MAC must have the secret...

[Hilly]

....to Utter Success...

So today I was enlightened in a Marketing seminar. Companies (profit and non-profit) work really hard to convey their products/messages through several channels of promotion, trying to get through the clutter of all other companies, yet us MAC-A-HOLICS yearn for MAC to send us THEIR advertisements!

Kind of gets you thinking. I wish I knew what it was about them that draws us in so well. I sure as hell could use those secrets for my own work

Another thing, some of us have been insulted/avoided/ignored at MAC counters by few (not all of you MAs because there are a shit-ton of great MUAs

), but yet, we still go back.

What about MAC draws you in, cravin/wanting/yearning for more?

 

[Jennifer Mcfly]

i like the products (above everything else). the ads are hip, trendy...eye catching.

 

[newagetomatoz]

I just love the quality and selection! There are how many shades of gold? Blue? BROWN??? Plus, the color payoff is almost always fantastic! A little really goes a long way. Don't even get me started on pigments!!

Plus, the price is right. I see some companies chargin $20 for a eyeshadow single or eyeliner. Sure, I can get drugstore shadows for $1, but I get so frustrated and end up throwing it out. And the recycling program helps!

And, as much as I hate it, I love how there is always a new collection coming out, they may contain a new HG. But, even if it doesn't, there is something creative in the advertising and campaign that sort or inspirers me to try that, or experiment a little more. I like that.

 

[redambition]

i don't know about the US, but over here MAC doesn't really advertise apart from the counters, the website (plus user-subscribed email from the web) and the file card system.

i have yet to see a print ad for MAC in a magazine. Sure, i might see the odd product pop up in a beauty review, but it's not a full page advert like chanel, dior, lauder etc.

i find this pretty refreshing. because i'm not bombarded with marketing images i do want to see them, especially because MAC's images are usually very well done.

marketing aside, i really like the products and have (pretty much) always found MAC MAs at counters and the store really helpful. i got into the products and used them for a while before i became a serious mac-aholic.

 

[bartp]

When I was studying marketing, we did a study on the influence of packaging. We tried it out on small children, ages 5 to 10 and it was amazing to see what good consumers they were. Bland , uninteresting packages didn't appeal to them. They wouldn't even exchange their own stuff for something that they wanted that was in a bland package.

The point I' m trying to make is that from a very young age we are so very much influenced by situations around us. And once we get older we think that we are more rational , but in fact, we can still be easily influenced

- Mac's images of beauty (even though they aren't always idealistic images of beauty) still attract us and tell a story, the way E. Lauder's ads for perfume do. think of the way Tom Ford can sell something and hype it.
- Mac's smart enough to make their shops about you, and not necessarily about the product.
- MA's that know their job give you a good feeling about yourself, and don't just sell you products
- Mac does listen to what we say, I' m sure there's a Mac manager who reads all we write down here
- and it all started with great products and they just made all of it better.

and I'm sure there are a lot more subconscious reasons that only a therapist could get out of my brain

 

[MACATTAK]

For me it's the quality, and the eye-catching collections. Not all of their products are amazing, but most are. The variety and versatility of a lot of their products always makes me come back for more!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sinergy]

The bold colors, and the collections are usually just so fun to look at. I dont really know what drives me to want MAC though..

I moved from a bigger city to a small town and a lot of the girls here didnt know what MAC was, so I was pretty much a walking advertisement! I had everyone at my school looking at the website, and wanting to drive to the malls in dallas to go look and buy.

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redambition i don't know about the US, but over here MAC doesn't really advertise apart from the counters, the website (plus user-subscribed email from the web) and the file card system. i have yet to see a print ad for MAC in a magazine. Sure, i might see the odd product pop up in a beauty review, but it's not a full page advert like chanel, dior, lauder etc. i find this pretty refreshing. because i'm not bombarded with marketing images i do want to see them, especially because MAC's images are usually very well done. marketing aside, i really like the products and have (pretty much) always found MAC MAs at counters and the store really helpful. i got into the products and used them for a while before i became a serious mac-aholic.

MAC doesn't advertise. the only "adverisements" you'll see are the ones for VG.

 

[Hilly]

Let me clarify...the advertisements I meant were the postcards and mailers.

 

[anaibb]

It's basically everything: the quality, the overall look, the design and the final results when I look at myself in the mirror! Another think that attracts people to MAC is that, unlike other brands, we don't get many info or publicity about it. We crave the info, look for it in every place. New collections, old products, whatever! I think that MAC's secret is playing hard to get!

 

[CantAffordMAC]

I wish I knew.

There is something about the products. High end, professional, quality products in sophisticated packaging.

The colors are beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. They are flattering. You can go there and try on damn near everything, and thats perfectly fine. You can't do that ina drugstore. This is not cheap makeup. I feel...almost high class wearing MAC.

Its trendy, sophisticated, flattering, sexy, unique, dramatic, yet simple, and you can do so many different things. They have so many different kinds of products with so many different uses. Most of the products last a really long time. Back2MAC is great. And they donate 100% of the viva glam to aids. Thats awesome. Its something I want to donate to as much as I can, and this is a way i can do so (while getting a color that i love). They don't donate $5 of every sale, but 100%.

