Wednesday, June 1, 2011

ASEM Blog Assignment # 8 (25 points)

An NFL 'cheesehead' displayNFL Lockout Threatens In-store Promos for Pepsi, Mars, P&G and More

TV Buyers Can Shift Spots but Grocery Programs Have Limited Window

By, Jack Neff, EJ Schultz, Advertising Age

If you think the TV advertisers are sweating the NFL lockout, try talking to the in-store marketing folks.
After spending millions in advance on multibrand, in-store promotional deals with the National Football League, Procter & Gamble, Mars and PepsiCo, among others, now find themselves faced with the possibility of a truncated season that could do more damage to their plans and brands than those of the networks and TV buyers.

Networks can schedule alternate programming and marketers can apply media analytics to follow their target audiences wherever they go when they're not watching NFL football. But shopper-marketing events have calendars set a year or more in advance. Product has to be produced and displays have to be filled, regardless of whether games get played.

NFL sponsor Snickers is plowing ahead with its in-store promotion plans, although Debra Sandler, chief consumer officer for Mars Chocolate North America, said there's a chance the marketer could "scale back a few accounts."

Read the rest of the article here:

http://adage.com/article/news/nfl-lockout-threatens-pepsi-mars-p-g-s-store-marketing/227830/

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions.  In paragraph # 1, summarize the article in 5 main points.  Which one do you think is most interesting?   Why?
In paragraph # 2, what is your opinion on the NFL lockout?  As an NFL fan, has it changed your opinion of the league and how they do business?  Why or why not?  What are your thoughts about the the NFL fan base and how they are reacting as a whole?  Do you think the NFL will lose fans as a result of the current labor issues?  Why or why not?  Be specific with your thoughts.

Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.

Marketing 1 Blog Assignment # 8 (25 points)

The Sporting Sail: Speed, Wind and Skateboards

From Time.com

Watch the following video on this new and innnovative product.  After watching, in a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions.  In paragraph # 1, summarize the video in 5 main points.  Which one do you think is the most interesting. Why?  Be specific with your thoughts.  In paragraph # 2, provide your thoughts and opinions on the product.  What do you like or dislike about it?  Why?  Do you feel it can catch on?  Why or why not?  What does it have going for it that might contribute to it's ultimate success?  What do you think?  Be specific with your thoughts.

Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.

SEM Blog Assignment # 8 (25 points)

Review: Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play is a phone with gamepad

By, Edward Baig, USA Today

For many people, playing games on smartphones is a perfectly satisfying experience. But Sony Ericsson is banking on the notion that serious gamers might prefer a dedicated gaming device such as Sony's PlayStation Portable.

Enter Xperia Play, which hits Verizon Wireless stores exclusively in the U.S. today. The device has been highly anticipated — at least among gamers — and dubbed the PlayStation phone. Actually, to be more precise, Xperia Play is the first "PlayStation Certified" smartphone, meaning it is a hybrid that combines cellphone genes with DNA from Sony's handheld game system. Indeed, Xperia is baked with Android version 2.3 or Gingerbread, the latest version of Google's mobile operating system for phones.
Sony Ericsson announced Xperia earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. (Sony Ericsson is a 50-50 joint venture of Sony and of Ericsson.)

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2011-05-25-sony-experia-play_n.htm

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questons.  In paragraph # 1, summarize the article into 5 main points.  Which one do you find to be most interesting?  Be specific with your thoughts.  In paragraph # 2, provide your thoughts on this new product.  What do you like or dislike about the product?  Why?  Do you feel it will be successful?  Why or why not?  Is the price competitive? 

Please sign you name to the bottom of your blog entry.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

SEM Blog Assignment # 7

LeBron Beats Kobe in China With a Title Giving Nike $4 Billion

By Scott Soshnick, Bloomberg.com

LeBron James’s first National Basketball Association championship would help add $4 billion in revenue from China for Nike Inc. (NKE), according to the first sports marketing employee in the country for the world’s largest sporting goods maker.

Adding a championship to a basketball resume that includes an Olympic gold medal in Beijing and two NBA Most Valuable Player awards is imperative for James, the 26-year-old Miami Heat forward, to achieve the marketing might of fellow Nike endorsers Michael Jordan, who won six titles with the Chicago Bulls, and Kobe Bryant, a five-time winner with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“LeBron is white-hot with the Chinese basketball-loving youth, but his popularity and influence outside of that circle is limited,” said Terry Rhoads, who left as Nike’s China sports marketing director in 2002 after eight years to form Shanghai- based Zou Marketing. “One reason is the lack of titles.”

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-19/lebron-conquers-kobe-in-china-with-nba-title-giving-nike-4-billion-boost.html

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions.  In paragraph # 1, summarize the article in 5 main points.  Which one of the main points do you feel is the most interesting to you?  Why?  Be specific with your thoughts.  The article breaks down some major factors in what it will take for the LeBron brand to skyrocket and reach Michael Jordan status.  In paragraph # 2, other than winning championships, discuss what you feel is going to put LeBron over the top.  Be specific with your thoughts.

Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.

ASEM Blog Assignment # 7

Critic's Notebook: The 'Glee' machine




Marketing One Blog Assignment # 7

What Oprah Taught Me About Marketing . . . and Pedicures

By Lisa Aurther, Forbes.com

Most people return from a trip to Hawaii with memories of magnificent beaches, lush flora, delectable food and the awe-inspiring volcanoes.
After my 2002 Maui trip, I came back with all those memories –plus one more.

While I was in Hawaii, I shared some “spa-time” with Oprah.  No, it wasn’t planned. And, yes, I’m using the word “shared” a bit loosely. In all honesty, we didn’t even talk. But, when I sat down for a much- needed pedicure at the Four Seasons Spa in Maui, I sat down right beside Oprah . . . the Oprah.

Read the rest of the article here: 

http://blogs.forbes.com/lisaarthur/2011/05/24/what-oprah-taught-me-about-marketing-and-pedicures/

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions.  In paragraph # 1, summarize the article in 3 main points.  Which one of the main points do you think is the most interesting?  Why?  Be specific with your thoughts.  In paragraph # 2, select one of the 5 marketing lessons discussed in the article.  Write about 3 reasons why you feel this marketing lesson would be important to the overall success of a business.  Be specific with your thoughts.

Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.