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“Moore’s reputation of catering to socialites and celebrities has kept them going. It’s like a status symbol. And even if they don’t have social media accounts, celebrities do, and luckily they post where they purchased certain items.” I nod to Chris. “But you’re right. It isn’t enough. Even the wealthy are shopping differently. Looking more to what’s trending on social media and one-clicking their purchases online.” I take a large bite of spring roll. Dear lord, I’ve missed this peanut sauce. Best I’ve ever had.
After I swallow, I look up to see everyone staring at me.
“Enjoying that, are you?” Ben smirks.
I flush, realizing I may have moaned as I ate. “Yes, well.” I clear my throat, moving on. “Let’s look on the upside. We have a completely clean slate. We don’t have to overhaul what’s already there and debate about what to keep, what to lose, and so on. We can build fresh.”
Yesterday we dealt with tangible goods. Now we’re dealing with the corporate side, running numbers and making sure all our information is up to date. Comparing them with those of the competition.
“We’ll be meeting with Moore’s contracted marketing team, Warren and Baron, soon, right?”
I nod at Chris.
“Though who knows what they’ve been doing to earn their money,” he mutters.
Ben snorts, looking at his laptop. “Nothing, if I had to guess from the apparent lack of information at hand.”
“You know they’re going to have more than just three people, right?” Chris asks me, making me pause in my next bite. “They won’t be happy we’re here, and they’ll try to intimidate us. By sheer numbers if necessary.”
“Yes, but until I know how well Warren and Baron is willing to work with us, I don’t want to assume they’ll be difficult. Besides, I have assurances that we’ll have full control, not Warren and Baron.” Though if W&B is unwelcoming or unwilling to play ball under new management, it won’t be the first time I’ve had to ‘bitch up’ and take a more authoritative stance.
I tap my pen on my laptop, thinking as I chew. This time silently. Swallowing, I change directions. “Moore’s is unique in that due to the overwhelming assortment of products they sell, we have a huge option for cold prospect marketing.”
We’ve reviewed the company’s target audience, strengths and weaknesses, and now we’re on to strategies. All of which we’ve studied before, but it’s good to do so again after seeing the product and company firsthand.
“The best numbers are in the high-end departments,” Chris says, putting the now empty container down. “But there’s a big decline everywhere else.”
“Most of the high-end customers are in the forty to sixty age range.” Alice looks up from her furious note-taking. When everyone’s eyes meet hers, she looks back down, blushing.
Ben nods, looking lost in thought. “That’s a good point. Moore’s is basically alienating two generations. They may not have the money to shop in luxury goods, but there are a lot more departments than just the ones with the carpeted flooring.” He taps on his keyboard. “The gaming area and café are pretty cool, but I don’t even think those are listed on their basic website. Or if they are, they’re not prominent.”
“Then let’s target those areas. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. We need to set up a social media plan anyway, seeing as Warren and Baron never made one for Moore’s.”
Ben and Chris look at each other, eyebrows raised.
“I know. When I talked to Cha—I mean Mr. Moore, he was pretty determined that social media would be our primary focus.”
I catch Alice’s smile at my near slip. Thankfully, young, recent male graduates are oblivious to those sorts of things. Ben simply states, “Awesome. Social media marketing is my jam.”
“It’s everyone’s jam, Ben,” Chris says, rolling his eyes. “It’s literally what King Marketing does.”
“Whatever. I’m excited, okay?” He rubs his palms together. “Moore’s is pretty huge. And as Campbell said, we have a clean slate. That’s pretty much a marketing man’s dream.”
“Yeah, if Warren and Baron let us do our job,” Chris adds, always the optimist.
“Don’t worry about that.” I close my laptop and scan the room, bringing all eyes to me. “I’ll handle Warren and Baron.”
* * *
Walking out the front doors of Moore’s and into the smoggy New York air, my mind is filled with visions of room service while cocooned in my sumptuous hotel room bed with an action film on in the background.
Those daydreams stutter when I see Chase leaning against a town car that’s parked at the curb.
My first thought? Damn, he looks good.
My second? He brings new meaning to “Hound Dog.”
I haven’t seen him all day. And I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t noticed his absence. I’m a little mad at myself about how often I scanned the room or looked over my shoulder for his dark head of hair and charming grin. He’d sent us my favorite Thai food, but he never showed. I spent too much time worrying if he was avoiding me. If between me talking back to his father and mumbling about his nine-inch dick, he’d been offended.