It seems somewhat exclusive. yeah you can find it at the mall, but you won't see commercials or advertisements. Exclusive. Like I'm part of a secret MAC club.

 

[winterwonder]

^^ I agree, they're just an amazing company. I love feeling like I'm apart of the MAC family. Maybe it's just because I've been an addict now for upwards of 9 years but I think they're absolutely fabulous at everything they do. They just seem to be a step above everyone else, but I guess fans of other companies could say the same thing.

 

[SparklingWaves]

As far as M.A.C.'s popularity, I think it has to do with many things:

1) It isn't the most expensive of the high-end m/up lines.
2) It keeps up with the trends.
3) It's recyclable. (B2M Program)
4) It has artistic looking makeup advertisement campaigns.
5) It utilizes current and past movie and rock stars in ad campaigns.
6) It has a health issue campaign.
7) It has a vast array of products within its ever growing line.
8) It has continuing Limited Edition campaigns to keep the consumer interest.
9) The presentation, knowledge & skills of the Makeup artists
10) The overall look of the M.A.C. stores.
11) The line is continuously discontinuing and adding new items.
12) It has collectible items.
13) It has face charts.
14) It has contests.
15) It has collectible look cards.
16) It has tries to meet everyone's preference for color and textures.
17) You can create your own colors with many of their products.
18) It has PRO discounts
19) It has Pro shops

Gees, am I missing anything?

(With just this list, M.A.C. is a major make-up powerhouse industry).

 

[liltweekstar]

I definitely appreciate the fact that MAC MA's love to have fun with makeup and it shows by the way they put their makeup on or what colors they use.

 

[gigglegirl]

The freshness of collections (since I'm newer to the brand, nearly everything is 'fresh' but I can see how some upcoming collections may be dupeable. Therefore that saves my wallet a bit!) I think its the huge range of products, and new ones that come out like the paintpots

Its not really the MAs that do it for me.

After being introduced to the brand by a friend, I found there to be such an extensive range plus they lasted and were very pigmented. I was sold. The price tag (here in Canada they are 16.50/pot) kinda sets me back a bit, but when I compare other high end brands, to me they don't compare. I love filling my MAC palettes with depotted e/s, plus the B2M program makes me analyze purchases: do I go to Clinique to try and find an exfoliator, or do I try MAC's--once done with the product it goes in the B2M box for freebies!

Oh and don't get me started on pigments---they are <3!!

Paint pots are the best primer for me, plus they are colourful on their own!

Plus I've started getting into MAC's lipsticks--I started out with CG and hated them, they weren't nice at all. I wasn't willing to continue shelling out $7-8/lipstick at the drug store to find one I loved! and MAC--if the shade on its own doesn't work, I put a tendertone or a lipgloss on top and it works!

 

[clamster]

Websites like these! Also most YouTube make up tutorials use MAC cosmetics and the users rave about the products. I like MAC because the products last long and work well. Celebrities and famous make up artist use MAC. From what I have seen on backstage make-up etc. Make up artist use a lot of MAC.

 

[Divinity]

It really is an all encompassing cosmetic line. I was actually first lured by a display. Every image is artistic, beautiful, and totally chic. MAC always manages to gear the image toward the new product/line in some creative way and I LOVE that. The creativity.

I was lured again by Mary Beth. She saw me spying as I was walking by at Nordies and that was it. She is such a super sweety and I miss her so much. She had the best tips and really LOVED the products.

The products...I could write a book. The quality is one of a kind. The pigmentation, lasting effect, effectiveness - it's all worth what I pay. I won't go near a drugstore line after my introduction to MAC. I've just found the line that works for me in more ways than one. I've never been disappointed with a purchase or an experience.

AND what about Viva Glam and the Aids Fund?! What an awesome way to give back and a big 'Hell yeah!' to the company for getting involved in community and world matters to make a difference!

 

[corngrl2]

I'm drawn to MAC due to the quality of their products. Everything I have used from them looks amazing on my face. I love that you can find any color under the sun from them. I also love that there is a foundation for just about any skin type or need. MAC just blows my mind and my wallet..lol!

 

[darkishstar]

I am drawn to it because I was always an artistic and creative person. This is truly the brand for artists. Many other make-up lines just promote a certain look, or just to look pretty. But for MAC, it's expression, it's art, not only to look pretty, but sophisticated, fun, sexy, and edgy at the same time.

It's a very different make-up line than others. Many promote the same glowing look, but MAC promotes SO MANY types of looks. And most of all, originality. That's why I love it so much. I don't wear MAC to fit in. I wear MAC to be myself, and accent what is gorgeous about me.

For me, it's the expression, the artistic promo images that always draw me back, because I always cannot wait to see with what they come up with next.

 

[ms.marymac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaibb It's basically everything: the quality, the overall look, the design and the final results when I look at myself in the mirror! Another think that attracts people to MAC is that, unlike other brands, we don't get many info or publicity about it. We crave the info, look for it in every place. New collections, old products, whatever! I think that MAC's secret is playing hard to get!

That's what I was gonna say. MAC doesn't shove things down your throat (Head On! Apply directly to the forehead!), they don't call you at home and try to sell you things (telemarketing), they are not plastered in every magazine (making you wonder if there are even any articles in the damned thing). You have to come to them, and you have the control. I think that makes people feel more comfortable.