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I didn't do a "Introduce yourself" so I'll do this instead. Areas of interest: finance, banking, politics, marketing, media.

I stuff all my money in a coffee tin. Should I invest in a mattress?

phil said:

I stuff all my money in a coffee tin. Should I invest in a mattress?

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Depends on what currency you're stuffing.

Mostly confederate, and republic of Texas.

How do you feel about the way that the President is handling the economic crisis?

phil said:

Mostly confederate, and republic of Texas.

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You should be stuffing bullets in your mattress. May make the bed hard, but at least you'll be safe in the upcoming zombie apocalypse.

I like this answer, because it assumes I am crazy.

A club sandwich or a marmoset?

North_Ranger said:

A club sandwich or a marmoset?

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Club.

---------- Post added at 10:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------

Dave said:

How do you feel about the way that the President is handling the economic crisis?

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Considering he is using advisors who were direct participants in the crisis, I would give him a distinct thumbs down on that. I also believe that considering how immediate and pressing the economic issues are, he shouldn't be dabbling with healthcare.

However, the economy is too complex for one organization to right or fix or even break. No one can take credit or should be assigned blame for how the economy is doing collectively. There are individual pieces that contribute to the larger picture where spheres of influence can be held responsible for misperforming at - large financial institutions and their capital ratio. Subprime mortgage companies selling off depreciated assets at AAA costing, etc. Lack of regulation around fund companies also packaging those assets definitely had a hand to the market bubble too.

All of that said, running a HUGE deficit which dwarfs even the deficit that Bush ran is not good over the long term.

Which of the ancient global secret societies controls the media?

North_Ranger said:

Which of the ancient global secret societies controls the media?

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Bilderberg Group.

What are the three most interesting things about marketing to you? I only took one marketing class back when I was gonna be a chef so... I can't get any more specific.

Cajungal said:

What are the three most interesting things about marketing to you? I only took one marketing class back when I was gonna be a chef so... I can't get any more specific.

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1. The psychological effect that marketing has on people. So many people claim "Oh, marketing and advertising don't affect me at all". and then I say "Buuuuhd" and they say "Weiz" and their friend says "Er".

2. If I truly believe in a product or a service, and I believe it can help people or it's something that they'll want, there's nothing better than standing tall and doing your best to get it in their hands. My job does both; I'm a researcher for a financial institution but I'm also part of the marketing department so I have to combine demographic information with economic analysis and forecasting to make sure that Cajungal gets a mortgage rate that will entice her most when her term expires in 3 years and 2 months. I look holistically at CajunGals' peers, their age group, earning levels, balances, share of wallet, etc. and then I advise my coworkers on "A picture of someone appealing to CajunGal specifically should be on our billboard". That is just so damn cool and exhilarating when it works!

3. The people. My background is computer science and I just got tired of the social torpidity. Marketing people, I guess by choice, have to be social butterflies and I enjoy that aspect. I like to learn people's names, I like the opportunity to network and talk about stuff other than computers.

Do you enjoy Dilbert?

Adammon;257753][quote=Cajungal said:

What are the three most interesting things about marketing to you? I only took one marketing class back when I was gonna be a chef so... I can't get any more specific.

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1. The psychological effect that marketing has on people. So many people claim "Oh, marketing and advertising don't affect me at all". and then I say "Buuuuhd" and they say "Weiz" and their friend says "Er". [/QUOTE]

My professor gave almost that same example.

North_Ranger said:

Do you enjoy Dilbert?

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I enjoyed it more when I worked in an office where it seemed Scott Adams came up with his ideas. Now, not so much.

Is the objective of marketing to increase visibility or to persuade sales? Is there really a strong correlation? Sure, I think the Bud frogs were funny, but I can't say that makes me more willing to buy Budweiser. I may now be aware of the fact that BK sells Chicken Fries because the commercial was funny and eye catching, but it hasn't swayed me to buy them.

I'm not attacking you (seems lately people think I am for some reason). It's a legitimate question.

fade said:

Is the objective of marketing to increase visibility or to persuade sales? Is there really a strong correlation? Sure, I think the Bud frogs were funny, but I can't say that makes me more willing to buy Budweiser. I may now be aware of the fact that BK sells Chicken Fries because the commercial was funny and eye catching, but it hasn't swayed me to buy them.

I'm not attacking you (seems lately people think I am for some reason). It's a legitimate question.

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Marketing builds awareness. Awareness persuades action (To visit the locale, to research the product, etc). Getting you in the door is the function of marketing, persuading sales is the job of your in-store rep. That's marketing at its simplest. However, because of the changes in distribution channels and products, now marketing can act almost solely as the sales agent. Movie advertising for example - build awareness of the product, sell people on the product, encourage them to see it when it comes out at such and such a date. You don't get sold on a movie at the theatre because you're already there to see 'a' movie if not 'the' movie.

Adammon;258408][quote=fade said:

Is the objective of marketing to increase visibility or to persuade sales? Is there really a strong correlation? Sure, I think the Bud frogs were funny, but I can't say that makes me more willing to buy Budweiser. I may now be aware of the fact that BK sells Chicken Fries because the commercial was funny and eye catching, but it hasn't swayed me to buy them.

I'm not attacking you (seems lately people think I am for some reason). It's a legitimate question.

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Marketing builds awareness. Awareness persuades action (To visit the locale, to research the product, etc). Getting you in the door is the function of marketing, persuading sales is the job of your in-store rep. That's marketing at its simplest. However, because of the changes in distribution channels and products, now marketing can act almost solely as the sales agent. Movie advertising for example - build awareness of the product, sell people on the product, encourage them to see it when it comes out at such and such a date. You don't get sold on a movie at the theatre because you're already there to see 'a' movie if not 'the' movie.[/QUOTE]

Also, if the movie makes a billion dollars, it will make even more money because it will be advertised as "The Billion Dollar" movie. That and people are sheep.

What is the main difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives in Canadian politics?

Zumbo Prime said:

What is the main difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives in Canadian politics?

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When Liberals cut taxes and arts funding, they are amazing and have only the best interests of Canada at heart.

When Conservatives do it, Stephen Harper is a nazi.