Is this the worst billboard in Vancouver?

Interac billboard, Grandview Highway (east of Renfrew), Vancouver, BC

Interac billboard, Grandview Highway (east of Renfrew), Vancouver, BC (Detail)

I saw this billboard yesterday. As you can see in the top photograph, or perhaps can't see, the billboard is almost completely hidden by a building. And if you do manage to get a glimpse of the billboard, the "Windows" and "Doors" flags, and trees along the road, are obscuring your view.

And if you have made it through all of that visual clutter what do you see? Peeling paper and an obscured message?

Who in their right mind would pay for this location, and if they did pay for this location, what value do they get from a billboard in this condition? If you can find a worse billboard in Vancouver I'd love to know about it.

An undeniable advantage of transit shelter advertising

Transit shelter advertisement for britton diamonds, Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Transit shelter advertisement for britton diamonds with the Vancouver Block Building in the background, Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

The maxim often cited for real estate is "location, location, location". For out-of-home advertising location is also critically important. In this case the company, britton diamonds is located "10 steps away" from the advertisement. So, if a consumer is curious they won't have to go far to see what the firm has to offer.

In reality, it might be a bit more than "10 steps", but visiting britton won't require a long hike through the downtown area searching for the store. So, still a very good location for this advertisement.

The Room has a wonderful display window (Again)

Display window for The Room, The Hudson's Bay store, Seymour Street entrance, Vancouver, BC

I love good display windows. They catch your eye and make you pay attention. Good windows show off the merchandise, but also create a special little world that draws you in and makes you think.

This display window at the downtown Vancouver Hudson's Bay store, for The Room, is consistently great. (The Room is the department for the high-end designer clothing sold at The Hudson's Bay stores.)

The displays are simple, usually just a couple of mannequins, but the foregrounds, floors, and backgrounds are wonderful. They are evocatively seasonal and the displays are changed quite often. I make a special point of going by the store to have a look at the window and take a few photos.

Will I buy any clothes from The Room? No, I don't buy high-end designer women's wear. But I will write about the displays, and tell my students. You never know. They may spring for some fabulous fashions.

Great location for the ad. Too bad there are only four jobs available.

Job advertisement for Nordstrom, Vancouver City Centre SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

I saw this Nordstrom advertisement over the weekend. Great location for the advertisement, right underneath the new store location at the Pacific Centre in Vancouver. Anyone passing by the poster would certainly know how to get to the store. And given that the store is opening in September 2015, there must be a bit of a hiring blitz on.

So I headed over to the website and saw there were some jobs available at the new Vancouver store. Four to be exact.

Website capture, April 26, 2015
(Source: https://nordstrom.taleo.net/careersection/flsjob/moresearch.ftl?lang=en&radiusType=K&searchExpanded=true&radius=1&jobfield=140441708)

I have two problems with this.

1. Why are there only four jobs posted?
2. Why does Nordstrom not use its nordstrom.ca domain to provide a more localized experience for Canadian applicants?

So, full marks for the location of the advertisement, and a failing grade for execution. Nordstrom, I am expecting more from you.

A little gender stereotyping with your meal?

Poster promoting McDonald's Happy Meal toys, Vancouver, BC (Photo taken April 22, 2015)

Is the world that cut and dried? Do all of the boys want Transformers? Is it only girls who like My Little Pony?

Would it be too hard to just have a simple toy with the meals? Or perhaps not have toys with the meals and put the cost of the toy towards better ingredients.

But, we live in a pigeon-holing world. Everyone must fit into a particular slot. And everyone has acceptable types of stuff to play with.

Things do seem to be changing. The rigid gender roles are bending if not breaking. When I was in grade 7 I wanted to do "Home Economics", but that was a course for girls. I had to do metal shop. Evidently it was more likely that after school I'd have access to a 2000 kilo metal lathe than a stove or a sewing machine.

