Any Marketing Lessons In The $700 Billion Bailout Debate?

I participate in monthly peer group with other St. Louis area company presidents.  During our meeting on Tuesday we spent a lot of time talking about the financial crisis and the proposed $700 billion bailout proposal.  It occurred to me, as I listened and commented, that there was a marketing lesson in all of this.

It is all about knowing your audience and how to talk with them on “their” terms.  I’m sure you’re like me and have heard all of the “speak” coming from those proposing the big fix and those debating it. They are all talking to themselves.

As a result, the massive audience of the American people is left to “figure out” what it is that’s being said.  As our group tossed around the various dimensions of the issue, most were talking in terms that related to their businesses, but there were varying interpretations of what the intended outcome of the solution might be.

And, I thought it would be some much better if those in charge of crafting and selling the proposal would stop and think about their various audiences, and develop messaging that resonated with each, then we might be on our way to having everyone fully informed with an understanding of “how this applies to me.”

As marketers trying to drive ROI, we know that unless we take the time to fully understand the target, we have less than a fighting chance to be sucessessful.

I don’t know if you’ve seen the Nextel commercial where they propose if fireman ran the government, things would get done with a lot more efficiency.  Perhaps it’s time for those in Washington to think about bringing in some bright marketers to get the message out with clarity,  to those whom  it matters to the most.