EOC Week 8: Creative Content Projects

For creative content, I am considering doing a possible photo shoot for Vogue, or cover for Vogue. I would like to probably try to use prior images, already published, and incorporate the drink into them using photoshop or possibly scissors and a scanner. This is likely to be unmanageable, though, so I suppose I could dress models and photograph them with the drink. I'd maybe like to create a prototype six-pack, and magazine ad. The ads will be featuring obviously people in a bar, and also one of a woman with it sticking out of her purse. Another will be of someone wearing a stained shirt, next to someone holding the drink with its lid. I haven't designed the logo yet, but I want to create some images of it on various pieces of clothing and accessories. I'll definitely put it on a t-shirt, and have it say something clever like "your stain could be here", or "we love (product name)" on a women's shirt. Another ad might be showing a traditional Japanese tea party with the drink in place of the teapot, or maybe the label on the tea pot.

Implementation Evaluation Control

Price

Promotion

Hammer Time will be promoted using the 'pull strategy,' "A promotion strategy that calls for spending a lot on advertising and consumer promotion to induce final consumers to buy the product, creating a demand vacuum that “pulls” the product through the channel." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 12 pg. 385) advertised in magazines in the regions with the beer available.  Magazines relative to our market include: CG, Forbes, Vogue, and possibly others.  We will know more magazines to feature in once we know more about our target market.  In addition, the local newspapers and editorial prints will be used to advertise, to create awareness in general.  Various merchandise will be handed out in the bars where located throughout the first few months of sales.  After that time period ends, we hope to establish a website, where the merchandise can be bought online from.  Merchandise will include: t-shirts, sweatshirts, messenger bags, laptop cases, and more to come.  The bottle Hammer Time is sold in is also a promotional item, conveniently.  The bottle is reusable, and comes free with beverage purchase.  However, we plan to continue using these bottles permanently.

Distribution

This would generally be the section titled "Place," however, distribution is substituted.  The beer, Hammer Time, will be available in Ontario, Canada and outskirts.  In the United States, it will be shipped from headquarters, via roadways on commercial vehicles, to the northern regions, including: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New England states, and North Dakota.  In these states it will be delivered to certain places, using selective distribution, "The use of more than one, but fewer than all, of the intermediaries who are willing to carry the company’s products" (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 10 pg. 324) by the case to both liquor stores and bars, and units to sell on tap to the bars.

Product

The products are "The goods-and-services combination the company offers to the target market." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kelter, ch. 2 pg. 54)  Our product, Hammer Time, is a malt beer beverage.  It is from a new brewery, headquartered in Hammerton, Quebec, Canada.  The beer has a rosy color, given from the Light Munich Malt added, in slight amount, to give a richer flavor.  Only organic grains are used in this beer, and only alkalized water.  The alcohol content is 18%, definitely much higher than most beers.  It isn't done with the intention of getting consumers drunk, though.  We take great pride in our beer's taste, contents and appearance.  That's what most people don't recognize in a beer anymore-its full quality.  We believe in the savoring of a beer, taking a moment to really gather the taste.  Every beer has a taste, and every taste tells a story.  With Hammer Time's high alcohol content, you can't or at least shouldn't guzzle it down without even recognizing what you just tasted.  Hammer Time should be savored slowly, and really taken in.  Give it full appreciation, don't just chug it because you have become trained to believe that a beer is relaxing and refreshing.  Hammer Time should actually BE refreshing and relaxing, so let it be.  It is generally said to "Include packaging as just one of many product decisions."  (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kelter, ch. 2 pg. 54)  So, the packaging  consists of a pewter colored stainless-steel, reusable bottle, with a screw top and carabiner clipped to that.  The bottle has chilling ability, keeping your brew cold.  The words Hammer Time are printed in simple black lettering, all capitalized.  The beer is also available on tap at bars, but only when requested, generally by those who have already tried it before.  This is to ensure that first-timers get the full experience, which is something you never forget and you'll never be able to recreate exactly the same.

Target Market Strategy

Our goal is to appeal to the entire market, but currently our target market is very small.  It consists of those who have a standard for quality and take beer and its elements seriously.  In other words, the beer tasting enthusiasts.  This group of people, we predict, is very limited; but we hope to make it much larger, and ultimately include the entire market.  Obviously that isn't happening any time very soon, so right now, we will be using the niche marketing strategy.  This works by "Instead of going after a small share of a large market, the firm goes after a large share of one or a few smaller segments or niches." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 6 pg. 188)  Meaning, instead of offering mediocre products to the mass market, we offer high-grade and special gourmet products to a small niche market.  The customers in this niche market are unable to get their unusual products from retail giants, which is why they come to upscale specialty retailers.  Their special products have higher prices, but equally higher quality, so customers are receiving fair value.  Once the target market grows larger, we'll move towards an undifferentiated, or mass, marketing strategy.  This is one that ignores market segmentation, and sells a product to the market as a whole.  "This mass-marketing strategy focuses on what is common in the needs of consumers rather than on what is different. The company designs a product and a marketing program that will appeal to the largest number of buyers." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 6 pg. 187)  This will become an appropriate strategy when the needs of our customers are all common, (when they form an appreciation for beer) thus placing them in one category-the mass market.

