The worst U.S. economic slump since the Great Depression abated in the second quarter as government spending programs started to kick in, while the sharpest pullback by consumers since 1980 augured a muted recovery. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 8/01/2009 Keys: Economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aRV7ZR6CGNQY Questions for discussion: Do you believe the economy will… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Google pushes for new law on orphan books
If those organizations attacking Google’s book search settlement with publishers spent as much time lobbying Congress for better laws concerning those issues, perhaps the controversy would go away, Google’s chief Book Search engineer suggested Thursday night. Source: CNET News Date: 7/31/2009 Keys: Law, marketing, consumer behavior, technologies Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10300887-93.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0 Questions for discussion: Do you think… Read more »
The biz of social networking
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
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 »
Helping cities prepare for electric cars
When President Obama said that he wanted to put 1 million plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road by 2015, it sounded good to many people worried about the effects of fossil fuels. But when you consider that there are currently about 230 million vehicles on the road in the United States alone, you realize that… Read more »
Sales Fail to Keep Pace With Profits as Economy Stays Sluggish
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
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
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 marketâ€Â? Explain your thinking. Given… Read more »
Dell poised to benefit most from PC market recovery
All signs are pointing to an improved PC market that will start to materialize later this year and really regain ground next year. Dell, the PC maker that’s arguably been battered most by the downturn, also stands to make the greatest gains when the seas begin to calm. Source: CNET News Date: 7/15/2009 Keys: Marketing,… Read more »
Future of Newspapers: Profitless? Go Wireless
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 »
