Description: Shares of the motorcycle-maker jump to their highest level in 3 months after analysts predict improving sales. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 04/06/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/04/06/mkts_harley_davidson_motorcycle.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain the connections between Harley’s marketing success and its stock market valuation? Why do you suppose Harley’s sales have improved? Who do you think… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Customer-Driven Marketing (p388)
Consumers in U.S. Face the End of an Era of Cheap Credit
Description: Even as prospects for the American economy brighten, consumers are about to face a new financial burden: a sustained period of rising interest rates. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/10/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/business/economy/11rates.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the predictions made in this report. What affect they are expected to have on consumer spending. Do you agree with… Read more »
iPad searches for a use
Description: Apple loyalists are clamoring for their iPads, but it’s unclear how normal users will take to the tablet. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 04/02/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/04/01/tm_apple_ipad_sale.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Do you think the market for iPad is as big as the one for iPhone? Are both products targeting the same customer? Do… Read more »
Nike jumps to record high as results promise strong demand
Description: Shares of Nike Inc. jumped to an all-time high Thursday after the No. 1 athletic-shoe company reported unexpectedly strong profits and product orders for its fiscal third quarter, driven by improved demand in Western Europe and China. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 03/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nike-jumps-after-results-promise-continued-demand-2010-03-18 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the growth in… Read more »
Rampaging Toyotas obscure highway safety strides
Description: For drivers living in fear of the rabid Toyotas prowling America’s roadways, the horse-and-buggy era is looking pretty good. But, in reality, there has never been a safer time to get behind the wheel. According to data released Thursday from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the fatality rate on the nation’s roads fell in… Read more »
Online video saves business big bucks
Description: Web-conferencing software and cheap digital video cameras are reducing the need for costly business travel. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 03/04/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/03/04/tm_video_conference.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented favouring the growth of online video. What are the reasons for consumer use of online video? How does this compare to business… Read more »
A fresh (and cheap!) sound for TV soundtracks
Description: Like many aspiring rock stars, Jared Gutstadt, 32, used to split his life in half. He held down a day job editing television shows for clients like Disney, MTV and VH1. He kept his nights free for what he really wanted to do: make music. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 03/02/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/smallbusiness/jingle_punks/index.htm Questions for… Read more »
Getting Older Without Getting Old
Description: FACEBOOK now has more than 400 million active users, up from only 50 million as recently as 2007. If social networking still resembled a young, hip downtown nightclub scene  one day a site is hot, the next it’s not  we might expect the crowds to decamp soon. Facebook would become another Friendster,… Read more »
Is Dell salvageable?
Description: Computer maker’s shares fall more than 5% after the company reports a drop in fiscal fourth-quarter earnings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/02/23/f_tm_dell_hp.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Why is Dell’s stock value falling? What would management have to do in order to improve profits? Is Dell a good candidate for merger… Read more »
Wall Street sours on Palm as smartphone sales stall
Description: Analysts say wireless-device maker has few options; few see buyout as likely. Source: Marketwatch – video report  Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/palms-survival-at-stake-if-smartphones-dont-sell-2010-02-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Do you think investors have properly valued Palm in the past or presently? On what basis would you set a stock value for the firm? Is there a marketing… Read more »