Situation/SWOT Analysis

It becomes necessary at some time in every company's life to evaluate their situation.  This includes both positive and negative elements, easily done using the SWOT analysis-Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Being truthful about the company is important, because it can prevent overlooking a threat or weakness, even an opportunity, because of ignorance to the issues. "The goal is to match the company’s strengths to attractive opportunities in the environment, while eliminating or overcoming the weaknesses and minimizing the threats."(Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch.2 pg. 56) In Hammer Time's SWOT analysis, the findings, applying to the current time period, were as follows.  Strengths we possess are high-quality, moderate pricing, convenient exporting from headquarters, and strong company values.  Having high-quality merchandise gives an easy leg-up over competitors, because it creates a higher value.  Having reasonable prices is attractive to customers, because with us, it means they get a lot without spending a lot.  Having our headquarters in Canada makes exportation across North America and maybe someday South America, very simple and cost-efficient.  We can eliminate the need for cargo ships, and rely on shipment vehicles.  Also, being in a foreign nation, the United States' rules and regulations for production factories do not apply to us.  The Canadian economy allows us more freedom.  Weaknesses include: lack of company history, limited market information, and a fairly small target market.  Being new gives us the appearance of an inexperienced company to consumers and other industry groups.  Also due to to our company's adolescence is the lack of customer demographics.  And at this point, from the little we know about our target market, it includes a pretty small number of individuals.  Opportunities we can hope for may be changing society's common ideals of beer.  As said many times prior, we want to instill a stronger appreciation of beer in the minds of consumers, therefore, this could become an opportunity.  Threats Hammer Time faces are those caused by competition, and the legal drinking age, which restricts our product for anyone under age 21. With the many weaknesses Hammer Time has currently, it's important that we always provide the best customer service.  "I.n order to provide a great customer experience, find out what customers are facing—what their problems and opportunities are." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 3 pg. 68)  While offering this great service, we'll likely reduce our weaknesses, expanding the limited market information, and changing our image of an inexperienced company, by obviously getting experience!

Objectives

Hammer Time is committed to its customers, and producing high-quality product to serve them.  This company differs from many, because we aren't just concerned with quality in order to move product.  We strive for quality product production because we believe our product should be fully appreciated, and aim to instill this among our customers. Our company has just recently been established, so it is very new to the industry.  We want to establish our company's awareness to the market, and an image for our brand. Our customers are specific people, we've identified them as best as possible at this point, because "If you can’t say who your customers aren’t, you probably can’t say who your customers are." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 1 pg. 17) After we have been in business at least 6 months or so, we'll have more information on our customers, and can categorize them better.  We plan to serve them beyond their expectations; after this additional information is gathered this will be simpler, however, we will be striving toward this consistently.  Our longest-term goal is to become a Star in the industry, a "High-growth, high-share business or product. They often need heavy investments to finance their rapid growth." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 2 pg. 44)

Mission Statement

You'll never forget your first sip of Hammer Time. And you'll never repeat that single moment of bliss, when your body meets Hammer Time, for the very first time. You'll probably forget briefly, what you are drinking. (By the way, it is a beer!) Headquartered in Hammertown, Ontario, Canada, this brew has class. It has the timeless strong-but-smooth, elegance known to the earliest beers, and the light, refreshing taste that makes a beer so relaxing. Drink slowly, though, with Hammer Time, less is more. We urge you to take your time to savor the organic, beautiful blend. "Consumers will favor products that offer the most in quality, performance, and innovative features." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, pg. 12) We aim to provide you with all three, and to the highest extent. This brew is for those who appreciate the sensual elements of a beer. Be advised though, the alcohol content is 18%. Also notice the unusual and desirable color, taste and presentation. You can't miss this beer's striking rosy shade, from the slight addition of light Munich malt for a richer grain taste. While on tap if requested, this drink will be served to you in most sophisticated Hammer Time packaging. Crafted from tin, the thermos bottle has the ability to keep Hammer Time chilled, for the most satisfying taste. The handsome, and reusable, bottle is colored in beautiful pewter, with black lettering, and a resealable cap, hooked on a carabiner clip. "Successful companies continously raise these questions and answer them carefully and completely.What is our business? Who is the consumer? What do consumers value?"(Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler Pg. 5) Well, this is no party beverage for recreation. This is for the most serious of enthusiasts, dedicated to quality and flavor. Hammer Time, 'can't beat this.'

