Description: The movie rental company has focused on cheaper, older films for its streaming catalog to keep costs down. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/29/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/01/28/tm_netflix_new_releases_expensive.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Who is the target market for this firm? Do you think the firm has a sustainable business model? How do you think this market… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Product and Distribution Strategies (p386)
Your private data pays for ‘free’ Facebook and Google
Description: “The cost of reading the New York Times for free is being tracked. The cost of being on Facebook is being data-mined,” Peter Eckersley, a senior staff technologist for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said Friday at a panel discussion on the intersection of technology and privacy. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 01/28/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/28/technology/google_data_privacy_day/index.htm Questions… Read more »
Larry Page: Ready to run Google?
Description: Eric Schmidt steps down after 10 years at the helm of Google, and the search giant names co-founder Larry Page as the new CEO. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/20/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/01/20/t_google_ceo_schmidt.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Do you think Google will be better managed now than it was before? Why do you suppose there… Read more »
Skype CEO: Only 6% of users pay
Description: Despite a small base of paying users, the VOIP and video chat service is still profitable. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/14/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/01/13/t_connected_skype.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Explain why Skype dominates this marketplace? How is Skype able to be sustainable when only 6% of users pay anything for services? How can Skype convert… Read more »
Wikipedia, 10 years old, targets India
Description: With China virtually cut off and Western markets maturing, Wikipedia is targeting India first and possibly Brazil next to reach its goal of 1 billion users, Executive Director Sue Gardner says. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/12/2011 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70B6DP20110112 Questions for discussion: Explain why Wikipedia’s user base has grown so rapidly. Do you believe this rate… Read more »
P&G’s push into rural China
Description: Procter & Gamble launches its ‘$2 a Day’ project, hoping to serve poor people in the emerging market. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/06/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/01/06/n_proctor_and_gamble_two_dollar_a_day_consumer.fortune/ Questions for discussion: How are consumers in the third world different? Is there anything unethical about a firm like P&G marketing products to this market? What are… Read more »
digits: Tablets, Smart TVs in Spotlight at CES
Description: Lauren Goode reports live from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and tells Simon Constable and Spencer Ante why tablets and Smart TVs are expected to be in the spotlight at this year’s show, which kicks off Wednesday. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 01/04/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-tablets-smart-tvs-in-spotlight-at-ces/8A408F6D-A323-49BB-B862-03B1C2446440  Questions for discussion: Which one of… Read more »
Microsoft’s Kinect: It’s a 3D camera!
Description: Developers are writing programs for the motion controller that lets it be used as a 3D camera, holographic puppet generator and other uses Microsoft never foresaw. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/23/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/12/22/t_tt_kinect_hacks.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are some of the entertainment product applications for this developing technology? How will the added-value… Read more »
