The Business Of Lin

Description:  From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last?

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/17/2012

Linkhttp://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report.
  • Do you think this phenomenon can last?
  • What strategic plans would you recommend to the various businesses mentioned?
  • What should they be concerned with?

Is Boeing 787 Really a Dreamliner?

Description:  The Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” was billed as a revolution for travelers, offering a more humid, comfortable cabin and lighting that would lessen fatigue, dry eyes and jet lag. Scott McCartney on Lunch Break looks at the validity of those claims.

Source: Moneywatch.com – video report

Date: 02/15/2012

Link:   http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/is-boeing-787-really-a-dreamliner/CC9F10E4-0EE5-4F2D-A2C2-62B6C6D49DDB

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the important selling features to managers of airlines buying these planes?
  • What are the features that would be important to passengers?

Google’s Bid to Be Everything to Everyone

Description:  A rumored audio device and new testing facilities hint at the search giant’s hardware ambitions

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 02/16/2012

Linkhttp://www.businessweek.com/magazine/googles-bid-to-be-everything-to-everyone-02162012.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Highlight Google’s strategic planning described in this report.
  • Do you think they will be successful with this approach?
  • Who would be Google’s competitors in the future if this approach is launched?
  • How would you expect competitors to respond?

How Millennial Men React to Mobile Ads

Description:  eMarketer estimates that the number of US smartphone users will rise 44% this year to over 106 million. And as these users continue to do more activities on their phones, their likelihood of exposure to mobile advertising becomes assured.

Source:  eMarketer.com

Date: 02/13/2012

Linkhttp://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008834&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this research suggest to marketing managers, from a strategic planning point of view?
  • Do you think this phenomenon will affect overall advertising planning in the future?

Japan’s geezers turned gamers

Description:  Japan a nation known for its aging population, arcades have become popular with Japan’s elderly, prompting some to even host ‘senior nights.’

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/08/2012

Linkhttp://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/08/n_japanese_geezer_games.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • How have demographic changes in Japan affected business?
  • What are some ideas you would suggest to the management of malls and game developers?

Sell more stuff by giving it away

Description:  (MoneyWatch)  COMMENTARY We’re all in business to sell something, but sometimes one of the best ways to do that is to give it away. For some owners, that tactic’s anathema — “I’m in business to sell, not to give” — but their attitude is short-sighted.

Source: MoneyWatch.com

Date: 02/07/2012

Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-57371972/sell-more-stuff-by-giving-it-away/?tag=nl.e857

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you agree with these marketing suggestions?
  • Using an example of a business you are familiar with, list two “give-away” strategies and how the firm would recoup the costs.

Tesla’s Model X: Finally, an electric car we all want

Description:   Commentary Tesla Motors is helping destroy the notion that electric vehicles are green cars with unfortunate compromises.

Source:  CNET.com

Date: 02/10/2012

Linkhttp://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57374536-76/teslas-model-x-finally-an-electric-car-we-all-want/

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think this vehicle is “what we all want”?
  • How should the industry market the concept?

How Zuckerberg changed the game

Description:  Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg grew the college dorm room startup to a global tech giant with more users than most countries’ populations.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/03/2012

Link:   http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/02/f_game_changers_facebook.fortune/

Questions for discussion:

  • Who is Mark Zukerberg?
  • Do you think his engineering background affected the way he managed the development of the company?

Super Bowl ads are GoDaddy’s domain

Description:  The web hosting company has seen its market share increase exponentially since its first Super Bowl ad in 2005.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/02/2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/01/t-bcos-godaddy-superbowl-ad.fortune/

Questions for discussion:

  • Why has GoDaddy been so successful using Super Bowl advertising?
  • Who is the target market?
  • What are the pros and cons of managing your own advertising production studios?

The $1.6 Billion Woman, Staying on Message

Description:  SEVENTY-TWO hours before Facebook’s big moment, Sheryl K. Sandberg was half a world away, hobnobbing with the likes of Bill Gates and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Source:  NYTimes.com

Date: 02/03/2012

Link:   http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/business/sheryl-sandberg-of-facebook-staying-on-message.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • How would you describe Sheryl Sandberg?
  • Do you think her gender has helped, hurt, or made no difference in her success?

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