Walmart - PR Genius?

I came across this article recently for a research project I was doing for another class. Although it dates back to January I still find it to be a fasinating campaign put on by Walmart.

As one of the most controversial international corporations, it is no surprise to me their public relations team is one of the best. Their awareness campaigns as well as their crisis communications routinely come under scrutiny but they must be doing something right if it continues to be one of the most shopped at stores, right?

Regardless of their image in the media I thought their efforts in opening a new location in New York were solid. Their PSA was short but direct and very effective. They targeted all the right local newspapers. Most importantly though, they kept an open dialogue with a distinct message. I logged onto their WalmartNYC website and it was extremely interactive and very informative. It gave New Yorkers who wanted a Walmart to open in the area multiple ways to participate in helping to make it happen.

Also that it was a great strategy to talk to New York Walmart shoppers in the surrounding states locations. Its the exact audience your looking for, of course if they are willing to travel to shop Walmart they would much prefer a local location.

In your opinion do you find this attempt to be successful or do you see faulty areas in this campaign?

Twitter Turns 5!

Coming off of their 5th birthday this week, Twitter has launched their new awareness campaign,“Follow Your Interests. Discover Your World. Twitter.”

Highlighting Twitters most famous assets, this youtube video brings light to the many productive and new age functions Twitter provides internet users.

It is arguably the only platform that opens dialogue to a vast majority of people across the world without restrictions, giving them the ability to target their specific interests and gather information through various platforms. What I found to be particularly impressive about this awareness campaign was the video's primary message. Twitter used this as an opportunity to let viewers see the benefits of actively participating in the website by providing answers to these following questions:

1) What Do You Care About?

2)Who Do You Follow?

3) What Do You Want To Know?

4) How Do You Explore What's Out There?

By strategically choosing these questions to ask in the video, Twitter makes the viewer feel that their Twitter account will be their own personal platform - A place to share and explore things that specifically interest them but also be a part of something that is much bigger than them - something that stems out to reach people all around the world. Giving you the ability to impact others and let them have an impact on you.

Another strategic video decision Twitter made was to feature a broad array of pop culture figures to speak on behalf of Twitter. Musicians to astronauts, celebrities to political figures, local to global - each person spoke on their personal feelings was to why they have a Twitter and what they use their Twitter for. Their Twitter testimonies were also shot differently - some appeared as home videos while others seemed more formal. The home video testimonies give off a friendly and personable vibe that makes the viewer feel comfortable where as the formal interview gives a sense of creditability.

Participants give more in-depth interviews that can be found on the 'Discover Your World' website. Additionally, the website provides viewers with direct links to all areas of interest that can be found on Twitter so that your Twitter experience may begin.