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 of this partnership?
  • How would you suggest marketers use the technology?

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 affect future competition and company valuations, in your opinion?

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 management.

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 you advise the industry do, from a marketing point of view?

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 it available for shorter-term use?
  • How would you price usage, for say a six hour flight to Europe?

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 ad disclosure, and which consumer group has increased its social media usage the most during the pandemic.

Source: eMarketer.com – podcast

Date: Oct 14, 2020

Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-a-social-media-reckoning-after-the-us-election

 

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the highlights presented in this discussion.
  • How do you think social media will change?
  • How should marketers view the current trends, in your opinion?

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 equity?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of this program for the firm?

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 for the firm and consumers if the action is successful?

Chipotle burritos — not bowls — are all the rage during the pandemic: CFO

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

Description: The mighty Chipotle burrito — delivered straight to your house — continues to power the restaurant giant’s profits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report

Date: Oct 22, 2020

Link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/chipotle-burritos-not-bowls-are-all-the-rage-during-the-pandemic-cfo-172128826.html

Questions for discussion:

  • How well has Chipotle managed during the covid pandemic that has devastated many restaurants?
  • What marketing and management lessons should the firm carry forward with after the crisis passes?

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

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), 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 that would be most interesting to marketers in the travel industry.
  • What do you think of the assessment?
  • What would you advise the industry do, from a marketing point of view?