Week 7 EOC: Pitch

Beer is usually described as a mellow alcoholic drink, with only about 3% alcohol. It's got an acquired taste, and is commonly consumed at a wide variety of places. Some of these include: bars, dinner table, with friends casually, in front of the TV, at the kitchen counter after work, on breaks, and at sporting events. Basically, it's pretty safe to say that beer is drunk just about everywhere and anytime. This makes it a pretty 'casual' beverage. But, I'd like to recreate this idea of beer. I want to introduce a new breed of malt beer, with significantly higher alcohol content. Hammer Time brew is a new Canadian beer, originating from Hammerton, Ontario, Canada. It has an alcohol content of 18%, and is fortified with energy-boosting taurine, caffeine, B12, malic acid, niacin and tyrosine. This drink is not to be drunk in usual amounts, people must be sure to limit their consumption to one or two drinks, due to high alcohol content. We hope that by adding more alcohol, thus limiting consumption, customers will gain a new appreciation for the taste of their beer. They seem to have lost sight of what's so great about beer-the flavoring, which creates a sense of calmness and casual mood. Over time, people just accepted that beer would give them this relaxed mood, and stopped appreciating the unique taste of each kind. There's a long story behind every beer's concoction, and that’s what makes them so memorable.  "If the company promises greater value, it must then deliver that greater value."(Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, ch. 2 pg. 28) This beer is high-quality, offering a better experience to customers, therefore, customers receive more value for their money.  Tasting all the ingredients in a Hammer Time will bring back that classic elegance in a beer.

Week 6 EOC: Me Times Three

3 products personal care
why you like
market segmentation, diff., positioning
quote from text each

Personally, since hairspray was brought up in class and I haven't thought about it in a while, I chose to discuss Aqua Net. This happens to be one of the cheapest hair-wrangling products a person can buy, and also my favorite. It has an amazing amount of strength, and can be bought for a price suitable for its exact purpose. It's strong as hell, and dirt cheap. Plus, you can buy it in scented and unscented, though personally I prefer scented. Nowadays, companies are pushing 'flexible' hairspray. Okay, let's think for a minute. Does that even make sense? I feel it doesn't. The brand was widely introduced in the 80's, to a generation of big-haired customers. This was the key to hard hair. They haven't changed today, and have remained in that era, selling to people who desire that tall, full body of hair.

Skin Bleach
Now, before you make a judgement about it, allow me to explain this next one-skin bleach. I am in no search for whiter skin, being about as pasty as they come. In fact, I use this cream to accentuate my fair complexion. I was left with the aftermath of what appears to be chickenpox marks, after a red ant assault, whom I am allergic to. They would inflame anyone's skin, but mine was so damaged by the attack, that I have permanent red spots all over my arms and legs. I was desperate for a cure after I came to terms with the permanency of the marks. They are simply embarassing, and I feel self conscious in public while wearing anything revealing. So I finally turned to skin bleach. I came across it at walmart of all places, for a fair price of $5 a tub. It is very strong stuff, I mind you, but miraculously, it works! I can only assume it's aimed at middle-aged women and elderly.
Sunscreen SPF 90

Week 5 EOC: Health Care Reform

Family income status. In families with incomes less than 25,000, 51% are covered by the health plan, and 27% are completely uncovered. Income levels $50-$75k, 18% are covered by the plan, 12% are uncovered. The percent of families with incomes over $75,000 protected by the plan is 11%, and only 7% are uncovered completely.

Education. 41% of persons without a high school diploma are covered by the plan, and 31% are uncovered. Total high school grads covered is 30%, and uncovered totally, 20%. The people with associates degrees who are covered make up 20% of the total, while 13% are not covered. Bachelor's degree holders and above total 16% covered, and 7% unprotected. 70% of full-time employees are covered by their companies, so only 6% are covered by the bill. Part-timers are covered privately by 67%, though 55% are protected by their employers, and 23% are not covered at all.

The highest risk age group, over 65, is luckily mostly covered, 94% by the bill. Under 18 year-olds, scarily, are only 30% of total covered by the insurance plan, but only 11% are uncovered, most are covered privately or via employers.

It appears as though the bill would be helpful for quite a few people, but at the same time, not helpful for a lot of others. Men and women are fairly covered, which I like to see. Under 18 year-olds I find questionable, considering only 30% are covered by the government insurance plan. It is nice to know that only 11% of total minors are unprotected, but that’s only reassuring because it’s a coincidence. The other 89% just happen to be covered, but say someday they aren’t. Who’s going to protect them? I feel that since this whole reform is supposed to be protecting everyone, (and has been a huge hassle and unfair to prior insurance holders) that’s where their coverage should come from. So why is it minor’s insurance apparently doesn’t come from the bill currently?