b. False
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.
Looking back, who was responsible for creating the client brief, which should have
informed Margolis and others of the creative endeavors behind the campaign?
a. The owner of the Xcellent Agency
b. The lead from Shadowleaf and the account executive of Xcellent
c. The research manager and the creative director of Xcellent
d. The marketing executive of Shadowleaf