To sell or not to sell?

John Smith wns a small marketing research firm in Cleveland, Ohio, which employes 75 people. Most employees are the sole breadwinners in their families. John's firm has not fared well for the past two years and is on the verge of bankruptcy. The company recently surveyed more than 2,000 people in Ohio about new car puchase plans. The study was done for the Ohio Department of Economic Development.  Because the study identified many hot prospects for new cars, a car dealer has offered John $8,000 for the names and phone numbers of people saying they are "likely" or "very likely" to buy a new car within the next 12 months. John needs the money to avoid laying off a number of employees. Questions: Should John smith sell the names? (Be sure to answer the poll to the left of this post.) Also, Does the AMA Statement of Ethics address this issue? Go to the AMA website (American Marketing Association) to see whether their statement of ethics relates to John  Smith's dilemma.  Do you think this is a common dilemma?  You can blog on this issue.

Facial Recognition Software -- Marketing Tool and Privacy Concerns

What experiences have you had with facial recognition software used by businesses? How can they be leveraged for marketing applications? Should marketing companies address the associated privacy concerns? Here's a link to an early article these technologies. Another article in Time

The Popularity of the Produce Aisle

The produce aisle in our supermarkets is diversifying; many stores have redesigned their stores amid increasing pressures from packaged-food manufacturers who want to put their products next to the lettuce. Stores are finding that consumers consider any packaged food placed there to be fresher -- the "halo effect," as some consumer behavior researchers have dubbed it. Read this article (and view the video) from the Wall Street Journal to learn more. What is the primary purpose driving this trend? Are there any risks (for the supermarkets and/or consumer) associated with changing the merchandising and layout of supermarkets? Can you come up with an experimental design or other research method that could test whether any of these layout design ideas are effective?

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Collaboration & Creativity

A collaborative relationship between organizations is one important approach to creativity and innovation. New ideas and initiatives often emerge with the combined expertise of leaders at two organizations. Mark Zuckerman, the Chief Executive of Facebook, says his company will offer the ability to chat one on one with your Facebook friends. (I remember that about a week ago Google did something similar.) Here’s an article that offers insights into the new collaborative relationship between Facebook and Skype. What other collaborative efforts might be in store for Facebook? What might the downsides be to such collaboration?

(MKTG) How to Market on Facebook

Here's a good article that might get one started.

(OB & INTRO) 100 Years After Triangle Fire, Tragedy in Bangladesh and Anti-Union Bill in Wisconsin Highlight Workers' Enduring Struggles

Labor without unions? Read about some parallel events in history. 100 Years After Triangle Fire, Tragedy in Bangladesh and Anti-Union Bill in Wisconsin Highlight Workers' Enduring Struggles

(MKTG) What is Green Marketing?

For a short overview...

(MKTG) Subway's $5 Footlong -- the story

Heres' the article and the video. What's next for subway's marketing plan?

(MKTG & OB) On Innovation

Innovative Thinking

(MKTG) - Naomi Klein on OBama Branding

Read this January 2010 excerpt from the 10th anniversary edition of No Logo in which Naomi Klein writes about the way corportae culture has taken over the US government:

"Obama, in sharp contrast not just to social movements but to transformative presidents such as FDR, follows the logic of marketing: create an appealing canvas on which all are invited to project their deepest desires but stay vague enough not to lose anyone but the committed wing nuts (which, granted, constitute a not inconsequential demographic in the United States)....Another way of putting it is that Obama played the anti-war, anti-Wall Street party crasher to his grassroots base, which imagined itself leading an insurgency against the two-party monopoly through dogged organisation and donations gathered from lemonade stands and loose change found in the crevices of the couch. Meanwhile, he took more money from Wall Street than any other presidential candidate, swallowed the Democratic party establishment in one gulp after defeating Hillary Clinton, then pursued 'bipartisanship' with crazed Republicans once in the White House."

(MKTG) "The Overspent American"

Post DVD questions on “The Overspent American” (viewed in class): What are the latest items of conspicuous consumption today? Do we see a continuing trend in what the video identifies as the “overspent American”? How does marketing today play a role in these trends today? Do you believe the “aspiration gap” has grown? What is your “reference group” and how is it part of comparative spending? How does your social class effect where you shop? Have you made (or will you make) changes in your life to avoid or reduce what the video called “consumer escalation” – the cycle of working and spending? If such changes were made on a broad scale in our society, how might it change marketing practices? Is there anything marketers can do to help reduce the problems associated with overspending?

(OB) - Social Loafing in the 21st Century.

Read this academic article (approx 10 pgs.) for a contemporary view of social loafing.

(MKTG) Ethnic Preferences Make an Impact

Marketers keep up with changes in demographics and ethnic preferences, at least at one pizza joint.

(OB) The Gender Gap -- Consistent and Persistent

Here's an update on the gender gap.

MKTG: Bon Iver's marketing magic -- via Facebook.

Listen to a clip of Bon Iver playing on the David Letterman show and reat the article that describes his successful marketing strategy.
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Article

OB: Job Rotation for the Head Honchos

This WSJ article discusses job rotation for CEOs, benefits and challenges.

MKTG: Whites, Brightens and Confuses

Why so many different kinds of toothpaste? What type of marketing research or business analysis should a manufacturer use to decide which specific product eliminate? See this article.

The burger breaks tradition in Japan

McDonald’s is – once again -- a prime example of social irresponsibility. Thanks to a new marketing strategy, big burgers are a big hit in Japan. How long will it take before the Japanese develop obesity rates and related illnesses similar to the U.S.? Read this article and watch the related video.

MKTG: Is Facebook more important for the environment than solar panels?

Does Facebook move us behond conspicuous consumption?