Description: Burger King Corp. said Friday it plans to open a Whopper Bar in the South Beach area of Miami next month. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/23/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/22/news/companies/burger_king_whopper_bar/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you think this is a good strategy for Burger King? What are the possible problems that can emerge?
Posts Categorized: Part 4: Marketing Management
Tablet launch, earnings mean big week for Apple
Description: Few events can steal the thunder from an Apple Inc quarterly earnings day — an Apple product launch is one of them. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/22/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L43Y20100122 Questions for discussion: Examine the news this week about Apple and report the reaction by consumers and investors?  How did Apple stock perform in the stock market?
NBC’s late night mess
Description:  Fortune editors say the bungling of the Jay Leno – Conan O’Brien dustup is the latest in a series of network missteps. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/13/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/01/13/f_sl_nbc_leno_conan.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think Leno’s show failed to generate audience ratings? What would you do with these entertainers in… Read more »
Chrysler buys 60-second Super Bowl ad
Description: Chrysler will be the only U.S. automaker to advertise in this year’s Super Bowl, forking over millions of dollars to restore its image following its bankruptcy and the federal bailout that followed. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/14/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/14/news/companies/chrysler_super_bowl_ad/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you think Chrysler is making a wise decision? Explain your answer. How… Read more »
Verizon, AT&T cut fees, expand price war
Description: The two largest U.S. wireless carriers, Verizon and AT&T, cut their rates on Friday, escalating a price war that began with smaller carriers. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/15/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1514325020100115 Questions for discussion: Do you think these price cuts will bring in more total revenue for these firms? Explain your thinking. What do you think… Read more »
Avatar’ Is Top Film, Nears $1 Billion Sales Mark
Description: “Avatar,†the futuristic 3-D adventure, was the top film in the U.S. and Canada for the third straight weekend with $68.3 million in sales, and will cross the $1 billion mark in domestic and international receipts today. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/03/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aiMQc2VTfFE0 Questions for discussion: Why do you think some films become such… Read more »
Microsoft Needs a Swift Kick in the Boot-Up: Rich Jaroslovsky
 Description: It took about 20 years before television viewers no longer had to wait for their sets to warm up. Yet here we are, 30-plus years into the personal computer era, and the instant-on PC remains elusive. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/02/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=aZ.Y_dCigYME Questions for discussion: Do you think “instant-on†technology is an important consideration… Read more »
Chrysler, GM dealers ready to fight for resurrection
Description: The auto giants plan to field appeals from nearly 2,000 dealerships they shuttered. They’re going to get an earful. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 12/11/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/11/smallbusiness/small_business_auto_dealers/index.htm Questions for discussion: What are some pros and cons related to the reduction of the distribution network of franchises? Other than closing, are there any strategic alternatives for these… Read more »
Google wants to sell books to Kindle owners too
Description: Search giant Google, which is making forays into the book world, would happily sell books to readers who own Kindles or other e-readers, said Google Books engineering director Dan Clancy on Friday. Source: Reuters.com Date: 12/11/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BB0DH20091212 Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons why collaboration with Google would make sense for Amazon and… Read more »
Saks faces dilemma as luxury shoppers stay AWOL
Description: Struggling with slumping sales for the past two years, luxury department store operator Saks Inc is beefing up its less expensive offerings at the risk of diluting its brand. Source: Reuters.com Date: 12/06/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B51AA20091206 Questions for discussion: Do you believe these changes will damage the brand and the overall image of the firm?… Read more »
