men ages 20-30. Their most common tool of communication is just like any other college grad, facebook.com.
   I propose using the application of gifts on Facebook to spread the word. During an in class discussion, the class discussed how they usually will not pay for the gift unless they know its going to charity.
   The Bargain Queen should therefore partner up with a charity group and then create gifts that are exactly like the items they are talking about on their web site.  Half of the sales will go towards charity, the other half towards helping the marketing budget. When men click on the gifts, they are redirected to The Bargain Queen web site were they can find out more. If they choose to by the gift and send it to a friend, their friend will not only be sent the graphic and the link from which they can view, but they will also be entered into a drawing to receive that particular article of clothing for free.

OK ... Now, you have read the first two responses ... now is your chance to VOTE.

You have until the end of Wednesday, November 7. Round two will be live the following day!

Last Day to Enter theBargainQueen.com Competition

Competition
Originally uploaded by danzden

Don't forget, this is your last day to get your thebargainqueen.comideas to us at bqcomp [at] servantofchaos [dot] com. Remember, it can be as brief or as long as you like ...

But all those good ideas of yours don't count for ZIP until you put them out into the world. This is your chance to show the world what you are made of.

Get your ideas to us as soon as you can.
Check out:
The original brief
The FAQs

Bargain Bargain Bargain - Competition Reminder

Bargain Bargain Bargain
Originally uploaded by purplespace

A reminder for those thinking about or preparing to enter our "So, You Think You Can Market?" competition. Remember, your entries have to be with us by October 31 ... with the first round of voting starting the next day!

If you have not already, check out the FAQs ... and make sure you take a good look at

So, You Think You Can Market? FAQs

We have had a great response so far to this competition, and I am excited to see what you clever folks will be pulling together! Even Matt Moore chimed in with some consumer insight, despite a hatred of competitions! In the meantime, I have also received some questions which you may all want to know the answers to (with thanks to CK for doing all our homework).

Q1) Does this have to be a strategy leveraging social media?

A1) No, there is no need to use social media

Q2) does it offer gift wrapping service for x-mas? And does that gift wrap say "bargain" on it (you know, like Macy's does with their logos). I ask becuz girls don't want their boys to be bargain-hunting so much for once-a-year holiday. But boys like to save money ;-).

A2) The Bargain Queen only points the way to where bargains can be had. It is not a shop, so there is no additional Bargain Queen branding involved. The gift wrapping will come down to the offer available in-store -- either in Sydney, Tokyo, Florida or New York (unless it is available online).

Q3) Does this site have a guide whereas the guy can say "my woman likes little black dresses" and then the guide emails them 3 ideas?

A3) Not at present, but this could be a suggested execution. Remember, The Bargain Queen team have some great technical and design skills -- so if you have suggestions for the site experience, please do include them. In fact, they're offering a manual version of this this week as a test.

Q4) must ask why a male demo and not targeting more females? Is it becuz they already have a good sized female audience? Or just becuz it bodes well for males? Just curious cuz I'm a curious marketer ;-).

A4) There is already a very strong female demographic, yes. And the strongest and most consistent audience is amongst US-based women -- hence the shift in focus away from Australian-based bargains.

Q5) Does the site have competitive shipping fees for all over the world? Or do some countries pay more than others due to where the goods are based?

A5) Most of The Bargain Queen's readers and customers are based in the USA, which has astonishingly good domestic delivery service and rates. But for buyers outside the USA, BQ's expert bargain hunters find items that you can buy online and pay for shipping from the USA - and still pay less than the retail price in your local department store!

Competition: So, You Think You Can Market?

We all think that we are capable of coming up with a ground-breaking idea. We all think that we could, if given the chance, deliver a brilliant social media campaign that creates buzz, drives sales and makes our clients deliriously happy.

But do your clients bite?

Do your ideas fall on deaf ears?

This competition could be the opportunity you have been waiting for!

So, you think you can market?

The Bargain Queen is a leading fashion blog that has a unique challenge -- they have their female readership all stitched up, but how are they going to reach a MALE audience in time for Christmas?

The brief

Get men interested in buying fashion gifts for their other half this Xmas. They hate department stores. They wouldn't be caught dead in a boutique. They would rather wrestle a crocodile than accompany their lady on a shopping-trip. But somehow, they have to find her something she'll like. Something she won't sigh and send back. Something classy. Something that's good value, but isn't cheap. Something, in short, that will guarantee some peace and goodwill to all on Christmas morn.

You have a low budget. Around $500.

But you have access to some top notch design and technical resources on The Bargain Queen team to compensate. They can handle online/technical deployment of your astonishing viral marvel, and they can design any necessary creative dinkuses you may require.

All you need to add is "the spark" that will bring the campaign to life!

When?

We need your response to the brief by October 31, 2007. Email it to me at bqcomp [at] servantofchaos.com.

Who is the judge?

This is where it gets interesting. Not only do you have to come up with a knockout idea, your ideas will publicly go head-to-head with the best in the business. We will randomly draw your name from a hat and allow the marketing community to VOTE for their favourites.

This will happen across a number of times in round-robin style. Only the entry with the most votes will pass through to the next round. We will continue until there are only TWO entries left. And then final voting will commence!

What's in it for you?

First up, this is the chance to showcase your style. With some of the best marketing minds looking on, it is a great chance to demonstrate your worth. You will also get a bucketload of profile and buzz from the blogosphere.

Finally, since The Bargain Queen is a site that's going places, you get the very bankable cred of being able to say "I knew her before she was famous -- in fact, I made her famous"!

And, just 'cos it's Christmas, the winner is up for a funky new iPod Touch.

So, what do you do next?

Check out thebargainqueen.com to get the look and feel of the site. That should tell you everything you need to know about who we're trying to reach and what we have to offer them. Sketch out your idea in no more than the equivalent of one page. Remember this is a competition, so your entry will be up for public consumption. Feel free to put any questions you might have in the comments below.

And get your idea to us no later than October 31. 2007!

Voting starts November 1!