Diagnosing the "flutie effect" on college marketing

In this article, it goes into detail of how sport success leads for colleges to get more applicants to apply to their college.  The "Flutie Effect" is named after former BC quarterback Doug Flutie, who made one of the most famous plays in college football history.  After Flutie's heroic play, BC saw a dramatic swing in applications.   There was a study conducted by Doug J. Chung showed how on-field heroic do improve the quantity and quality on students that apply to the college.  Some of his findings included, when a school rises from mediocre to great on the football field, applications increase by 17.7 percent, to get the same effects, schools would have to decrease tuition by 3.8 percent, Even student with high SAT scores are affected by athletic success, and schools become more academically selective with athletic success.

So what do you think?  Is this "Flutie effect" real?  Do you think Keene State should consider forming a successful football team to attract more students?


http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/7134.html

Response to Mia Gauthiers post-Customer Service

I think customer service does have it flaws, but it is still pretty proficient in the job that needs to get done.  People always are complaining and will always find something to complain about at a store.  It is just up the employees at the store   But for the rational people, that the stores want to bring back as regular customers, use customer service well.  It allows the customers to let the company know flaws with products, and I believe customer service it key for customer satisfaction.  So, yes there are flaws that comes with customers service, but you cannot eliminate it.  Customers service is what drives the company to have their customers satisfied.

To Sell or Not to Sell

With the case provided by Professor Johnson, you can see a scenario in which John Smith has a decision on his hands.  John Smith is on the verge of bankruptcy who owns a small research firm.  He surveyed more than 2,000 people about when they will buy a new car.  A car dealer then offers 8,000 dollars for the names of customers who are "likely" or "very likely" to purchase a new car within the next 12 months.  The question is weather he should or not sell these names.  I personally think he should.  I do not believe it breaks any codes of ethics.  He is about to lose everything he has to bankruptcy, including his company.  I believe the 8,000 dollars can keep his companies doors open a little longer, and be able to pull in some more profits.

What do you think?  Should John Smith not sell the names, or should he?  Would he be breaking any ethics?

Response to Christian Torti's Post-Microsoft signs android patent deal with Foxconn

I believe this is a bad thing for Microsoft.  I'm sure if more people in society knew this about Apple product, the poor conditions of the makers of their product, they would lose a lot of business.  So if people learn that Microsoft is using these poor workers, people would get turned off from their products.  It comes does to the customer always, and customers will not respond well to the mistreatment of workers.  But there is the other side of it, that even though Apple does use these workers, they still generate huge sales.  So maybe Microsoft will not be hurt that bad.  And if they are not hurt in sales, they are making their product cheaper.  It is a double edged sword, but I believe that Microsoft should not turn to Foxconn for work.

Losing a Step, Nike seeks to Regain its Edge

I think a huge part of this article was the point made about the news Tiger Woods advertisment.  The slogan under a picture of Tiger Woods states , "Winning Takes Care of Anything".  Now, many find this very offensive.  Some believe that, knowing Woods prior history of problems, that this slogan is incentive.  That it sends a message, "hey it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you win that's all that matters."  As said in the article, said by a Facebook commentator, "nice message that you are sending to our children".  I think I may have to agree with the critics here.  This slogan does give off the message of it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you win.  Nike is known in the past for the catchy slogans, and being one of the best marketing companies out there.  This may just show that they are losing their step.

What do you think?  Is this slogan incentive?  Did Nike break any moral by doing this ad?  Do you think maybe Nike is losing their edge?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/15/business/media/nike-once-cutting-edge-seeks-to-regain-its-brand-aura.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=advertisingandmarketing

Response to Melissa Moriwaki's post- Dunkin Donuts

I believe this a smart move for Dunkin Donuts.  I believe that Dunkin should promote their drinks more than anything else the serve.  I agree with the CEO that drinks is where the profit of the company really come in.  They need to market their drinks the most because of the fact they have so much competition with so many Coffee place, and so many smoothie places selling similar products.  If Dunkin can get a lead on the drink industry, they can really sky rocket their profits.   But even with this, I do not think that Dunkin's doughnut sales will fall to much.  This is because EVERYONE knows that Dunkin' sells doughnuts.  If you are looking for a doughnut to eat, almost anyones first though would be dunkin.  So weather Dunkin' advertises their donuts or not, if people are craving a doughnut, they will turn to Dunkin' Donuts

