Thursday, October 29, 2009

Marketing One Blog Entry # 5 (25 points)


From Wikipedia...

"Digital Marketing is the practice of promoting products and services using digital distribution channels to reach consumers in a timely, relevant, personal and cost-effective manner.


While digital marketing does include many of the techniques and practices contained within the category of Internet Marketing, it extends beyond this by including other channels with which to reach people that do not require the use of The Internet. As a result of this non-reliance on the Internet, the field of digital marketing includes a whole host of elements such as mobile phones, sms/mms, display / banner ads and digital outdoor.

Previously seen as a stand-alone service in its own right, it is frequently being seen as a domain that can and does cover most, if not all, of the more traditional marketing areas such as Direct Marketing by providing the same method of communicating with an audience but in a digital fashion. Digital is now being broadened to support the "servicing" and "engagement" of customers".

Watch the following 3 minute Advertising Age video about Digital Marketing and it's impact on adolescents.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1370868150/bctid46266754001

In a minimum of 5 sentences, what are your thoughts on the impact of digital marketing on adolescents?  Does it have an impact on adolescents? Are companies putting adolescents at risk with these new advertising strategies? How do you feel about digital marketing strategies?

Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.

Global Marketing Blog Entry # 5 (25 points)

Going Global...

Africa's largest retailer is Shoprite grouop.  This company started in South Africa in 1979, and it began to expand in 1994.  Shoprite has a umber of businesses that serve grocery and home shopping needs for the countries like Africa and around the Indian Ocean.  Shoprite's stores serve different income levels in these developing countries/  Shoprite has found customers with disposable income that will buy in these low-income countries.

The Indian government recently allowed Shoprite intot the Indian market.  Its store in Mumai is the India's largest store.  Shoprite has competition from South African grocer Pick 'n Pay, which also is expanding into new markets.  Both of these stores cater to local markets to meet their inventory needs.  They also have strong social responsibility policies to help economic development and to maintain sustainability of resources.

In at least 5 sentences, discuss why these two grocery stores would choose to expand in less developed countries.

Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

14 DECA Members Attend FCPS CTSO Leadership Development Institute!

Edison DECA sent 14 members of the student leadership team to Hoops Magic in Chantilly, VA to participate in the FCPS CTSO (Career & Technical Student Organization) Leadership Development Institute.  Other CTSO organizations represented included FBLA, Skills USA, FEA, and others.

The event was run by Focus Training.  Focus Training works with youth, college, and professional organizations to provide innovative and educational leadership training. 

Global Marketing: Amanda Clark, Tenbit Melesse, Betel Hailu, Alexandra Smith, Ashley Potts, and Kat Moreno
Marketing One: Yessica Salamanca

Great job ladies!  Edison DECA rocks!

Here are a few pictures of the event.









Marketing One Blog Entry # 4 (25 points)

New Verizon Ads Take Direct Aim at IPhone, but What Are They Selling?

You are currently learning about product and service positioning.  The short commercial below is a Verizon advertisement taking direct aim at the IPhone.  Watch the short commercial and read the article from Advertising Age discussing the commercial.



Whatever rumors were brewing a few months ago that Apple would break its exclusivity with AT&T and take its iPhone to other carriers, it's a good bet they can be put to bed for now
Less than two weeks after Verizon Wireless aired a TV commercial that takes aim at AT&T's network service, it's now going straight for the iPhone. The teaser campaign, which plugs the new Android device and debuted Saturday night during the playoff game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels, is, however, causing some head-scratching.
In the campaign, Verizon seeks to slam Apple's iconic smartphone on all the things it's perceived to fall short on, such as a lack of a physical keyboard and the capability to run multiple third-party apps simultaneously. In a play on the iPhone's "I," the campaign takes jabs at the handset with a series of "iDon'ts," starting with "iDon't have a real keyboard," "iDon't run simultaneous apps." The commercial ends with "Everything iDon't ... Droid does. November."
Yet the brand being advertised is ambiguous. "There's no summary about the product, and you don't know who the brand is," said Karl Barnhart, managing director and partner at CoreBrand. "It's clever, but you have no idea what this is for."
The campaign, from McGarry Bowen, New York, also has a companion microsite that lets users sign up for updates about the handset's release. But the site's language is equally esoteric: "Do you wish you had a robot sidekick that moved at light speed and lived in your pocket? Input your e-mail and Droid will notify you when compromise has been deactivated."
Unclear target

