One of the blog posts on my classmate Lulu Shu’s blog had caught my attention. The title was named Why Apple?. I am a big Apple fan, in loved with every one of their products, the iPods, iPhones, iMacs, Macbooks, etc. But I have never thought of the question before. A few years ago, people are starting to get crazy with Apple products. Some people even started to admire and follow Steve Jobs, the big innovator of the brand. However, with the past away of Steve Jobs last month, people are questioning whether Apple would still have the amazing ideas of inventions. Also, the recent new products from Android and Blackberry might have effects on Apple’s sales of the iPhones.

As we all know, the iPhones and Blackberrys are close competitors in the smartphone market. Although their target markets are different, where the iPhones tend more to the youths and Blackberrys are more for the professionals, this distinguish line are becoming blurry. Business professionals are slowly changing and adapting to the popular iPhones, while the Millennials would not reject the Blackberrys when choosing a smartphone. Due to this fact, I guess the two companies have to be more creative to invent new stuff to attract the customers.

RIM has made the move first. The company has recently announced the collaboration with Porsche Design of their new limited edition product, the Blackberry P’9981. This move definitely could help the company to build a good brand image. Tt also could establish a sense of luxury on the product because of the price they are charging. Apparently, this new collaborated product would be selling only in Porsche Design stores at a price of approximately $2,000 each.

On the other hand, Apple’s next move probably would be the iPhone 5. We shall wait patiently and see what new things Apple has for this long-waited generation of iPhone.

After reading Eliza Lee‘s blog post on virtual subway grocery store, the rapidly developing knowledge of technology that us human holds has really amazed me. Without actually spending extra time in a grocery store, people with smartphone can easily and conveniently buy their groceries. This can even let consumers effectively use their time while waiting for subway.

Speaking from a similar standpoint, there are other high-tech inventions that designers and marketers come up with. One of such is the Nike innovation of the Nike Air Mag “Marty McFly”. What this innovation patent about is that the company has came up with the idea of a new shoes with an automatic lacing system. YES! IT’S A AUTOMATIC LACING SYSTEM. With this new technological shoes, you don’t have to spend extra time dealing with your shoelaces, or worrying that they might fall lose again. Just leave this problem to your shoes, and it will solve it for you. The expected date of the product is somewhere between now and 2015.

Can you imagine how this world will be like years after with all these technological changes? Some might think this is just totally awesome, but some others might be in doubt.

Are we that lazy to even have products tying our shoelaces for us?

I have read a blog about Mercedes Benz’s new print ads a few days ago, which I found quite interesting. (http://www.drewsmarketingminute.com/2011/10/visual-storytelling.html) The writer invites comments on the effects of the visual ads, the company’s accomplishment with the campaign, and question like “are these ads more about Mercedes drivers or the brand?”

Applying what I learned in marketing class, these ads represent both the drivers and the brand. We, the consumers, are not just purchasing the products or services alone. We are also trying to express our personality and lifestyle, because of a belief that our possessions reflect who we really are. Also, brands have personalities like humans do, and that we are more likely to choose brands with personalities that match ours.

These ads had really gotten my attention, especially the first one. (See photo below)

This ad created a contrasting effect on the left and right brain. You can clearly see that the right brain looks more interesting. It is more colorful and has more pictures. It includes women, a bull, wine pouring out of glass, and has the warm colours (red, orange, yellow), which symbolizes sexy, ambitious, classy, passionate, as well as luxurious to me. On the other hand, the left-brain side is black-and-white, dull-looking, and lacks imagination. I can see this contrasting effect as a hidden message to the consumers that Mercedes Benz is certainly a right-brain brand compared to the other vehicle brands. It is “everything [it] wanted to be” (as stated in the picture).  The words itself is another great way to connect to the consumers. People seeing these words will try to find those that match themselves the most. It adds credit to the effectiveness of the ad. In my opinion, Mercedes Benz had aced the ads by tackling the increasing importance of the psychological factor that consumers bring into their purchases nowadays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUtrPUAA74A

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Commercial fits in with the visual print ads marketing strategies.

It’s September again, and the weather in Vancouver is getting chilly. Guess what you will see when it starts to get cold here? The answer is – you will see a lot of UGG on legs everywhere!

People wearing UGG

Back from a few years ago, the brand UGG Australia started to make a buzz in Canada. Because the sheepskin shoes are suitable in any place and situation, whether you are going to school or meet up your friend for dinner, they can be the best choice for your feet and style. Females just like the material, look, popularity, and convenience of the shoes.

Applying what I learned in chapter 1 of the marketing textbook, I think the UGG company did a really good job at building customer relationships, which generates a high customer satisfaction. Based on the company’s website, customers are provided with a two-way communication, both with the firm and other consumers. It included online shopping, live chat, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and a blog for customers to follow the company’s new with whichever ways they prefer. (Canada UGG website: http://www.uggaustralia.ca/) As stated in the textbook, when the customers are satisfied and delighted about the products, they will keep coming back, and also are willing to become marketing partners to spread good word to others.

Different styles of UGG on its website

The UGG brand has a heat-up popularity that has attracted even guys in recent year. The trend for guys to wear a pair of the sheepskin-shoes is becoming common and “not weird.”

Another interesting fact that I heard from my Australian friend is that Australians only wear their UGG in the house. This is a complete contrast to the Canadians. This difference in society preferences clearly proves the part on cultural environment in our textbook, which can affect marketing decision-making.

Photo resources from Google.

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