In response to Gretchen's question

Do you think it is effective marketing to market inside the restaurant while customers and employees are already there? Do you think annoying people is an effective way to market the company?


I can see how this would be more annoying towards the employees rather then the customers. When I go into a restaurant I usually go with friends and or family so usually I'm to busy talking or listening. I tend not to hear things like that but if its loud enough and plays often enough then I would probably pick up on it and be annoyed. I dont go to friendlys so I dont know how it has changed or anything but I can see how it could be annoying especially if you are already in there eating.
If the song is played every hour then that is not as bad. Typically when I go out to eat it's not for that long unless I'm at happy hour (like elm city brewery) which could be for hours. But as for going out to eat the most a customer could hear this song is once or twice so I dont think it is a big deal but maybe they can come up with another way of marketing if customers and employees are that upset about it. It will only lose them business if people don't like it because they will go to another restaurant in town.
While I do think its important to market a company there are also other ways and times to do it. Playing a song isn't a big deal but once customers start leaving then there is a problem. Companies dont want to bug the people who are in there because their marketing has already worked, customers are currently eating in the restaurant.
In stead of asking if its effective and annoying to market inside the company, do you think this is a clever idea?

Direct Marketing

Direct marketing is the use of telecommunications and nonpersonal media to communicate product and organizational information to customers, who then can purchase products via mail, telephone, or the internet. It can occur through catalog marketing, direct response marketing, telemarketing, television home shopping and online retailing.
Catalog marketing is when a customer receives a catalog and is able to purchase a product through mail, telephone or the internet. When I was a kid there was no internet at our house so if we saw something we liked in a catalog we would place all our orders by mail or phone. Direct response marketing is when a retailer advertises a product and makes it available through mail or telephone orders. I've seen retailers advertise their products and offer a way to buy them but I've never actually purchased a product this way before.
Telemarketing is when everything is done by phone. It can help generate sales leads, improve customer service, speed up payments on past-due accounts, gather marketing data and raise funds for nonprofit organizations. Personally I hate telemarketing and unless it is a family memeber or a friend calling me, I wont answer the phone. Television home shopping is when products are presented to television viewers, who can buy them by calling a toll-free number and pay with a credit card. I have never done this personally but I see it on TV all the time. They always try to give you double the product if you call right away or within the next 10 min. This way of marketing drives me crazy, I'd love to watch a program without being bothered to buy something.
Online retailing is retailing that makes products available to buyers through computer connections. I do buy things online a lot because it's easier to go online then it is to drive to the store, especially if the store isn't around where I live. The shipping does take a little longer but for me it is totally worth the wait.

A lot of people are now seeing that companies are selling more products or have them in stock online rather then in the store. Do you agree with this? Have you ever gone into a store to buy something but it wasn't in stock so they told you to go online? What is your opinion on direct marketing?