The Joneses is a film about a family who move into a new neighborhood and quickly become the envy of those around them. However, it is revealed that the family is actually a group of undercover marketers hired to sell products to the people in the neighborhood through subtle and covert means.
-Would you categorize the way the Jones family lives as personal selling? Why or why not?
The way the Jones family lives could be considered a form of personal selling, as they are interacting directly with people in the neighborhood and using their personal relationships and charisma to sell products. However, it could also be considered deceptive and unethical, as they are not disclosing their true identities and motivations to the people they are interacting with.
-What similarities do you see between the sales tactics the Jones family employs and the marketing tactics of some of your favorite brands? Give an example.
One similarity between the Jones family’s sales tactics and those of some brands is the use of social influence and peer pressure. In the film, the Jones family tries to convince their neighbors to buy products by showing them how popular and fashionable they are among their peers. Similarly, some brands use social media and other forms of advertising to create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) and create the impression that a product is highly desired or coveted by a particular group of people.
-Based on what you read in the course materials and what you observed in this movie, do you think the way products are marketed in this movie is ethical?
The marketing tactics used by the Jones family in the film could be considered unethical, as they involve deception and manipulation of people’s emotions and desires. In general, it is important for marketers to be transparent and honest in their advertising and to avoid using deceptive or manipulative tactics to sell products.
-How would you feel if you were friends with someone in the Jones family before you found out their secret? What about afterward?
If I were friends with someone in the Jones family before finding out their secret, I might feel betrayed or misled upon discovering the truth. I may also feel uncomfortable or suspicious about the motivations behind their actions and the things they said or did while we were friends. After finding out their secret, I might feel differently about the relationship and may choose to distance myself from the person or confront them about their actions.
