Thread: JCPenney's New Viral Marketing Campaign

May catch on. it needs to be very unique these days to catch. much like the elf deal where you put your friends pictures on elfs and send them to their email. Reading through the top 100 from IR now they talk a small bit about what a few sites are doing.

I like it. Funny you post this after mentioning being thrown in the dog house by the old lady for the joke section forward. lol (don't ask how I remember)

I think it's a bit over the top in some aspects, but it appeals to me. I appreciate it at least.

The only negative effect I can see is it's a bit too diverse. Give people too many choices and they choose none.

Can't give you speed, but I appreciate the share!

A little off topic, but there is a company around here that is offering a unique gift wrapping service.

They are crumpling the paper, ripping it, slapping on the tape in odd places, and otherwise doing a horrible job at wrapping the gift. The idea is that the wife will think her hubby actually wrapped the gift.

lol.

Originally Posted by PhxMJ

The Doghouse

I think it is well done, although JCPenney typically isn't where I think to buy jewelry.

Obviously, that is the objective of this campaign ... to get men to add JCPenney to that thought process ... to that pool of shopping alternatives.


What do you think?

Originally Posted by AroundTheWorld

A little off topic, but there is a company around here that is offering a unique gift wrapping service.

They are crumpling the paper, ripping it, slapping on the tape in odd places, and otherwise doing a horrible job at wrapping the gift. The idea is that the wife will think her hubby actually wrapped the gift.

lol.

These ideas are so "out of the box" that I can't give enough kudos for their efforts to both JCPennys and this other company doing the funny gift wrapping service .... This is exactly what they need to separate them from the rest of the pack.

these types of marketing campaigns are important in this day and age when there are so many forms of advertising hitting the customers from every angle.

I think it was great. Creative, a bit shocking (for me at least...), and made me stay and watch the entire thing until the end. Served its purpose. I love the new advertising that companies are coming out with. This viral stuff is awesome.

Cool concept for an ad, but I couldn't sit through 4 minutes - 1:30 is enough.

I couldn't watch the whole thing. I don't think it's done very well. There was no interest in viewing the people in the dog house.

Originally Posted by biophase

I couldn't watch the whole thing. I don't think it's done very well. There was no interest in viewing the people in the dog house.

It's not that the video is boring, it's just that you aren't married

Interesting point, Jon Lee.

Unmarried guys can be in the dog house, too.

But I do think that the audience for this video is, well, highly targeted.

Signed,

A guy that has made similar dopey mistakes in giving gifts to his sweetie

Originally Posted by Russ H

A guy that has made similar dopey mistakes in giving gifts to his sweetie

Me too. I think that's what makes the video so good, guys really do think that vacuums are cool gifts.

Originally Posted by Jonleehacker

Me too. I think that's what makes the video so good, guys really do think that vacuums are cool gifts.

really? you really do? why? I mean... what is the thought process? would you like a vaccuum as a gift?

Originally Posted by AroundTheWorld

would you like a vaccuum as a gift?

Yes, in fact, I asked for one this year. Mine has lost it's suction... and go figure ... its a Dyson.

so, for you MJ giving and receiving gifts is just a totally practical thing? You need it (she needs it) so it would make a good gift?

It took me a few years to figure out that women do not want gadgets. Guys like tools, train sets, remote control planes and boats. Gals like.... well... other things...

I would never want jewelry or cologne. Yet I take it graciously if it is given to me. Give me power tool anyday.

Originally Posted by AroundTheWorld

so, for you MJ giving and receiving gifts is just a totally practical thing? You need it (she needs it) so it would make a good gift?

Since he asked for it as a gift, no doghouse for him! He was not buying a toaster for his gf when Bio and I met him at the mall....

Originally Posted by SteveO

It took me a few years to figure out that women do not want gadgets. Guys like tools, Okay, I don't get this one... pretty similar to a vaccuum. It means you have to.... work.
train sets, this is fun... it is a toy
remote control planes... fun
and boats.... fun

To me, a vacuum cleaner is too much like... "here honey, so you can clean more." I don't like to clean. Why would I want something that is associated with an activity I don't like to do?

I'm not big on perfume or jewelry either. Give me a spinning wheel, some yarn, music, books... Something that is enjoyable.

Men and woman are just wired differently. Toilet seat up... down... what is the difference. I am happy to lift it when it is my turn...

Sonya-

I think it goes deeper.

50-100 years ago, women spent most of the their day doing laundry (by hand), cleaning the house (by hand), and making meals/setting up stock (all by hand).

My grandparents made big purchases over the years which may not seem very romantic to us these days-- washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and all kinds of kitchen time savers.

Since most women of today work for a living, and make substantial income, they see these things as something THEY could easily buy for the household.

But back then, it was a HUGE expense, and in most cases, the guy was the sole or primary income earner (since the woman was spending so much time cooking/cleaning!).

So this became a special "gift", something they would save up for, often for months, or even *years*.

By getting a washing machine, or a vacuum cleaner, a guy was saying "Here, honey, use this, and your life will get a lot easier."

It didn't make the guy's life any easier. He still worked the same job. And if he bought the thing on credit, he now owed money.

From what I've been told, houses and clothes didn't get cleaner. Doing it just got a LOT easier.

I truly think this is a big part of why the 1950s were considered such a "golden age" by many-- most households had these items (washing machines, ovens, frigs, vacuum cleaners) as well as "luxury entertainment" items like a TV, radios, and a car for going places. And the ladies, for a large part, were still stay-at-homes. Note that I did not say ALL ladies-- but many.

Anyways, that's the story my grandpa told me, in all earnestness. But he also understood why "modern" (working) women thought these items were insulting as gifts.

But as he said, "When we gave them these things, Russ, it was a very loving gesture. We were saying 'Here is FREE TIME to go and do other things-- to enjoy life'."

As someone who was working to support their family, giving someone they loved a gift of free time was, at least to the giver, something very special.

-Russ H.