My daughter likes Barbie, Bratz, LEGO, and Playmobil. I hope that she, and the other kids she knows, will continue to play with the toys that they find to be fun, not just the ones that the marketers have decided are correct for someone with their chromosomes.

The TD Bank is doing it again (And some people will be getting rather annoyed.)

Metro (Vancouver Edition), April 21, 2015

For the past 10 years or so the Toronto Dominion (TD) bank has been giving away electronic goodies to encourage consumers to change their financial institution.

In the early days it was iPods, but in recent years it has been tablets of one sort or another.

I'm sure that this promotion much be successful, or else TD would not continue to do it. But as a loyal TD customer I'm just about at my breaking point. I've been banking with TD for decades and where is my free tablet?

And I'm not the only person who is a bit miffed by this promotion. Evidently the counter staff don't like it much either. They have to deal with grumpy customers wondering how they can get the free goodies that the bank is handing out to anyone willing to switch from another bank.

In an effort to placate angry customers, in recent years TD has done a draw for one free goodie per branch. And as my odds are probably 1 in 1000 or so I'd be better off buying a lottery ticket and hoping for the best.

Will this be the year that pushes me over the edge? Perhaps. It depends on the goodies that the other financial institutions are offering.

Well, that didn't last long.

blo - blow-dry-bar (Photo March 3, 2015)

Topshop display (Photo April 16, 2015)

According to the blo website, the firm has four locations in the Vancouver area; Four Seasons Hotel, Morgan Crossing (Surrey), South Granville, and Yaletown. So, what was the purpose of the location at The Hudson's Bay store downtown? And why did it last less than two months?

I've enquired with the firm and heard back that it was a pop-up concept in the Topshop location that was being tested by head office. But what does closing the pop-up so quickly do to the blo brand's reputation?

It is not a question if I can't say no

White paper download request, MarketingWeek.com (April 20, 2015)

This week I received an email from MarketingWeek.com. In the email was an offer to receive a white paper on social media. I was interested and filled out the form.

I was not necessarily happy for "3rd parties" to get my details so I didn't tick that box.

I received the message in red to tell me that I had not acquiesced to the site's conditions.

White paper download request, MarketingWeek.com (April 20, 2015) (Detail)

Well, if it is a question, then I can say "yes" or "no". In this case "no" is not an option. All I can answer is "yes".

White paper download request, MarketingWeek.com (April 20, 2015) (Detail)

If I can't say no then it is a demand not a question.

I think this sort of duplicitous tactic is one thing that drives consumers round the bend. So why would a firm in the marketing business think that this course of action is acceptable when dealing with its customers?

Some potentially confusing English

Extreme Pita advertisement, Royal Centre, Vancouver, BC

Is this sign missing the word "each"? I don't think that 10 or more of this firm's pitas contain a combined total of 5 grams for fat. But that is an interpretation that someone could make. (If they were a bit odd and very pedantic; sort of like me.)

The sign could be reworded, "Over 10 of our pitas contain 5 grams of fat or less each".

You have the data, why are you not paying attention and using it?

Spotify Logo
(Source: http://www.googlexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/spotify-logo-primary-horizontal-dark-background-rgb_0.jpg)

When I'm working I like to listen to music. Classical and jazz are my current favourites while I'm writing. Baroque or early Classical is great. Or if I'm picking composers,. Vivaldi, Handel, or Mozart are usually good choices.

Yesterday I was listening to the Handel stream on Spotify and an advertisement came on. No problem with that. Spotify has to pay for the performance rights and the artists deserve compensation for their music being used.

But why did I get an advertisement for Rihanna? What do the average Handel listener and the average Rihanna listener have in common? I don't see the two as interchangeable in any way.

Spotify has the data, the firm knows what I'm listening to, so why not use it? The Rihanna advertisement just struck me as sloppy. Or are there so few listeners to the classical streams that it is not worth even trying to develop appropriate advertisements?

Either way it does not bode well for the future of Spotify.

