I'm in!

So, I made it past security so they must be letting me on the plain. What should I do with my 2 hour wait? Talk to you people of course!

Here is what they have planned for us after we land:

Welcome reception and orientation session - learning more about Stuttgart
Travel to Stuttgart city center for a 2 hour private guided waling tour
Dinner at "Schellenturm"

Should be back into the hotel by about 8pm. Not so bad!

Journaling?

So as one of my requirements in the classes for my study abroad I have to write a journal.

This may be a bit out there, but as a creative-type the methods of photo, sketch and art journaling have drawn me in.

The sketch journal is an interesting technique that adds your visual interpretation of what is going on around you. John-alookin.blogspot.com is a guy that is local to me that illustrates a simple series of walking through life sketchbook in hand!

Art journaling takes more commitment and time. It doesn't seem viable for our trip, but I am keeping it as a possibility for when I get home! Some great examples and inspiration are found here. I would do this, but I don't think they will let me take gesso on the plane

An additional way of documenting the inner changes could be through a photo journal. This method seems to have just added a visual element to the journal concept. This link is very blog style. I believe in the information I found on Fodors Travel Intelligence that describes a photo journal as "meaningful" and to "incorporate, if not a formal storyline, at least a certain continuity or chronological progression. Any journey has a start, a middle, and a finish..."

I am very much a visual person. With that in mind, I plan on taking as much in as possible and incorporating visual elements into my journal. I don't know which kind yet and I don't know if the professor will take a visual journal. I don't really care, I will make two if I have to!

So it begins

At the beginning of every semester we have to write an intro to the rest of the class. "Hey, this is me in as few words as possible." Does anyone even read them? It seems so fake and callous every time.

This set of classes is different to me. The 14 other people I am introducing myself to are going to share the fulfilling of a lifelong dream with me. I don't even think they realize it yet! This is going to change my life. Every time I log into the online course material I literally tear up. It may be purely hormonal, but for real, I am a WRECK.

One of the assignments will be a journal entry on "Palace of Versailles or alternate site such as Notre Dame Cathedral." Seriously? I suppose that means I will actually have to go. Meh, no big deal. I am vibrating with excitement. I can't sit still. This is seriously going to effect my sleep schedule.

As for the intro to the class this is what I went with:

Hello from Kansas City!

Every semester we write these intros. It is usually the minimum thought and text to get the credit for completion (you know you do it too). Here is the deal folks. I am a wee bit excited, and all of you are going with me on this great adventure so I can't help myself. Here it goes...

I am a NERD. Not in the pocket protector math genius kind of way, but in the passionate way. My "brand" of nerd involves SciFi movies, fantasy books and the occasional strange board game. However, I also consider my "nerdom/passion" to extend to design, art, an eccentric collection of music and also to marketing. I know, I know it seems like "I love marketing" is the thing to say in a marketing class, but its true for me.

I have wanted to be involved with graphic design/printing/marketing for almost 9 years now. I have been fortunate in that I currently have a semi-leading role in a marketing department of an international company, but sans bachelor's degree. Ask me about it and I will tell you the series of dumb-luck events that have gotten me here professionally.

Beyond that I am a no-longer-single mother (YAY!) as I have recently suckered an amazing man into thinking I am potential wife material. I may let him find out! My degree is Marketing/Sales though I will probably stick around for a bachelors in some kind of web design.

I think I got it all, but any more and you will think I am an overachiever. Oh wait... yea

Plastic Surgery: Should Advertising For It Be Illegal?

A UK Feminist group has issued a petition to make it illegal to advertise for plastic surgery procedures (like the ad above). Their reasoning is cited as "ads present a public health risk because they recklessly trivialize invasive surgical procedures; they undermine body confidence and their prevalence makes them impossible to avoid." (Huffington Post)


The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) monitors all advertising in the UK. They have recently put restrictions on fast food advertising during children's programs. They monitor any advertising that is seen in the public including print, television, radio, and just about everything else.

Currently the ASA:

• Prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products
• Bans misleading advertisements (recently including airbrushed cosmetic ads)
• Monitors validity of advertising for slimming diets, hair treatments, vitamins, beauty treatments,  health food drinks and more
• Maintains a list of non-compliant advertisers that they consider dishonest HERE (offensive and not really work safe)

My opinion is 2-sided on this one. The emotional side screams that you should love who you are and that there are enough ads out there implying we should hate who we are. The logical side says that this kind of action is dangerously close (if not over the line) to restricting freedom of press and speech. However, this is not the US we are talking about and regulations can be different.

What do you think and would you be for or against regulations like this in the US?

Why target market?

As a man, have you ever been completely enthralled and excited about a feminine product commercial?

Unlikely. You are not their target market.

Here is the deal, 80% of your business comes from the loyal approximately 20% of your customer list. Those folks love what you do and are completely satisfied. You want more of those loyal customers. First you have to figure out who they are so here are the ways to define them:

1. geographics
• Where do they live? Is there a specific neighborhood where your business is popular?
• This will help you decide where to advertise best.
2. demographic/socio-economic segmentation 
• Gender, age, income and occupation? 
• If your actual demographic is young men and you thought it was middle-aged women, then you can adjust your offers to appeal to that market. Middle aged women like time savers and young men want discounts. Are your offerings appropriate?
3. psychographic segmentation 
• attitudes, values, and lifestyles. What is important to them? What makes them tick?
• Use this information to further tailor your message and give them what they need!
4. product-related segmentation 
• What do they use your product/service for?
• You may think this obvious, but those previously mentioned young men may be purchasing it for their mom. If you didn't know that then you may not be as effective.

Ok, so that is a start for now. More juicy, delicious tidbits of marketing wisdom later.