A Texas Border Town’s Booming Trade in Great Tacos

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Marketing Research, Product Brands and Branding, Services Marketing.

Description: Brownsville has its troubles, but it’s also starting to draw attention for its thriving collection of distinctive taquerias. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 25, 2020 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/dining/tacos-brownsville-texas.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage Questions for discussion: How has Brownsville responded to the economic challenges it is facing? What else could this community capitalize on because of its location, culture and history?

Prices for Amazon Sponsored Product Ads Continue to Climb

Posted by & filed under Marketing Research, Metrics/Analytics, Pricing, Services Marketing.

Description: Marketers that advertise on Amazon are continuing to pour more money into paid media on the ecommerce marketplace, according to Q4 2019 reporting from technology providers and performance advertising agencies. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Feb 20, 2020 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/prices-for-amazon-sponsored-product-ads-continue-to-climb Questions for discussion: What does the report say about ad prices? Why is this happening and… Read more »

Roku CEO Anthony Wood

Posted by & filed under Global Marketing, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Product Brands and Branding, Services Marketing.

Description: Roku CEO Anthony Wood talks about Roku’s business model, streaming technology and it’s relationship with content providers like Disney. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 15, 2020 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/02/14/watch-cnbcs-full-interview-with-roku-ceo-anthony-wood.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made by Anthony Wood favouring the growth of streaming and Roku in particular. How is Roku complementing… Read more »

The Woman Rising From Goldman Trader to Its Face on Wall Street

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Services Marketing.

Description: One after the other as the morning wore on, Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s most senior leaders — all men — took turns on stage describing their plan to restore its dimmed star. Much of it rests on a woman who’s being groomed to join them. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Feb 13, 2020 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-02-13/the-woman-rising-from-goldman-trader-to-its-face-on-wall-street Questions for… Read more »

Disruption 2020: An Interview With Clayton M. Christensen

Posted by & filed under Global Marketing, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Research, Services Marketing.

Description: With technology and capital rapidly increasing the pace of innovation, Christensen’s thinking is more relevant today than ever. What do we know now about the power of disruption and where it’s taking us? Source: SloanReview.mit.edu Date: Feb 04, 2020 Link: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/an-interview-with-clayton-m-christensen/?utm_source=El1&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Chris0220 Questions for discussion: What are the important lessons directed at managers, marketers and investors? Which… Read more »

In U.S., Library Visits Outpaced Trips to Movies in 2019

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

Description: WASHINGTON, D.C. — Visiting the library remains the most common cultural activity Americans engage in, by far. The average 10.5 trips to the library U.S. adults report taking in 2019 exceeds their participation in eight other common leisure activities. Source: Gallup.com Date: Jan 24, 2020 Link: https://news.gallup.com/poll/284009/library-visits-outpaced-trips-movies-2019.aspx Questions for discussion: What does the research… Read more »

Hidden camera footage catches misleading sales practices at car rental agency

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

Description: Experts weigh in on what consumers should look out for when renting a car Source: CBC.ca Date: Jan 31, 2020 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-car-rental-ripoffs-1.5442260 Questions for discussion: Summarize the consumer related issues presented in this report. Is the industry being fair to consumers, in your opinion? Should the industry self-police or is there a place for… Read more »

Apple’s new connected gyms program gives you benefits for working out with Apple Watch

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing, Services Marketing.

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

Posted by & filed under Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Product Brands and Branding, Services Marketing.

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 »

How companies like Google and IBM plan to profit from quantum computing

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

Description: How companies like Google and IBM plan to profit from quantum computing Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Jan 23, 2020 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/01/17/how-quantum-computing-works-google-ibm-dwave-amazon.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key ideas and issues facing the firms involved in the quantum computing environment. What are some of the applications and opportunities, according to the report?