Attention, Audience; Attention Shoppers

This article goes into the detail of a new film coming out, "Scatter my Ashes at Bergdorf's".  It is suppose to be a film about this tailor, Bergdorf Goodman, and his rise to fame.  It is the story of how he rose from a modest tailor, to running Manhattan Institutions.  But there is some controversy that surrounds this film.  That is the fact that some people see this not as a film, but as an advertisement.  The creators claim this film is about the rise of fashion, especially in films and things of that nature.  But others think there is a cynical side to this.  That is that this a huge marketing ploy.  Some believe that Bergdorf is using this film to show his fashions and clothes, and it is just all a big marketing ploy.  I agree with these critics.  After reading this article I think Bergdorf is just using this to show off his fashion, and get more people to want his clothes.  So what do you think after reading this article, is this just a film about his rise to fame, or is he trying to sell people his products?

Response to Sarah Allen's Post- Factors Affecting Channel Choice

Out of the three group factors for channel choice are producer factors, product factors, and market factors.  Now a great question is which of these are the most important for channel choices.  I believe the market factors are the most important area.  This is because I believe the customer is always the most important thing when trying to run a company.  So knowing what products, when people want products, and all of that really lets you know the most for what channel you should be using.  So all of these areas are very important when choosing your channel, but I believe that Market factors are the most important.

Response to Will Ferguson's Post-Smart Phones

The smartphone I currently have is the Iphone 4.  I'm very satisfied with it, and it's performance.  It is sleek, smooth, and I have not had an technical problems with it.  I just choose the Iphone because I like Apple brand products.  I also had a Macbook, showing my brand loyalty to Apple.  I just like Apple products, and believe they are the most proficient, and they are the easiest to use.  I think Apple just makes things easy to use, and ways that I want to use my smartphone.  So my brand loyalty no question goes to Apple.

Mobile Ads Help Propel Earnings at Facebook

It seems in the recent year, Facebook has been falling off.  This may be because because of the introduction of new social media networks such as Twitter, Vine, Instagram, and others.  It seems that maybe Facebook was on the verge of bankruptcy at one point.  This is because since Facebook makes just about all of its money through advertising, but their advertising had fallen off.  That is because so many people went mobile with their Facebook app, but Facebook was not able to figure out a way to advertise on the smart phones.  Well from this article, you can see that Facebook has cracked the code, and now they are able to advertise on the mobile apps.  In their first three months of this year, they were able to exceed any exceptions that people set, brining in $375 million dollars of revenue.  So do you think that since Facebook as cracked this advertising code and can bring in huge amounts of revenue, they will once again be on top of the social media chain?  Or will they face their end soon, as many had predicted?



http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/technology/mobile-efforts-help-propel-facebook-earnings.html?ref=advertisingandmarketing&_r=0

Response to Dan Driscoll's Post-Saturday Delivery??

I think that we should not have a postal service anymore.  I believe obviously we still need to be able to order goods and get them delivered to our house from UPS, but I think the days of written letters need to be behind us.  It is unnecessary for the government to have to fund this postal service anymore when it can be eliminated.  We have so much technology, such as e-mail, that can just replace this service, and be much cheaper.  I believe that this is the start of the end of the postal service, that has been part of america almost from the beginning.

Marriott Ties in With '42' to Promote Loyalty Program

Marriott International is using the new film "42" to help promote its loyalty program to African Americans.  For those who don't know, "42" is a film about the great Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.  Now Marriott is using this film to promote it's loyalty to African Americans, which could be a good thing, or could it backfire?  Marriott officials state they are doing this just because the believe the store of Jackie Robinson fits right into their motto, and fits their culture, themes, and values.  Marriott began a monthlong sweepstakes on Facebook that offers daily prizes for tickets to "42", and also a change to win an expense-paid trip to film's Los Angeles premiere.  I believe that this a good thing, that Marriott is tying its mottos together to fit with the great and courageous Jackie Robinson.

What do you think?  Is this maybe a stretch for Marriott to tie itself together with Jackie Robinson?  Or is this a good thing that Marriott is doing?


