Living Social Expands

The growing special deals company, LivingSocial, has announced that they will soon release their very own credit card.  The company has decided to expand ways for their customers to earn more points to get better deals through the website.Chase has agreed to be the company in charge of the LivingSocial card and it will also be co-branded by Visa and are still working out specific details for the operations behind the card.

LivingSocial believes that releasing this card is going to help the businesses that are already involved in the company, especially the small ones.  By encouraging cardholders to shop at featured stores will not only result in better deals for them, it will help smaller businesses by gaining more loyal customers.  This is especially important for the businesses associated with LivingSocial who can not fund their own loyalty cards or programs.


We have seen through Companies such as Disney and Southwest Airlines that loyalty and credit cards are worth the investment because saving money is something everybody looks for.  How might this credit card have an effect on past, present and future customers?

In Response to Michael Thompson

Could Windows 8 be a huge breakthrough for Microsoft from its innovation? Or, could PC users frown upon the innovation since they appreciated the previous simplicity? 


By reviewing the preview and reading the article for the new Windows 8, it seems that once people take the time to adjust to such a drastic change that it will be a huge hit.  Windows is simply growing with the tech world and must remain one step ahead of the game in order to be successful.  For customers who already own tablets, this new adjustment may not take long to get used too.  However, for simple PC laptop users, it seems that even the creators of the new Windows is predicting a bit of resentment.


Most PC customers have chosen to use windows because it is simpler than navigating their ways around MACS.  This big of a change may cause a bit of an up roar for the simple fact that Windows users like simple.  They enjoy being able to find their ways around a computer and this change is not only an adjustment for the company, but all of it's current and future customers.


Windows may also find a new competition with Apple as they embark on this new technological journey. In what ways do you see Apple changing their program in order to remain competition with Apple?

School uses Ad's to make up for state budget cut

Since state wide budget cuts have taken over school districts, many schools have found themselves letting go of extra-curricular activities, electives, and even sports teams; in Texas however,  districts have taken it upon themselves to find new ways to fund their schools.


Recently, one district has arranged an account with an advertising company that allows them to post advertisements on the sides of buses, rename sports fields, press boxes and even textbook covers.  Humble Independent High School located in the prime flight spot near the Bush Intercontinental Airport has even offered their roof up as an advertisement billboard.  If a company were to buy into the schools roof all of the airplanes that fly in or out of the airport will be able to see the ad from the air.  A local Mazda dealership paid $350,000 for their name to be written across the turf field, as well as $100,000 a GMC Buick dealership spent for the naming rights of the entryway to the stadium.


Although the school is raising more than has been cut from their budget, many concerns have risen about exposing children to too many advertisements, many about fast food.  One bus has an advertisement for Chick-fil-A restaurants which some believe may contradict what children are being taught about nutrition in school.  School officials are aware of the concerns and have noticed that students are finding the Ad's as fun and say that it gives the different buses an "identity".


How do you think other districts are going to react to this approach to raise money?

Gap-Toothed Smile Makes A Mark.

Lara Stone for Mercedes Benz

Modeling is made to seem like all models have perfect hair, body, face, teeth; perfect everything.  Little girls idolize models and wish nothing more than to be like them when they grow up.  They do anything they can to look just like the women on television or in magazines.  Lately however, fashion experts are starting to admit that the "cookie cutter" beauty is failing to stand out anymore.  Gap-toothed models are becoming a norm more recently.  

While some may look at gap-teeth as a flaw, many people are starting to warm up to them.  Meaning a mark of fortune, gap-teeth are slowly taking over the modeling world- for now.  Fashion experts also throw caution to gap-toothed models for the sake that they may just be a temporary phenomenon.  Although most are fans of the gap-teeth, experts say that the fashion would needed a break from the "cookie cutter" to show that even flaws may be perfections.

Do you think this gap-toothed phenomenon will soon be a thing of the past? or will it stick around and make a name for itself?

In Response to Jaycelyn's MTV Post

Did MTV make a good switch in entertainment? How does their logo and new sense of diversity tie into the millennial generation?
http://jkaypfenning.blogspot.com/2012/02/mtv-no-longer-music-television.html

With the changing social interests with today's reality show junkies, MTV has done exactly what they should have.  Reality T.V. has taken over all television ratings whether it's Jersey Shore or American Idol.  If MTV were to remain focused on music videos, the company would be likely to shut down because that is not obtaining the same audience.  Even though a majority of MTV's reality shows are staged it is still what is making the company millions.  Not only has this change benefited viewers, it's also benefited MTV itself.  By focusing on the reality show crowd the company has been able to make more profit by producing original shows instead of buying the rights to music videos.


By changing the logo, the company has made a subtle gesture that they are now more than pure music entertainment.  By taking the music television out of the logo, it is an opportunity for non viewers to quickly become viewers. 


One thing that does come to mind when I think of the changes on MTV is what perceptions of a "perfect life" are younger children getting?  While I was growing up, the most influence MTV had on me was if N*sync or Backstreet boy's were number 1.  Today, Children are being influenced by bar fights, domestic violence, binge drinking and how to dress.  Do you think that MTV may cause a problem for teenagers and children?

Coconut water is the new soda?

As a growing phenomenon, coconut water is known to be the most natural drink that keeps you hydrated and is loaded with electrolytes.  Vita Coco is the leading coconut water brand in the United States with a revenue of $400 million out of the $100 billion revenue of nonalcoholic drinks.  After only seven shorts years this company had expanded world wide and is in close competition with Zico, the second leading coconut water brand.


Coca-Cola has gone public about their recent investments in Zico to expand their products, although they have not announced the amount they are investing they assure that it reaches Zico's revenues.  While Vita Coco remains untouched, PepsiCo Inc. has ifound themselves investing in the third coconut water company O.N.E.  


Rumor is said that coconut water sales sky rocketed after Rihanna was featured on a billboard for the water.  The billboard read "Hydrate naturally from a tree, not a lab" to express the artificial ingredients found in sports drinks such as Gatorade.


It seems that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have fiercely been competing to be the largest drink market across the globe.  With coconut water creating a new market, what actions do you think the two companies will take in order to be #1 in coconut water sales?

In Response to Tim...

Do you think this marketing challenge is also a marketing strategy? Do you believe that you would benefit from participation in this challenge?


http://21stcenturypox.blogspot.com/2012/02/google-online-marketing-challenge.html


In the terms and conditions of the website for the Marketing Challenge, all companies being used must give permission to the students before they proceed with their project. So, why not take advantage of a free marketing plan?  Companies who allow students to use their organizations to form a marketing plan that will be viewed throughout the nation have no reason to turn down this opportunity.  It seems that this is a marketing strategy for any company that is asked permission.


  I do believe that I, as well as any other student would benefit from a challenge like this.  Being able to work in groups to form a real marketing plan using what have been taught in the classrooms is 100% beneficial for any student.  However, I could see trouble happening when the stress of this challenge floods over the group and causes tension.  It may happen that students put in groups don't get along and troubles forming the plan begin to put stress on the fun challenge.
How would you lay out your marketing plan with your group? How would you handle the common stress that comes with group work in both a school and professional environment?