Adverts

[wellinghall]

I've seen an M&S clothes advert on TV a few times (with Twiggy and a bunch of youger models). It seems to bear considerable resemblance to Matalan clothes adverts, which has the effect of making M&S seem as down-market as Matalan; which is possibly not what they intend.

Comments

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

Nice observation.

(Do you think perhaps that M&S spent ages planning it, and the ad agency doing Matalan's got wind of it?...but I think the M&S one has been out for longer anyway, or at least there was a similar previous version. M&S are rubbish at marketing IMO...but nevertheless I like their clothes - they have some hope of fitting me and not falling apart after 3 washes for starters).

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Do you think perhaps that M&S spent ages planning it, and the ad agency doing Matalan's got wind of it?

Oh you cynic you!

but I think the M&S one has been out for longer anyway

I saw the Matalan one first, but then I wasn't watching that much TV through July and August (pressure of work) or the first half of September (holiday), so earlier screenings could have passed me by.

M&S are rubbish at marketing IMO

I found their food ads ("This isn't just food, this is organic, free-range, additive-free, food from the foothills of Harrods") entertaining at first, but they quickly became wearing.

but nevertheless I like their clothes

Me too. I have things from there. The fact that they have a branch about a minute's walk from my office might contribute, though ...

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Remind me to tell you about Creatrix's food-advertising experience sometime ...

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

I think they've improved in recent years. I used to walk into their shop, see nothing but an ocean of black, navy and beige, and walk straight out again. Even if all you actually want is a pair of black trousers, the sight of so much dullness is enough to put you right off. They now understand the importance of colour a little better.

Mind you, I could give them a few helpful hints on how to organise their website. For a start, most people come looking for a specific item, so the thing that should be most prominently displayed is the item headings, not the ranges (I couldn't care less which range it is, as long as it's what I'm looking for). Also, there needs to be more actual information about the products and less puff. I don't want to be told that this pair of trousers looks great with such-and-such a thing; I can judge that from the picture. I want to know whether or not it has pockets (I won't buy it if it hasn't), and if it comes up to the waist (I won't buy it if it doesn't).

H'mm, that turned into a mini-rant - sorry! :-)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

My rant about M&S is their blatant mis-description. So their "cashmere" socks are 1% wool, and their "virgin olive oil" spread is 1% VOO.

[bekbulatovich.livejournal.com]

I hadn't actually noticed that it was like the Matalan advert - just that it was incredibly boring. I watched it and had "switched off" before I noticed the M&S logo at the end. You have to wonder what goes on at M&S's marketing department?!?!?

Can anyone think of any examples of good marketing? One that springs to mind is Tesco's "Every little helps" ads, with the plain white backgrounds.

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

Actually I think their 'pack of models' ads have run since around May, so copying by Matalan is more likely. The interesting thing for me was that the ad didn't mention M&S at all until the very end it was a bunch of very atrractive (and not stick thin) women messing about and trying on lots of clothes. There's also a local plus in that the tall lass with the short dark bob is from Walsall.