Americans Plan to Scale Back on Holiday Spending This Year

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Marketing Research.

Description: WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans predict they will spend an average $805 on Christmas gifts this year, significantly below their estimate a year ago ($942) and the lowest October holiday spending projection Gallup has measured since 2016. The sharp decline in Americans’ spending intentions since 2019 points to weak holiday sales for retailers. Source: Gallup.org… Read more »

The Resurgence of Branded Recipes for Home Cooks

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Research, Marketing Strategy, Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Supply Chain.

Description: As consumers return to their kitchens and lean on reliable brands during an uncertain year, we revisit the great American marketing tactic: the branded recipe Source: AMA.org Date: Oct 09, 2020 Link: https://www.ama.org/marketing-news/a-tablespoon-of-trademark/ Questions for discussion: How does the marketing aimed at “cook-at-home” of yesterday compare to the strategies being used today? What are… Read more »

Shopify will partner with TikTok to woo more merchants

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Research, Marketing Strategy, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing, Services Marketing.

Description: Canadian e-commerce company Shopify said on Tuesday it will partner with TikTok to help its one million-plus merchants more easily advertise their products on the video-sharing app, as it looks to grow its customer base. Source: CNBC.com Date: Oct 27, 2020 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/27/shopify-will-partner-with-tiktok-to-woo-more-merchants.html Questions for discussion: What are the promotional benefits to merchants as a result… Read more »

Opinion | Kara Swisher Talks Big Tech Monopolies and the Google Antitrust Case with Lina Khan

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Ethics, Global Marketing, Marketing Research, Services Marketing.

Description: Opinion | Kara Swisher Talks Big Tech Monopolies and the Google Antitrust Case with Lina Khan Source: NYTimes.com – podcast Date: Oct 30, 2020 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-lina-khan.html Questions for discussion: What are the issues relating to the tech monopolies? How do you think the conflict between the parties will play out? How will the results… Read more »

Opinion: Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google all produce record sales amid Big Tech backlash

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Global Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Services Marketing.

Description: Amid congressional tongue-lashing, antitrust issues and pandemic, Big Tech earnings soar again Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Oct 29, 2020 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-amazon-facebook-and-google-all-produce-record-sales-amid-big-tech-backlash-11604020309?mod=home-page Questions for discussion: Summarize what is happening at these tech firms and why? What sort of future do you see for these firms over the next six months? Explain your thinking and advice to… Read more »

Getting Back in the Air: What Travelers Need to Fly Again

Posted by & filed under Global Marketing, Marketing Research, Services Marketing.

Description: Light is breaking through the clouds for the airline industry as COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions ease. Source: Gallup.com Date: Oct 09, 2020 Link: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/321797/getting-back-air-travelers-need-fly-again.aspx Questions for discussion: Summarize the research in this report that would be most interesting to marketers in the travel industry. What do you think of the assessment? What would… Read more »

This helmet has its own air filtration system

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Research, Pricing, Services Marketing.

Description: Coronavirus has brought on a wave of new wearable technology. This helmet can help protect you from contaminated air. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Oct 22, 2020 Link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/video/helmet-own-air-filtration-system-143553314.html Questions for discussion: Where could this product find successful application? Would you suggest the firm market it to consumers or firms that would make… Read more »

A Social Media Reckoning After the US Election

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Ethics, Global Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Research, Services Marketing.

Description: eMarketer junior analyst Blake Droesch and principal analysts at Insider Intelligence Debra Aho Williamson, Mark Dolliver, and Jeremy Goldman discuss how social media might change as a result of the continued spread of misinformation on the platforms and general negative sentiment surrounding them. They then talk about the best way to use Stories, influencer… Read more »

Tim Hortons to test deposit program for returnable coffee cups and packaging

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Ethics, Global Marketing, Innovation, Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing, Services Marketing.

Description: TORONTO — Tim Hortons has signed a deal with TerraCycle’s Loop program to test an option that would allow customers to pay a deposit and receive their order in reusable, returnable cups and food packaging. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com Date: Oct 21, 2020 Link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/tim-hortons-test-deposit-program-110451507.html Questions for discussion: Do you think this program will increase brand… Read more »

U.S. Accuses Google of Illegally Protecting Monopoly

Posted by & filed under Global Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Product Brands and Branding, Services Marketing.

Description: A victory for the government could remake one of America’s most recognizable companies and the internet economy that it has helped define. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Ocy 20, 2020 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/20/technology/google-antitrust.html Questions for discussion: What is the basis for the case against Google? Do you think it merits legal action? What are the business consequences… Read more »