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/business/media/marriott-ties-in-with-42-to-promote-loyalty-program.html?ref=advertisingandmarketing

Online Marketing 101: Are You Prone to Shiny Objects Syndrome

When reading the article, it goes into detail how everyone runs to what is "new" and "hip", instead of what can really help.  It goes into the details of how people are running to things such as social media to help promote their product, but is it really helping?  The answer is no, and I agree.  People are just trying to run to what is new, and what is going on.  But really what should be happening is research, and time being put in in order to see where promoting a product can be truly successful.  It time to get away from what is "cool" and start to go towards what is "right".  Do you believe that this "shiny objects syndrome" is true also?

Response to Cody Crawford's post-Social Media a promotion

I also believe that social media can be a great way to promote a product.  But also as Cody touched on, there are way that it can also be unsuccessful.  The main way I think it can be unsuccessful is just the annoyance that can come from promoting on social media.  I can't tell you how frustrated I get sometimes when there are all these ads popping up on my Facebook page, or getting in my way on twitter.  So I believe that to much promotion can occur on social media, and instead of making me wanting to buy the product, it drives me to stay away.  Can you think of any other ways that social media promotion can be unsuccessful?

Response to Joe Maturo's post....The New Race in Marketing

I think the PS4 will pass over the Xbox 720 in this next competition for the top choice gaming console. I've been a huge Xbox 360 fan, and choose it over the PS3, but when looking at the projections for what each console will be like, it seems like the PS4 definitely will have the edge.  Although it kills me to abandon my loyal Xbox, I just feel that PS4 will just have to much to offer.

The Risk of Using SMS for Customer Service

When reading through this article, it goes into the details of using Text Messaging for customer service. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this.  To start off with, a huge advantage is the fact that 75% of Americans text message today.  So it is a great way for companies to contact their customers.  But there are downfalls to it.  For example, right now text message customer service is almost always run by a computer animated system, instead of a human.  This allows for room of frustration on the customers part.  This article set a nice set of guidelines for SMS customer service.  Those are that the companies must always ask permission, texting must be a two-way personal conversation, and they must provide an easy opt-out.

Do you agree with this guidelines?  Do you think companies should use customer service through SMS?  Would you be bothered by it?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/onmarketing/2013/05/02/the-risk-of-using-sms-for-customer-service/

Response to Julianne Braverman, Generation Y

Question: Do you think that you would be able to give up your cell phone for a day? A week and be able to get through the few days not being connected at all time?

I think just for a day I would be able to give up my phone.  But anything past that, saying a week or so, I would say there is little to no chance.  I understand with the fact that maybe our society may be a little bit to technology dependent at this point.  But the fact that we are now accustom to these new smart phones and everything, and are always able to be connected, it would be hard to just get rid of that now.  So the fact of giving up my cell phone may not be a choice for me.

No One Forgets a Fashion Label's Name When it's Strange

This article goes into the details of naming a companies line in the fashion industry.  Although I do not have much interest in the fashion industry, it is a very interesting concept.  A lot of fashion lines are just the names of the people who created them, aka Calvin Klein.  But this article talks about how boring that is.  Could this effecting sales?  This article seems to believe that an interesting name will help generate some interest.  Taking "4 circles in a square, 4 corners of city" to be an example.  Although people did have trouble remembering the name, the writer seems to think that almost remembering a name is still getting it more recognized then having it named something bland like a name or a country.  I agree with this writer.  I believe if you have a strange name, that is different from everyone else, it would help spark more interest.  It will stand out above the others, and people might not remember it word for word, but will defiantly recognized better than something bland.

What do you think?  If you had a company would you use something bland like a name?  Or would you put your neck out there a use a "strange name"?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/fashion/no-one-forgets-a-fashion-labels-name-when-its-strange.html?ref=advertisingandmarketing&_r=0

Response to Cody Crawford's Post

It is hard to find a scenario in which a consumer can get a product or service they are satisfied with, but still not be satisfied with the company.  But when looking deeper into it, you can find some cases of this.  Such as a consumer can have a product in which they like the performance, and the price, but the fact that they were treated poorly by the store employees.  If the consumer gets bad attitude from an employee, they will  not be happy with the store, even if they product is great.  Another scenario in which this can be seen is a company that is not socially responsible.  A company can make a great product, but if the consumers find out that the company is not socially responsible, do not care about the environment and the society, the consumer will be turned off by the company.  Can you think of any other scenario's in which this case is true?




Do you think a consumer can get a product/service that they are satisfied with, but then not be satisfied with the company/business?

