Description: Amazon, which already holds a dominant position in the US smart speaker market, will continue to maintain this leadership through 2021, with approximately 70% of total US smart speaker users expected to use an Amazon Echo device, according to our latest estimates. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Feb 10, 2020 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/amazon-maintains-convincing-lead-in-us-smart-speaker-market?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: Why… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Product Brands and Branding
Tim Hortons overhauls loyalty program after giveaways put a big hole in sales
Description: Customers will now be able to accumulate points for more than just coffee Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 11, 2020 Link: https://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/tim-hortons-had-a-rough-year-as-sales-tumbled Questions for discussion: Why was the older program not popular with franchisees? Is the new program better for franchisees, in your opinion? What would be a better promotional program?
‘Dean of valuation’ says Tesla would need VW-like sales and Apple-like margins to justify stock
Description: Tesla has a long way to go before it justifies its current stock price, New York University finance professor Aswath Damodaran told CNBC on Thursday. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 13, 2020 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/13/damodaran-tesla-needs-vw-like-sales-apple-like-margins-to-justify-stock.html Questions for discussion: Explain what Aswath Damodaran means when he says Tesla would need VW-like sales and Apple-like margins to… Read more »
Why Big Tech Is Getting Into Finance
Description: Why Big Tech Is Getting Into Finance Source: MarketWatch.com – video report Date: Feb 06, 2020 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/video/why-big-tech-is-getting-into-finance/9260A791-661F-4E53-9111-5E88B7CC6494.html Questions for discussion: How can marketers make use of personal financial information such as payments? Do you think consumers will reject the relationship proposed by tech firms? How should marketers at tech firms like Google present… Read more »
NFL players trade in gas-guzzling SUVs for all-electric Teslas
Description: While investors may not be able to make up their minds about Tesla, with its stock whipsawing in recent days, the electric carmaker has a strong base of fans within the NFL. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 05, 2020 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/05/nfl-players-go-eco-friendly-trading-in-once-popular-suvs-for-teslas.html Questions for discussion: Do you think the NFL and players represent a… Read more »
David Meerman Scott On Creating Passionate Fans – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Description: The bestselling author, David Meerman Scott, wants businesses to focus more on developing fans than customers. He would know. He is a fan of live music, collecting artifacts from space, and so much more. He also happens to be a marketing strategist who has written eight books (all of which have done exceedingly well). He… Read more »
Hemp Prices Plunge as CBD Demand Falls Short: Cannabis Weekly
Description: It may not be apparent when you’re spending $70 on CBD foot cream, but hemp prices are plunging amid a “grossly oversupplied” market, according to the head of the industry’s first price provider. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Jan 26, 2020 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-26/hemp-prices-plunge-as-cbd-demand-falls-short-cannabis-weekly?srnd=premium-canada Questions for discussion: Explain price movements in this commodity. How can the industry deal with the… Read more »
Why Planters killed off Mr. Peanut
Description: This week, snack brand Planters released a dramatic video showing the apparent death of its animated mascot, Mr. Peanut. It turns out killing off the iconic 104-year-old nut had to do with the phenomenon of how people mourn the deaths of fictional characters, such as Iron Man, according to a creative leader behind the… Read more »
Apple’s new connected gyms program gives you benefits for working out with Apple Watch
Description: Apple on Thursday announced its new “Apple Watch Connected” gym initiative, a new series of partnerships with fitness facilities that makes it easier for people who own Apple Watches to track workouts, buy stuff and earn rewards for working out. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Jan 23, 2020 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/23/apple-watch-connected-gyms-announced-in-us.html Questions for discussion: What… Read more »
Debut of GM’s Cruise Origin shows the future of ride-hailing, autonomous vehicles is a box
Description: The future of the auto industry isn’t horsepower or style when it comes to autonomous vehicles and ride-hailing services. It’s a box. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Jan 23, 2020 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/23/debut-of-gms-cruise-origin-shows-the-future-of-ride-hailing-autonomous-vehicles-is-a-box.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the projected future for this industry, as described in the report. Create a more detailed business plan… Read more »