The Age of Marketing

The age of marketing has extremely changed through social media and the Internet. With huge marketing tools like YouTube, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc. the industry has expanded to a totally different level. The entertainment industry uses these marketing tools to attract their target market. Association to brands has also become a major factor when it comes to marketing. Song like the “ 5 dollar foot long song” for the subway chain and Jennifer Hudson as the face and voice of Weight Watchers, all give brands something that consumers can associate the brand with making it more personable and marketable. Entertainers and musicians use their credibility as marketing tools as well. Many receive endorsement deals, join charitable causes, and create a following based upon the respect they receive from their fans. The definition of a leader is a person or thing that guides, conducts, is at the head of, or leads. (Dictionary.com). Entertainment marketing and marketing in general gives leaders an opportunity to promote and advance a product, cause, or face for people to follow. Whether you follow someone on twitter and Facebook or you watch or subscribe to his or her YouTube channel. It all creates an association with a brand whether it be that specific person or thing.

There are also things like product placement that are used as a promotional avenue for business. For example, when watching your favorite television sitcom, you notice that your favorite character on the screen is typing on a MacBook computer. This gives the viewer the idea that MacBook are a popular computer and maybe when considering to invest in one, the apple product might be a good choice.  Product placement is used a lot as a marketing tool. Many companies choose favorite cable and local network television to promote products in a non “commercial” way. If consumers already have an association to the product this creates a brand loyalty that will hopefully make the consumer want to continue to use and purchase the service or product.

Of course with so many people jumping on these new marketing crazes the way to stand out would mean to be versatile and creative. Lady Gaga is an international sensation not just because she makes great music but also because she stands out and makes a statement every time she steps out into the spotlight. She is the perfect example of what it means to brand yourself and make your name associated with something whether it be a sound or a look.    

So where do we go from here? The marketing industry, especially the entertainment industry will find new and innovative ways to market artist and products. With a decline in record sales, marketing, especially when it comes to a new artist is impertinent because it can make or break someone’s career. Social media has taken it up a notch so it should be exciting to see where it goes next.

Check out these two links below for more insight 

Branding in Entertainment

entertainment marketing