Coca Cola is introducing a new design to their iconic pop cans this winter to raise awareness for their signature mascot, polar bears. They are donating two million dollars to WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as well as matching any donation to the foundation. 

This is a very smart move for the company. Firstly, the principal amount Coca Cola is donating is an extremely small amount compared to their annual profits so little is coming out of the company’s pocket. Despite the minuscule amount, to many consumers, it may seem like Coca Cola is a caring company bringing awareness to the world. Coca Cola can use this approval in building a stronger brand image. Thirdly, Coca Cola created a joint partnership with World Wildlife Fund matching any donations up to one million dollars. This is a win win partnership because the charity will be receive more donation this holiday season, while Coca Cola can use the partnership to build a stronger loyal customer base and once again, a stronger brand image. Thirdly, the new design Coca Cola implemented into their cans promotes their commitment to protecting the polar bears while it matches the winter season. Coca Cola’s competitors have created ads promoting their product as being the ideal beverage for the winter season, but so far, no one else has created a new design. It can be said that Coke is first to do this.

Links:  Coke Can Goes White for Polar Bear Plight.  Pepsi Christmas

Multimedia: Google.ca

Bemeda offered her thoughts on “The End of the Occupy Vancouver Movement” stating that the movement has significantly weakened loosing support and lacking focus. They have no power to go against the authorities as they were told to pack up and go home earlier this week. She suggests that  the movement may continue online or take place in another location.

I think it is about time that  government forced the Occupy Movement out of the Vancouver Art Gallery area. After two months,  the Occupy Movement has done nothing but attract  unwanted attention and wasted man power. Many protests have taken place at the Vancouver Art gallery and after several weeks, they would pack up and move on regardless of them being successful or not. The Occupy Vancouver Movement has failed to impose any specific demands or threats. The general public was frustrated with them telling them to go home and find a job. However some don’t have a home to go back to because a good portion of them came from the Downtown East side. As a result, there have been several overdoses and DUI’s at the Occupy site.

I am personally not a supporter of the global Occupy Movement simply because of their lack of coordination and action leading to nothing being done. The movement haven’t occupied anything other than the area they are protesting in. Vancouver should be the city that role models in the Movement reaching its final stride.

Links: DMT Nexus Forum.  Inside Vancouver  The Vancouver Sun

Multimedia: Google.ca

BMW and AUDI have been the leading sports luxury brand in many segments of the car industry for many years. The BMW 3 series has been hailed for the best handling premium sports sedan with a range of estate, coupe and convertible versions, hence BMW’s slogan “The Ultimate Driving Machine”. The Audi A4, direct competition of the 3 series, is known for exquisite exterior and interior design hence Audi’s slogan “Truth in Engineering”. In many ways, both vehicles in this segment have different target markets. The 3 series are for those who desire performance while the A4 are for those who value sleek design and innovation. Yet somehow, has been the best vehicle in this segment according to many auto magazines. Perhaps the marketing department of BMW may have something to do with it.

I agree with Tony about BMW’s billboard being superior to Audi’s. BMW’s billboard “checkmate” accompanied with the legendary BMW M3 displays a strong statement as it was challenged by Audi. The M3 solely focuses on performance more than anything else. In a head to head battle, the A4 would be no match. Using the M3 in the ad is unfair but because BMW has a slight competitive advantage, they are able to use the word “checkmate”. This not only catches peoples’ attention, but it also signifies the strength of the brand.

Links: Advertising War Between Audi & BMW. Tony Liu’s Blog

Multimedia: Advertising War Between Audi & BMW.

I agree with Akash that there are barriers to entering the low cost airline market in Canada. With West Jet, whose business model is set up for a low cost operator, a large portion of market share have already been occupied. Air Canada already has several sub branches including Jazz and Star Alliance operating smaller aircrafts for routes within Canada.

I would vote no to the proposal because Air Canada’s business model is to operate on a large international based scale. Fundamentally, the demand for low cost airfares is there, but considering the existing competition specializing in operating a small scale airline, I think Air Canada should look beyond its borders and expand its routes internationally instead. Especially with the new Boeing 787 jetliners coming into service in two years, Air Canada will have a larger fleet of mid-large sized jetliners having the ability to fly greater distances to international hubs.

In addition to the new fleet, if the worker’s union is not in support with the proposal, a strike may be held and flight operations will be affected once again. Air Canada have had financial and employee problems in recent years.This will lead to poor customer service and possibly a decrease in air travelers selecting Air Canada. As a national airline, Air Canada must expand to compete internationally, not downsize.

