Superfreak
The internet is a real beast. I’m absolutely amazed at how this virtual world, with its bits and bytes of information, zoom all over the world at a moments notice. On Friday I wrote about watching the Emmy Award-winning ‘America’s Game’ and “The Story of the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers”. During the program Ben Roethlisberger talked about a poem called “Don’t Quit”. Wanting to find out more, what do you think I did?
A.) Pick up the phone and call Ben cause we’re pretty tight.
B.) Access the huge library of poems and literature I have here at the house.
C.) Write a letter to NFL Films requesting a copy of the poem.
D.) Slide the laptop over and Google “Ben Roethlisberger Poem “Don’t Quit”
Of course the easiest and most logical answer here is the Google search, and while I’m not claiming any type of scientific data to back this up, it appeared to me at least, that this was the most logical answer for the vast majority of people who also watched the program wanting to read this poem. I typically have a slower readership on the weekends, but due to Google, Yahoo, and Bing searches, (and a first page ranking of my article) I saw a huge increase in traffic over the weekend.
While this is just one example, I see it all the time for all kinds of topics. When the Amended Class Action was thrown out, it created a huge frenzy of hits and activity. Same thing with the Travel Weekly Power List. Even the Expedia Settlement and the legal fiasco that Mann Bracken got themselves into has created traffic to this very site.
Fact is, the internet is ingrained into our culture and a very common tool for information and research.
We also use the Internet for buying the products and services we are researching. Back in 2001 three guys saw a paradigm shift from “Brick and Mortar” to “Click and Order” for the purchase of vacations and travel needs. Today, 4 of the Top 10 travel agencies are internet based, combining for $45 billion in travel services and vacation product sold. (Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, and Orbitz.)
Because of this shift, YTB has expanded their product offering via a partnership with Asile19, and the development of shopYTB. The shopYTB program enables you, the online shopper, to access the “click and order” internet sites of hundreds of stores. (Sears.com, BestBuy.com, Walmart.com, Target.com) through a special portal that not only enables you to buy directly from the stores themselves, but provides cash back to you for shopping online.
While actual numbers concerning the amount of products and services sold on the internet are difficult to obtain, (or at least difficult to figure out who has the right number) we are seeing clear signs that the internet is a viable choice for purchasing product and services.
Over the weekend, I saw a very funny commercial that once again, prompted me to do a internet search to watch it again. After I was done laughing, I began to wonder why a company like Visa would even create a commercial promoting online buying? Could it be because there is a large enough segment of the buying public who are now looking to the Internet to make thier online purchases?
Nah, that’s just silly talk.
Speaking of silly, here’s the commercial. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did and that it not only puts a smile on your face, but makes you think…why did they create a commercial about purchasing product online?
Think about it.
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Tags: Online Shopping, Travel MLM
September 16th, 2009 at 10:23 am
It is interesting that you should write a post about that commercial. My wife and I both came to a different conclusion on why they are running those ads, since we both have strong marketing/advertising backgrounds.
Since VISA is promoting the use of VISA debit, who is this good for.
1. The consumer
2. VISA
Lets stop and think about that for a minute.
Most consumers will think the commercial implies your debit card is safe to use over the Internet and will suddenly start using them. Who then carries the biggest risk if you use a debit card over the Internet, VISA or the consumer?
Of course, it is the consumer; someone can wipe out your bank account if you use a debit card that is attached to your personal account over the computer if his or her computer is compromised or another system in the link is compromised.
Granted the commercial has nothing to do with you using your personal debit card attached to your checking account. Again will consumers understand this, the vast majority no, as the commercial implies debit cards are safe.
Now, the commercial does have everything to do with going and dumping money onto a separate debit card then going to the Internet to make the purchase. Humm, I wonder why they want you to take these additional steps if everything is so secure. Say you want to buy something for $100.00 on the Internet and have placed $150.00 on this separate debit card or say you have $500.00 on it. If the system is compromised the most you will lose is say $50.00-$450.00 but it is still your money not Visa’s and that is the key to the commercial. They are turning the risk for the Internet purchase over to you. They are now teaching you NOT to use there VISA credit card over the Internet which is very smart on there part as they have lost millions to this.
I wonder how many consumers will understand that, not many I suspect.
The purpose of the commercial is to use a debit card to avoid risk of VISA’s money not yours, they could care less what you lose. They are tired of there credit cards being compromised by consumers and others not having there computers secure.
This all leads one to wonder how secure the Internet really is today, when a company like VISA is starting to spend millions on prime time commercials trying to limit there risk from consumers using the VISA credit cards over the Internet.
But I have to say the commerical is good and doing its job.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Huh?
September 16th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Exactly, you did not pay attention to the commerical at all, or what that commerical is selling you on. Your take is, it is about promoting online business transactions, it is not! It is about teaching the consumer to avoid using a VISA Credit Card for online purchases in favor of there VISA Debit Card, which puts all your money housed on the debit card at risk in the event of Internet fraud.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
If you want to live in fear, be my guest.
I’m just going to laugh at a great commercial.
September 16th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Huh, Now I wonder what in the world your talking about “living in fear”. Where is that coming from?
Again, The commerical has nothing to do with the growth of Internet purchases other then saying we want you to switch from using our credit card to your/our unprotected debit cards when making a purchases on the Internet. This way the credit card company is not responsible if the debit card is comprmised.
September 16th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
How many times are you going to repeat yourself? You’ve made your point (I think) so why get all worked up about it?
You’ve expressed your concerns and given everyone fair warning, “use a actual credit card, not a debit card”.
Thanks for that. But I’d like to get back to laughing at the MC Hammer dude.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I guess until you understand what those series of commericals is all, something your still not getting or don’t wish to discuss.
(After I was done laughing, I began to wonder why a company like Visa would even create a commercial promoting online buying?)
They are not promoting online buying!
September 17th, 2009 at 8:52 am
You know what…you’re right.
In addition, I would like to thank you for taking a very amusing and funny commercial, and making it a complete pain in my ass.