The fact that African-Americans spend more money on hand and body lotion than any other consumer group will not come as a surprise to African-Americans.
Feeling good and feeling good about oneself isn’t just internal.
The NIELSEN article, “Feeling Good: Appealing to Ethnic Consumers in the Beauty Aisle,” sheds light on a little known ethnic insight and speaks volumes about ethnic spending power.
A friend shared, “When Jim Crow Drank Coke,” a recent Op-Ed piece from the New York Times.
It is a fascinating and enlightening piece that provides a unique and revealing slice of American history.
Click here to read the article.
Editor’s Note:
After publishing this post, I received a number of inquiries.
I take no position regarding Grace Elizabeth Hale’s historical assertions with regard to Coca-Cola.
As a marketer, I am deeply fascinated by what makes consumers loyal to a specific brand.
Brand loyalty or brand disdain goes well beyond product attributes.
For example, as with many of my contemporaries, there is a specific gasoline brand and a “fast-casual” restaurant brand that I will not patronize.
In my opinion, those two brands are tarnished and while they had the ability and opportunity to rehabilitate themselves, they elected not to do so to my satisfaction.
Three individuals whom I consider heroes and role models are associated with the Coca-Cola Company: the late J. Bruce Llewellyn, the indomitable Ingrid Saunders Jones and entrepreneur Larry Thornton.
These three individuals impact the way I view the power of brands and what they represent to me as both an African-American and a marketer.
Their actions helped to fortify the Coca-Cola brand and solidify the brand’s position.
For those who would like to read more, check out “The Real Pepsi Challenge: The Inspirational Story of Breaking the Color Barrier in American Business,” by Stephanie Capparell.
“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.“
Crass commercialization of Dr. King’s birthday insults what he fought and stood for.
Those of us who understand and appreciate that America has made countless strides, also realize that his dream has yet to be realized.
Shame on Parx Casino for creating what has to be one of the most disrespectfully offensive campaigns and television spots.
Caloric content and childhood obesity are only a part of the problem facing the African-American community.