A first time for everything

Peek Freans' Fruit Creme Biscuits

After I donate blood, currently every two weeks, I get juice and biscuits (cookies).

I usually eat a two-pack of these Fruit Creme biscuits along with my mango juice.

The last time I went to donate I noticed this package of biscuits. This is the first time I've seen a package that I've seen where the two biscuits were not both jam side up.

A fatal flaw in the quality control? A minor hiccup?

I favour the latter. The side of the biscuit that faces up on the front of the package is not really all that critical. And for many of the biscuits, such as Oreos, there is no back or front.

It was just a bit odd to see the biscuits this way in the package after hundreds of donations.

Does no one remember how the possessive works?

Bowen Island swimmer photo sign, Bowen Island, BC

Bowen Island swimmer photo sign, Bowen Island, BC (Detail)

I recently saw this sign outside the Bowen Island Community School. The intent is that you put your head in the hole at the top and it looks as if your head is on the swimmer's body.

Cute and something that all tourists would love to do.

My issue is with the wording at the bottom. It should read "Vancouver's Seaside Playground". How hard is it to get the English right?

I know, I'm just being pedantic. But these days that seems to be my role in life.

Why was this not be part of the original plan?

Recycling bin on Queen of Bowen

Recycling bin on Queen of Bowen (Detail)

Recycling is reality of modern life. Driven by both economics (It is much cheaper to make a new aluminium can out of an old one.) and law, the amount of recycling keep increasing. Where I live you can recycle a baffling amount of stuff. The two primary exceptions are styrofoam and Ziploc bags. (I've heard that Ziploc bags are not accepted for recycling because the manufacturer, SC Johnson, does not contribute to the recycling program. I have not been able to verify if this is true.)

So, why does this bin say that only cans are recyclable? The black marker does look a bit amateurish, but it is better than nothing. I guess that BC Ferries just buys whatever containers are available, and when this one was purchased the focus of container recycling was cans. I'm glad the scope of recycling has expanded.

What other kind is there?

Virgin Radio advertisement, Granville SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

Virgin Radio advertisement, Granville SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC (Detail)

Who does not like money? From Monty Python to Cabaret, money has captured the public's imagination.

So it is not surprising that a radio station contest would given away money. Easy to carry, easy to spend, and one size fits all.

But what the heck is "free money"? According to this advertisement for Virgin Radio in Vancouver I can win "free money". Is there some other sort of money that I can win? Money that I have to pay for?

I'm just confused.

They promise 12 and they have 12

Ice Cream ordering information, Union SteamShip Company, Bowen Island, BC

Ice Cream ordering information, Union SteamShip Company, Bowen Island, BC

Ice Cream ordering information, Union SteamShip Company, Bowen Island, BC

Don't you love it when someone actually does what they say they will? In this case it is something rather simple. The ice cream counter at the Union SteamShip Company promises 12 flavours, and there are actually 12 flavours on display.

It is not a huge deal, but it does help satisfy the customers. And isn't that was the hospitality business is all about?

Competition at the the fast-food end of the coffee market is getting more intense

Sign at McDonald's, The Royal Centre, Vancouver, BC

Sign outside Tim Hortons, The Royal Centre, Vancouver, BC

During the 2014 and 2015 Tim Hortons "Roll Up The Rim To Win" promotion McDonald's countered by offering free coffee. This resulted in less traffic at Tim Hortons locations.

Even though the promotion finished weeks ago, McDonald's is still on the offensive. Any size of coffee for $1.35 is a direct attack on the mainstay of Tim Hortons business.

And as with most price wars this will not be pretty. You only get into a price war is you have deep enough pockets to put your competitor out of business. But while McDonald's certainly has deep enough pockets, I think that this may be an attack on Burger King, the new owner of Tim Hortons.

We'll have to see who blinks first.

