I would describe my social media personality as social, personal (honest) and opinionated. I like to share information I learn, give my personal, honest, opinions on subjects and usually chose a side rather than just sit on the fence regarding issues.
The marketing industry tries to tell stories to make their brands more personal, so that is what I'm going to try to do with my blog. Marketing today is synonymous with social media, and creating connections while interacting and engaging with users, so I think being personal is a very important part of building a brand in today's world. I think opinionated blogs are more interesting to read, so I will try to do this (without being too offensive I hope!) to keep my readers entertained.
The marketing industry tries to tell stories to make their brands more personal, so that is what I'm going to try to do with my blog. Marketing today is synonymous with social media, and creating connections while interacting and engaging with users, so I think being personal is a very important part of building a brand in today's world. I think opinionated blogs are more interesting to read, so I will try to do this (without being too offensive I hope!) to keep my readers entertained.
If I could relate myself to any current social media campaign, it would be the Italian Fashion brand Diesel’s campaign called "Be Stupid". At first it sounds like they are trying too hard to be "counter-culture", but according to Diesel representatives, “'Be Stupid' is not an ad campaign, it's a manifesto." They say Stupid = Brave, and have a great video describing their philosophy…
“Stupid is the relentless pursuit of a regret free life...The stupid isn’t afraid to fail. The stupid know there are worse things than failure… like not even trying.”
Their new campaign includes videos and print ads, an interactive website as well as the social media aspects of branded programs with Twitter, FourSquare and Facebook and a mix of blogger relations (whatever that means). Its honest, a little harsh (like I tend to be) and it certainly has stated its opinion clearly (“Smart may have the brains…but stupid has the balls”.) And it doesn’t hurt that they sell some pretty cool jeans, clothing and accessories and the side. Their slogan for their women’s denim collection this season is “Don’t just be cool, be powerful”. As a strong woman myself, it’s hard not to like that!
Some of their print ads go a little far with their “sexy” imagery, but I still like the message. I think sometimes people try to hard to be "smart", that they forget to live a little, and make mistakes. Some people may say getting a Bachelors of Arts degree in today’s technologically based society is stupid, but I don’t regret it for one minute. “The smart might recognize things for how they are. The stupid see things for how they could be”.That me, the constant dreamer.
I think it’s hard to find many media campaigns today that really pushes the envelope, so kudos to Diesel for trying something different. And like they say, “Stupid is trial and error. Mostly error” so at least they can always reference this, if something goes wrong with the campaign!
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Diesel’s Stupid Philosophy
Like balloons, we are filled with hopes and dreams. But over time a single sentence creeps into our lives. Don’t be stupid. It’s the crusher of possibility. It’s the world’s greatest deflator. The world is full of smart people. Doing all kind of smart things… That’s smart.
Well, we’re with stupid. Stupid is the relentless pursuit of a regret free life. Smart may have the brains…but stupid has the balls. The smart might recognize things for how they are. The stupid see things for how they could be. Smart critiques. Stupid creates. The fact is if we didn’t have stupid thoughts we'd have no interesting thoughts at all.
Smart may have the plans… but stupid has the stories. Smart may have the authority but stupid has one hell of a hangover. It’s not smart to take risks… It’s stupid. To be stupid is to be brave. The stupid isn’t afraid to fail. The stupid know there are worse things than failure… like not even trying.
Smart had one good idea, and that idea was stupid. You can’t outsmart stupid. So don’t even try. Remember only stupid can be truly brilliant.
So, BE STUPID
Thats me!
From Justine: Jan 28, 2011 3:01 PM
ReplyDelete(http://iheartpeoplewhohelpanimals.wordpress.com)
An interesting take on the word "stupid"...I'll give you that!
It's a unique fashion campaign, its certainly "out there". For a smart campaign, or should I say, “stupid”, they would definitely have had to know/research their target audience well in order to pull this off. I’m guessing their target is roughly 18-24, middle class, males/females? I don’t really know. I’m totally guessing. Correct me please! :)
Anyways, the campaign seems like its working for those they want it to work on. They’ve found a way to position themselves and connect with their audience in a distinctive way.
I’m not quite understanding the whole thing, which is fine, because I don’t consider myself to be their target audience anyhow. They’re speaking to someone, and according to you Victoria, the people they’re speaking to are getting it. They can’t speak to everyone.
I’m almost 26 so its not like I’m an old fat though. If I am supposed to be part of the target, well, sorry Diesel, you failed (lol). But if its working for you Victoria, then its working for Diesel.
It’s funny that the same word “stupid” is used in another media campaign, the antismoking campaign called stupid.ca. They equate smoking with the traditional sense of the word, to be dumb, dimwitted, mentally slow, not bright… etc. That made sense to me. You don’t have to re-teach the world a new definition of a very well established term like “stupid”. It’s hard to do!
Anyways, in general it would be a challenging feat to convince people to see being stupid as a good thing. Seeing as their target audience is young and probably a bit free spirited, wild and rebellious, maybe being stupid is kind of part of the package. It kind of reminds me of the show/movie Jackass where people were being jackasses and it was equated as being cool. Stupid is now cool too! Know knew!?
I mean, they said in the video, “stupid is the relentless pursuit of a regret free life”. Really? I would say stupid is the definitive path to a life full of regret, isn’t it? When you make bad, stupid decisions, you regret them, no? Victoria I’m sooo confused! Haha. Like I say, this must not be directed to me, whatsoever. That’s why I don’t get it. That’s okay.
I actually like what the ad is talking about, I like the idea of creating, taking risks, being brave, dreaming, etc. For me, those things just don’t translate into being stupid.
I’m getting old.