Self regulation vs. governmental regulation

When looking at the regulation of companies, it seems that governmental regulation is getting weaker and weaker by the year.  It seems that the United States is looking for something to fix this problem.  It has been mentioned that maybe we should let companies self regulate.  In my mind, I think this would be a terrible idea.   Sure maybe we could trust some companies to self regulate, and to do it fairly, but if self regulation was put into place, there would be a ton more of corruption.  Especially when regulating could falter that companies gain, when it would be themselves regulating their company, I'm sure a lot of them would not regulate as hard in order to be able to gain personal profit.   So even though governmental regulation is getting weaker, it still seems to be the best thing we have right now.  We cannot trust a company to regulate against its self, because they would just try to bend the rules in order to be more successful.  What do you think, Trust the government or trust the companies?

Response to Max Senew's Post

When looking for companies that are socially responsible, it seems to be a hard thing to find these days.  This case is especially true for American based companies.  It seems that most companies are more focused on their finical well being then what is happening in the society around them.  But there is one U.S. based company that seems to care about society.  That would be the Walt Disney Company.  Instead of just providing entertainment to us, they also feel a responsibility to contribute to making the world a better place.  Examples from Walt Disney that can be seen is that they run their trains on biodisel made from cooking oil from their own hotels, they established a worldwide conservation fund, and lastly they institute a "green standard" for their employees and cast.  So as seen here, Disney does things to help make the world a little better.  Even though it is hard to come by, it is a good thing to see.  Can you think of any other companies that are more focused on their social responsibilities instead of personal profit?

Product (RED)

When looking at product RED and Gaps relationship, it seems that a lot of good can come out of it for Gap.  When helping out a cause, such as the fight against HIV/AIDS, Gaps seems to be committed to it's corporate social responsibilities.  Some may argue that Gap is just doing this to "spit-shine" the companies image, but when it is said that Gap is just continuing business as usual, it seems to be a little far fetched.  When Gap sells their RED brand clothing, it would make sense to say it is doing business as usual if they are brining in the profits.  But because of the fact that 50%, yes 50% of the profit that comes from selling the RED merchandise, goes to the fight against HIV/AIDS.  But still some people are still complaining that it is only that 50%.  But what people forget is that Gap still has overhead, still has expenses for selling the merchandise that has to be accounted for.  The fact that they are giving this much of the profit to charity shows that they have a sense of responsibility for the public.  There are some companies out there that do almost zero to none charity work.  The amount of cash that Gap brings in, even the 50% of the profits still is a huge chunk of cash that can go towards a good cause.  So  sure maybe Gap  can contribute more, but the fact that people criticize them for doing at least this much charity work is not fair.  Gap is doing an unselfish act, and a good act for society, and they do this but cutting the profit in half.

Response to Jake Atherton's Post

When looking to buy a new product, there a lot of factors that go into me deciding weather to purchase it or not.  First of all, if a product had a small chance as meting or exceeding my expectations, I probably would not be interested in buying that product.  If it can not satisfy my need as a consumer, I do not see a reason to why I would want to get that product.  The factors that go into my choices of what product to buy is what my need from that product is, the price, the reputation of the company making the product, and lastly, how the product can preform to my needs.  I would want to get the product that can live up to my expectations, and can get the job done for my needs.

Response to BB Question 2

When looking at a successful business model, there is one major aspect to it, and that is the customer.  The customer is what allows businesses to strive, and allow businesses to grow.  When looking at the customer, there are two big areas to focus on, and that is customer satisfaction and the customer value.  Now, there is the fact if these two are interdependent or mutually exclusive.  I think while looking at these two, they definitely tie into each other.  In order to satisfy a customer, they will have to be happy with the products they are getting.  Pulling a quote from wisegeek.com, they define customer value as, "Customer value is the benefit that a customer will get from a product or service in comparison with its cost."(pg.1)  So what this means is that when a customer buys a product or service, it is how much he or she benefits from it, while factoring in how much is cost him or her.  So when comparing customer satisfaction and customer value, they have a lot to do with each other, because of the fact of in order to a customer to be satisfied with the company, they have to be happy with products or services they are being provided.  If there is a low customer value, or they are not happy with product or service, then the customer will not be satisfied.  I can not think of a scenario where satisfaction can occur with low customer value, because in what scenario would a customer get the product or service and not be happy with it, but then there are satisfied with the company?
Work Cited: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-customer-value.htm