Interac is back at it

Interac advertisement on transit shelter, West Broadway, Vancouver, BC

In the leadup to Christmas Interac had a campaign aimed at encouraging consumers to use their Interac cards rather than their credit cards. The campaign is back and the focus is interesting. I see lots of the advertisements around public transit.

This is not really surprising given the demographics of people taking transit, often below average income and frequently students.

Debt, and the costs of servicing debt are important for everyone. But for students who often graduate with sizable amounts of debt and a limited ability to pay off their loans, the siren call of a credit card can be a road to ruin.

However, I do find it interesting that the Interac advertisements do not feature any people. Is their no target market? Or is Interac aiming at everyone. Probably the latter.

Just because it fell off the forklift is no reason someone won't buy it

Crushed Yogurt containers at No Frills store, Vancouver, BC

I was shopping at my local No Frills store last week and passed these containers in the dairy aisle.

How could the store staff think that it was acceptable to sell these packages? It is not like a tin can with a small dent on the side, these containers looked as if they were about to explode.

Just another of the millions of small details that make the difference between a great retail experience and a disappointment.

And does it take much to make the experience better? Not at all. A bit of consistency and attention to detail and everyone will be much happier.

We're opening soon, or perhaps not

Sign in the window of Carlson Wagonlit Travel office, West Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Sign in the window of Carlson Wagonlit Travel office, West Broadway, Vancouver, BC (Detail)

Interior of Carlson Wagonlit Travel office, West Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Interior of Carlson Wagonlit Travel office, West Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Nothing like missing the opening date for your new location by almost a month. From March 23rd to April 20th. But based on the look of the interior meeting the April 20th date might just be a possibility.

As the drywall going in after the plumbing and wiring are done, and the lighting is in, all that remains to be done is carpet and paint. And both of those jobs should be done in a couple of days maximum.

But that does not explain why the opening of this location is going to be four weeks late. The usual culprits are building permits, availability of the necessary trades, and getting access to the premise. We'll probably never know the reason, but people may think that if Carlson Wagonlit Travel can't get the office open on time, will the travel agents do a similarly tardy job organizing a vacation?

Or am I just too darn cynical?

How late is too late?

Advertisement for Simon Fraser University, Vancouver City Centre SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC
(Photo taken March 29, 2015)

Date detail on advertisement for Simon Fraser University, Vancouver City Centre SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC
(Photo taken March 29, 2015)

Is it unreasonable to expect that advertising for events be current? Should I expect to see an advertisement for events still up three weeks after the events are finished?

I think the answer in both cases is no. Yet, this advertisement was still up on April 5th. Even if the advertisement isn't coming down, just put a plain black sticker over the dates of the Info Sessions that are complete.

Segment the market where it sleeps

Sleep Country Canada store, Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Display window, Sleep Country Canada store, Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Depending how you sleep; side, back, or stomach, there is probably a pillow designed just for you. However, most consumers have no idea that there are different designs for different sleeping orientations. We just look for soft, medium, or firm and hope for the best.

But if firms like Sleep Country can convince consumers that differently designed pillows will result in a better night's sleep there may be an opportunity to charge higher prices for greater perceived value. (And who does not value a good night's sleep?)

Is the market there yet? No, but more promotion and product availability from firms like Sleep Country might be what it takes to convince the consumer that there is a difference. And if the consumer thinks that there is a difference then they might just pay for it.

I wonder why this firm does not say where it is based?

Sign outside ECCO shoe store, Granville and Robson Streets, Vancouver, BC

Sign outside ECCO shoe store, Granville and Robson Streets, Vancouver, BC (Detail)

In the 1960s Danish design was very popular. For many people the recent crazy for "mid-century modern" centred around Danish teak furniture.

But Denmark is not the only source of Scandinavian design. For over 50 years Sweden's IKEA has also been a source of clean simple designs that have gained wide market acceptance around the world.

But for some reason, even though ECCO was founded in Denmark and is still based there, the firm does not talk about the shoes being "Designed in Denmark" but rather "Designed in Scandinavia".

