Thanks But No Thanks, Ikea

So I was flipping through the 2009 Ikea catalog last month and saw their text-in treasure hunt game. Giving it a try, I texted in my responses to their painfully self-promoting questions. ("The RAMBURG bed frame on p. 98 is a) stylish b) easy to match with other pieces c) affordable d) ALL OF THE ABOVE!") I didn't win $100, but I engaged with the brand for a good 10 minutes and only exchanged about 10 total texts doing so. Success.

Fast forward a month, and my phone lights up with this:


My feelings: mixed. It's great that Ikea is approaching me with a chance to win cash moneys, but I thought I was done with the Find It Sweepstakes. And I am sure as hell not going to opt in to Ikea text messages. My beloved Twins alerts keep my inbox full, and I resent that Ikea didn't explicitly ask whether they could send me additional texts after the contest was over. This is why I rarely text for offers from any brand--I'm scared they'll start sending me more messages than E. Lam on Beer Friday (love you Ern).

When brands use your phone number against you, does it make you think twice about texting for any offer?

Obama's "Grassroots" Marketing Taken Literally

My North Dakota boyfriend sent me this photo a few weeks ago. He took it near Westhope, a tiny farming town just a few miles from the Canadian border. The fact that someone from a traditionally blood-red Republican community would take the time to craft such an elaborate display blows me away. There’s not a brand in the world that wouldn’t be elated to see their name displayed like this.

Other Obama-related news: Text message updates to announce his running mate. This is why Obama just GETS it. He chose a medium that is relevant, immediate, and personal. Texting this news matches his platform of change, obviously, and also of equality: news reporters and high-powered officials won’t hear the news before the farmer in Westhope. Also, there has been talk about Obama losing some momentum after he won the Democratic nomination. This is the perfect way for him to fire his supporters back up and reinforce the idea that they are an integral part of Team Obama. Or should I say Brand Obama?