Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Marketing One Blog Assignment # 2 (25 points)

McDonald's Aims to Change Image of 'McJob'

By ANNIE GASPARRO, Wall Street Journal

McDonald's Corp. is hoping to bulk up its burger-tossing forces and recast the image of the "McJob" with a nationwide hiring event April 19.

On this self-proclaimed National Hiring Day, McDonald's and its franchisees plan to recruit as many as 50,000 U.S. employees to add to its roughly 600,000-member ranks.

McDonald's total hires have been similar in past years, but concentrating so many in one day is a twist. It is the first time the chain has conducted a nationwide hiring event, but it follows a similar regional version employing about 13,000 people last spring.

The fast-food giant is promoting the hiring event in print magazines such as People and Us Weekly, as well as social-media channels. The campaign highlights employees of varying ranks, from cashiers to corporate, in an effort to improve the image of working there.

Read the rest of the article here.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576243012745033104.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

After reading the article, 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. Be specific with your thoughts. Branding strategist Adam Hanftn discusses what McDonald's has done right and wrong in the campaign. In paragraph # 2, discuss your thoughts on "bringing the McJob terminology in to the campaign". Do you feel this is a good or bad thing for the McDonald's image? Why? Be specific with your thoughts.

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

ASEM Blog Assignment # 2 (25 points)

Have I Got a Show for You...

By Neil Genzingler, NY Times

JUST how absurd and/or desperate have makers of reality television become?

The genre started as a mix of the moderately silly and the formulaic: survivalist competitions for people willing to eat insects; on-the-job series that followed police officers or ambulance crews. But as the phenomenon expanded to fill cable’s endless maw, things grew both weirder and more ordinary. On the weird end of the spectrum there were suddenly shows about pathological hoarders and people eaten by their own pets.

Read the rest of the article here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/arts/television/reality-shows-can-you-guess-the-fakes.html?_r=1

After reading the article, in a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions. In paragraph # 1, pick your top 3 show ideas and indicate why you like each show idea. Be specific with your thoughts. In paragraph # 2, select the one show you feel has the best chance to be successful and attract the most viewers. What is the demographic (age range, gender, anything else) and target audience of the show? What gives it the most chance to suceed? Be specific with your thoughts.

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

SEM Blog Assignment # 2 (25 points)

Have I Got a Show for You...

By Neil Genzingler, NY Times

JUST how absurd and/or desperate have makers of reality television become?

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

ASEM Blog Assignment # 1 (4th Quarter) (25 points)

NCAA Merchandise Helps Businesses Score

Good morning. Recently we have been discussing the business of the NCAA. It's big business no doubt. This short video discusses the merchandise and licensing end of the business. First, watch the short video link below.

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/living/2011/04/02/nr.holmes.ncaa.merchandise.cnn.html

After watching the video, in a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions. In paragraph # 1, summarize the video in 3 main points. List and explain each. Be specific with your thoughts. In paragraph # 2, discuss which one of the 3 main points you listed you feel has the is the most eye-opening and why? Also, what do you think is the biggest challange for merchandise manufacturers and the company's buying the NCAA licensing rights and why? Be specific with your thoughts.

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

SEM Blog Assignment # 1 (4th Quarter) (25 points)

Good morning. We recently completed a unit on product and product development. The bicycle manufacturing business has always been popular in the sports and recreation industry. Many styles and sizes of bikes for all ages and interests are available. First, watch the following short video below called "Bicycle Design".
http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/hands-on_math/bicycle_design/index.php

After watching the video, 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. List and explain each. Be specific with your thoughts. In paragraph # 2, discuss which one of the 5 main points you listed you feel has the most impact on the "bicycle business" and why? Also, what do you think is the biggest challange for bicycle designers today and why? Be specific with your thoughts.

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

Marketing One Blog Assignment # 1 (4th Quarter) (25 points)

Good morning. This week we have been learning about Economic Resources. Land, Labor, Capital, and Entrepreneurship. The recycling business is big business. Many businesses and individuals are doing their part. First, watch the following short video called "Recycling: Winning the War on Waste".

http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/hands-on_math/recycling/index.php

After watching the video, 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. List and explain each. Be specific with your thoughts. In paragraph # 2, discuss which one of the 5 main points you listed do you feel has the most impact on the "business of recycling" and why? Also, what do you think is the biggest challange in the "business of recycling" and why? Be specific with your thoughts.

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