Cedar Creek Marketing

Curious. Interesting approach.

Cedar Creek did it in house from filming to production

I am going to guess - in house - but it is fantastic. Well produced. IMO it is the best local spot on the air now.

Found it to be a well thought out presentation too Nator

It appears they took the ads run by Chrysler featuring Detroit and Eminem during the Superbowl and made a Toledo version. That being said, I like both of them.

http://youtu.be/SKL254Y_jtc

Yeah, basically rips off the Chrysler ad, but well done. And I hadn't seen the Chrysler one before, so it worked on me.

Just wait until Chrysler files suit for copyright violation.

I think it is fundamentally wrong to "market Jesus." There is nothing "marketable" about the message of the Gospel. It should not be marketed. Jesus is not a commodity or some sort of brand, or something you should be convinced to "get." But I guess that fits into their general W-Martization of the whole subject.

I haven't heard them "market Jesus".

I still don't know anything about their church. If they are ashamed to tell you in the commerical - why would I go check it out.

All we know is they are part of Toledo and they hand out moutian dew to get you to come in.

Religion is a business. They have to make you believe in their product to get you to give them money. If they don't turn a profit, they don't exist. If it means they have to substitute Toledo for Detroit, and Jesus for a Chrysler 200, so be it.

Marketing is the word used in the original post. I guess billboards, huge ad campaigns, TV spots is not marketing....

Anyway, for me and many, many others, Christianity is NOT a product to be consumed. It is a profound relationship with the Living God.

They say that they are doing the work of God. Just like my favorite late night religious shows that promise great wealth and success if you send them money to "plant the seed of God".
Yes, testimonies claim that houses, cash, and jobs have been sent by God in response to what these followers have sent to this preacher.
Cedar Creek is no different in my opinion.

HickoryG, I have been following this board for several months and know you are regular poster. Your comments are some of the most incorrect I have ever seen. Religion is NOT a business and no church is about turning a profit. Hense the reason they are Non-Profit Orginizations. It is illegal for them to turn a profit.

Secondly, the intent of the marketing is not to bring in more money or money away from another church. As someone in sales, the harder I work and the more money I bring in, the more I take home. Cedar Creek's books are wide open and the pastors do not take home more based on how much money the church brings in.

Third, the marketing they do is for the un-churched as a way to "invite" them. Statistics show the # of advertisements a person receives in a given day have more than tripled in the last several years. therefore, the effectiveness has dropped drastically. So you cannot simple put a commercial or even an ad out there and get someone to take notice that you are inviting them to your church. Cedar Creek's message in advertising from the beginning has always been to be inviting and not make people want to run away because it is a "boring old church" (there first ad campaign was that it is "not your mama's church")

I know this board is all about posting opinions and discussions, but lets keep them educated please or I will stop participating. Thanks.

Ryan, are you a part of the church?

Welcome back Ryan. I knew putting down your little church would suck you back in. It is about bringing in more money. Those big shiny buildings and big expensive sound systems aren't free. Sure they don't show a profit on paper, hence the need to spend the money on advertising and Mountain Dew.

I'll try to keep this educated.

Don't be fooled that because churches are "non-profit" they don't make money. Non-profits make money and many of them make plenty. But, they cannot give those profits to anyone as profits, nor can they give them to "shareholders" as profits. They can however buy expensive cars, vacations, meals, hookers, etc. as long as they are listed as "church owned". Also, if anyone could get a "real" look at their books, you'll find that they probably have tons of money sitting in the bank. Sure, it can't be listed as profits, but it is listed as an "asset".

Also, they probably pay their pastors plenty. Or, at least much more then they are worth. So, while poor pastor pitts is having trouble finding a place to expose himself or whatever else demented things he wants to do, he probably pulls down over $100,000.
Cedar Creek is a money sucking machine. Have you seen how many churches they have? Their commercials? Those things don't come from the church fairies. They all cost money and cedar creek has it. Lots of it.

Their marketing scheme has been a very successful one. I'm sure it was no "lucky" guess on how to appeal to many people. Let's face it, many so-called religious people pick and choose what commandments they follow and very few are "hard core" christians. Accepting people with faults is a very common thing these days and Cedar Creek appeals to those people. Don't want to go to church because it's boring, don't worry, come to cedar creek, we make it a party. Still bored? Don't worry, how about some mountain dew? How about a big screen jumbotron to watch? A live band? Surround sound? Can't follow the bible exactly as God wanted you to? Don't worry, we'll give you "credit" for going to a church that doesn't hold you to "old" religious standards. Our pastors and programs allow for those who don't want to really be good religious people. Hey, at least you're going to "church".

Anyway, they are bringing in the money and I bet by the truck loads.

Finally, I'm more than willing to believe that their books aren't "wide open". If so, post a link to a copy and you'll see for yourself.

RyanS107: I know this board is all about posting opinions and discussions, but lets keep them educated please or I will stop participating.

Best laugh of the morning, especially coming from a poster with exactly one comment as a TT particpant.

Why does a church - any church, inviting people to attend raise such anger, resentment, and ire?

Don't want to go to church, don't like a church's message, method, or style, that's your choice, make your own decision. But why the attacks, accusations, and allegations about people you clearly don't know?

If someone has had a bad experience with church finances, donations, etc. I guess I could understand, but to assume a local church is of the same cloth, is a stretch.

As for not "marketing Jesus". Spreading his word is one of the primary instructions of the Bible. I don't see an anti-advertising clause so far, but I have yet to read it cover to cover.

TAHL

TAHL - I can't agree more. Well said.

I'm wondering if this is a different Ryan, or if it is the Ryan that has been posting here for years?

(Somewhere around Halloween, Ryan was angry about something and told jr to delete his account. I suppose he could have had a change of heart and re-registered?)

I didn't deactivate his account.

...or I will stop participating.

Pinky promise?

The reason I personally don't like the "Big business" churches is simple.
They use religion and God to influence people like they are a direct contact or something.
The simple act of being religious and worshipping is absolutely no problem what so ever. Building an empire with questionable pastors (Pitts), questionable commercials, and elaborate facilities just puts a bad taste in my mouth.

I didn't deactivate his account.

Which is a real shame.

Given that Cedar Creek isn't really hurting anything, why let the advertisement rent space in your head? Unless you're making idle conversation or something similar.

Don't misunderstand me, as I'm not advocating Cedar Creek church for any reason. I'm just saying that since I haven't heard of their ministry being involved in a scandal of any kind, why bother shooting at the building?

Of course, I haven't really been watching for scandals lately either.

It's not like they are running Penn St. commercials on the Big Ten Network...

While I don't agree with Cedar Creek's marketing plan as I think it stinks of trying to attract people for the sole purpose of attracting people, I mostly mute commercials anyway. If they are for "the glass city" then run some spots of your community activism, show your members helping the needy, not faux hardcore jingles.