In Response to Erica Murray....

AT&T released a new marketing service this week in select cities. Beginning in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and San Franciso, and to go national this summer; a new marketing service allows brands to send customized coupon or sales notices to opt-ed customers. Would you be willing to try this new marketing service?

     As of right now I am subscribed to two marketers via text message.  Victoria Secret PINK sends me coupons and updates on new merchandise as well as "member only" sneak previews into new collections.  I also receive promotional text messages from Allure magazine about new contests and special products.  As far as signing up to have random companies market to me based on my "geo-fencing" profile, no thank you.

     Many companies already offer a text option to receive offers and discounts, that you can sign up for at your own will.  I understand what AT&T is trying to accomplish with their marketing idea, however, if it's the consumer's choice I don't think that many people are going to be interested in this service.  For phones like the iphone, and android "there's an AP for that!"  Applications like Groupons, Livingsocial and many more that offer the exact same service at no cost to the consumer.  The consumer also wont be bombarded by text messages unless they choose to be.

     So, for me, I don't think that this service is something that I am interested in.  I know what I like and what I want, so when I decide that I want to get promotional material from a company, I'll sign up for their individual text option.

Are there other cellphone companies that are doing this as well?

Is anyone else signed up for text promotions from specific companies?

Air Canada Marketing Decision

     This video is a clip from the Bruins (vs) Canadians hockey game on March 8, 2011.  Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty was hit into the boards by Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara - which resulted in Pacioretty having both a severe concussion and a fractured vertebrae.  After review of the hit by the NHL league disciplinarian and commissioner they concluded that although it was a "late" hit - it was a fair hit and Chara would not be suspended despite the injuries that were sustained by Pacioretty.  Many fans were outraged by the lack of suspension and discussion arose about whether or not this league is too dangerous, and the rules too lenient.  An article from the OttowaSUN discusses Air Canada's feelings about the situation.

     Because of popular disgust with the league Air Canada (a huge financial contributor to the NHL) threatened to discontinue it's work with the league if proper action was not taken in accordance with the recent hit.  Dennis Vandal (Directer of marketing/communications for Air Canada) wrote the league commissioner a letter about his concerns with associating their brand with such a dangerous league.

"We are contacting you (Wednesday) to voice our concern over (Tuesday night's) incident involving Max Pacioretty and Zdeno Chara at the Bell Centre in Montreal.  This is following several other incidents involving career-threatening and life-threatening head-shots in the NHL recently...... From a corporate social responsibility standpoint, it is becoming increasingly difficult to associate our brand with sports events which could lead to serious and irresponsible accidents; action must be taken by the NHL before we are encountered with a fatality."

     Despite this letter, the decision made by the commissioner and league disciplinarian stood, and as of right now Air Canada has continued to associate/market it's brand with the NHL.  However, I believe that if something else of this magnitude happens again there is a good chance that Air Canada will make an executive decision to cut ties with the NHL. 

Does anyone know of any companies that have cut ties because of a similar situation?