Blog Reviews

Instead of a new topic, this week my goal is to examine other classmates' blogs and how they relate to PR aspects within the fitness and supplement industry in which I have investigated.  As I have been reading other classmates' blogs it is very interesting to understand the aspects of public relations in each industry and how they are very similar to my topic. 

The first blog I examined was Charlie Niland's blog, entitled "cniland's blog".  This blog was very appealing to me because I have a high interest in pharmaceudical marketing and one day will possibly pursue a career in that field.  I also found this blog to be very interesting because it was from a first-hand experience as Charlie was an intern at a medical marketing firm this past summer.  I found his posts on research and ethics to be very fascinating as he said while working at this internship he had to conduct research where he would occasionally find falsified identities.  It was also interesting to read about the continuous ethical debate on stem cell research and regenerate medicine.  This is a field where I would like to gain more knowledge and sense of the PR and marketing incorporated in the industry.

The second blog I decided to review was Lindsey Hock's blog, entitled "Lindsey's Blog".  Like Charlie's, this blog was also from a first-hand experience as Lindsey was an intern at NBC30 this past summer.  While reading this blog, it was fascinating to realize how much PR research goes into the broadcast of shows and events on NBC30.  For example, Lindsey goes in-depth about the Olympics being aired on NBC30  and all of the hard work and research that goes into having this worldwide event aired.  Her blog also brought up many intriguing points regarding ethics within the station.  Lindsey described the tv show, "Dateline", as crossing the line, for the sake of good television.  In a specific example, a sex offender took his own life after witnessing himself on the show, making it unbearable for him to live with himself.  This case brought up a major question of ethics regarding "how far is too far?".  It portrays the network as in some ways getting caught up in good entertainment television.

After reading many blogs and commenting on a couple, I have come to the realization that all industries, in a way, are the same.  Research and ethics have very similar characteristics within each industry you look at. In my opinion, all industries heavily rely on the PR research that is done, and have ethical problems where the difference between "right and wrong" is blurred.  It was very interesting to read others' blogs and notice how similar each industry is to each other.   

The Impact of Research Results

In the fitness and supplement industry, research is everything.  With the expansion of so many companies in the field, it is vital to constantly research consumers and their desires.  Especially in the muscle-building aspect, all companies research the effects of fitness products and supplements have on the consumer.  There are two major parts of research in this field.  One, is researching different ingredients and blends to put into a supplement.  The second, is the evaluation research from consumers through forums, message boards, and review boards.  

An aspect of PR Research within this field deals with the production of these supplements and the actual blends produced by the dietary supplement companies.  As more and more scientific research is done concerning different blends and ingredients, companies need to move fast to get these into their products before the next does.  For example, latest research on nitric oxide reveals that when nitrogen is held in muscles for a longer period of time, there is more time for protein synthesis and ultimately muscle-building.  After this research was conducted, companies rushed to get nitric oxide into their supplement products, such as the very popular NO-Explode.  Companies are constantly researching to look for that 'secret ingredient' to achieve better results within their customers.  After they achieve this goal, research starts back up again as customers reveal their results with companies and other customers.

 

One of the most popular ratings site for supplements is SupplementReviews.com .  Here, consumers are able to rate and review each product with an in-depth, first-hand experience.    The website is a goldmine for PR Research as there is a numbered ratings system, an area to submit a written review, as well as pros and cons for the product.  With all the supplements rated by many users, and averaged together, companies and customers are able to easily research these dietary-supplements with a click of the mouse.   

In my opinion, research is what keeps this industry moving.  The amount of customer reviews and ratings within the field is the most important aspect for companies as well as other customers.  PR Research is an ongoing circle that never stops within the fitness and supplement industry.  Not only is research being done for new supplements, but also evaluating customers reviews and ratings for their products.  90% of all PR Research is done in the evaluation aspect.  Research and Evaluation are vital in the rising sales of this booming industry.

Research Ethics: Are they forgotten?

As companies in the fitness and dietary-supplement industry dig deeper and deeper for that "over the top" product to sell to consumers, the lines of research ethics become more and more blurred.  The major reason for this is that the industry is not regulated as much as it should be.  Ever notice the "before and after" pictures in magazines advertising health products and supplements? Sometimes it doesn't look remotely like the same person.  Or how about those ridiculous claims on the label? Where has that 'guarantee' been proven?  Research ethics are on the decline regarding the fitness and supplement industry, which is a great cause of concern to us, the consumers.

 

 Most of these far fetched claims are made in the muscle-building world, such as MuscleTech Nitro-Tech's claim that by taking the powder you will gain 14 pounds of muscle in 2 weeks.  14 pounds of muscle in 2 weeks? Get real.  Where is the evidence to back this up?  However, evidence or not, customers see that flashy claim and get trapped into thinking it is liquid gold.  In my opinion, these claims are unethical as companies trick their consumers into buying these products.  

In addition, product labels frequently show percentages regarding the amount of people who have increased muscle mass, or the amount of people who have lost weight to get more of a firm body.  once again, where is this research being done? There are no credentials or evidence proving that this research isn't just made up to increase sales. 

Dr. Lindsay Moore's article, "An Industry in Crisis: Are Consumers Getting What They Deserve", points out the loss of moral standards and research ethics within the industry.  She touches upon the history of the industry and how ethics have worsened within the field.  She describes how incorporating pharmeceudical effectiveness opened the flood gates to supplement claims whether they are scams or not. 

 "These products intensified the implication of pharmaceutical effectiveness and drove the industry as ingredients in condition-specific formulations. They unlocked a Pandora’s Box of questionable products, unreliable dosages, absence of or minimal active ingredients, non-scientific claims, marketing hype, and, de facto, consumer exploitation."

In my personal opinion, ethics within the fitness and supplement industry are diminishing more and more.  People each day get scammed by fitness and dietary-supplement industries by their erroneous claims to get a better, healthier body.  This is not ethical, and the way I see it, the FDA needs to step in and place stronger regulations on the fitness and supplement companies who are scamming consumers.  Research ethics within the industry are very slim and will continue to diminish unless the government takes action.

Fitness and Supplement PR Focus..

Everywhere you look in social media, including magazines and the internet, products are advertised to promote the "better, healthier body".  Whether it's the model with six-pack abs on the cover of a health magazine, or a new cutting edge piece of equipment advertised on television by tan, oiled-up bodies, the fitness and supplement industries are everywhere.  Supplement stores such as GNC and Vitamin Shoppe are popping up everywhere as the interests in fitness and supplements grow within the public.  As being an avid fan of fitness and exercise, I have developed a great interest in the supplement industry and have also been a consistent buyer.  Beginning with the desire and determination to improve in high school sports, fitness has become an addiction for myself, as well as much of the public.

The focus of this blog is investigate the PR tactics and research in which fitness and supplement companies use to promote their latest, cutting-edge product to put you over the top of the competition for a better body.  Companies such as BSN and Muscletech spend an enormous amount of money on public relations and advertising to attract customers.  No matter which products are truly effective or not, companies consistently come up with ways to attract these buyers.  With the use of great public relations, these companies are able to sell anything they want, scam or not, to their broad target audience.  The focus of this blog is to examine these growing PR tactics within the fitness and supplement industries.