Coldplay Rocks

I was in Salt Lake City this weekend to see friends and was fortunate to have great tickets for Coldplay to top off the trip.

I think Coldplay is a brilliant band and I also think that they can teach us a thing or two about marketing.

Let me be very clear that I am referring to marketing in general (arial view), NOT web marketing specifically. I think their website is completely user un-friendly, poorly architect-ed and the only thing that works in their favor is their loyal fans love them enough that they will bang on the site no matter what.

However, despite Coldplay’s need for a website intervention (design is great, usability is not) I do think these guys are a great model for marketing overall. In addition to wanting to post my rocking photos, I do have a marketing lessons to share (thanks to a great show via Coldplay) that we can all learn from.

Coldplay gets a positive role model stamp because:

1. They LOVE their fans. They seriously (seriously not kidding) adore the people that come to see them and are in the business of taking care of the people taking care of them. Love rules the marketing world (not fear like some slime-os think) Coldplay came out to perform with passion, ended with passion and exuded passion. The stadium attendees felt the sloppy drippy love and let me tell ya, we ate it up. We all left as raving evangelists to spread the Coldplay love (Look! I’m blogging about it – it worked!)

2. Coldplay “gets” gratitude. The band was grateful to be in Salt Lake City (not the “sexiest” city to be in, let’s face it) but they were grateful to be so welcomed, grateful for the packed house that was there shelling out good money to see them and made it CRYSTAL clear to the audience that they were grateful for their support. You have to give to get – these dudes gave!

3. They diffierientate themselves. Coldplay’s guys are just not like the other rockstar kids. They have a distinct sound, they actually know how to play instruments (I know, insane!!?? hehe) and their Viva la Vidatour included goofy Rennaisance-V-patched attire (a little cheesy, but kudos to their gutsiness for busting out the garb) In a bloody sea of pre-fab bands, Coldplay is true to their art, owns their distinction, embraces it and emerges in clear, blue marketing waters.

4. Coldplay is highly entertaining. Chris Martin and his crew know how to put on a damn good show. I honestly think they had choreography lessons they were that good in concert. Marketing is about engaging and entertaining customers – for guys that rule mellow music, they really knew how to leverage their work and package into entertaining, rocking art. They could have a total yawner show, but they don’t. The backdrops, moves, music, mix of stage presence (they performed one song in the nosebleed seats, way cool) and outfits made for one high energy evening.

Coldplay rocks

5. They provide value. Coldplay is not yellow in the value department. Their music is superb, they put out great albums, their concerts are smoking and the people who buy their records and spend money to attend their concerts get great return on investment (or bang for their buck, call it what you want)

6. Coldplay knows their audience and serves them. They serve them with concerts, great music, passion, support and creative ideas (I am still digging how cool it was that they performed IN the crowd for one song, they said something like “we thought we should not just play where the expensive seats are” or something like that – the crowd went wild.

7. These guys are ARTISTS. Not everybody gets to be an entertainer, but the ones who do that are dedicated to their art will have a long life span. In marketing we debate about art vs. science and my argument to that is InSync or The Stones? InSync was a science, the guys, the look, the music. The Stones are their on unique blend of ugly dudes meet killer music meets era and society…you tell me who lasted longer.

I love when real life experiences can reitterate the powers of marketing – love, gratitude, value, differientation, art, service and entertainment.

Make it a great week!!

Web Marketing Therapy Related Links:

• Viral Marketing for Rock Stars!
• Friday Funny – Great Ideas are Only Great if they are Executed!
• Marketing Comic Relief – Great “Let’s go for a drink”? Ad
• Your Web Marketing is Due For Its Check-Up! Lorrie Thomas Guest Stars in BrightTalk Webcast on Sept. 16 1pm PST (4pm EST)

Categories: Blog, Marketing Interventions

Tags: Coldplay, crappy marketing, Marketing 101, marketing intervention, Marketing Interventions, Positive Role Models

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