Week 10 EOC: What Channels Are You Going to Do to Get Your Product Noticed

Deciding on the best channels might not be a problem: The problem might simply be how to convince one or a few good intermediaries to handle the line. P.22

Unveiling a new product to the market is a very serious event and process. It should be carefully analyzed, in order to locate the best channels to use. Of course there is bound to be a ton, because the product is brand new, and unknown. So, in efforts to get the product noticed, luckily, you have just about every point of connection to the market wide open. Being realistic, I would start off selling my alcohol drink to a group of the best known bars and liquor stores in California alone. After awareness is spread throughout the market,

Week 9 EOC: Three Great Mission Statements

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.

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?

Week 4 EOC: Advertising is Based on Happiness

While I really can't stand the store overall, I bought a pair of jeans from Hollister that I think may honestly be one of the best purchase decisions I've ever made. I found them two years ago, and wear nothing else ever since. They fit perfectly, look awesome, and are reasonably priced. I have to have specifically the Hollister Laguna Skinny, size 3 short, in lightwash. Jeans usually are an issue for me, like most women; either they're too loose, too tight, two flared, too tapered, make your butt look too big, or something else. For me, it is the fact that my legs are relatively short, and I need jeans that accommodate my needs. The Hollister jeans I described in more detail above just happened to. That meant that I didn't need to hem the bottoms myself, or wear boots 24/7 to hide my high-waters. Unfortunately, the store has yet to revive the jean style from its tragic death, but I still have to have them. So every time I need jeans, I insist on buying them from Ebay usually. That seems to be my best option. Of course I have sought out for another option, but have yet to come across one, so I am at this point, forever loyal to these jeans, they make me happy every second I'm wearing them. And that might as well be 80% of my life.

Week 3 EOC(2): Internet Privacy V. Market Research

Obviously personal information is collected as market research

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

While TOMS shoes is a very notable non-profit crossover to for-profit venture today, it isn’t the only one.  Vehicles for Change, established in 1999, is an organization that provides restored and (through their subdivision—Freedom Wheels) donated cars to low-income families in MD, VA and DC.  Many families in these areas don’t own a vehicle, making it a constant struggle to do things as simple as grocery shopping, caring for elderly relatives and taking children to school.  “Today, there are a number of families in MD, VA and DC that are struggling to perform common tasks that most of us take for granted because of a lack of transportation.” (http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/) The tax returns given to donors are also generally higher for donations to Vehicles for Change.  “VFC is one, if not the only non-profit in the Maryland and Virginia area that can maximize your deduction by allowing you to claim the full fair market value of your car.” (http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/)  Statistically the families have improved their lives after receiving the donation of a vehicle.  The organization is unique because unlike others, who want to simply give things away, it “helps individuals who want to work to help themselves by providing affordable cars and a chance for an improved life. In a recent study, 73% of our car donation recipients obtained better jobs/promotions and have increased their income by an average of $4,800.” (http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/do_i_qualify.html)  The vehicles aren’t just given away, either.  Vehicles for Change focuses specifically on helping people who are trying to help themselves, they just need a little extra assistance.  Should a family qualify for a car, they are required to agree to a 12-month loan plan, to pay for it.  The cars usually cost $600-$700 each, meaning payment is $65-$80 each month.  This is a reas

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

DFC has two major concerns for the video game industry: One, consumers have a rapidly increasing abundance of choice among low cost games and other entertainment products; and two, the five-year console model that has driven industry growth in the past is currently not working for Sony and Microsoft.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25223

Sony and Nintendo: Microsoft's two primary competitors in the Entertainment & Devices sector are the Nintendo Wii and the Sony Play Station 3. Following the announcement of the cutting-edge Kinect peripheral device to the Xbox 360, Sony plans to release Move, its own body movement-sensitive add-on to the Play Station 3, while Nintendo plans to release a new version of its DS handheld device that does not make use of 3-D goggles^[32].

http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Microsoft_(MSFT)

In my opinion, PS3 is the star. The console has high market share, and is in high demand by it's consumers. It also has high market growth. The product has made significant progression, getting increasingly slimmer and more compact. And now it has gone wireless, using facial recognition, I believe, with the just released Play Station Move.
Question Marks are cell-phones with video game compatible platforms. The amount of progress these have made is unbelievable, and especially considering the very quick time span. Within about 2 years, they have publicized touch screen availability for the majority of customers. Whereas before, this was a commodity offered only at a steep price point, and at one time, known exclusively as an iphone feature. Now, video game compatibility may be the next era for cell phones, or smart phones. However, currently, despite their high growth rate, a low market share plagues these devices.
the cash-cow would be definitely the Wii.  The growth rate of the Wii system is significantly low, although the market share remains fairly high. It is still consistently purchased by consumers, but when was the last time a new installment or upgrade was made? From the beginning, the Wii exceeded expectations, and that was probably the issue. Too much too soon. But, for now, they are still selling successfully.
The dog, I'm told, is the X-Box. Before recently, I'd agree, but their new X-Box Kinect is probably going to shoot them up to cash-cow status, if not star. This new system enables literally hands-free controlling. The use of facial recognition makes your body the controller, possible with the help of movement sensors in the console. This is definitely quite a breakthrough, that is, in my opinion, going to be a big commodity very soon.

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Competition-In-The-Video-Game-Console/209271

http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Game_Consoles_Wars:_Xbox_360_vs._PS3_vs._Wii

EOC Week 1: Excellent Customer Service

The best customer service experience I have ever had, so far would have to be at Domino’s Pizza.  I signed up for something online, and they started sending me all these really exclusive and valuable offers in the mail.  When they came out with the new oven baked sandwiches, I was mailed a coupon for one free sandwich.  They had also recently released their online ordering and pizza tracker at this time, so I was asked to order it online, and evaluate the efficiency of this new method.  I went online to do it, and it was actually a lot easier than expected, but unfortunately, I guess I lost track of time.  By the time I arrived to pick up the food, they said it had been ready for almost an hour. I was expecting to hear that they’d be charging me for having to remake it, but shockingly, they offered to remake it at no charge! So not only was my sandwich free to begin with, but i got a replacement free too, and it was my fault the switch was necessary.  I thought this was excellent customer service because they had no obligation to remake my food, and they offered to do so with a friendly attitude and no protests.  I still am not sure why they send me the VIP coupons, as I didn’t go there excessively.  But, that made me feel even more important, as they seem to appreciate all customers equally, regardless how much or how little they spend. 

EOC Week 1: My Voice

It all started with a Vera Wang ad, hanging on the wall of a London subway station, in 1998.  That’s when I realized my passion in life—fashion; which my love for later helped to create clothing label, FAUX SHO.  Upon receipt of a B.S. in Fashion and Retail Merchandising at the Art Institute of Las Vegas, I bought and opened my first store, in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, I was continuing my education at UNLV.  After hardship for about seven months, the store gained market success! FAUX SHO expanded to Los Angeles and New York City (its new headquarters) over the next four years.  FAUX SHO is a clothing retailer, founded by myself, Randi Spencer.  It includes two other brands as well: Chin up Princess in Los Angeles, and Boys Grow Up in New York City. The brand is inspired by elements such as: creativity, modesty, respect, cruelty-free, social responsibility, and style.  As the owner of this company, I want to ensure that my strong concern for social issues is presented in FAUX SHO’s image.  We are a sweatshop-free, fur and leather-free, eco-friendly, socially conscious establishment. Also, we are an active supporter of organizations: World Wildlife Fund, Girls Inc., National Organization for Women, and (PRODUCT)RED.