Description: The alternative social network MeWe had 12 million users at the end of 2020. Barely three weeks into 2021 — and two since a right-wing mob attacked the U.S. Capitol — the company says it’s now passed 16 million. Source: NPR.org Date: Jan 22, 2021 Link: https://www.npr.org/2021/01/22/958877682/fast-growing-alternative-to-facebook-twitter-finds-right-wing-surge-messy Questions for discussion: Summarize the conflicting issues… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Consumer/Buyer Behavior
Cheetos teases mysterious Super Bowl ad starring Ashton Kutcher
Description: Cheetos aims to build anticipation for its Super Bowl ad and new product with the teaser spot. Source: MarketingDive.com Date: Jan 14, 2021 Link: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/cheetos-teases-mysterious-super-bowl-ad-starring-ashton-kutcher/593353/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202021-01-14%20Marketing%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:31873%5D&utm_term=Marketing%20Dive Questions for discussion: Why is the distribution of this teaser a good idea? What are the brand associations created by the ad and involvement of Ashton Kutcher? Who is… Read more »
This film shows off virtual reality’s growing potential to compete with movies, TV, and gaming as our dominant form of entertainment
Description: The short VR film Baba Yaga, released on Facebook’s Oculus headsets, shows off the new medium’s narrative potential Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Jan 16, 2021 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/virtual-reality-made-me-want-to-get-into-bed-with-glenn-close-how-it-could-change-storytelling-forever-11610718372?mod=home-page Questions for discussion: What are the marketing issues related to the growth of VR development? How would you go about developing this company?
Canadian cannabis company Aphria eyes U.S. market as Biden presidency approaches
Description: Leamington, Ont.,-based company’s chief executive says sentiment about cannabis changing in U.S. Source: CBC.ca Date: Jan 16, 2021 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/aphria-cannabis-1.5873512 Questions for discussion: Why are government regulations expected to affect the marketing potential of this firm and the industry as a whole? How do you see marketing of cannabis develop over the next few… Read more »
Social platforms are starting to resemble each other
Description: What does that mean for marketers? Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jan 05, 2021 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-platforms-are-starting-resemble-each-other?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: Why do you think social platforms resemble each other so much? Is this a surprise? How would you expect this trend to play out over the next few years? What would you advise marketers at one of… Read more »
Electric car sales jump to record 54% market share in Norway in 2020 but Tesla loses top spot
Description: Electric car sales jumped to a record 54% of all new-vehicle sales in Norway last year, but Tesla’s Model 3 lost its place as the country’s bestselling vehicle despite a late surge. It is the first time a country has recorded more sales of electric cars than those powered by petrol, diesel and hybrid… Read more »
A Canadian ‘Buy Local’ Effort Fights Amazon on Its Own Turf
Description: A website called Not Amazon was created to drive sales to more than 4,000 independent stores in four cities. The initiative aims to keep expanding. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 02, 2021 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/business/not-amazon-canada.html Questions for discussion: Explain the branding strategy of “Not Amazon”? How is it beyond “buy local” branding? Who do you think… Read more »
It’s no surprise that Amazon, Berkshire, JPM health venture Haven is disbanding: Experts
Description: The news that Haven, the joint health-care venture between Amazon (AMZN), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) and JPMorgan (JPM), will disband next month came as no surprise to many health care experts. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Jan 04, 2021 Link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/its-no-surprise-that-amazon-berkshire-jpm-health-venture-haven-is-disbanding-experts-213818212.html Questions for discussion: Why did Haven fail to disrupt the health care industry? How significant… Read more »
Chinese electric car company Nio doubles deliveries in 2020 as local competition ramps up for Tesla
Description: BEIJING — China’s homegrown Tesla rivals are racking up sales in the world’s largest auto market. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Jan 04, 2021 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/04/chinese-electric-car-start-up-nio-doubles-deliveries-as-tesla-competition-rises.html Questions for discussion: How important do you think branding is for all of these competitors in the global market? Do you think Tesla remains a good investment at this… Read more »
Why Disney may test the limits of ‘franchise fatigue’ in 2021 and 2022
Description: Yahoo Finance’s Dan Roberts joined Yahoo FInance Live to break down why Disney may be testing the limits of ‘franchise fatigue’ in the coming years as the entertainment company puts numerous new series on-tap. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Dec 28, 2020 Link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/video/why-disney-may-test-limits-203349456.html Questions for discussion: What does the report say is… Read more »
Applied Marketing, 2e
Canadian Edition
