Global Marketing Blog Assignment # 3 (25 points)

From BBC News.

Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi is the world's largest indoor theme park and marks a large investment in future tourism for the area.

But the major attraction is Formula Rossa, the world's fastest rollercoaster.

Watch the following 4 minute video called "Riding the World's Fastest Rollercoaster". 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fast_track/9185704.stm

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions.  The video talks about Ferrari's investment goal being to increase tourism to the area.  In paragraph #1, discuss Ferrari's investment and the risk that the company takes by investing so much money into a theme park. Discuss your personal feelings on this investment idea.  Do you think it's a good or bad risk?  Why?  Be specific with your thoughts.

In paragraph # 2, what would be your global marketing strategy to attract tourism and theme park goers?  List a least 3 ideas and the reasoning behind them.  Be specific with your thoughts.

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

SEM Blog Assignment # 3 (25 points)

NASCAR hopes to tap younger audience with X Games icon

By Dustin Long
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 12, 2010

PHOENIX


X Games star Travis Pastrana announced plans to compete in seven Nationwide races next season and 20 in 2012, giving NASCAR another crossover star driver with a strong connection to younger audiences.


Pastrana, 27, is forming a Nationwide team with Michael Waltrip. The team plans to expose the action sports world's fans and participants to NASCAR and develop youth marketing initiatives.


Read the rest of the article here:  http://hamptonroads.com/2010/11/nascar-hopes-tap-younger-audience-x-games-icon


In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions. 


David Hill, Fox Sports chairman and CEO, complained that "the biggest problem facing NASCAR is that the young males have left the sport." He specifically pointed to the 18-34 male demographic, which is prized by advertisers.  In paragraph # 1, discuss why is this such a concern and  how will Travis Pastran's participation address this issue?  Be specific with your thoughts. 


In paragraph # 2, discuss why the 18-34 male demographic so important to advertisers?  Also, do you think the success of Pasatran determine how much he impacts the bottom line of NASCAR?  Why or why not?  Be specific with your thoughts.


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

Are you into basketball sneakers???

Check out this site!  Basketball shoe brand rankings by endorsers in the NBA.  All the brands are ranked and the players are listed along with the shoe styles they are wearing.

http://hoopshype.com/sneakers.htm

Enjoy!

Mr. B

SEM Blog Assignment # 2 (25 points)

VSU students compete in NASCAR competition

BY JACOB VAUGHAN

NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Talladega Superspeedway are characterized by the large-scale wrecks that seem to occur at every outing.  Commonly referred to as the "Big One," the pileups often change the complexion of the race by producing a new pack leader.

That is exactly what four enterprising students from Virginia State University are banking on.

Curtis Walker, Briana Williams, Nichelle Broner and Vincent Pierson are the first VSU participants of NASCAR Kinetics: Marketing in Motion - a competitive program that affords college students the opportunity to gain real-world sports marketing experience.

Read the rest of the article here:  http://progress-index.com/news/vsu-students-compete-in-nascar-competition-1.1060404

In paragraph # 1, discuss the importance of this type of experience and how it can help you break in to the sports business world.   Be specific with your thoughts.  In paragraph # 2, discuss how the Edison marketing program could partner with an area sports team or franchise to offer similar opportunities and experiences for your students.  Provide a short plan with ideas and potential outcomes.  Be specific with your thoughts.

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

Global Marketing Blog Assignment # 2 (25 points)

Windows Phone 7 touches down in America

(CNN) -- Stretch out those fingers, because a new breed of touch-screen smartphones hits the U.S. and Canada on Monday.

A pair of phones running the new Windows Phone 7 operating system marks a long overdue refocusing of Microsoft's mobile efforts.

For AT&T customers, Samsung Electronics released its Focus, which boasts a 4-inch, high-contrast screen for showing off Microsoft's revamped operating system.

The other newcomer is HTC's HD7, which has an even bigger screen and is showing up on T-Mobile USA's store shelves. Both models cost $200, with a two-year wireless contract.

Read the rest of the article here: 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/11/08/windows.phone.7/index.html

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions.  In paragraph # 1, discuss the consumer benefits of the Windows 7 phone.  Do you think these benefits would be different or the same in Europe and Asia when compared to North American consumers.  Why or why not?  Be specific with your thoughts.  In paragraph # 2, give your explanation of why the phones would be introduced in Europe and Asia before North America.  Also, if you were a representative for these phones traveling to Europe and Asia to meet with stores that would be potentially carrying these phones, what would be a few general things that you would need to be aware of prior to your meetings.  Hint.  Think Kiss Bow and Shake Hands. Be specific with your thoughts.

