Scenario 9-1
The Xcellent Agency specializes in developing advertising campaigns for smaller retail
clients. Xcellent was hired by Shadowleaf Shoes, a small regional chain of six shoe
stores, to develop a slogan and specific ads to be used in a three-month newspaper
campaign. Shadowleaf’s marketing director, Manuel Margolis, was adamant while
meeting with Xcellent’s account executive, Kia Chin, that the campaign must be catchy
and modern to appeal to a target audience that has an active lifestyle and is between the
ages of 18 and 35. More importantly, Margolis wanted the slogan to be memorable and
unique.
Kia Chin, representing Xcellent, developed a campaign and presented it to Margolis,
based on the slogan, “Do What You Do in a Shadowleaf Shoe.” Visuals included men’s
legsdifferent sizes, skin colors, etc.walking, jogging, dancing, and otherwise moving in
every type of Shadowleaf shoes. She felt that this campaign would target young male
consumers, but would also get the attention of others regarding its comfortable shoes
and would raise awareness of the Shadowleaf brand. After running the ads, the Xcellent
Agency won an advertising effectiveness award. It seemed that the surprising and
appealing visuals gave the slogan unexpectedly positive social meaning for people of
all ages, not just men aged 18 to 35.
When Manuel Margolis insists on a measuring stick for the creativity of the campaign,
what will the Xcellent Agency tell him, if Kia Chin is smart?
a. “The award alone proves that this ad is loaded with creativity.”
b. “If people like the ad, they”ll buy the product.”
c. “We met the technical standards for this advertising effort.”
d. “Great brands do more than just get attention, they make emotional connections.”
While waiting for his wife to get ready to go out, Marcus picks up one of her interior
design magazines and skims through the pages. Six ads in the magazine are for flooring
and carpeting, but he and his wife don”t need new flooring or carpeting, and he barely
glances at these ads. This is an example of:
a. conversion.