John Smith

In Response to Professor Johnson 
Regarding Smith

In tough economic times people at least consider options they wouldn’t normally even dream of, in order to try to preserve what they have.  It is extremely easy for outsiders to sit back and say somebody shouldn’t do something in order to preserve their way of life.  Especially as an American male, there is a lot of pressure for them to be able to bring home the paycheck week in and week out.  That being said, how would you like it if you had your information sold to an advertising company? 

Most of the time this would be illegal anyways as the TOS would clearly state that the participants can’t give or sell their responses or information to anybody other than what was stated.  Even if it wasn’t illegal it was just morally wrong.  This violates the AMA’s three principles and possibly even worse, it ruins the chance of later, legitimate researchers to be able to get information out of these people.

This response seems pretty cut and dry, not many people would say that innocent people should have their information sold, just for the benefit of a select few.  When privacy becomes a potential security threat is another matter.  The TSA in airlines fights this issue every single day.  People want to be safe, but yet don’t want to have to give up any of their rights. 

Where should they draw the line?  If your name is on the no fly list because you are related to somebody should that be disclosed?  Should the TSA be allowed to rifle through all of your personal belongings?  Should they be able to scan your body and put up an exact proportional replica of it on the screen for all of the agents to see?  

In response to Christine
Do you think Comcast will be able to compete against Netflix who already has a solid base of customers?
Is their simple marketing strategy of making their product cost less than Netflix enough to make them successful?

After my recent post about Amazon and Viacom making a deal I couldn't help but post about yet another competitor of Netflix.  Now not one, but two already formidable companies in the technology sector are jumping on board what used to be pretty much a one man show of streaming movies and TV shows.  Hulu is another company that is gaining a large market value in this area as well.  

From a consumer point of view, this can only mean good things.  All of these businesses are completely legitimate and have no legal ramifications to the end user.  Due to the increased competition in order to compete these companies will either A need to have a better price than the others, or B have a better, easier to use, and larger selection than the competitors.  Hulu and Amazon are trying to do a combination of the two.  They are both offering free selections as well as some that are paid.  Comcast is trying to offer the cheapest option while still offering a huge variety.  As of this point, Netflix still has the largest selection as well as the largest consumer base, which unless there is a clearly better alternative will most likely leave what they already have.  

Can you think of any other players that may want to get involved in this still relatively new market?  How will cell phone providers handle this influx of competition?  

Linsanity

Lin's marketing potential

As an avid viewer of sports, and particularly Sports Center, this new guy Jeremy Lin’s name has been mentioned more than just a few times.  A recent Harvard graduate, who was cut from two NBA teams before getting a job as a reserve player on the Knicks has seen his career go in a direction that he couldn’t have imagined in his wildest dreams.  He was so strapped for cash; he was sleeping on his brother’s couch in his apartment in New York City.  He went from a nobody to the talk of the country in three short games.  Creating a spark for a team that seemed to be headed anywhere but in the direction of the playoffs, Jeremy Lin has lead the Knicks to some huge wins against some big teams, including his buzzer beater, three point shot as well as taking down Kobe Bryant and his always formidable Lakers.

Not only has he been a dream come true for sports fans, but marketers are gawking at the opportunities this guy presents as well.  He is the fourth Asian American to play in the NBA, one of the first that can tap into the huge potential of a market in Asia.  Not only is he a huge opportunity for American companies to relate to Asia, but he is also the epitomy of the American dream.  He is a hard worker, underdog and over achiever, something that is exactly what everybody wants to cheer for. 

Ronn Torossian CEO and President of 5W Public Relations claims Lin has more potential than Tiger Woods pre-scandal and even more than Michael Jordan.  Jeremy Lin has sparked interest that the NBA hasn’t had since the lockout and has better ratings than ever.  The only way he will be able to live up to his potential is for him to keep putting up huge numbers. 

Do you think Jeremy Lin will be able to keep his incredible run going or will he join the plethora of other burnouts who seemed to squander their potential?  Most people are rooting for him, from an economical as well as a personal point of view, but let’s see if he can “put out” like we are all beginning to expect him to for the long run. 

In response to Maggie’s post...Do you think our generations and younger generations rely too much on technology?

Times are changing.  In many ways we do rely too much on technology.  For example, many people can't navigate streets they drive nearly every day without a GPS.  This seems like a minor ordeal, but it is a major difficulty.  It is taking the responsibility away from the humans.  Something that is nice sometimes, but we need to still be able to step up to the plate.  There are times when humans shouldn't have to rely on anything else, also if there is ever a technological failure humans need to be able to take things into their own hands, take responsibility solve the issue.  

