Comments on Simple Marketing Blog: What About The Consumer of the Future?

Paul, in a way this is a gift for our children. Th...

2011-09-28T23:52:13.884-04:00

Paul, in a way this is a gift for our children. They get to appreciate what many have taken for granted.

Thanks so much for sharing your perspective.

Best,
CB

The current economic crisis has altered consumer b...

2011-09-28T13:38:55.301-04:00

The current economic crisis has altered consumer behavior in much the same fashion and just as profoundly as the Great Depression did in the 1930's with "the greatest generation" pre-World War II. I see a renewed sense of frugality in my children brought about by the times we're in that my parents would easily recognize and appreciate.

Brad, thanks for adding to the conversation here a...

2009-05-29T15:21:27.672-04:00

Brad, thanks for adding to the conversation here and on Twitter. I agree that economies run in cycles, but each time the cycle has different aspects to it. Those changes are what may make this cycle radically different compared to that of the 70s. I think there's a macro-economic term for it - a shift or? I need to go back to my notes from B-school. I see people all around me jumping on frugality. It's a matter of survival for many more than I ever remember. In any case, we'll certainly see and it's good as marketers to anticipate and prepare for all kinds of scenarios.

It's very hard to remember that economies run in c...

2009-05-26T09:08:59.658-04:00

It's very hard to remember that economies run in cycles. We tend to think today's conditions are permanent, so we talk about the "new frugality" or the "new prosperity" depending on where we are right now in the cycle. But every peak and valley in the economy is not a paradigm shift. From a marketing perspective, thinking in terms of paradigm shift is dangerous. If you commit your entire organization to producing fuel efficient cars, period, and the economy starts roaring and people aren't focused on gasoline prices - then what? Nobody has a crystal ball. I could be completely wrong. But it's possible - possible - that it's already too late to jump on the frugality bandwagon.