Description: Blockbuster Inc. Chief Executive Officer James Keyes said he will evaluate “every single store†in the video-rental chain as it reorganizes to compete with competitors that provide movies online and by mail. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 09/24/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-24/blockbuster-chief-says-he-ll-evaluate-every-single-store-in-video-chain.html Questions for discussion: Why did Blockbuster fail? Why is closing down Blockbuster stores a quick… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Product and Distribution Strategies (p420)
Burger joint’s social media recipe
Description: 4Food uses social networks like Twitter and Foursquare in lieu of traditional marketing to let customers share their own burger creations. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/16/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/09/15/t_4food_burger_donut_twitter.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What do you think of the use of social marketing, as demonstrated by this small business? Do you think social media… Read more »
iPad clones hit shelves in China
Description: As Apple launches the iPad in China, locally-made wannabes are released at a fraction of the price. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/17/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/09/17/t_iclone_china.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think consumers will look at these devices as equivalents to Apple iPads? How is Apple able to sell iPads at five times the… Read more »
Crowdsourcer Threadless’ Life Beyond T-shirts
Description: With designs vetted by devotees, Threadless has helped Dell sell computers and Havaianas sell flip-flops. Next up: Expanding into brick and mortar retail chains Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 09/16/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_39/b4196024715129.htm Questions for discussion: Why does this marketing strategy work so well? What other businesses do you think could succeed by using the same… Read more »
Please, for the Love of God, Upgrade Your Browser
Description: Internet Explorer 9, Chrome, and Firefox are great, but outdated software is still holding back the Web. Source: Slate.com  Date: 09/16/2010 Link: http://www.slate.com/id/2267673/ Questions for discussion: What does this article have to say about consumer adoption of new technologies? Why is it difficult to persuade consumers to upgrade their software, even when it… Read more »
Brin: Google search just got smarter
Description: Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin says that the new ‘Instant’ search will help people save time and accomplish more. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/08/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/09/08/f_bt_google_instant.fortune/ Questions for discussion: How has “Google search†changed over the years? Do you think there is a “limit†to the types of search that Google can offer… Read more »
Rex on Techs: Overnight Viral Success
Description: Internet phenomenons like “Bed Intruder Song” are textbook cases for how online videos turn the most mundane of events into sensations, where random people just being themselves become quasi-celebrities. Rex Crum reports. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/rex-on-techs-overnight-viral-success/779C5034-618C-4007-8946-B084683E2528 Questions for discussion: How do you explain this example of viral communication success?… Read more »
What went wrong at Burger King
Description: It’s not yet clear what Burger King’s new owner, the Brazilian-backed private equity firm 3G Capital, has in mind for the troubled No. 2 fast-food chain. But a total strategic revamp is in order. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 09/03/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/03/news/companies/burger_king_buyout.fortune/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for Burger King’s failure? What would… Read more »
Apple TV swings hard but misses
Description: The previous version of Apple TV was dubbed “take two.” Will the new model be known as “strike three”? Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 09/02/2010 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/09/02/apple-tv-swings-hard-but-misses/ Questions for discussion: Do you think the Apple TV will prove to be another flop? Ideally, what do you think TV viewers want from Apple? How can changing… Read more »
A Greener Champagne Bottle
Description: Deep below a lush landscape of ripening Champagne grapes, Thierry Gasco, the master vintner for Pommery, ran his finger over the shoulders of a dark green bottle that looked just like the thousands of others reposing in his chilly subterranean cellars. But to the practiced hand and eye, there is a subtle, if potentially… Read more »