Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Posts: 6309
| Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject: Sears,Sun-times Square Off-article | |
| Suntimes had a piece where the new Sears marketing campaign was not welcomed by a cheerleader. http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/05/14/sears-sun-times-square-off.aspx .At least others than this board can see thru this transparent crew. | |
Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 8380
Location: Central CA
| Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject: | |
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As much as I like the Sun Times, Lewis Lazare is an ad critic. He critiques advertising campaigns for a living. I suppose there's an audience for that kind of thing, just as there appears to be an audience for music critics and movie critics who get paid big bucks to express their opinions while the public makes up its own mind about what it likes and doesn't like. I think we overestimate the effect of advertising campaigns anyway. They might get a few people into a store for the first time, but if the "experience" (to use one of the coaching terms) isn't there that first trip, there probably won't be a second one.
It really doesn't matter at this point whether Sears ads are "bland" or "unmemorable". Sears has reached the point where bland an unmemorable ads aren't going to sink it and the most exciting and memorable ads in the world aren't going to save it any more than my constant bitching about Lampert and Lewis are going to sink it. 
The fact is that there is nothing in any Sears ad that explains to the buying public what Sears has to offer than makes it a more attractive place to shop than any of its competitors. They can't point to price, they can't point to selection or inventory, they can't point to format (hell, they've diddled with the format since Eddie took over and still haven't settled on one), they've diluted about the only thing they had going for them which was brand recognition by shoving Sears brands into their third tier discount chain and fueling spec that other companies may wind up selling them... how do you make an ad that explains or maybe better yet, alibis all of that and more? I happen to agree with Lazare on the new ad campaign too. A new slogan every few years hasn't done diddly squat for sales and this new one doesn't exactly break any molds either. I sure don't see anything in it that's going to negate my more recent experiences at Sears and make me want to go back there again. |
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Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 611
| Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject: | |||
I think thats his whole point. His way of business is keeping the opposing parties guessing. However, he hasn't realized that maybe we just give up & don't care anymore. Everything is always so "non-specific". After all this time can't everyone see that that is part of his method. We've all been trying to figure out this that are so obvious, but because we don't know for sure, we can't say. Believe me, not even higher ups know whats going on. He is showing his hand because after enough questions has been asked and its YEARS later and no one knows anything means that maybe, just maybe, Lampbert himself doesn't know. Its all been a facade. Smoke & mirrors and truthfully I for one am tired of playing games. If he doesn't know or does know and what his grand plan may be I DON'T CARE ANYMORE. We are all tired of the great dangle. |
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Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Posts: 6309
| Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject: what campaign | |
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'YEARS later' and 'tired of the great dangle' says alot unknown.If you count the fact that Mr. Lacy basically was ' under the influence ' since the 'October Surprise' of 2002 which gave a low buy in price for the crew they've had 4 years to decide what to do with both Sears and Kmart.
And as Nofs pointed out the operational issues such as assortments and availability haven't really been addressed in any subsantial way.And this while the competition keeps up their programs and changes as needed.Less than 6 MONTHS after Home Depot announced they were going to hire 15,000 new employees to help correct their customers service issues I see a difference already. 'YEARS later' and Sears doesn't amount to squat. |
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Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 8380
Location: Central CA
| Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: | |
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Eddie Lampert makes money because so many people expect Eddie Lampert to make money they throw theirs at him. Kind of a self fulfilling prophecy going on there.
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Joined: 04 Jul 2003
Posts: 2400
Location: A little bit sideways!
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:12 am Post subject: | |
No shit the new ad campaign is all about a lameass song from ELO back in '77. The year I started there btw. "Just so you know" 
The new ad. http://www.noturnonred.org/index.php/2007/05/08/sears-where-it-begins/ You have to spin down a tad to get the youtube link. Sorry? The real lameass song from back in the day. Direct link here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Ncxw1xfck Yep, still sucks. ~GoodFella |
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Joined: 04 Jul 2003
Posts: 2400
Location: A little bit sideways!
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:35 am Post subject: | |
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This might of worked out. Ad-wise. You know more truthful-wise and shit? ~GoodFella
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZOHOrNITbU&mode=related&search= I loved this song in "Donnie Brasco" as the fellas were robbing and killin. Lampert-style. ~GoodFella |
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Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 611
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:03 am Post subject: | |
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You guys are not only supportive, but hilarious. I visit this forums 2-3 times a day to have your imput. Because honestly, its the only place where the truth has came out. Basically, this forum has busted him in so many ways. Why doesn't he get caught? I know Suntimes is all over him & by the way THANKS TO ALL THE FOLKS IN REPORTING THAT SMELL SOMETHING FISHY!
