Description:  Hollywood’s formula for freshening up old cartoon characters like Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Smurfs goes something like this: Reformulate them in 3-D, give them a skateboard and sunglasses, add some dance moves and inundate children and their nostalgic parents with advertising. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 07/14/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/business/media/disney-returns-to-the-original-winnie-the-pooh.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Describe the… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 4: Marketing Management
Murdoch’s Mess
Description: News Corp.’s British newspapers have put the future of Rupert Murdoch’s empire in question Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/14/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/murdochs-mess-07142011.html?chan=magazine+channel_top+stories Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What are the ethical issues here? How should government respond to this situation?
Is Tiger Woods running out of money?
Description: With only a few endorsement deals left, a recent divorce settlement, a hefty house mortgage, and even a pay cut from Nike, Tiger Woods’ lifestyle is looking a lot less glamorous. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 07/015/2011 Link: http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/15/is-tiger-woods-running-out-of-money/ Questions for discussion: How does Tiger Woods generate revenue? Is the title of this article misleading,… Read more »
Facebook teams with Skype
Description: The social network giant has built video chat capabilities via Skype into its instant messaging platform. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/06/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/07/06/t-tt-facebook-video-chat.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Do you believe this collaboration will shut competitors out of this service? How can these firms monetize this service? How would you respond if you were… Read more »
Turning an American classic on its head
Description: Meet one ‘food truck without wheels’ in East Atlanta, Ga., that is a unique twist on the familiar American hot dog stand: this one only sells chicken sausage. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/08/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2011/07/08/smb_delias_sausage.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the success of this business. What other start-ups might work… Read more »
Cameron Orders Two Inquiries Into Hacking Scandal as Former Aide Is Arrested
Description: The British police on Friday arrested a former editor of The News of the World who is also a former senior aide to Prime Minister David Cameron, and rearrested the newspaper’s former royal editor. The arrests deepened the crisis swirling around Rupert Murdoch’s media empire in Britain over allegations of phone hacking and corruption…. Read more »
Sniping at Charges for Swiping Debt Cards
Description: Both merchants and banks balk at a Federal Reserve compromise on fees that businesses pay financial institutions Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/sniping-at-charges-for-swiping-debt-cards-07072011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. Do you agree or disagree with the decision? Who should set price for these services? What are the consequences… Read more »
Terrafugia Triumph: At Long Last, Here Come the Flying Cars
Description: Sure, video chat on Facebook is important, but what will really let us know the future has arrived are the flying cars. I’m totally serious. And it’s about to happen. Massachusetts startup Terrafugia is cleaning the final hurdles to getting its $250,000 flying car in the skies  and on the roads. Source: BNET.com… Read more »
Meet the world’s last pinball maker
Description: Stern pinball – the last pinball manufacturer in the world – has found its key to success is to make machines featuring popular brands and names. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/01/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/06/30/t-tt-stern-pinball.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why is there only one remaining producer of this device? What does this say about the… Read more »
BlackBerry maker’s struggles
Description: Shares of BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion are down 50% from the start of the year, largely due to disappointing smartphone and tablet sales. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/01/2011 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the demise of company’s share value. Given that the product sells well outside of North America, what… Read more »