Monday, April 25, 2011

Marketing 1 Blog Assignment # 3 (25 points)

Restaurant chains prepare for new menu-labeling rules

by Angelique Soenarie - Apr. 17, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

A new federal law will soon make American diners far more aware of just what they are eating - but it might not change what they order.

The law will force chain restaurants to disclose the amount of calories, fat and sodium in diners' favorite dishes. Many restaurants are already preparing for the changes, calculating calories in their meals, adjusting recipes and adding healthier choices.

At the same time, experts are divided over whether the new information will shock people into ordering protein-packed salmon instead of calorie- and fat-laden fettuccine Alfredo, or if it's just more meddling by the federal government that takes the pleasure out of eating.

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/04/17/20110417federal-menu-labeling-standard-restaurants-obesity.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 is the most significant and why? Be specific with your thoughts. Imagine being the owner of a restaurant or a restaurant chain. In paragraph # 2, discuss 2 marketing activities you would do for your restaurant in order to let people know about the changes. Be specific with your thoughts.

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

SEM Blog Assignment # 3 (25 points)

Marketing Strategy That Gave Birth to America's #1 Favorite Sports Mascot

Author: Sandy Miller
Technorati.com

Businesses will put together a host of strategies to build their brand and to find ways to interact with their consumers. These marketing plans can be extremely expensive and have to be modified as consumers constantly look for new and different things to keep their interest.

One organization that has had success beyond anything they could have imagined is the Philadelphia Phillies. In the late 1970s they decided to add a mascot to the team. The San Diego Chicken had debuted a few years earlier and the Phillies were looking for their own fun way to interact with fans. On paper the Phanatic was part of the Phillies marketing strategy.

Since his debut he has been a huge hit with fans in Philly. He is so much more than part of the team's marketing plans. He has his own place in the heart of the city.

Read more: http://technorati.com/business/article/marketing-strategy-that-gave-birth-to/#ixzz1KXp4dhs5

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions. In paragraph # 1, put together your very own 3 point plan for marketing the Philly Phanatic. What are 3 marketing activities you would focus on and explain each. Be specific with your thoughts. In paragraph # 2, write your thoughts on team mascots in general. Do you think they add value to an organization? Why or why not? How important are they to selling tickets? Why? What is your favorite team mascot and why? Be specific with your thoughts.

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

ASEM Blog Assignment # 3 (25 points)

New-ish X-Men: First Class Trailer Continues The Confusing Marketing Campaign

Author: Katey Rich
CinemaBlend.com

I'm almost to the point of believing that the marketing for X-Men: First Class is some kind of bizarre joke. The terrible, absurd-looking posters have been one thing-- hey, not everybody learns how not to abuse Photoshop-- but what really seems ridiculous is the amount of trailers that just find their way online without any fanfare, nearly all of them featuring new footage that seems to be slapped in at random. Every trailer has followed the same basic structure, introducing us to Erik and Xavier as young men and showing flashes of action scenes, and are so alike that you'd think there's nothing new to see. Except then, about a minute in, there's some awesome new shot of someone in a yellow suit jumping out of a plane, and you realize someone has gone to the work of cutting a new trailer, only to have the video show up online without any announcement or warning.

Read the rest of the article and watch the movie trailer here:

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/New-ish-X-Men-First-Class-Trailer-Continues-The-Confusing-Marketing-Campaign-24286.html

In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions. In paragraph # 1, summarize the author's view of the movie's advertising campaign in 3 main points. What do you feel is the author's strongest point in her article? Be specific with your thoughts. In paragraph # 2, write your opinions of the marketing campaign. Do you feel it's confusing? Why or why not? What do you think the movie company could do differently in their marketing campaign to make the advertising message more clear and meaningful to the potential customer? Be specific with your thoughts.

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

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.