The biz of social networking

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Fortune’s Jon Fortt and Michael Copeland chat with LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman about the Web’s future. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 7/24/2009 Keys: Marketing, management, segmentation, positioning, consumer behavior, new product development Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2009/07/24/tm_reed_hoffman_linkedin.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Describe the segment of the market that LinkedIn is directed towards? Are you currently a part of… Read more »

Get ready for banking’s next headache

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment.

A weak economy and frozen financing markets could spell trouble for regional banks with big commercial loan portfolios. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 7/24/2009 Keys: Finance, economy, investing Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/banks.commercial.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009072416 Questions for discussion: Banks reflect the local economic conditions that exist by way of the current state of their loans to businesses and consumers.  Summarize the reasons… Read more »

Sales Fail to Keep Pace With Profits as Economy Stays Sluggish

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment.

Sales growth lagged behind profits as companies in the Standard & Poors’ 500 Index beat analysts’ estimates this week, a signal that economic recovery may be slow. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 7/25/2009 Keys: Economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a8SqhtHkyfL4 Questions for discussion: Explain what the article says about the relationship between sales revenues and profits…. Read more »

Google, Microsoft turf war

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Microsoft announces a foray into online office apps, while Google unveils plans for a netbook OS. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 7/17/2009 Keys: Marketing, market share, brand, consumer behavior, new product development Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2009/07/17/f_tm_microsoft_vs_google.fortune/   Questions for discussion:  Summarize the key arguments favoring Google and those favorng Microsoft winning this battle for market… Read more »

Privileged teens and their digital toys

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Why the Kids of NYC Prep brandish BlackBlackberrys.   Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 7/17/2009 Keys: Marketing, target market, branding, re-positioning, consumer behavior, new product development Link:  http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/17/privileged-teens-and-their-digital-toys/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for Blackberry’s success among teens. Which reason provides the greatest explanation for the popularity among this “target market”? Explain your thinking. Given… Read more »

Future of Newspapers: Profitless? Go Wireless

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It’s undeniable that the going rate for information on the internet is “free.” That’s meant big trouble for newspapers, which have seen nearly all of their traditional roles usurped by better, faster, free online services over the past few years. Source: Wired.com Date: 7/14/2009 Keys: Advertising, Internet technology Link: http://www.wired.com/dualperspectives/article/news/2009/07/dp_newspaper_wired0714   Questions for discussion: Summarize… Read more »

Sci Fi becomes Syfy

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Science Fiction Cable TV network undergoes an overhaul, changing its brand image and name. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 7/06/2009 Keys: Marketing, target market, branding, re-positioning, consumer behavior, new product development Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/07/06/f_scifi_rebrand_syfy.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Who do you think is the target market for this firm today? Do you think the target… Read more »

Marketers to Cut U.S. Social Network Ad Spend in ’09

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EMarketer has sharply lowered its outlook for ad spending on social networks in this country. A new report from the researcher finds such expenditures will fall 3 percent to $1.1 billion this year as marketers continue their retrenchment in the poor economy. Source: Clickz.com Date: 7/09/2009 Keys: Advertising, Internet technology Link: http://www.clickz.com/3634342 Questions for discussion:… Read more »