Links: Air Canada union shuns discount carrier proposal, Akash Patel’s Blog

Photo: Google.ca

RIM and Nokia had their respective prime years in the mobile device industry but both have declined dramatically in the past two years.

Nokia’s had its prime in 1998 as the world’s biggest mobile handset maker. They put emphasis on durability and low end simplicity to their mobile devices. RIM took a different approach, marketing their product to adolescents and business people with Blackberry Messenger the convenience to send e-mails. Both companies played to their strengths but lacked a key component to continue their success throughout the years. Neither RIM or Nokia has an ecosystem like Apple does with I-Tunes and App Stores.The convenience of

these additional virtual hubs enables easy downloads of music, videos and apps. In addition to the IPhone, every Apple device can communicate with each other through the world-wide network of ITunes.

The IPhone will loose market share just like RIM’s Blackberry one day but the top of the waterfall is no where in sight. IPhone’s nearest competitor, Android, has created a strong platform with many phone manufactures going head to head with Apple’s IPhone. Android’s tactic of implementing their system into many different Smartphones shows promise, but it doesn’t have enough firepower at the time being. It took a brilliant man to create a company that revolutionized the world. It will take another to revolutionize Apple’s world.

Links: How Apple outsmarted RIM and Nokia

Multimedia: Google.ca

The Canadian job market stood strong in the past month of September as 60 900 jobs emerged pushing the unemployment rate down to 7.1%. In today’s ever changing job market, 7.1% is considered good compared to the United States’s 9.1% unemployment. The jobs however were mostly found in the seasonal educational sector while the private sector unemployment rate rose. Most companies are focused on boosting sales rather than adding to its head count. Employment rates in the professional, scientific and technical services, natural resources and public administration sector rose while the finance, insurance and especially real estate sector fell. The housing market has been leveling off which clearly shows through the decline in jobs in the real estate market.

Companies are conservative in times like these making it difficult for youth to find a job, shown by an unemployment rate of 14%. This in turn leads to a significant increase in enrollment into a post-secondary institution. However, even with a bachelor degree today, finding a job is challenging simply because everyone has the same thought to be more educated and well qualified. Problematic areas such as the real estate sector and the youth unemployment rate should be the center focus for the government on continuing a good trend on decreasing the unemployment rate in Canada.

Links: Canada’s job market makes gains in September

Multimedia: Google.ca

All upgrades are internal with the IPhone 4S.

Apple shares fell significantly following the launch of the IPhone 4s as many consumers were anticipating a completely new model, However when the IPhone 3GS was brought out, a similar outcome occurred but it didn’t stop buyers from buying it up in record numbers. The difference now is that the Smartphone market has become much more competitive than in 2008.

The launch of the IPhone 4S reflects on the uncertainty at Apple after the death of their former mastermind and CEO, Steve Jobs. As new CEO ,Tim Cook hopes the IPhone 4S will allow his company time to forecast the Smartphone market in the coming year and create the next generation IPhone. It is clear that Cook has taken a conservative approach with his first launch and why wouldn’t he be? Cook is now in charge of one of the world’s biggest company, leading with the flagship IPhone 4 which accounts for 40 per cent of Apple’s annual revenue. As a prediction,  the IPhone 4S might loose  market share to its competitors Android or Blackberry in the following year, but don’t forget, Apple have created some of the most astonishing gadgets, changing the world as we know it. What is there to stopping them from doing it again in a years time?

Links: Despite lacklustre response, IPhone 4S will still outshine competition

Multimedia: Google.ca

It appears as if nothing is going well for Air Canada lately with their workers who threatened to strike for the second time in five years. So when it was official that the mid-sized Boeing 787 will be delivered in 2013 after a three year delay, the senior executives finally had something to celebrate. The new jetliner flies longer distances while burning less fuel enabling more nonstop flights which should greatly expand its networks. In the meantime, Emirates has requested more landing permits in Canada hoping to establish more destinations to Canada. Emirates is well known for outstanding customer service and prestiges first class seating.

The Canadian government has an important decision to make. On one hand, Emirates’s proposal will generate economic benefits including boost in tourism. On the other hand, the Canadian government must consider the opportunities the new jetliner brings to Air Canada in the coming years. In 2008, the government bailed out the airline preventing Air Canada from going bankrupt. This time, the government can help the airline without spending a penny. Air Canada has always been held back by adversity to be considered a major airline, but with the new 787 jetliner coming into service in two years, the tables may turn.

Links: For Air Canada, 787 a game changer

Multimedia: Google.ca

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