Marketing: Creating a Movement

If you like marketing, you'll appreciate this video! "Pink Ponies: A Case Study"

...and I'm a Mormon

That’s the tagline of a recent ad campaign from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, one that ABC News called “very savvy branding.” So... my name is JJ. I’m a die hard Utah Utes Football fan, I spend my days working in marketing, my days off skiing (in the winter) and boating (in the summer)…and I’m a Mormon. So needless to say, I’ve found the recent flood of interest in my religion quite compelling. Most of that interest has come because of the Book of Mormon broadway musical - you know, the one written by the creators of South Park - and the fact that there are two mormons running for President of the United States. Oh and let's not forget Jimmer Mania (I only hesitate to list that in there because he went to BYU, my school's archrival).

Still, I’ve noticed that everyone from Newsweek and CNN to local newspapers is doing stories about mormons. I guess we are kind of a peculiar bunch. People often misunderstand our beliefs or at the very least can’t quite grasp why we wouldn’t want to drink or have sex before marriage. But at the same time people are starting to wonder why we are generally so happy and seemingly so successful. Well those news articles all say it much better than I ever could, so below are links to some of those articles. 

Some may argue that Newsweek's cover not only mocks the religion but makes Mitt Romney look foolish. And more may argue that the Book of Mormon musical is crude, vulgar, and pokes fun at Mormon beliefs and lifestyle. But the fact is, the Mormon church and lifestyle are getting mostly positive press. Just read this article and watch the videos from ABC. Even the writers and actors of the Broadway musical will tell you they have a profound respect for the Mormon church. And now because of all the interest generated from the musical, the church has launched a massive ad campaign in New York and its call centers in the area are inundated with requests for the Book of Mormon. So I think it's great!

Here are some other articles that I found extremely interesting to read:

From Newsweek: 

"Mormons Rock!

They've conquered Broadway, talk radio, the U.S. Senate-and they may win the White House. Why Mitt Romney and 6 million Mormons have the secret to success."

From BusinessWeek:

"God's MBAs: Why Mormon Missions Produce Leaders

Many of the men who trained to be Mormon missionaries have gone on to become among the most distinguished persons in American business and civic life"

From Business Insider:

"The REAL REASON So Many Mormons Become Executives And Political Leaders

Every 19-year-old in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) goes through what one might call executive training camp."

 

And if you want to learn about the truth behind what Mormons believe but don't want to ask them yourself, watch this video from CNN. 

Thanks for reading!

Meeting Mitt Romney

I've been a fan of Mitt Romney's for a while now. And not just because he and I share the same religious beliefs, but because he's an extremely successful person and that success has helped bring those beliefs to the mainstream. I don't agree with him on every political issue, but I really admire all the things he's accomplished in his life: mission to France, family life, Stanford/Harvard, Bain Capital, bishop, stake president, Salt Lake Olympics, Governor, 2 time Presidential candidate (possible winner?)...


The biggest difference in opinion? He went to BYU. Nobody's perfect...

Obviously he has had an extremely successful and rewarding life and I aspire to the same.

Anyway, I finally got the chance to meet him! He came to Utah for some fundraising and we heard he was going to be making a stop at Hires Big H just a few blocks from our apartment. I brought a copy of his book No Apologies for him to sign. When he asked who to make it out to, he recognized my last name. "Oh I know the Haglunds really well!" He was in my uncle's ward in Belmont and my cousin was apparently good friends with Mitt's son. We talked for a few minutes as if we were old friends...although I'm sure all Presidential candidates do that with everyone they meet. It was still really cool for me.

And to make matters even better I got my 15 seconds of fame: I got my face in the New York Times!

my wife and I on the front row to the right of Romney

me getting my book signed. This one was in the SL Tribune

Brittany snapped this one on my cell phone