JCPenney Issues Viral Warning – Beware of the Doghouse

Kudos to JCPenney for putting together a video that’s gone viral and is actually funny.  The JCPenney video is called “Beware of the Doghouse” and includes a website, too.  The effort promotes the JCPenney jewelry products, and the website is very interactive.  Users can connect via Facebook, put people in the doghouse or send warnings, and more.  It’s a fun effort that coincides perfectly with the holidays.  Check out the video below.

Beware of the Doghouse- Hilarious! – Watch more free videos 

What do you think?

Cyber Monday and Beyond – Search Marketing is Where Its At

Cyber Monday is just two days away and it appears that search marketing is the place to be on Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season.  According to a report by SearchIgnite, search marketing spending is up 33% in the first half of the fourth quarter of 2009.

Cyber Monday and the entire holiday season is expected to produce lackluster sales for retailers this year, so promotions and discounts are hot with Shopzilla reporting that 83.7% of retailers plan Cyber Monday promotions, up from 72.2% from the prior year.

Seems like a sound marketing strategy.  Given the faltering economy, consumers are actively looking for deals and discounts.  Look at the horrible incident at a Long Island Walmart on Black Friday when a Walmart employee was trampled and killed as discount-desperate shoppers tried to get into the store to shop. 

The economy has forced changes in more than just marketing tactics.  Suddenly, consumer safety has been added to the mix, and retailers have another factor to consider in their promotion strategies.  That’s one I’m sure no one planned for, but now there is a responsibility to protect consumers as well as make a profit. 

Your thoughts…

Image: Flickr