Subscribe to RSSWhy I’m Buying What the GaGa is Selling.
To many of us, Lady GaGa is the the very definition of excess. Excessive make-up, excessive fashion, excessive sound and excessive promoting.
And do you know what? It all works fabulously in her favor. This chanteuse of the pop world knows how to promote herself with a healthy dose of good old fashioned W-O-M, PR and promotion aimed at her audiences which range form the LGBT community to your Mom. Yes, even your Mom probably knows who this GaGa Lady is and odds are, she finds her music, “catchy” although her main audience is still the younger crowds and trendsetters.
Lady Ga Ga was a virtually unknown talent who rose to the top the old fashioned way (much as Madonna before her did) through playing in clubs and promoting herself with every means available to her including digital. The GaGa has certainly taken control of her brand image. Her over-the-top fashion sense keeps the bloggers and reporters abuzz with her latest style ventures.
Why I’m buying what she is selling: First off, I have to admit, I am a fan of her music and her as an artist who is not afraid to take risks. In our industry, taking risks is sometimes just what a brand needs to put it on the map or jump-start the buzz it needs to place it back in the limelight.
She is an active contributor to her blog with video entries which she places on YouTube and of course, ties that content back to her website. She stays current on trends which directly impacts her industry and has even ventured into selling her wares – namely, uber-hip headphones which sell for a modest $99.00 a pop. In addition, she sells clothing, stickers and other wares with branding that is without question, uniquely hers. Word is they can’t keep most of the items in stock.
The mystery of her only fuels inquiry on online searches and anxious reporters/pho-togs who go to great measures to get any information on her. Truly she has taken her cues from Madonna by being over-the-top and brazenly sexual to the point she has moved into the mass appeal crowd. Who doesn’t like a shocking shot of femininity mixed with latex and lace for added good measure? Point is, she makes no apologies for putting herself out there to the masses to be consumed like any other product or service. And from a marketer’s perspective, she does a damn fine job of it.
I was thinking on other bands/talent that does an exceptional job of promoting themselves. Besides the usual, KISS, Rolling Stones, MIley Cyrus, etc. who else do you think does a worthy job of promoting themselves?
Links please. Plus, I am always interested in new tunes or tunes I have yet to hear….
Best,
The ADgitator
[Rocking out to Dance in the Dark by GaGa...]
More posts by Anne Ellegood »
Author:
I have an intolerance for stupid people and even more of an intolerance for dumb campaigns. You know the ones - they lack in creativity, didn't delve into strategy and ended up costing the client way too much for far too little. Sometimes I give advice and quite often, I'll share my real life stories that make people laugh and be thankful that they don't lead the absurd life that I do. But my life and all of its absurdities is not something I mind. In fact, it's what keep me loving life and what I do for a living which is a lot. Sometimes you can find me serving as a Marketing/Brand Manager, other times you can find me pulling duties as a Sales and Marketing Consultant, Brand Strategist, Digital Sherpa, Copywriter, Product Developer, Author and Discoverer of Correlations where none seem to be. I plan to retire by 45. (Yes, I've figured a way out.) That might seem like a lofty goal, but having a life where I travel, talk and consult seems pretty darn good to me. 15 years and counting... For ADvice: email me at anne_ellegood@yahoo.com For Complaints: Contact Management.
1 Comments
2010-02-25
16:43:27
Them Crooked Vultures have done a great job. It help;s that it is a super group made up of memebers of QOTSA, Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin, but they launched an amazing teaser campaign, used FB, yotube and email lists to their full extent.
Another great example would of course be Sex Pistols. Basically a boy band for punk rock built by Malcom Mclaren. Putting out one studio album and still known by everyone after 30+ years.
Mos Def did a cool thing with his last album, where it was free if you bought a t-shirt of the album art.