Making your Media Strategy a Call to Action might be Controversial but might be your marketing savior.
I LOVE to cook and enjoy a great meal. It’s a passion of mine to include wine, dessert, cheese and an incredible entree into a meal whenever I can. I love fresh foods and those that I know are healthy for me. Every once in a while though – I love a great pizza too. Is it as healthy for me as an Avocado Salad? No. But I sure do love it.
My friend, Janet St. James, reported last night on the DISD’s current efforts to change their approach to food in their cafeterias. If you haven’t heard, the U.S. is the most obese nation in the world. We have plentiful food – and a good portion of that food is not fresh. It’s a sensitive subject and one that a lot of people are passionate about: Food & Our Children’s Health.
It can be a heated subject and honestly I prefer to avoid political debate. So I avoid it. But then there are people like Jamie Oliver and his new show Food Revolution where he tries changing the cafeteria menu in a school district. He gets the cold shoulder from local media and a wicked eye from the lunch lady but there’s something VERY awesome about that: he’s getting exposure and media coverage.
Sure he has a show but if it wasn’t controversial and up-front, how would it be good for ratings? If there wasn’t an element of passion and adversity, why would the media want to cover it? Honestly, their strategy is very lackluster for online media. But they have enough of a traditional news media strategy that they are sparking conversation and reports linked to their show. Reporters like Janet St. James have covered this before. Janet is one of the best reporters specializing in health that I know. Shows like Jamie’s offer reporters a chance to engage a sometimes non-chalant audience.
Sometimes the best media strategy is all about your mission. Want to change the world? Do it. Tell everyone about it and create your own call to action. When you offer a way for people to become active themselves you are more likely to get a response and see real results. What’s your call to action?
I hope everyone has an amazing weekend and for those of you planning Easter Egg Hunts – I’m hoping for sunny blue skies! See you Monday!
Tell a Friend,
TZ
Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.
Simon Cowell - Media Marketing Mogul or Emmy Winner? What makes branding and revenue limitless?
Another person with an Emmy and it’s not me. Well someday maybe. American Idol has been rocking and now, with Simon’s imminent departure, his second best show ever is coming to the US: X Factor. Do both of these show really earn Simon an Emmy?
Here’s the thing: American Idol, Pop Idol, Britain/America’s Got Talent and X Factor are global. They span more than a decade and millions upon millions upon millions of dollars in revenue – a second. I’m just kidding – it’s every 60 minutes. I don’t think I’d give him an Emmy – I think I’m going to create my own “Media Marketing Genius” award (I may need help to come up with a better name!)
There’s not an element of any of his shows that do not churn revenue regularly. Want to vote by text? AT&T pays for the exclusive advertising during voting by text rights. Want to hear the judges give their critique? You have to see that they’re drinking from Coca-Cola cups if you do! Think the show ends in May? Hardly! Those contestants and the winner tour for months while the show starts the audition process for the next season!
The big concept Simon has down is that everything you do has the potential to earn money. It has the potential to be valuable to someone – just find them. This television phenomenon has taken branding to a whole new level. Auditions cause a stir, you can buy the contestant’s songs each week and you can finally buy the debut album from the season’s winner. Where do you not see potential?
Officially today I announce Tony Zazza’s [Insert creative name for a media marketing genius] Award – Candidates will be announced after we come up with our clever and creative name. So please, send in your nominations, your suggestions and spread the word! Tony Zazza is looking for a genius!
Tell a Friend,
TZ
Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.
Complications can make you and anyone stressful. Keeping your communication simple brings your better business success and media relations to enhance your media exposure.
How do things get so complicated? I get overwhelmed with overwhelming questions from overwhelmed people with overwhelming desires to stop being so … overwhelmed. Does that make sense?
I try very hard to remain simple – often because of a less I learned very early on: KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid. Sweet huh? I sometimes try to make it feel like a kick in the head by repeating “keep it simple stupid!!” to myself when I get a bit stressed. Do you feel that way too?
I promise there’s a strategy tip coming – just go along with me here. If you have ever been overwhelmed with your day to day activities or interactions, when do you reach your breaking point? Do you over-react to a minor irritation by lashing out? Not that I do that, *cough*, but I can certainly empathize.
Often I have to do something for me personally. Whether it’s get an errand done away from what I’ve been focusing on to exhaustion or maybe go downstairs and find a snack. Seems simple enough, right? Take a break and revert to simplicity. But I can’t tell you how many times I try to accomplish something to the side – something that’s supposed to be simple – and it ends up being a TOTAL mess. I usually call it Tony’s Law but now I’m seeing it as an opportunity for you, my clients and myself.
The opportunity is this: keep things simple for you, your clients and your business. Keep this mantra to heart throughout everything you do – especially when it comes to how you communicate.
Why? Because the media is always looking for simplicity in their content. Whether the storyline is simple or the facts are simple. Anchors, journalists and reporters have to keep content simple to communicate to a large audience effectively. They also work very hard and work best when they are communicated to simply.
Same with customers and clients. When they come to you, the more simple the transaction or service, the higher their satisfaction. Ever heard of a convenience charge? When you keep things simple for your customers they are being given a convenience – and they love to pay for that.
KISS away your stress and blues!
Send me some feedback – I want to hear from ya! I’ll see you again on Friday!
Tell a Friend,
TZ
Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.