The game is if they don't know the curiousty will inspire them. Whatever, I am sick of unanswered questions and a bunch of bs. Has anyone on this forum been asked to "copy an email to so & so for justification of this cost"? I have and they only use it against you. All they do with that is figure out how to keep you going or lie. I am not a SCIENTOLOGIST. I am a religous person and like the Bible says "those who loveth and maketh a lie are not welcome into the kingdom of heaven. So, lying is not alright and it is not something that I can get over. I have to be here, but I hate what it has become. The once wholesome ethics that I came to love in the beginning of my time here are completly gone. Yes, the company did somethings back then that were unethical. But now, you can't believe a word that anyone in corporate, district, sgm's are saying. In other words, the great dangle has cost us all a greater cost than money, its cost us the trust we had in each other. Dog eat dog & then let the dog eat the young is more like it. Sorry for the rant, but I think the world of all of you and I want people to see the light like that of dictator, mags, terminator, MrsDD, JBdet, & Nofs. I know others see it too, but I see them here so much and have brought me to the conclusion that corporate office is full of crap. |
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Joined: 04 Jul 2003
Posts: 2400
Location: A little bit sideways!
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:18 am Post subject: | |
OHHH what no GoodFella on your list? Don't blame ya.  ~GoodFella
Did some looking around and found a bit of the ELO ad stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZqKy1KoYrQ |
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Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 611
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 4:08 pm Post subject: | |
| Of course you are goodfella. One of my favs. Sorry I forgot some, but I am so angry that I can't think straight. All of you are the best. Because of these posts I have been able to sleep better because my mind is not constantly turning trying to figure out what the hell? None of the things they do anymore makes good business sense. Honestly, I have listened and done what is asked of me only to find out that I have been a joke or a fool. As far as I am concerned, the gig is up. | |
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 1646
Location: Michigan
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject: | |
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Thanks for the mention, Unknown, always enjoy a little hit of the spotlight now and then. I believe in telling it like it is, no shadings, no touchy-feely, no carefully choosing words so not to hurt someone's feelings -- especially if they call themselves a "manager" or "executive" and wear a suit. If you have to dress up to seem important, your most important responsibility is being honest with people (especially subordinates) and an actual problem solver/worker, not just someone who can pull lame and untested ideas out of your ass and shove them down others' throat with threats and the all powerful phrase "I know better, so do as I say, not as I do".
Which leads us to the latest in BS to come down the pike, with the "Sears, Where it all begins" and "Mr. Blue Light" over at Kmart. Can everyone see how ALLWIND's bullshit- and propaganda-laden Communications are now being forced onto customers directly through these new campaigns? They think that by using a simple phrase, or a bunch of worthless words strung together, is going to excite customers, just as ALLWIND's babblings have so successfully stirred in the psyches of the SHC slave workers. Nevermind sprucing up the salesfloors with new and exciting/exclusive merchandise ... don't try to lower prices to be actually competitive with those competitors (instead of using that crutch to try to explain away SSS declines in quarterly shareholder updates) ... forget about asking your workers what they're hearing from customers about how you're performing in their eyes ... skip over creating a viable niche in the marketplace that would tap into a customer base you've concluded shops with you through real, actual, verifiable research (from customers as well as what your employees see) to create an actual reason for a customer to walk through your doors ... why do all of those things, which your competitors do because they're part of the real RETAIL world, and that's why they're kicking your ass day in and day out? Why face reality ...... when it's easier to live in a Prozac-like delusional world because it's easier to pop the pills instead of trying to get real treatment to get over what ails you? "Sowing the Seeds," "Walking the Talk", "Living the Values", "Executive Leadership Council", "Swagger", "Culture", "Big Ticket Thank You Program", "Coaches", "Charges My Batteries" ........ words with no meaning. "Sears, Where It Begins", "Mr. Blue Light" ........ more words with no meaning. And let's not forget "Aylwin Lewis" .......... another pair of words with no meaning. |
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Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 8380
Location: Central CA
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject: | |
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I used to wonder if Aylwin really wrote the crap that comes out with his name at the bottom. Now I'm wondering if he even READS it.
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Joined: 19 Oct 2003
Posts: 2801
| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject: | |||
 
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Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 611
| Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 2:42 am Post subject: | |
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Hey Allwind:
"where it all begins", but where the heck does your crap end? |
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Joined: 04 Jul 2003
Posts: 2400
Location: A little bit sideways!
| Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 3:57 am Post subject: | |||
I was just fooling around. I understand your situation. I'm in the same sinking boat too. My full respect to you unknow and the rest of us. ~GoodFella |
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