Mary Tyler Moore’s passing has undoubtedly made many nostalgic for the days of the Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Tyler Moore Show. Moore was a trailblazer in many ways – the first woman to wear pants in a sitcom and the subject of what TIME considers one of TV’s most famous job interviews. She was one of America’s TV sweethearts and she even taught us a few invaluable marketing lessons along the way.
Be a trendsetter
She was the first female sitcom star to wear pants. While Moore’s wardrobe choice provides far more than a lesson in marketing, it demonstrates how much buzz you can generate amongst your audiences when you deliver something unique and unexpected. Whether it’s an extraordinary Super Bowl ad, unique customer experience or email marketing that consistently provides valuable thought leadership and tips, being a leader in your industry can yield marketing ROI for years to come.
Show some personality
While Lou Grant may have told Moore, “You have spunk…I hate spunk!”, during the pilot episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, spunk can help companies to set themselves apart from the competition. While it is important to make sure your brand’s personality is authentic, it is equally important to be engaging, personable and prove that there isn’t a robot communicating on behalf of your brand. Of course, you will want to make sure that your brand personality is consistent across all marketing channels to both minimize brand confusion and maximize the value of this important attribute.
Harness your entrepreneurial spirit
In addition to holding memorable TV roles, Moore also led MTM Enterprises, the production company she founded with her husband, which produced several Broadway plays. Charting a new course – be it launching a product, service or brand – often allows organizations to strengthen their unique value proposition and grab stakeholders’ attention in an otherwise crowded marketplace.
As we remember Mary Tyler Moore, the great television shows she starred in and how beloved she was by her fans, take the time to figure out how the lessons Moore taught us can help your company or cause take its marketing to the next level.
