[Marketing Seed 137: URL and IRL (4)]

The feet of runners wearing sneakers starting to run all at once, symbolizing real-world events like the Nike Run Club
The feet of runners wearing sneakers starting to run all at once, symbolizing real-world events like the Nike Run Club

— A Brand Strategy Fusing Digital and Real — While digital initiatives continue to evolve, companies are once again recognizing the importance of real-world experiences. It is true that a URL functions as an information gateway, but many brands are beginning to understand that what moves a customer’s heart is the “moment they actually experience it.”

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[Marketing Seed 136: URL and IRL (3)]

An illuminated Starbucks Coffee store sign glowing at night
An illuminated Starbucks Coffee store sign glowing at night

— The Interaction Between Online and Offline —

URL and IRL are not in an opposing relationship; they are entities that mutually influence each other. If either one is missing, the brand’s value cannot be fully conveyed.

For example, imagine a certain restaurant goes viral on social media. Stylish photos and comments like “Absolutely delicious!” flood timelines, and the number of people following the URL to visit the official page spikes.

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[Marketing Seed 135: URL and IRL (2)]

A portrait of a woman with her mouth taped shut with the words "Fuck reality," adorned with small white flowers on her face.
A portrait of a woman with her mouth taped shut with the words "Fuck reality," adorned with small white flowers on her face.

— Creating Culture Beyond Technology —

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is no longer just a technical mechanism; it has become an element that shapes culture itself. When the internet began to spread in the 1990s, URLs functioned as gateways to new information, vastly accelerating the expansion of human knowledge. In 1993, there were only about 130 websites in the world, but by 2000, that number skyrocketed to approximately 17 million.
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[Marketing Seed 134: URL and IRL (1)]

A monitor screen displaying HTML code that makes up URLs and sign-up buttons
A monitor screen displaying HTML code that makes up URLs and sign-up buttons

— The Role of the “Entrance” Connecting Digital and Reality —

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicates the location of information on the internet. It is, so to speak, like an “address” or “coordinates.” We are now in an era where it is difficult even to reach specific information or services without a URL. In fact, it is said that there are over 2 billion websites in the world (as of 2023), and URLs are indispensable for finding our destinations among them.

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[Marketing Seed 133: Does Japan Coexist with Advanced and Backward Aspects? (Part 7)]

A front photo of a Toyota SUV (4Runner) against the sunset, symbolizing Japanese technological prowess and global brand value.
A front photo of a Toyota SUV (4Runner) against the sunset, symbolizing Japanese technological prowess and global brand value.

🏯 Marketing is a “Weapon to Shape Japan’s Future”

Marketing is not merely a tool for promotion. It is a core strategy to bolster corporate growth, evolve culture, and enhance national competitiveness. And now, its importance has risen to a stage that will determine Japan’s future 😊. No matter how superior the technology or quality, we have entered an era where success in the global market is difficult without the ability to properly convey that and sell it at its fair value.

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[Marketing Seed 131: Does Japan Coexist with Advanced and Backward Aspects? (Part 5)]

A person walking past the exterior of a Japanese discount store (Don Quijote) featuring a "Palace of Astounding Discount" sign
A person walking past the exterior of a Japanese discount store (Don Quijote) featuring a "Palace of Astounding Discount" sign
🚀 An Era Where Technological Capability Alone Isn’t Enough: Making “Selling Power” a Pillar of Management Japanese companies possess world-class technological capabilities and quality. There are many internationally evaluated fields such as automobiles, precision machinery, electronic components, and food processing 😊. However, on the other hand, isn’t the neglect of marketing and branding leading to a decline in competitiveness in the global market?
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[Marketing Seed 128: Does Japan Coexist with Advanced and Backward Aspects? (Part 2)]

European luxury brand perfume bottles, such as Dolce & Gabbana and Guerlain, arranged on a white faux fur rug
European luxury brand perfume bottles, such as Dolce & Gabbana and Guerlain, arranged on a white faux fur rug

💡 The Limits of “If You Make Good Things, They Will Sell” and the Culture of Selling High Value

For many years, Japanese companies have invested massive amounts of time and money into improving product quality, driven by the belief that “if you make good things, they will naturally sell.” Indeed, their precision and durability are world-class. However, what the global market demands is a strategy to “maximize value and sell at a premium.”

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Marketing Seed 123: Is a “Cheap and Truly Good” Product Possible? (Part 1)

Pink letter tiles spelling "CHEAP AS" on a white background

The Pitfalls of the Cost-Performance Era — Who is Paying the Hidden Costs?

🛍️ Is “Cheap and Good” a Magic Phrase?

It’s a phrase everyone has heard at least once: “This is so cheap, but it’s really good!”

Every day, we shop by emphasizing the “balance” between price and quality. But wait a minute. Is a “cheap and good product” truly possible? Continue reading “Marketing Seed 123: Is a “Cheap and Truly Good” Product Possible? (Part 1)”

Marketing Seed 118: Modification for Selling (Part 1)

An open book resting on a table with pages turning, symbolizing the beginning of a story or transformation.
An open book resting on a table with pages turning, symbolizing the beginning of a story or transformation.
What does it mean to “sell”? When a work becomes widely known and loved for a long time, a “change” has occurred. The philosophical depth, social commentary, and complex inner lives of characters found in the original work are transformed into something more “understandable” and “approachable.”

For example, Moomin, GeGeGe no Kitaro, and Devilman. All of these have changed their forms from the original works but have become entities that transcend generations through anime and merchandise expansion.

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