I have to tell you it’s not my style. I am a passionate Nikon lover having worked on the account when I lived in New York.
Paying attention to Kodak took me by surprise.
I was re-introduced to them via a friend of mine, Mary, who’s sponsored by Kodak. She is a blogger, presenter and designer starting a new business venture by branching out in the world of social media. Kodak took a chance on her. I really like that a huge company like Kodak would do this: LISTEN and RESPOND to their audience.
They have demonstrated, not just talked about, how listen to the people that use their products. Not only that, they recently co-sponsored the Streamy Awards in the US. Mary covered this event. Again, interesting I thought.
Their CMO, Jeffrey Hayzlett, is on twitter (mind you every man and his dog seem to be these days so it’s not so cutting edge but credit where credit’s due). Again, I thought, interesting. He doesn't just tweet about mundane company stuff. He has a personality. Sometimes I don't agree with him, but hell, at least I can have an actual dialogue with the CMO of a huge corporation. Think Zappos. Big, big points in my book.
Today I needed (wanted) to buy a digital camera under $250AUD. Nothing expensive. I use my iPhone for most snaps. Just a little something that I can shoot video on of my dogs, friends and family stuff. To my surprise, guess where I first looked without even thinking about it at Office Works? (Staples for my American cousins).
KODAK. In the end I didn’t get a Kodak camera because they had sold out and when I buy I need to take it away with me. But sold out is good. Has me think that something is working.
So enough of me banging on, but I want to send a message to Jeffrey Hayzlett and his team: now you have created an open line of communication with me and all the people that use your products, you better keep stepping it up. If you don’t , all that good work will crash and burn like so many other companies that haven’t dedicated enough resources in their marketing budgets to this type of dialogue.
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4 comments:
Carolyn, Tom from Kodak here. I saw your tweet then blog - We (Kodak) are here for you and everyone else ;-)
Glad you were surprised by Kodak and thanks for the product choice consideration. Sold out is good on one level but we would rather have that Kodak camera in your hands now!
Here are a couple of other things that may surprise you....
A video touting Kodak innovations that most people do not know about.
Kodak's social media presence - we have been blogging for over 2 years now followed by all the other usual suspects (Twitter, Flickr, FB, YouTube, etc.)
Take care,
-tom from Kodak
Carolyn-- game on sister! :)
We listen and we are very active and for good reason. This is where are customers are and where they are Kodakwill be. Social media alows us to ENGAGE with customers not just throw out marketing slogans.
Feel free to engage with us and allow us to show just how innovative Kodak is now and in the future.
WOW - again you have managed to delight me by your responses. I was just wondering which agencies you work with on your business, in particular the ink campaign you just launched? Thanks again, Carolyn
Carolyn - In an effort to keep you delighted ;-) drop me a line or give me a call and I'd be happy to answer your questions. Short answer is that we used a few with different specialties.
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