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

Global Marketing Blog Assignment # 1 (2nd quarter) (25 points)

TV Ads Shrink to Match Low Attention Spans

From Time.com (Business & Tech)

(NEW YORK) — And now, a word from our sponsors. A very brief word.
TV commercials are shrinking along with attention spans and advertising budgets. The 15-second ad is increasingly common, gradually supplanting the 30-second spot just as it knocked off the full-minute pitch decades ago.

For viewers, it means more commercials in a more rapid-fire format. For advertisers, shorter commercials are a way to save some money, and research shows they hold on to more eyeballs than the longer format.

"It used to be that the most valuable thing on the planet was time, and now the most valuable thing on the planet is attention," says John Greening, associate professor at Northwestern University's journalism school and a former executive vice president at ad agency DDB Chicago.

Continue to read the rest of the article here: 

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2027793,00.html

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions.  In paragraph # 1, from a television viewer's perspective, discuss your views of this popular trend of companies moving towards 15 second advertisements from previously longer 30 second advertisements.  What do you think of this trend?  Good or bad?  For who?  Why?  Be specific with your thoughts.

In paragraph # 2, discuss what industry (or industries) (i.e automotive, food, technology, fashion, entertainment, etc.) you feel can benefit the most from this new trend.  Why do you feel this way?  Be specific with your thoughts.

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

Edison DECA Has Big Day at Districts!

Congratulations to the following DECA members who participated in the District Leadership Conference on Monday, Nov. 1 and PLACED!

If a student placed **overall** they have earned a spot at States in March!

Apparel and Accessories:

Ruby Pan  placed 1^st in the test

Olivia Hansell place 1^st in Role Play 1, 3^rd in role play 2 and 3nd **overall.

Automotive Services:

Tariq Masoud placed 2^nd in the test

Business Services:

Betiel Mussie placed 2^nd in the test, 1^st in Role play 2, and 3^rd  **overall.

Hotel and Lodging:

Thang Dang placed 3^rd in the test

Quick Serve Restaurant Management:

Bob West placed 1^st on the test, 1^st in role play 1

Full Serve Restaurant:

Jwalita Veeramachaneni placed 1^st on the test and 3^rd **overall

Sports and Entertainment:

Dil Amerkhail placed 3^rd in role play 2

Principles of Business Management:

Andrew Chesley placed 1^st in the test, 1^st in the role play and 1^st **overall

Fundamentals for Job Interview:

Binetou Niang placed 1^st **overall

SEM Blog Assignment # 1 (2nd quarter) (25 points)

Early LeBron Shoe Sales Show Positive Trend

By: Darren Rovell
CNBC Sports Business Reporter

All the marketing polls reflect that LeBron James clearly hurt himself with the way "The Decision" went down in July. 

But business statistics don't lie.

An extensive survey of retailers by CNBC reflected that many considered the LeBron 8, which hit stores last week, a good sell. Another described sales as average, while one retailer said sales were miserable.

Matt Powell, analyst for SportsOneSource, a market retail tracking firm, said he spoke to three retailers who told him this was on pace to be their best-selling LeBron shoe yet. Powell also said that sales of NBA jerseys over the last four weeks are up more than 30 percent, thanks to people buying LeBron, Wade and Bosh jerseys.

Continue to read the rest of the article here:  http://www.cnbc.com/id/39967513

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions. 

The article discusses a few of the challenges the shoe has.  "Besides the criticism from "The Decision," the LeBron 8 had several obstacles entering the marketplace. One was clearly price. At $160, the shoe is one of the highest priced premium basketball shoes on the market.

Another concern is the weight of LeBron's shoe, which could be considered a turnoff as the focus moves to lighter weight shoes. While the shoe does feature Nike technology like Flywire and a full length air bag, it is heavier than other shoes that have hit shelves.

In paragraph # 1, discuss which one of these challenges you feel is the hardest to overcome and why?  Do you feel there are other challenges that are not mentioned in the article?  Be specific with your thoughts.  In paragraph # 2, talk about a shoe that has recently come out that you are really impressed with.  What makes it so impressive?  Do you own a pair?  What shoes does it compete with?  Be specific with your thoughts.

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