Stan Lee: The superhero has gone global
June 9, 2014 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Comic creator Stan Lee discusses how the media of superheroes has changed and what makes a popular hero resonate with people around the world.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: June 02, 2014
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/media/2014/06/02/stan-lee-global-superhero-marvel.cnnmoney/index.html
Questions for Discussions:
- What is the formula for success at Marvel, according to Stan Lee?
- How has Marvel been able to globalize their characters?
- Are there any risks associated with a global product and story line?
Investors like Amazon 3D phone chatter
June 9, 2014 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: The only thing cooler than a 3D phone? A drone delivering it to you. Amazon stock enjoyed a nice pop after announcing (via YouTube) that it will unveil a new product — likely a 3D phone — on June 18.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: June 06, 2014
Questions for Discussions:
- Summarize the reasons provided in this report for Amazon stock price moves.
- Do you think Amazon stock is over-valued?
The Collateral Damage of NYC’s Bike Share Program: Bike Shops
June 9, 2014 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Charlie McCorkell supported New York’s Citi Bike program from the beginning, as one of the bicycle-sharing network’s founding members. But he’s also the owner of several local bike shops. This presents a problem.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: June 05, 2014
Questions for Discussions:
- How has the introduction of bike-sharing impacted small business bike shops?
- Explain the responses in the marketplace in terms of supply and demand forces.
- What is your forecast for these two business sectors of the biking industry?
- How should store managers respond?
Solar Roadways funding nears $2 million
Description: In the United States alone, there are roughly 4 million miles of roads. What if, instead of becoming lined with potholes, those roadways were generating solar energy under our wheels? What if the 4,360 square miles of surface parking lots in the United States could also be put to good use collecting solar energy? It’s a compelling idea and one that’s quickly catching on.
Source: SmartPlanet.com – video report
Date: June 06, 2014
Questions for Discussions:
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing this product as road surface?
- Do you think this product will succeed?
- What are the obstacles the firm will have to surpass?
A Growing Challenge for Germans Who Live by Bread Alone
Description: SCHOPFHEIM, Germany — On Sunday mornings, the line at the backdoor of Fritz Trefzger’s bakery snakes through the courtyard as customers wait for their chance to step into the inner sanctum of his kitchen.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: June 03, 2014
Questions for discussion:
- What does this article say about small business and changing social behaviors?
- Do you think that Fritz Trefzger’s approach to confronting competition will grow in popularity?
Abercrombie makes losing money stylish
June 2, 2014 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Controversial retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is not doing well. It’s losing money and sales are declining. But it didn’t do as badly as Wall Street expected. So the stock is surging. That’s silly.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: May 29, 2014
Questions for Discussions:
- Why is the stock rebounding?
- Do you think it is a good buy today?
The Derelict Car is a $1m Modern Ride in Desguise
Description: Classic-car restorer Jonathan Ward kept hearing the same thing from customers: Can’t we get the vintage look without the vintage technology? So he founded Icon, a Chatsworth, CA–based company whose cars appear vintage but they are decked out with the latest engines, brakes, interiors and sound and navigation systems. Bloomberg heads to Icon’s shop to see how it’s done. (Source: Bloomberg)
Source: Bloomberg.com – video report
Date: May 29, 2014
Questions for Discussions:
- Who do you think the target market is for this sort of car?
- How would you go about marketing these cars?
Look out Lululemon, this exploding Australian fitness brand aims to eat your lunch
June 2, 2014 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: An activewear brand with a cult following in Australia is planning a massive global expansion in the U.S., Asia and Europe.
Source: NationalPost.com
Date: May 29, 2014
Questions for Discussions:
- How does this report reflect growing globalization and international business?
- How should managers approach the challenge?
- Does the home country of a brand help or hurt international marketing efforts in this case?
Effective Marketing Critical for US Telecoms to Remain Relevant
June 2, 2014 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: The telecom industry is the fourth-largest spender on digital advertising in the US after the retail, financial services and automotive sectors. Despite telecom’s size, eMarketer expects the industry to lag almost all other US verticals in digital ad spending growth, according to a new report, “The US Telecom Industry 2014: Digital Ad Spending Forecast and Trends,” part of our new report series, “2014 Digital Ad Spending Benchmarks by Industry.”
Source: eMarketer.com
Date: May 29, 2014
Questions for Discussions:
- What does this report say about the direction of online advertising and the behaviors of major players?
- How does this reflect consumer behaviors?
Top 5 reasons why your CEO just got a big fat raise… and 5 reasons why you didn’t
Description: WASHINGTON — Pay for globe-trotting CEOs has soared to new heights, even as most workers remain grounded by paychecks that are barely budging.
Source: NationalPost.com
Date: May 27, 2014
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the overall explanation provided in this report for the wide gap in pay.
- Do you agree?
- Should anything be done about the gap?
- How do you think this situation affects motivation of those directly employed?
