#72: The World's Biggest Tech Flops And Flat Out Bombs!

This week we fondly recall some over promoted products and technologies that utterly failed to live up to their hype... One Of Bill Gates' Favourite Case Studies In 1957, Ford released a car that flopped so spectacularly that it has become a timeless case study on how not to develop and launch a product. The Ford Edsel was supposed to be the new premiere car for middle-class Americans. Ford was so confident in the product that it pumped $US250 million into it. But instead of starting a revolution, the company lost $US350 million on the unattractive gas-guzzler. The very name "Edsel" became a popular symbol for a commercial failure. Ford spent millions on focus groups and surveys to come up with a car was ahead of its time, a virtual prototype of the befinned monsters that became popular in a decade later. Only one problem: the Edsel was incredibly ugly, with a front grill that looked as if the car had just sucked on a lemon. Here are some lessons from the failed launch that are still relevant today. Listen now! Resources mentioned in this episode: Seth Godin: This Is Marketing Over the past quarter century, Seth Godin has taught and inspired millions of entrepreneurs, marketers, leaders, and fans from all walks of life, via his blog, online courses, lectures, and bestselling books. He is the inventor of countless ideas and phrases that have made their way into mainstream business language, from Permission Marketing to Purple Cow to Tribes to The Dip. Now, for the first time, Godin offers the core of his marketing wisdom in one accessible, timeless package. At the heart of his approach is a big idea: Great marketers don't use consumers to solve their company's problem; they use marketing to solve other people's problems. They don't just make noise; they make the world better. Truly powerful marketing is grounded in empathy, generosity, and emotional labour. This book teaches you how to identify your smallest viable audience; draw on the right signals and signs to position your offering; build trust and permission with your target market; speak to the narratives your audience tells themselves about status, affiliation, and dominance; spot opportunities to create and release tension; and give people the tools to achieve their goals. It's time for marketers to stop lying, spamming, and feeling guilty about their work. It's time to stop confusing social media metrics with true connections. It's time to stop wasting money on stolen attention that won't pay off in the long run. This is Marketing offers a better approach that will still apply for decades to come, no matter how the tactics of marketing continue to evolve. Listen to the full episode now: p.s. Please subscribe over on iTunes. It really does help this podcast to grow! Drop me a note in the comments section over at PhilAdair.com and let me know your thoughts.  Listen to the full episode now >> ⠀⠀ How To Create Irresistible Headlines (People Can't Help But Click) Get Instant Access Here >> Remember to subscribe to this podcast and check out my [FREE] AdWords Video Training Series. Get Instant Access Here >> 7 Absolutely Killer Tips For Google AdWords & Why They Crush The Competition    How to Build an Email List FAST - 7 Simple Methods You Can Use for FREE Download The eBook Now:   Download here >> Phil Adair Hot Clicks Pay-Per-Click Online Marketing Suite 12, 5th Floor, Dymocks Building 428 George Street, Sydney 2000, NSW, Australia   W: www.PhilAdair.com I’m a huge fan of connecting on social media. If you’re on these social networks, then let’s follow each other:  Twitter  Facebook YouTube Pinterest Instagram