"That Was Easy"

Last week I received emails and calls from the people at Fleishman Hillard (a PR firm) about my blog posts regarding Staples and I wrote about the stir they were creating. Fleishman Hillard represents the office supply store.

Today, I received a Federal Express package at the studio. My producer said, "If you think it is going to blow, please take it to another studio" rather than the one adjacent to her room. Fortunately, it didn't blow, but it did contain one of the most important forms of technology of all time... a Smart Button (at least that is the impression one gets from the commercial).

I commend Vaness Astros of Fleishman Hillard for the innovative and energetic work they are doing and their ongoing efforts for Staples. I love creativity and hard work. As a result, they are in this blog again and I am mentioning again that they are, in fact, opening a store here in Houston this week. There will soon be no more waiting!

For a copy of the free report, "Why Your Marketing Isn't Working," email Info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing" in the subject line.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Staples Reading BizPlusBlog

Today I received a call from a spokes person of Staple Office Supplies and she just wanted to mention that the box store is moving to Houston. I was delighted to be informed and have written about the company often in BizPlusBlog. Further, I wanted to compare them to the mainstay in Houston, Office Depot.

Vanessa Astros (of the Fleishman-Hillard Agency, which represents Staples) was quick to tell me that "I read your blog on March 13 about how there were no Staples stores in Houston, and I thought to myself...wow, this is perfect timing! Staples will open four stores this year, including the first store on Almeda-Genoa and I-45. It's a real neat story because, as you said, it brings competition and options for consumers." Yes, I am a big fan of competition and am looking forward to seeing a Staples in our area.

Four stores is a pretty aggressive effort and I am looking forward to having one added in my area. Furthermore, she said that there would be a couple more added in 2009. The first one is having it's grand opening next week. It will be interesting to see how many Houstonians will press the "Smart Button."

For a copy of the free report, "Why Your Marketing Isn't Working," email Info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing" in the subject line.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Creepy Hand or Smart Looking Button? That Was Easy!

I'm sure I am being very culturally biased here, but I always thought that Office Depot was a bigger player in office supplies than Staples, simply because the latter doesn't have a store (to my knowledge) in Houston where I live. After seeing the new ad campaign by Office Depot, however, I have to assume I was very wrong. For quite some time Staples have done a nifty little campaign that has included an "easy button." In their commercials, offices are getting completely organized with the click of a button. What wasn't true, was at least effective, in the eyes of this consumer of office supplies.

Then, out of what appears to be desperation, Office Depot has made one of the biggest mistakes a competitor can make (in my opinion), which is to try to make their own cute mascot in response to someone else. It has "me too" written all over it and it is a wide spread public confession that the button was working.

To make matters worse, Office Depot's mascot is absolutely creepy and is a flashback to the hand from the Munsters episodes that I remember as a kid. I loved that series and I still enjoy looking at old ones today, but I certainly wouldn't want a little hand like they had helping me around the office or the store. This week, sadly, actress Yvonne De Carlo who played Lillian in that great series passed away. I think, in honor of the actress -- and in hope of saving their business -- Office Depot should put their creepy little hand out to pasture.

Creepy versus smart? In the words of the Staples' commercials, "that was easy!"