Mercedes-Benz has released a new sedan, called Daimler, with a starting price under $30 000. Mercedes is using positioning by getting into the minds of their target audience. There upcoming ads are aimed towards a younger generation with a lower income. They are investing a lot of money to promote sports illustrated model Kate Upton in there new super bowl ad. I think advertising Kate Upton was a good marketing choice, because Mercedes is appealing to a young male audience.

(Earl 2013)

The advantage of making a more affordable car is that Mercedes can create customer loyalty at an early stage. When the younger target market furthers their careers, and earn a higher income, they can buy a more lucrative car from the company. Although this may seem like a good idea, there are some risks involved with taking a luxury car company and dipping into a lower priced market. Mercedes is at risk for loosing a pristine brand image and this could cause a decrease in sales from consumers who have more disposable income. However, it looks like Mercedes lower price, has not affected there image of wealth. Since there sales were up 6.7 percent in September and 12.2 percent in the first nine months of this year. (Stock 2013).

Read more about this article.

Source

Earl. (n.d.). Video: Kate Upton Seduces the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA. GTSPIRIT – Daily Supercar and Tuning News. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.gtspirit.com/2013/01/25/video-kate-upton-seduces-the-2014-mercedes-benz-cla/

Stock, K. (n.d.). Mercedes CLA Sedan, With Budget Price, Outsells High-End Models in U.S. Debut – Businessweek. Businessweek – Business News, Stock market & Financial Advice. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-10-02/mercedes-cla-sedan-with-budget-price-outsells-high-end-models-in-u-dot-s-dot-debut#r=hpt-lst

(Said 2013)

The designer, Marc Jacobs is leaving Louis Vuitton after a 16 years of working as the creative director. Jacobs ready-to-wear line was largely responsible for turning Louis Vuitton from a luggage and leather goods store into a global powerhouse. Marc decided to part ways to focus on his own name brand and an eventual public offering. I believe this choice was largely due to the success of Mr. Kor’s I.P.O. shares, which has tripled since its offering in December 2011. Mr. Kors has made hundreds of millions of dollars from taking Michael Kors public and his private equity backers have made billions. (Lattman 2013). I think this is a good idea for Mr. Jacobs, because it provides him with an opportunity to explore new markets and grow his brand. Mr. Kors has already set and excellent example of how to integrate a high end retailer into lower priced margins, while retaining a strong fashion brand.
This video outlines Mr. Jacobs leaving Louis Vuitton

Sources

Lattman, Peter . “Marc Jacobs to Leave Louis Vuitton – NYTimes.com.” The New York Times -Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/02/fashion/marc-jacobs-to-leave-louis-vuitton.html? pagewanted=2&_r=0&src=me>.

PASSARIELLO, CHRISTINA. “Marc Jacobs to Leave Louis Vuitton to Prepare IPO of Own   Brand – WSJ.com.” The Wall Street Journal – Breaking News, Business, Financial and     Economic News, World News & Video – Wall Street Journal – Wsj.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 2    Oct. 2013. <http://online.wsj.com/article

Said, S. (n.d.). Louis Vuitton: Of Monogram, Trunks, and Damier. Celebrity Net worth & Richest People in the World – TheRichest. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/fashion/louis-vuitton-of-monogram-trunks-and-damier/

(Foy 2013)

Which is more beneficial; a Harvard MBA or season 1-5 of Breaking Bad? Although this question may seem ridiculous it holds more weight than you may think. Breaking Bad offers highly important lessons about the good and bad of modern business.

Breaking Bad Recap for anyone living under a rock

The moral rationalization Walter went through, when deciding to sell/produce meth, is the same rationalization as accountants who commit financial statement fraud. In my Comm 101 class the “Financial Statement Fraud” reading explores how people rationalize unethical acts. Walter tells himself that he is doing everything he does for his family; this allows Walter to justify his unethical actions.

Business Lessons From Breaking Bad:

1) Mutually beneficial business partnership

• Walter and Jesse both benefit from there arrangement.

2) High-growth businesses come from unexpected places

• Walter uses his chemist skills to revolutionize the way meth is made.
• Real life example: Bill Gates

3) Huge ambition

• Walter has great incentive to make his business work. He wants to provide for his family when he is gone.

4) Hubris

• Walters biggest downfall is the more success he gains, the less vulnerable he feels. Causing him to take irrational risks.
• Real life example: Enron scandal where a company got to big and thought they were invincible, which eventually lead to bankruptcy.

Sources:

BBC NEWS | Business | Enron scandal at-a-glance. (n.d.). BBC News – Home. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1780075.stm

Colby, E. (n.d.). Financial Statement Fraud. Professional Development Network. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from https://www.cga-pdnet.org/Non_VerifiableProducts/ArticlePublication/FinStatFraud/FinStatFraud_p1

Foy, P. (n.d.). Breaking Bad – The Legend Ends: A Fan’s Look Back. Manhattan Digest | Entertainment, Fashion, Gossip and so much more.. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.manhattandigest.com/2013/08/08/breaking-bad-the-legend-ends-a-fan/

Schumpeter: The “Breaking Bad” school | The Economist. (n.d.). The Economist – World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.economist.com/news/business/21586801-best-show-television-also-first-rate-primer-business-breaking-bad-school

(Blaming Others in Life, 2013)

It is common knowledge that sexual assault is wrong and should not be tolerated. However, many choose to turn a blind eye to this issue. Top Assembly lawyer, Bill Collins, neglected to bring forth allegations of sexual harassment made against Manhattan Assemblyman Micah Kellner. Despite a subpoena for sexual harassment documents, following sexual harassment claims made against former Assemblyman Vito Lopez. This scandal will reflect negatively on Democrat Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver, since he is known for his poor handing of sexual harassment cases. This scandal highlights that the Legislature operates in a way that favours public image over ethics.

I picked this article, because it relates to the Sauder pro-rape chants, in the sense that they both have a common theme of sexual assault. Although this news is very troubling, I am very pleased to see the proactive steps that the Sauder Facility is taking towards the issue. The staff is taking a negative situation as an opportunity for growth, rather than a time to blame or cover up. We, the students, need to keep in mind that we are the future leaders to shape the values we wish to see in not just Sauder, but the World.

References

Hakim, D. (2013, August 7). State Ethics Panel Opens an Inquiry Into a Sexual Harassment Cover-Up – NYTimes.com.The New York Times – Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/nyregion/state-ethics-panel-opens-an-inquiry-into-a-sexual-harassment-cover-up.html

Blaming Others in Life (2013). Retrieved from http://majidwrite.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/blame-2.gif

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