Technology has also changed us socially.  In college, kids are able to spend more time in their room as they have internet, tv and pretty much anything else they will ever need.  This allows people to be less social, meet less people, and make less connections for the real world.  When one walks down Appian Way, most of the kids are either listening to music or on their cell phone.  I am a victim of this as well.  People aren't enjoying the outdoors and nature for what it is.  Sometimes it is good for people to unplug from everything and just experience the day.  

Technology has been a huge help for me as well.  I have friends all over the world, and as a result of Facebook, I don't need to keep track of their ever changing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.  I can communicate with them whenever I please, share pictures and videos as if I was sitting next to them.  

Facebook has its positives and drawbacks, do you think it has been more of a benefit to you or hindrance?

Amazon and Viacom make a deal

Amazon Inks Mega Dealwith Viacom for Instant Streaming Bonanza

The media giant Viacom has partnered up with the internet conglomerate giant Amazon once again.  This time in regards to Amazon’s new streaming service, Amazon Prime.  Viacom and Amazon agreed on a pact that will allow Amazon to stream two thousand additional titles to their collection, from TV stations such as MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, TV Land, to VH1 and HBO.  This will put their total number of streamable items up to 15,000. 

This is clearly a way to compete against Netflix.  Although Netflix had some problems this year, they tried to split into two separate companies, the streaming part, and the physical dvd section of it as well.  They also struggled with changing up the billing scheme and almost went out of business in the three days they had the new structure enacted.  They have since reverted to their traditional ways that have made them the industry leader in their field. 

Netflix has just surpassed P2P as the highest useage of bandwith in the US.  Amazon has since seen the potential in this market and has been working tirelessly on trying to make their product compete with Netflix.  At $79 a year amazon’s prime is much cheaper than Netflix. 

Due to Netflix’s recent marketing issues, and maybe not being able to relate to the customer as they once did, would you consider putting your money in an alternative such as Amazon’s prime feature?  What margin for error does the customer relations department in Netflix do you think they have?  

In Response to Rachel

But if you look really close and you pause the video, you’ll read that the phone is only free with a purchase of a 2-year contract. Is this false advertising or just really good marketing? Because technically the actual phone will be free on that day but you have to pay at least $100 for the two year agreement.

As an American this is quite frustrating.  Many Americans have signed the dreaded two year contracts that pretty much require us to stay with that company for two years, or pay a huge early cancellation fee.  I for one was not a big fan of it as it doesn't seem fair that one has to commit to something for two years.

During the fall semester I had the opportunity of studying abroad in New Zealand.  When I was over there I realized that none of the Kiwi's or locals had nice phones.  When I asked them about it their response was simple, they didn't want to have to "sign their life away" to a two year commitment.  As a result they would have to pay the full value of their phones, and then they could pay per month with any carrier they desired.

It is a different way of looking at it, we as Americans are seemingly more willing to sacrifice time and a commitment just to have a nicer phone, while the Kiwis wanted to have their freedom.

Many Americans are unaware of the possibility of paying month to month.  They are also less willing to pay more up front even if it would save them in the long run.

As a consumer would you prefer to do it the "American way" or more of the "Kiwi way"?  I know I for one will be considering my options when my two year commitment ends this July.

Super Bowl Ad Reaction

Super Bowl ad fiasco sign of seriously divided nation

On February 5^th the event that gets the highest TV ratings every year is watched by more than just football fans.  Over the years the Super Bowl has evolved into more than just the biggest game of the largest professional sports league in the U.S.  Companies have realized how high the ratings are, and have been willing to spend millions on a thirty second spot to get their name out.  Many of the commercials are designed to be funny, while still getting the potential customers to remember the brand name.  As the quality of the game isn’t always that great, especially if you have been a New England fan in the past few years, the commercials can always be counted on to be memorable.

This year was no exception, the game was a nail biter and came down to the last play, but was still mighty depressing for the Patriots fans.  The commercials on the other hand, were fair. There weren’t any stand out extremely funny but there was one that was extremely memorable.  Just before the second half began Chrysler stepped up to the plate big time.  They put on a commercial starring Clint Eastwood.  This commercial talked about how the American auto industry was on the rebound, Detroit was becoming a boom town again, and “Yeah. It's halftime, America. And our second half is about to begin.”  I personally took it as the second half of the game was about to begin as well as Detroit was only just beginning in their quest of world dominance in the auto industry again. 

When I was reading the news the next day, I learned that many people took it as a political ad.  People argued that it was an ad for Obama, and that he was just beginning improvement for America, something that with “another half” he could accomplish much more.  Karl Rove as well as Rush Limbaugh took it as “offensive”. 

Do you think the ad was an ad for Obama or just for Detroit as well as for America as a whole?  If it was an ad for Obama, should large corporations be able to endorse a candidate like that?