Anti-energy drink fuels concerns over marketing

First came Red Bull and Monster Energy, giving a high-octane boost to late-night parties and study sessions.
After the success of Red Bull a similar drink went out but with the opposite influence. Instead of boosting energy it will "slow your roll". I think that that this is becoming dangerous. People need to drink special drinks to have energy or to relax?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6137842.html

Black Friday turns tragic for Wal-Mart

How crazy it may sound, Wal-Mart's Black Friday was marred when a 34-year-old employee died and three other people were treated for injuries at the opening of the store in Valley Stream, N.Y.
In addition, police officials said a pregnant woman was taken to a local hospital.
The officials said the cause of the male employee's death has not been determined.
Is it just a coincidence or that people will pay the price of their life just for attempt to buy discounted products?
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/28/news/economy/blackfriday_walmart/index.htm

GM may cut brands, including Pontiac

Because of the cash crisis, General Motors is studying possible elimination of some of its brands, with options including Pontiac, Hummer and Saab.In addition to the storied Pontiac brand, Hummer and Saab, Bloomberg reported Wednesday that the review included the Saturn brand."There is a lot is a lot speculation about what will or won't be in the plan next week, and we are going to decline to comment on it," said company spokesman Tom Wilkinson. "We are not likely to say anything in advance of the plan."

http://www.freep.com/article/20081127/BUSINESS01/811270371

City seeks 'brand' for instant recognition

Branding exist also for places not just for products. A good example for that will be : "The Big Apple,"-everyone knows you're talking about New York City.
Other cities are also intersested in recognition in order to bring more visitors and to improve the economy. But what brand or image could say Augusta and, more specifically, downtown Augusta, in a way that's snappier than just saying the word spelled A-u-g-u-s-t-a?
The city by the same name wants to know.
About three months ago, the city formed its own Branding Committee in an effort to come up with an image, name or some other form of identity it could use in marketing and promoting the city.
"A brand or theme, ideally, identifies who we are, what it is that is special about us and what we want to become," Mayor Roger Katz said. "Through use on our Web site, in promotional materials and signage, a brand will convey who we are to the rest of the world."
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5644756.html

Hard times mean leaner Thanksgiving dinners

The downfall of the economy also reflect our holidays. For example, Bridget Smith and her family, Thanksgiving is going to be different this year. For one thing, they might not have a dining room table. That will increase the sales of therft stores and other used products web sites.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27791739/

The Olympic Games Effect: How Sports Marketing Builds Strong Brands

The Olympic Games draws fans from all over the world for a diverse range of reasons – be it passionate love for sports and competition, fervent nationalism, and the thrill born from uncertainty. But sporting fans are not the only ones clambering to be a part of the world’s biggest sporting event – commercial firms also have been snapping up sponsorship slots as a means to boost their organization’s profile and brand equity. I always wondered why countries want to host games on its teritory. Mainley because it helps the countrys' economics and its corporations.
http://www.huliq.com/597/73351/olympic-games-effect-how-sports-marketing-builds-strong-brands

Hoping to Sell the Emotion of Love (and Rings)

Another Corporation that dreams-Zales. The company is betting that passion trumps price in selling jewelry. While these are especially gloomy times for retailers, the company’s marketing campaign, which focuses on the emotional aspects of its products, will help it coax sales from consumers who are increasingly tightfisted. Zale, which operates more than 2,100 stores and kiosks under the Zales, Gordon’s and Piercing Pagoda names, among others, said recently that it expected earnings of about $35 million to $40 million in the 2009 fiscal year, compared with $3.7 million for fiscal 2008 and $48 million in 2007. Still, Zale’s stock is down 51 percent this year, while the Standard & Poor’s specialty retail index is down 40 percent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/business/22interview.html?_r=1

The Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R)

The annual Macy's parade is right behind the corner, and Macy's has promotional plans for the viewers in the time of the parade and the day before.
When spectators enter the inflation area at 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, they will receive fun facts and behind-the-scenes info on the giant balloons being inflated on 77th and 81st Streets. All they have to do is to turn on their bluetooth or wireless on their cell phone, and the promotional messages will come. Macy's usually has 3 million viewers on the Thanksgiving Parade so I think it this way of promotion will be very efficient.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Macys-Ace-Marketing-Promotions-Inc/story.aspx?guid=%7B43AF11A5-9737-4189-905A-83E2C9A81574%7D

Good examples of Product Dress

Black Friday sales arrive early this year

These are tough economic times, so retailers are launching their Black Friday specials weeks early to motivate budget-conscious buyers. It looks like retailers are slashing prices early this year.
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/35180

Apple's holiday not looking great, could be worse

Even Apple is experiencing hard time this holiday season while the consumers sit on their wallets.
Mac sales seem healthier thanks to Apple's latest crop of notebooks, but aren't growing as fast as they were last year. The lines for buying the Iphone are misleading.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10098613-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5

Packages You Won’t Need a Saw to Open

A number of retailers and manufacturers have a gift for holiday shoppers: product packaging that will not result in lacerations and stab wounds.

