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Looks like in an effort to be more hip and cool, the folks at Yum Brands are going to change the name of Pizza Hut to "The Hut". Yes, you read that correctly. Yes, it's a terrible idea.

blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2009/06/19/pizza-hut-cuts-the-quot-pizza-quot.aspx

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Universal Linen recently asked if there was a relatively inexpensive way to record brief 1 to 3 minute video tours of various areas in their plant. Sure! Using a Canon Vixia HF100 high definition digital camera and iMovie 09 for editing, we were able to create a series of simple but professional-looking videos that showcase their plant and the various ways they process linen. While not as professional as a video done with a full crew (lighting, sound, multi-camera, etc), it is a perfect solution for Universal Linen.

We are still creating more videos for Universal, so be sure to check out our channel on Youtube for updates: http://www.youtube.com/conceptmediavideos. You can also visit Universal's site at www.universallinen.com.

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I have the perfect real-world example of how one bad thing can throw out all of the hard work and money a company spends on marketing their company.

There is another Concept Media. We are by no means competitors (they sell training videos for healthcare workers) and I have never had anyone confuse our two companies....until recently. Apparently the other Concept Media merged with a competitor of theirs. I know this because I received several emails, phone calls, and sales packets in the mail from companies congratulating me on the merger. Oh, and they were all investment firms wanting my money. That's right... salespeople from major financial planning/investment companies hounded me incessantly for weeks because they were sure that I was Ralph, the President of Concept Media: the training video company.

From the various solicitations I received, one thing was clear: these people did NOT do their research. Their companies all subscribe to a service that alerts them to company mergers. They probably saw the name "Concept Media", did a Google search, found me...and started the "sales process". 

One salesman in particular from a VERY large company who shall remain nameless (GOLDMAN SACHS), sent me an email that in a nutshell said "Congrats on the merger. Now that you have a lot of money you should invest with us. We require at least a million dollars to open an account. Let me know if you're interested." Not only did this guy get the wrong Concept Media, but he decided that the best method for reaching out to this potential million-dollar deal was via email. No phone call. No paper packet. No DVDs in the mail. The process began and ended with a very simple email.

His company spends a great deal of money on marketing. Their web presence is fantastic. Their name is huge in their industry.They've been doing a lot of hard work to brand themselves as a modern, progressive company. All of that went right the window with one salesman's email.

Remember, marketing isn't just advertising. It's not just your sales materials, website, videos, etc. Marketing is everything between your product and the customer. It encompasses all of the processes and activities that exist for getting your product in their hands. Sales is absolutely an integral link in the marketing chain. For Goldman Sachs, it's apparently the weak link in their chain and will undoubtedly cost them business.

Time to look at all of your processes. You're building an image of your company with every sales call, every advertisement, every web page... Have you taken time to analyze each link in your marketing chain?

 

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