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 »
Posts Tagged: Customer-Driven Marketing (p388)
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 »
AOL Chief Takes Apple Turnaround as Model to Revive Ad Sales
Description: AOL Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Armstrong is on a mission to show that the company isn’t some dot-com has-been selling Web access and e-mail. It’s a digital- media company with 80 Web sites churning out everything from personal finance advice to bedroom tips for women. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 12/04/2009 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aWVBISfvb7rM&pos=12 Questions for… Read more »
How to sell 300,000 lbs of turkey
Description:  Whole Foods uses the Internet and aggressive in-store displays to sell thousands of turkeys in its Northeast stores.  Embedded video from CNNMoney.com Video Date: 11/24/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/11/24/n_whole_foods_turkeys.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the special distribution strategies followed by the retailer to meet the demand at this time of year. How important do you think this… Read more »
Early shopping tally: Some gems, some coal
Description: Store sales up only slightly from last year, according to tracking firm. But signs of strength seen at some merchants, in West and online. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/28/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/28/news/economy/holiday_shopping_saturday/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the thinking about expected holiday shopping behaviour this year. Do you think this will be an exceptional shopping season in comparison to… Read more »
Thanksgiving Day a boon for online shopping
Description: Consumers found time this U.S. Thanksgiving Day to squeeze in a lot more holiday shopping online, in between spending time with family, watching football and feasting on turkey. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/27/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2743536720091127 Questions for discussion: Why can online retailing be of particular advantage to both consumers and retailers at this time of… Read more »