The companies, including Amazon.com, Sony, Microsoft and Best Buy, have begun to create alternatives to the infuriating plastic “clamshell” packages and cruelly complex twist ties that make products like electronics and toys almost impossible for mere mortals to open without power tools.
6,000 Americans each year went to emergency rooms with injuries caused by trying to pry, stab and cut open their purchases, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

It looks like the manufactures forgot about the basic product managing, make the package be easy to open!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/technology/internet/15packaging.html?bl&ex=1226984400&en=719e1c29c315aea6&ei=5087%0A

Penney, Abercrombie results add to retail fears

The holiday cheer for shopping will not be the same as the past years. Due to the loss of jobs and the economic weakness, it's pretty obvious that there will be less consuming.

Abercrombie and Penney reported that the holiday shopping craziness is something that will be hard to find and report on a sharply low profit on the current quarter.

"Consumers went into hibernation in October while concerns about the economy were at a peak," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "As economic uncertainty went from bad to worse, shoppers pulled back on everything but the basics to weather the storm."

http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSTRE4AD5QM20081114?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews

Lotion Packaging

As you can see on the picture above we have 2 products with different packaging. On the left, we have the simple lotion which cost 50% off. The brand is not considered to be luxury, therefore, the company had to promote the product in order for people to buy it. On the right side, we can see the luxury lotion from Chanel. There was no need for chanel to promote the product on a 50% off sale. They designed the package and made efforts for it to look attractive so it will make its target market want to buy Chanel luxury lotion.

Business travel growth expected to slow in 2009

There will be less business travels in 2009, It's not quite the death of the salesman, but growth in business travel will likely slow down significantly in 2009 as cash-strapped U.S. companies cut back on unnecessary trips by executives.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8021041

Apple Laptops: The Hits Keep Coming

Apple is the only company that can tell its customers what to buy. As we discussed in class, Apple's customers are loyal to the brand and will not purchase anything else but Apple; although they offer only 5 types of laptops, they still control the laptops market.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_46/b4108000282343.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

McDonald's Sales Stay Strong

McDonald's Corp. reported an 8.2% increase in October global same-store sales, with a 5.3% gain in the U.S., and 9.8% in U.K, France and Russia. Who would believe that european countries will double the increase of the United States in sales. I guess, Americans prefer to eat at home these days.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122632357395813545.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us_business

DHL to cut 9,500 U.S. jobs

The firm will end deliveries within the U.S., but will continue shipments to other countries.
Global delivery company DHL announced Monday that it was cutting 9,500 jobs as it discontinues air and ground operations within the United States. No publications on Fedex to cut jobs, I believe that only the strong will survive.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/10/news/companies/dhl/index.htm

Layoffs hit every corner

In continuance to our discussion in class regarding the "back to basics" issue, this ad shows that there were 15,000 layoffs in the first week of November, the job market is brutal. As a result, consumers do not spend money on luxury products. To illustrate, if i knew that the company that i work for is about to fire employees, i would not purchase a luxury watch.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/07/news/economy/november_layoffs/index.htm

A Big Delivery for Whole Foods

A $425 million investment is designed to help see Whole Foods through a rough patch until consumers regain their appetite for pricey organic food .
The situation is very simple, the economic downfall is influencing on the supermarkets, but especially on organic pricey supermarket; therefore, the whole food industry "needed a hand".

http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2008/pi2008116_870984.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis

The Rise of the Super-Discounters

As the U.S. faces a serious economic downturn, many Americans are seeking out the cheapest possible option when buying necessities. Enter ultra-discounters like Dollar Tree, 99 Cents Only, and Family Dollar Stores.
Those dollar retail stores, has a rise on their stocks. This is not surprising at all, the customer is seeking for the cheaper deal not for the famous expansive brands, even when it comes to cleaning products.
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2008/pi2008115_105049.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis

Google to Abandon Advertising Partnership With Yahoo

The Google-Yahoo! advertising agreement was officially ended today.
The agreement that was announced in June would have granted Yahoo! the use of Google’s advertisements displayed alongside search results for its own Web site, and for its publisher partner’s Web sites in the U.S. and Canada.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/technology/google-abandon-advertising-partnership-yahoo/

Starbucks to Give Free Coffee to Voters

Starbucks is giving away free coffee on Election Day to anyone who says they voted. I think this is a good way to promote both cause and product.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/inc/quickread/e3ifcb7b0c6e00764409c774afaa5a2780a?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=310&width=600

Circuit City Plans to Close 155 Stores

Circuit City will close about 20 percent of its American stores in an effort to return to profitability.The move comes as Circuit City heads into a crucial holiday shopping season that could determine its future, amid a slowdown in consumer spending that has even the least vulnerable retailers worried.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/technology/04circuit.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

Pacers use marketing to win back fans

The Indiana Pacers are bringing new look to their team and working on a new business strategy in order to win back the fans. As part of the new marketing strategy, discounted ticket packages are gaining popularity and other promotions are being offered. It looks like the Nicks need a new strategy as well...

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081102/SPORTS04/811020390

Yahoo! advertising deal with Google in doubt

Google and Yahoo were about to close a deal which Google will operate Yahoo's search advertising business.But talks between the two companies and a number of regulators, not least the US Department of Justice, have yet to result in any form of solution, with suggestions that Google is ready to walk away.
The deal is reliant on regulatory approval, given Googel's pre-existing 62pc monopoly in the search market, and the terms allowed for 100 days for the pair to receive the necessary approvals.
Although a final decision is not understood to have been taken by Google, if the web giant does decide to pull-out, it could be very bad news for Yahoo! chief executive Jerry Yang.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/technology/3333080/Yahoo-advertising-deal-with-Google-in-doubt.html