Marketing blah blah

After a successful first edition in 2010 (550,000 visits, 210,000 videos viewed, 37,000 votes cast, and 50,000 Facebook fans¹, MAAF – an insurer with a sense of humor – is once again launching a campaign with the theme of “the French Moaners’ Championship.”

The campaign for the right to “râling” (too bad this is an Anglicism) takes a page from MAAF’s TV ads, in which a dissatisfied customer asks for the manager, who is always able to offer a solution. Thus, the campaign challenges the French (93% of whom admit to bitching often or very often²) to complain, gripe, and grumble with complete legitimacy, while keeping their râling creative and funny. Just one requirement: just as in MAAF’s ads, each improvisation must start with the famous phrase “Call me the manager!”

The 2011 competition runs from September 19 to November 15. Users will vote on the 100 best videos, and the top 30 will be then voted on by a panel of “expert moaners.” The top 10 results will then be announced on television in December – with the best French moaner winning 5000 Euros.

So, if you get an urge to complain, or have some reason for discontent to share, just post your video directly on the “râling” site, www.championnatdesraleurs.com – or try your luck at the auditions, which are scheduled in eight cities in France.

MAAF will also be hosting a Facebook fan page ”The ‘râling’: I groan and I like that,” throughout the campaign.

¹ According to a press release from MAAF dated September 3, 2010.

² According to an OpinionWay survey conducted by the MAAF in 2010.

We recently noticed (How could we not, with TV and display ads all over town?) that the 200-year-old French bank Caisse d’Epargne is launching a new identity. The bank is looking to change its image—maybe to adapt to a changing world, or maybe to modernize itself, rejuvenate the brand and its target, and strengthen the bond between the bank and the public.

The campaign is pure to the point of austerity. A white backround. Black and white photography. The tagline: “The bank. New definition.” And finally, a selection of banking terms with meanings tailored to reflect the new identity. A dedicated website invites people to participate in the bank’s new definition.

The campaign’s core message—transparency and sustainable partnership in the context of crisis—does not whitewash banking’s reputation, and that fact in itself makes us want to believe the message. We await further developments…

Campagne d'affichage La Banque. Nouvelle Définition

There are more and more unmarried women and men in society. They now form a powerful category of consumer. Many companies have targeted this demographic.

Bred Banque Populaire and MasterCard have created Bred Affinity, the first bank card designed for women. The Gold version of the card looks like leather and the Standard version has a pearly effect.

This kind of card targeting women is the first of its kind in France. It’s an international purchasing card with exclusive services (alarm SMS, purchase in 3 installments……).

source : www.e-marketing.fr – Article du 10/12/2007

Smoking cessation in our number one public health priority. one smoker out of two dies because of tobacco a tobacco-related illness and each year 5,000 French citizens are victims of passive smoking.
Less than one year after France imposed a nationwide ban on smoking in most public places (including hospitals, schools and offices), it has been extended the ban to bars, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs – and the most cherished of all locations: the café.
Many health insurance companies have decided to help those who want to stop smoking.

For instance:

Mg built a partnership with the “office national de prévention du tabagisme”, a French office acting for smoking prevention.
The idea is to set-up personal and interactive coaching. the slogan of the campaign: “ tobacco: I stop it. I win.” is a comprehensive program to accompany nicotine addicted people, before, during and after smoking cessation.

AGF proposes to its clients to stop smoking with the “allen carr method” (a psychological and behavioral approach allowing people to stop smoking following a few instructions given during a meeting).

The review “Que choisir” (September 07) titled “Banks = hold-up on your accounts”. a recent survey denounced the continuing inflation on bank fees that are inconsistent with operating costs. this survey also reveals how in 2003, the 8 biggest French banks realized a 1.2 billion-euro profit on cash withdrawals, direct debits, and wire transfers. In September the consumer protection association uFc-Que choisir asked the minister of finance to act on this major issue.