Digital Days

  Advertising has always taken place within the known mediums. Television-most commonly used because most of a product's target audience watches TV, the internet-with such a dramatic rise in the use of social media such as; Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, Linked In etc. companies have been able to adapt and market their products and be able to advertise the "convenience" factor of being able to shop online and have your product delivered the next day or downloaded immediately if it's a movie, song, tv show etc. Ad agencies have then resorted to using bill boards, radio and news print however with technology advancing so quickly it is becoming apparent that companies will have to use media outlets if they want to compete within the market. 

  Companies such as Apple, Sony or Microsoft have corner stoned the digital marketing capability because their products are what companies need to adapt to in order to advertise their products. Without changing their product or advertising to meet the consumer's advancements companies such as Blockbuster will run themselves out of business. They need to stay on top ofor ahead of the curve in order to be successful.

  With that said, I believe that in the near future tangible print such as newspapers, magazines, bill boards etc. will be so few in numbers that are created due to the rise in people wanting to "go green" or becoming eco-friendly that companies and ad agencies will have to rally together to not only create products that are easily marketable on the internet or TV but also items that are advanced enough to keep up with consumers that are easy adapters or technology goonies that need the newest and greatest product out there. 

  In a nut shell advertisements have a harder task at hand because consumers now a days get bored easily they don't have the time or patience to read a long article or watch a long infomercial. They want the key facts in a short, concise and "pretty" package that gets their attention and keeps it for the short period of time. New technology may include advertisements are portable devices such as ipods, watches, cell phones etc. or electronic billboards that are able to switch ads to market and to appeal to the "green" aspect that people are changing too. Using the ever growing hash tag symbol companies are keeping up with social trends and showing that they understand their market as well. That way the consumer knows what new products are being created and which ones are availablee to them. With rapid technological changes and advances commercials and advertisements in general need to adapt in order to determine if they'll sink or swim in today's digital days.

Harley Davidson Brand

  1. I do believe that brand communities such as Harley Davidson, not only creates brand involvement but encourages it. Think about it, when we like or love a certain product we want to buy anything with said product  printed or included in item we want to buy. For example- Disney, they have one of the largest consumer following, if you think about all of the merchandise, movies, TV shows and member clubs they have. It creates a common interest that people can share, so for people who apart of the Harley Davidson communities than like Disney they are able to interact and participate with peers who like the same thing and bond over that. Being apart of such clubs or organizations can also include exclusive club member merchandise, activities or events. This is where brand communities encourage brand involvement because some people just want to be apart of the clubs so that they themselves feel included and apart of something. 

  2. As stated earlier have exclusive "brand club member" events or activities allows people who belong grow more attached to their products because it gives the consumer the positive association with that brand. If good memories are created around a product than more than likely consumers will pass on the positive reviews by word of mouth creating more brand awareness and business. With that said Harley Davidson was smart to create a Posse Ride that allows brand fanatics to come together to bond over something that they all like and can share a good experience, which creates brand loyalty and enhance the already beloved product. 

  3.  In my opinion I believe that Harley Davidson should become a little more involved in the ride but only to an extent. They should include more brand related activities for their consumers to part take in, if they don't want to participate in the ride, so like a rally for instance. Maybe create booths with Harley related foods as an example, but then let their consumers take over and bond with each other that way they can share ideas, products, stories and good memories on their own terms. 

  4. Harley Davidson could campaign other products that appeal to a wider range of their target audiences. Maybe create more feminine products that can be associated with women who enjoy motorcycles or create a variety of other products or brand ideas that canappeal a younger audience-such as though to young to drive or operate a motor vehicle. Harley could create safety awareness rallies or charity rides to appeal to people who are concerned with sending a positive message to the community.