Research - Latest blog posts http://www.research-live.com http://www.research-live.com http://www.research-live.com/magazine/graphics/logo.png http://www.research-live.com Ronald McDonald had a farm and he used it for brand advantage http://www.research-live.com/ronald-mcdonald-had-a-farm-and-he-used-it-for-brand-advantage/4009783.blog http://www.research-live.com/ronald-mcdonald-had-a-farm-and-he-used-it-for-brand-advantage/4009783.blog At first glance, the decision by McDonald’s to open up some of the British and Irish farms that supply beef and eggs to its UK restaurants to selected consumers appears to be a clever, carefully crafted PR exercise to take advantage of the horsemeat debacle. Mon, 20 May 2013 11:17 GMT When focus groups go bad http://www.research-live.com/blogs/when-focus-groups-go-bad/4009722.blog http://www.research-live.com/blogs/when-focus-groups-go-bad/4009722.blog Via The Onion: Malicious Focus Group Convinces Marketers Cinnamon Mountain Dew Is The Next Big Thing. Thu, 9 May 2013 09:40 GMT Engage with consumers, don’t market to them http://www.research-live.com/engage-with-consumers-don’t-market-to-them/4009605.blog http://www.research-live.com/engage-with-consumers-don’t-market-to-them/4009605.blog There’s a Holy Grail for brands and retailers: to embed themselves so much with the families that make up their core demographic that their place in the family shopping basket is secure. Some try this through sporadic, tactical promotions which tap into interests and trends – collect tokens for a free tennis lesson, for example – whilst others try to create initiatives that lead to deeper, longer term engagement. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:32 GMT Putting everything into promotions risks unbalancing the marketing mix http://www.research-live.com/putting-everything-into-promotions-risks-unbalancing-the-marketing-mix/4009505.blog http://www.research-live.com/putting-everything-into-promotions-risks-unbalancing-the-marketing-mix/4009505.blog New research from the British Promotional Merchandise Association says that half of the British public have taken action after receiving a promotional product, compared with only 19% after seeing TV advertising, 11% for online advertisement, 10% for print and 9% for direct mail. Promotional products are also considered the least annoying by consumers. But what does this actually tell us and are there lessons that brands can draw as a result? Thu, 4 Apr 2013 15:16 GMT