I've seen a few Canadian firms use "Made in North America" as a selling point in the United States, but I wonder if most Canadian consumers have a higher opinion of Scandinavia than Denmark?

This is going to take some time

Sign outside former Future Shop store, Granville Street and Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

Entrance to former Future Shop store, Granville Street and Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

Sign at entrance to former Future Shop store, Granville Street and Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

 

Sign on the wall, adjacent to former Future Shop store, Granville Street and Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

Future Shop has been a fixture in Canada for since the early 1980s. In 2001, the firm was purchased by Best Buy and in 2002 Best Buy started opening up Canadian stores under the Best Buy banner.

In some cases the Best Buy stores were in close proximity to Future Shop locations. No one should have been surprised when the Best Buy locations cannibalized Future Shop store sales.

And the entire sorry mess came to a head March 28, 2015 when Best Buy announced that Future Shop was disappearing from the Canadian retail landscape. Half the stores are changing to Best Buy, while the other half are closing altogether.

Given the intense competition from online retailers, it should not have been a big surprise that Best Buy would have to pull the plug.

But the rebranding effort is going to take some time. These photos were taken on April 2nd, and the store was to reopen as a Best Buy location on April 4th.

I wonder how long it will take to get all of the Future Shop branding replaced?

Just what you are looking for?

2 Burley Men Moving Ltd. brochure

I saw this brochure on the ferry and wondered if this was what consumer are really looking for in a moving firm.

I thought "burley" was a type of tobacco and "burly" was the spelling used if I was referring to a big beefy guy. (Burley is a brand of bicycle trailers.)

But that is really beside the point. Am I looking for someone burley (or burly) to move my stuff? Or would I rather give the work to 2 Careful Men, or perhaps to 2 Careful Women?

Is 4% enough? It is a good start.

Energizer ECO Advanced battery display, Real Canadian Superstore, Vancouver, BC

Energizer ECO Advanced battery display, Real Canadian Superstore, Vancouver, BC (Detail)

I saw this display at Superstore last week. Eveready has developed the "World's 1st AA Batteries Made With Recycled Batteries". Not a huge percent of the battery's contents are recycled, just 4%, but better than nothing.

Given that AA is by most measures the most common consumer battery in the world, this is probably a good size to introduce this new technology. There are lots of raw materials lying around, and no shortage of customers for new batteries.

Of course the real question is what percentage of batteries actually get recycled? That 4% figure might be about right. I'm sure that in North America, despite the broad availability of recycling programmes, a tiny percentage of batteries are recycled.

According to this website (http://www.mpoweruk.com/recycling.htm) the figure are; 2% for consumer single-use batteries, 5% for consumer rechargable batteries, and 90% for automotive batteries. (And given that automotive batteries are full of lead, that 90% is both a good thing and nowhere near enough.)

So, while 4% is not a lot of recycled content, it is better than nothing and Eveready should be commended for trying.

What else are you going to do while you wait for your laundry?

Joy Wash, Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC

"Shaw Go WiFi" sticker in the window of Joy Wash, Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC

Vancouver is still in the throes of a condominium building boom. Although all of the new condominiums include individual laundry facilities in every unit, there are still plenty of old apartment buildings that with either shared laundry or none at all.

And that is how a business like Joy Wash has managed to stay in business. (Although I give the business only a couple of years before all the shops are evicted and the entire block of mainly one-storey buildings gets redeveloped.)

In recent years Shaw, the cable firm, has been engaged in an aggressive plan to roll-out WiFi hotspots at retail stores and other locations. And this location, a laundromat, makes perfect sense. You are sitting there waiting for your washing to be finished. Your mobile telephone is in your hand and you don't want to burn through your minutes. So, you connect to the WiFi and surf away to your heart's content.

But wait, there is a catch. You have to be a customer of one of the Shaw Internet plans.

Source: http://shaw.ca/wifi/

What a great way to ensure customer loyalty.