Tobacco Bill Gives FDA New Power
June 15, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
A tobacco bill nearly a decade in the making is heading to President Barack Obama’s desk after clearing its final hurdle today on Capitol Hill. The House passed a measure to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco, confirming the Senate’s decision Thursday.
Source: ABC News
Date: 6/12/2009
Keys: Government regulation, marketing
Link: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Health/story?id=7823890&page=1
Questions for discussion:
- Is this a good or bad decision for other businesses that might be considered causing harm to some people – such as candy manufacturers? Explain your answer.
- Is there a limit to government involvement regulating businesses?
- What is that limit and explain your decision?
Web Ads’ Contribution to U.S.: $300B and Gobs Of Jobs
June 15, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Online advertising contributes $300 billion to the U.S. economy, totaling 2.1 percent of the nation’s total gross domestic product, claims a study conducted by two Harvard Business School professors on behalf of the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
Source: Clickz.com
Date: 6/10/2009
Keys: Economy, marketing, Internet technology
Link: http://www.clickz.com/3634042
Questions for discussion:
- How has online advertising contributed to the growth of free email services such as Hotmail to social meeting sites such a MySpace and Face Book?
- Why is online advertising superior to other forms of advertising media such as television and radio?
- How does online advertising support the growth of content distribution such as music and print content?
Palm’s Hail Mary
June 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
The long-maligned smartphone maker tries to claw back with its new Palm Pre.
Source: CNNMoney – video report
Date: 6/03/2009
Keys: Marketing, new product development, competitive advantage
Link: http://money.cnn.com
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think the Palm Pre will be successful in the market competing against Apple’s iPhone and Research in Motion’s Blackberry brands? Why or why not?
- Which product features do you think present the greatest value to buyers?
- To which target market would you direct your Palm Pre marketing campaign? Explain your reasons?
- Do you think there might be too many choices for buyers to consider when selecting a smartphone? Explain your answer.
GM to sell Saturn to Penske
June 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Penske Automotive Group, owned by racecar legend Roger Penske, will buy GM’s castoff brand.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 6/05/2009
Keys: Finance, mergers and acquisitions, marketing
Link: http://money.cnn.com
Questions for discussion:
- Will the absence of any association between Saturn and GM be a positive or negative influence on Saturn? On GM? Explain your answer.
- Do you think Penske will be able to grow sales of Saturn after the brand is no longer associated with GM?
- How would you recommend Saturn differentiate its brand in the very crowded automobile market?
- Would you appeal to different buyers?
- Would you create any new models?
U.S. Job Losses Slow, Signaling Recession Is Abating
June 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
The U.S. lost fewer jobs than forecast in May, reinforcing signs that the deepest recession in half a century is starting to abate.
Source: Bloomberg News
Date: 6/05/2009
Keys: Economy, business cycle, economic indicators, employment
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSRonN0872Wg&refer=news
Questions for discussion:
- The economic indicators suggest that the recession is ending. Which businesses do you think will likely be first to re-hire employees as the economy begins to recover? Explain your answer.
- What you do think the employment prospects are likely to be in the auto and construction industries – two hard hit and large employers in the economy? Explain your thinking.
NBA Pushes Recording of Finals through TiVo Ads
June 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
The National Basketball Association this week will become the first professional sports league to market itself through TiVo’s interactive ad platform as it urges viewers to record — and hopefully watch — the finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic.
Source: Clickz.com
Date: 6/05/2009
Keys: Marketing, brands, internet technology
Link: http://www.clickz.com/3633995
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think this example of co-operative marketing is a good idea for these two firms? Why or why not?
- Can you think of any more collaborative marketing efforts that either the NBA or TiVo might consider with others? Explain your suggestions.
Why AmEx laid off workers
June 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
CEO Ken Chenault says his company did not cut employees to increase short-term profits.
Source: CNNMoney – video report
Date: 5/28/2009
Keys: Management, leadership, HR
Link: http://money.cnn.com
Questions for discussion:
- Reducing payroll costs is a quick way to improve profitability. What do you think about Ken Chaenault ‘s explanation for layoffs at AmEx?
- Do you think AmEx employees would consider him a good leader and manager of the firm? Explain your thinking.
Is a commercial real estate bust inevitable?
June 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
The government hopes to restore lending via cheap financing. Skeptics say programs aimed at restarting the market haven’t worked yet.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 5/28/2009
Keys: Finance, real estate industry
Link: http://money.cnn.com
Questions for discussion:
- This article highlights the critical importance of making available funds to finance commercial real estate and the viability of the industry. Why might lenders be concerned about extending funds to some potential borrowers?
- Explain your answer.
AOL Is Worth Half of Facebook, 5% of Google as Merger Is Undone
June 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
AOL, eight years after the Internet service linked up with Time Warner Inc. in a $124 billion merger, is now worth half as much as Facebook Inc. and less than 5 percent of Google Inc.
Source: Bloomberg News
Date: 5/28/2009
Keys: Mergers, stock market, marketing
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com
Questions for discussion:
- Stocks are worth what someone is willing to pay for them. But this is based on expected revenues and profits generated by the enterprise. Given this information, explain why AOL is now considered to be worth so much less than when the merger with Time Warner was announced in 2001?
- Can you think of any new ways for AOL to capitalize on its brand name and customer base and create additional revenues?
Microsoft Unveils Bing, New Search Brand
June 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today drew back the curtain on the new incarnation of Live Search: Bing.
Source: Clickz.com
Date: 5/28/2009
Keys: Marketing, brands, internet technology
Link: http://www.clickz.com/3633901
Questions for discussion:
- Take a look at the website referred to in the article for more information about Bling. Do you think Bling will do well against its competitors? Explain your answer.
- Explain why it might be difficult for Bling to attract users.
- How would you market Bling?
