Thursday, January 31, 2008

More than "viral marketing" is needed for success.

Fast Company has an article, "Is the Tipping Point Toast?" that expands on Malcolm Gladwell's idea of the "Tipping Point." He essentially expands on the idea of who really are the influencers in the marketplace. The article is interesting and worth reading. However, using the popularity of music as "product" he concludes from his research that Madonna's success is simply random - and I disagree with that.

The problem with such academic research is the lack of real world context. In today`s proliferation of product, having that right product is the first essential - so give the "material girl" credit, her`s has not been merely a random walk. She has recreated her success over and over through the years by her constant reinventions. Madonna is a savvy businesswomen who stays in tune with the tenor of the times with the product that she offers.

In today`s hyper-competitive environment one winning suite is not enough,four fully integrated winning hands are required to win - product, pricing, marketing and sales. (Although a three-legged stool can stand up nicely. Ex. Granite became the countertop of choice in this country with little to no marketing. It is a fabulous product made competitive by the invention of the artificial diamond and the availability of container shipping and sold through a short supply chain.)

Although given short shrift, the real story is in the article: "When he tried to pitch "some company`s shitty product," he couldn`t force it to go viral."

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