Goodbye

After taking consumer behavior this semester, I am more aware of marketing. For example, I focus on what brands are at eye level when food shopping. While I was there I noticed Cambell's new label. I am also more aware of my high and low involvement products. I spend so much time thinking about buying a new car, but I don't spend any time or effort when buying paper.

I am a big Apple fan and now I always think of how the Ipod became so successful. I in general think about how a product becomes so successful. I know a product must be relevant and salient, but how does everything come about. It is amazing how the Yellow Livestrong bracelet goes from nonexistent to mainstream.

It is also amazing how personable marketers get and how much they need to know about us. Like peoples demographics, culture, social class, emotions, and life projects. Like when you give your zipcode when you purchase something at a store, they try to get information to more understand their customers. When I go shopping I think about everything I buy I am definitely a think, feel, act buyer. Every time I buy a shirt a think about should I buy it, try it on and ask my friends, and then buy it.
The list goes on and on for the things I have learned this semester. I completely am aware of things I never was before.

Kissing consumer behavior goodbye.

Reference Groups

Reference groups are persons, groups, and institutions one uses as points of reference. The following link is a YMCA ad that uses reference group influence.

http://vimeo.com/11177765

The 2 types of groups that the ad is a part of is secondary and membership. In the secondary groups the contact is infrequent, and the norms of the group are considered less biding or obligatory. In the ad it shows examples of people who go to Mt. Madonna YMCA and are asking people to join. The only thing is the YMCA isn't a huge part of peoples lives that is why it is influenced by secondary groups.

The other group the ad is influenced by is membership groups. Membership groups are those in which an individual claiming to be a member is so recognized by the head and key group members, even when the membership is informal. The YMCA is a group that makes you feel like you are part of a family and people know who you are. Their slogan is, "We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities." Once you join the YMCA you are part of that community.