Monday, April 1, 2013

Marketing with a Purpose




               Alright so it’s been awhile since I last blogged.  That’s ok though, because today I’m going to fix that with this post right here.
                I was checking out an interesting article in the New York Times online titled “Selling Products by Selling Shared Values” (link is attached) that discusses the growing importance of purpose marketing.  The idea of purpose marketing is for using advertising to help not only the company but also the consumer as well.  In other words, every company wants to position itself as a meaningful brand that provides a sense of social good and responsibility along with its product or service.  The thought behind this new positioning strategy is that customers respond quite positively to companies they feel are doing social good in the world.  To highlight this new wave of purpose marketing, the article describes Panera’s new slogan of “Live Consciously, Eat Deliciously”.  In order to differentiate between their competition, Panera has utilized its advertising to focus on their role in helping the community by using local, natural ingredients and donating their left over bread to those in need.  As a result, they have set themselves up as a bar above the rest.
                So it would appear the purpose marketing is a new wave in advertising that’s here to stay.  Is this a good thing? I say most definitely yes.  First just think of all the positive consequences it can have for our society.  Companies that use resources responsibly and think about the long term will benefit everyone.  I would gladly pay a little more if it’s going to a company trying to make a difference in a cause it closely associates itself with.  Second, think about how much this will help advertising.  Purpose marketing will give a company a unique and unifying idea behind its strategy.  Everything from the message to the creative aspects of advertising will focus on one overall statement, something that will provide clarity to not only those advertising but those receiving them as well.  Overall, the concept of purpose marketing is one that should be embraced by companies as they continue to realize its growing importance in the marketplace.

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