I have just been informed that Michael Mendenhall, Rasolu's right hand man and the guy who comes up with all the lame marketing schemes over the past few years has left the Walt Disney Company. This is great news. Now if they could just get rid of Jay Rasolu and Phil Holmes....
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year of a million dreams mastermind leaves Disney
- Thread starter Enigma
- Start date
DisneySaint
Well-Known Member
Uh, the YOMD has been wildly successful and, imho, is brilliant.
Enderikari
Well-Known Member
Don't you love it when Ghostbuster626 goes out of his way to show he doesn't know what he is talking about?
:veryconfu
Anyway, it's ironic that his new job at HP starts on October 1st...considering it was HIS campaign that blocked Epcot from celebrating its 25th.
PeoplemoverTTA
Well-Known Member
While it is nice to hear some of Rasulo's people are leaving, I don't know that it will change the current mindset that there always has to be a "celebration" in WDW.
Celebrations used to be for special occasions (i.e. 25th, Walt's 100, Millennium, DL's 50th), but since they're big opportunities to bring in the bucks, marketing now determines what "celebration" we'll have...all the time. The mindset needs to change way up in TWDC for a real improvement to be made, IMO.
I know I'd sure as heck like to take pictures of the MK entrance (with the RR) or Main Street without some ugly banners for a "celebration." Um, when I was a kid, my parents didn't need to plan around a marketing gimmick, we went because it's bleeping Walt Disney World! Isn't that enough?
BTW, I work in marketing/PR, so if I do say so myself, I am proud to say I look at this situation somewhat objectively
.
Thanks for the news, Enigma
DisneySaint, I do not disagree that the promotion is successful, I disagree with marketing this as some sort of a "celebration," when it is simply a promotion (and yes, a successful one, the idea of which, I love). I love the giveaways, and I believe they are a great idea, but the execution of this "celebration", coupled with the "Disney Parks" abomination, leaves much to be desired, IMO. The banners, flags and such only take away from the beautiful theming, and distract from the intended experience, of say, walking down Main Street, IMO.
Celebrations used to be for special occasions (i.e. 25th, Walt's 100, Millennium, DL's 50th), but since they're big opportunities to bring in the bucks, marketing now determines what "celebration" we'll have...all the time. The mindset needs to change way up in TWDC for a real improvement to be made, IMO.
I know I'd sure as heck like to take pictures of the MK entrance (with the RR) or Main Street without some ugly banners for a "celebration." Um, when I was a kid, my parents didn't need to plan around a marketing gimmick, we went because it's bleeping Walt Disney World! Isn't that enough?
BTW, I work in marketing/PR, so if I do say so myself, I am proud to say I look at this situation somewhat objectively
.Thanks for the news, Enigma
DisneySaint, I do not disagree that the promotion is successful, I disagree with marketing this as some sort of a "celebration," when it is simply a promotion (and yes, a successful one, the idea of which, I love). I love the giveaways, and I believe they are a great idea, but the execution of this "celebration", coupled with the "Disney Parks" abomination, leaves much to be desired, IMO. The banners, flags and such only take away from the beautiful theming, and distract from the intended experience, of say, walking down Main Street, IMO.
jmvd20
Well-Known Member
Perhaps Michael is ticked off that Epcot will indeed have something for the 25th... ???
No matter what the reason :wave:
Don't let the door hit you know where...
no. People come because its Walt Disney World...people are looking for amazing rides and experinces not gaudy purple banners and marketing gimmicks like free coupons
jedimaster1227
Active Member
There is some interesting news... Source?
Successful-yes. Brilliant- In my opinion, not so much. Definitely a smart marketing ploy, but not the most creative one yet... The HCOE was probable the most impressive because we were given so much (though I don't really consider LMAX or Cinderellabration to have been gifts).
:lol: :lookaroun :lol:
:veryconfu
Anyway, it's ironic that his new job at HP starts on October 1st...considering it was HIS campaign that blocked Epcot from celebrating its 25th.
Who said Epcot's 25th has been blocked? :lookaroun Brad Rex is gone. So is that mentality. Something is happening, but even if Brad Rex had approved a celebration for Epcot, it wouldn't have been big enough to market alone. The 25th will have its spotlight- trust me.
mousermerf
Account Suspended
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Now Is The Time
Member
Not knocking your statement but how has the Year Of Million Dreams campaign been "wildly successful?" In what terms are you speaking of? Are there official numbers that have been released that prove that more people have come to the parks as a direct result of the campaign?
Personally, I could go either way on it. The Year Of A Million Dreams doesn't affect my going back to visit the parks. Heck they could have the Year Of A Million Pennies campaign that were collected from the water in Small World and it still wouldn't phase me either way.
The Year Of A Million Dreams is a smart marketing ploy because of its pure randomness. Disney doesn't ever say who will win what exactly.. or where.. so you go to the parks thinking "Yeah it would be nice to maybe get lucky and score some all day fast passes.." but then again if it doesn't happen I'm not all bent out of shape because I know the odds are low of that happening.
jmvd20
Well-Known Member
No need to run...
Marketing definitely has too much power, or can we now say *had* too much power...
mousermerf
Account Suspended
No, and the numbers that are there certainly don't suggest YOMD's as having much to do with current attendance rise, rather just a general upward trend.
jmvd20
Well-Known Member
Agreed.
I think the marketing schemes are way overrated in terms of the power to bring more people to the parks. Sure, every company needs marketing campaigns but I doubt YOAMD would pull in any more people than a simple ad campaign.
I will also go out on a limb and state that I do not believe wands, stones, or purple tarps bring in more people either... :lookaroun
DrewDAK5150
Member
I honestly think they should have done something for WDW's 35th this past year - more than just pins.
In 96/97, for the 25th, they went overboard with that [expletive deleted] castle cake! In 06/07 they just ignored the anniversary.
I remember 86/87 when they gave a prize to every 15th person who entered the park for the 15th anniversary. We won tickets to Discovery Island. I was quite bummed out.
In 96/97, for the 25th, they went overboard with that [expletive deleted] castle cake! In 06/07 they just ignored the anniversary.
I remember 86/87 when they gave a prize to every 15th person who entered the park for the 15th anniversary. We won tickets to Discovery Island. I was quite bummed out.
Well we will know in a couple weeks now won't we?