If the product and its message are crafted for a geeky and tech-savvy audience, though, the media buy is so far suggesting otherwise. Given how deep the commercial drills into the ways the iPhone falls short, experts said the messaging would mainly resonate with those in the deep know about the handset's capabilities, which excludes the vast majority of people, iPhone owners included. These folks aren't reading blogs about the latest and greatest smartphones, they said. Yet Verizon's broadcasting of the message to viewers of a baseball playoff suggests the No. 1 wireless carrier wants to stir anticipation among a mainstream audience.
"It's unclear who they're aiming this campaign at," said Rene Ritchie, editor of The iPhone blog. "A lot of this is inside baseball, and seems to target people with particular pain points with the iPhone." Mr. Ritchie said he conducted an informal survey among those who don't keep up with the latest handset news and development, and found that they had no idea what product the commercial was pitching.
Mr. Ritchie also said that people who like the iPhone want a well-designed, sleek and subtle phone, not the slider phone that Verizon is promoting. The handset is made by Motorola, and pictures of it have leaked on the internet.
Regardless, Roger Entner, senior VP at Nielsen who looks after the telecom industry, said when vendors take on the iPhone head-on, the device had better live up to its claims and all the ballyhoo. "We've seen the Samsung Instinct try to bash the iPhone, but it didn't attract new customers," he said.
Still, some experts say Verizon did right by going after AT&T and the iPhone. "It's found a way to attack both sides of the story," said Andrei Jezierski, partner at marketing consultancy i2Partners. Referring to Verizon Wireless' push parodying the iPhone's "There's an app for that" campaign, which shows a map of Verizon's dense coverage area compared to AT&T's, Mr. Jezierski said, "Anytime you bash the iPhone, it's a great way to get attention, and 'There's a map for that' is a way for them to keep beating on the 'It's the network, stupid' message." Indeed, on YouTube, the Android spot has garnered more than 1,000 comments, with some anticipating the handset, and others defending the iPhone.
Verizon's latest move is a bet that Android can put some heat on the iPhone and help the carrier create some distance between it and top challenger AT&T. "AT&T is [perceived as] No. 1, with the iPhone success," Mr. Barnhart said. "Verizon must go right at them to keep their size advantage. And with AT&T's network and coverage issues, now is the perfect time to do it."


In a 5 sentence reaction, discuss the following:  How do you feel about positioning a product directly against the competition.  What do you think of the commercial?  Is it good or bad for Verizon?  Why?  How about the IPhone? 

Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.

Global Marketing Blog Entry # 4 (25 points)


"A Matter of Ethics"

Definition: Ethics are basic values and moral priciples that guide the behavior of individuals and groups.

Is the Price Right?  Suppose an international compnay is the direct purchaser of many products it sells.  Because of its size, it is also able to negotiate gret prices from suppliers.  For example, it has been able to get low prices on raw materials for its suppliers.

Economies of Scale.  In the case of clothing, this large international company visits mills around the world to get the best deal it can on fabric.  Its supplier of jeans, for example, benefits because it is able to get a great price on the fabric.

Lower Than Low Prices.  As a result, jeans that used to sell for $30 are now selling for under $10.  The company's competitiors cannot keep up with such low prices for jeans because the manufacturers pay regular prices for the fabric.

Answer the following question in at least 5 senteces.  Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.  Is it ethical for a large business to use its clout secure low prices on raw materials for its suppliers too?

Friday, October 9, 2009

Upcoming EHS DECA News & Events!



Keeping you updated on what's going on with Edison DECA!  Here are some important dates and news:

EHS DECA now has a Facebook page!  Thanks Yohana!
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=179421096141&ref=mf
Thursday, October 15th    VA DECA Day (Edison DECA Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month!) Donation Goal is $600!!

Tuesday, October 20th   EHS DECA Student Leadership Team attends the FCPS Leadership    Development Institute (LDI) at Hoops Magic in Chantilly, VA. 

Friday, October 30th  Harley Davidson & Hershey Park Field Trip!

Monday, November 2nd  FCPS DECA District Leadership Conference (DLC) (Role-Play Competitions).  Good luck to EHS DECA!!!

Wednesday, November 11th  EHS DECA Member Installation Ceremony

Marketing 1 (Blog Entry # 3) 25 points

Watch the following 3 minute Advertising Age video called "Seeking New Ad Concepts for Movie Theatre Lobbies". 


Write your response to this topic.  Your response should be at least 8 sentences.  First, give your opinion of the ideas presented in the video.  Are they good ideas?  Why or why not?  Which one did you like best?  Why?  What demographic or segment of the population do you think it would appeal to most?  Second, off the top of your head, what do you think is a creative advertising idea that could be used in movie theatre lobbies?

Please sign your name to your blog entry.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Global Marketing (Blog Entry # 3) 25 points


Sweatshops: Good? or Bad?

From Wikipedia...

"A sweatshop is a working environment with conditions that are considered by many people of industrialised nations to be difficult or dangerous, usually where the workers have few opportunities to address their situation. This can include exposure to harmful materials, hazardous situations, extreme temperatures, or abuse from employers. Sweatshop workers often work long hours for little pay, regardless of any laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage. Child labour laws may also be violated.

Although often associated with poor developing countries, sweatshops may exist in any country. Sweatshops have existed in several different countries and cultures, including in the United States and Europe. Sweatshops usually employ low levels of technology, but may produce many different goods, for example, toys, shoes, clothing, and furniture".

Mr. Kristoff, in his NY Times Op-Ed article and video, offers a very different view to the public's perception of a sweat shop.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/opinion/nicholas-d-kristof/1194811622305/index.html#1231545255329

Watch the video.  Write a two paragraph (4 sentences for each paragraph) response.  In paragraph one, summarize the author's views on sweatshops. In paragraph two, discuss whether or not you think he makes a persuasive argument? Why/why not?

Sign your name to your assignment.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Marketing 1 Blog Entry # 2 (25 points)

Provide a minimum 5 sentence response to the following:

Email marketing is one of the ways companies use digital communications to reach and reinforce their customers.  The key to an effective email program is making the messages relevant to the recipients.  By using companies' own customer lists and databases, rather than buying lists of names and addresses from list brokers, senders can tailor the messages and the way they are encoded to fit individual receivers.

Why do you think email newsletters and email promotions have proven to be one of the most effective means of marketing a business's products or services?