Palm’s Hail Mary

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The long-maligned smartphone maker tries to claw back with its new Palm Pre.

Source: CNNMoney – video report

Date: 6/03/2009

Keys: Marketing, new product development, competitive advantage

Link: http://money.cnn.com

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think the Palm Pre will be successful in the market competing against Apple’s iPhone and Research in Motion’s Blackberry brands? Why or why not?
  • Which product features do you think present the greatest value to buyers?
  • To which target market would you direct your Palm Pre marketing campaign? Explain your reasons?
  • Do you think there might be too many choices for buyers to consider when selecting a smartphone? Explain your answer.

GM to sell Saturn to Penske

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Penske Automotive Group, owned by racecar legend Roger Penske, will buy GM’s castoff brand.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 6/05/2009

Keys: Finance, mergers and acquisitions, marketing

Link: http://money.cnn.com

Questions for discussion:

  • Will the absence of any association between Saturn and GM be a positive or negative influence on Saturn? On GM? Explain your answer.
  • Do you think Penske will be able to grow sales of Saturn after the brand is no longer associated with GM?
  • How would you recommend Saturn differentiate its brand in the very crowded automobile market?
  • Would you appeal to different buyers?
  • Would you create any new models?

U.S. Job Losses Slow, Signaling Recession Is Abating

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The U.S. lost fewer jobs than forecast in May, reinforcing signs that the deepest recession in half a century is starting to abate.

Source: Bloomberg  News

Date: 6/05/2009

Keys: Economy, business cycle, economic indicators, employment

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSRonN0872Wg&refer=news

Questions for discussion:

  • The economic indicators suggest that the recession is ending. Which businesses do you think will likely be first to re-hire employees as the economy begins to recover? Explain your answer.
  • What you do think the employment prospects are likely to be in the auto and construction industries – two hard hit and large employers in the economy? Explain your thinking.

NBA Pushes Recording of Finals through TiVo Ads

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The National Basketball Association this week will become the first professional sports league to market itself through TiVo’s interactive ad platform as it urges viewers to record — and hopefully watch — the finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic.

Source: Clickz.com

Date: 6/05/2009

Keys: Marketing, brands, internet technology

Link: http://www.clickz.com/3633995

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think this example of co-operative marketing is a good idea for these two firms? Why or why not?
  • Can you think of any more collaborative marketing efforts that either the NBA or TiVo might consider with others? Explain your suggestions.

Why AmEx laid off workers

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CEO Ken Chenault says his company did not cut employees to increase short-term profits.

Source: CNNMoney – video report

Date: 5/28/2009

Keys: Management, leadership, HR

Link: http://money.cnn.com

Questions for discussion:

  • Reducing payroll costs is a quick way to improve profitability. What do you think about Ken Chaenault ‘s explanation for layoffs at AmEx?
  • Do you think AmEx employees would consider him a good leader and manager of the firm? Explain your thinking.

Is a commercial real estate bust inevitable?

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The government hopes to restore lending via cheap financing. Skeptics say programs aimed at restarting the market haven’t worked yet.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 5/28/2009

Keys: Finance, real estate industry

Link: http://money.cnn.com

Questions for discussion:

  • This article highlights the critical importance of  making available funds to finance commercial real estate and the viability of the industry. Why might lenders be concerned about extending funds to some potential borrowers?
  • Explain your answer.

AOL Is Worth Half of Facebook, 5% of Google as Merger Is Undone

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AOL, eight years after the Internet service linked up with Time Warner Inc. in a $124 billion merger, is now worth half as much as Facebook Inc. and less than 5 percent of Google Inc.

Source: Bloomberg  News

Date: 5/28/2009

Keys: Mergers, stock market, marketing

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com

Questions for discussion:

  • Stocks are worth what someone is willing to pay for them. But this is based on expected revenues and profits generated by the enterprise. Given this information, explain why AOL is now considered to be worth so much less than when the merger with Time Warner was announced in 2001?
  • Can you think of any new ways for AOL to capitalize on its brand name and customer base and create additional revenues?

Microsoft Unveils Bing, New Search Brand

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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today drew back the curtain on the new incarnation of Live Search: Bing.

Source: Clickz.com

Date: 5/28/2009

Keys: Marketing, brands, internet technology

Link: http://www.clickz.com/3633901

Questions for discussion:

  • Take a look at the website referred to in the article for more information about Bling. Do you think Bling will do well against its competitors? Explain your answer.
  • Explain why it might be difficult for Bling to attract users.
  • How would you market Bling?

Designing electric cars

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Cutting out the combustion engine could mean a whole new world for car design.
Source: CNNMoney Reports – video report
Date: 5/15/2009

Keys: Marketing, new product development

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/05/15/news.energyfix.051509.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think that the cars described in this report will be well received by American buyers? Explain your answer.
  • What would you do to enhance the design appeal of the next generation of energy efficient cars?

Oil hovers above $60

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Price of crude fluctuates as the dollar weakens and a report shows China’s demand for energy recovering.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 5/22/2009

Keys: Economics, stock markets, GDP

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/22/markets/oil/index.htm?postversion=2009052210

Questions for discussion:

  • Why does the price of oil affect the economy as much as it does?
  • If oil prices are rising, why can that be interpreted as “a good thing”?
  • How can oil prices influence some car buyers?