Kayla Lee's Blog

MySpace disappeared from social media after other social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr launched.  However, MySpace is back and is using Justin Timberlake to hopefully bring MySpace back to life.

MySpace released a video on YouTube previewing the new layout and features on the new MySpace.  After watching the video, I attempted to sign up for MySpace and was emailed a reply with this message:

Unfortunately, MySpace has not released when the new layout will be available for public use.  The article states that MySpace will still remain an entertainment/music focused site with integration of Twitter and Facebook.  MySpace users will have the option to link all these accounts.  I think this is a good strategy for MySpace because it will eliminate the competition against the two popular social media sites.  It will also allow users to listen to their favourite artists and share them with their Facebook friends and Twitter followers.

I feel that MySpace could make a huge comeback because Facebook and Twitter isn’t directed to music lovers.  MySpace’s point of difference by being entertainment/music focused may attract users who aren’t satisfied with the existing social media websites that focus more on the social aspect instead of their users interests.

Sources: Myspace tries another revamp with the help of Justin Timberlake

The blog I chose was Google’s Official Blog on Blogspot.  I was drawn to this blog because Google doesn’t just use the blog to advertise their new products or features; it uses the blog to share stories about how Google is making a difference in the world – whether it be creating green energy in Iowa, honouring Veteran’s Day, having AMBER Alerts now available in Google Maps, or acknowledging teachers who make a difference with Google.

This blog is effective because it allows Google to advertise their new ideas and products, but also allows them to connect with the general public on a more emotional and personal level.  It allows Google users to get a glimpse of Google as a normal blogger, not a huge internet search engine or company.  Google’s Official Blog also has blog posts that attempt to help consumers, for example, their post “Get your Google back” gives instructions on how to get Google products that do not come with Windows 8.  I personally loved reading the posts about the new products Google was coming out with as I’m always interested in the latest gadgets.

Google’s blog is quite simple and friendly to use.  I feel that this blog allows the consumer to take a sneak peek into the world of Google.  In doing so, it made me feel that Google wasn’t a large, scary company – instead I felt welcomed to learn more about their company culture.

Sources: Google Blog Image

This is a response to Hans’ blog post about the new feature from RIM.  RIM will now offer free voice calls through Wi-Fi with BlackBerry Messenger.  I was drawn to this blog post because I had written a blog post on BlackBerry previously in the year.

I agree with Hans that including this feature in the new BlackBerry smartphone, the BlackBerry 10, is a good strategy to gain a position in the smartphone industry.  As Hans mentions, BlackBerry Messenger has been a point of difference for BlackBerry and is one of the main reasons BlackBerry attracts consumers.

Hans also states that he believes RIM will gain customers in the short run, but will not be able to keep its customers in the long run.  I could not agree more with Hans.  Apple and Android users already have access to the Skype application on their phone which they can use for free with Wi-Fi.  In addition, Apple has also had FaceTime since the release of the iPhone 4.  So in reality, RIM is still behind technology wise because their competitors have already given their customers free voice calls as well as video calls.  Also, the main function of cell phones are for voice calls, so I do not see a benefit in offering this feature unless the owner of the phone has run out of minutes or does not have a phone plan.

Sources: BlackBerry 10 Image

This is a response to Joey’s blog post about breast cancer awareness becoming a multi-billion dollar profit strategy.

Almost everywhere you turn there are companies that tie cancer awareness to their product.  I naively believed these advertisements and never linked any ulterior motive to using cancer in their marketing strategies.  My thoughts changed after reading Joey’s blog post.

I couldn’t agree more with Joey that companies use cancer to attract consumers and give off the appearance that they are socially responsible.  It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer they are advertising with or what the product they are advertising about, or even if the product and cause have any relation.  Cancer has been a major health issues recently which is why using cancer in advertisements attracts consumers because many consumers can relate to the illness.

I also agree that linking breast cancer with fast food establishments such as KFC is almost ridiculous.  I was on the Thai Express website a few days ago and learned that their pink take out boxes are for, you guessed it, breast cancer awareness, and that they match donations to the stories posted on their website.

I feel that companies, such as the two stated above, are exploiting the good of consumers’ hearts by luring them into purchasing their product just because it will donate the money to a cancer foundation; they have turned donations from innocent and pure to ethically wrong and manipulative.  A question I have for consumers is that if they care so much for the cause, why not donate the money straight to the charity itself?

Sources: Thai Express Pink Box Image

Samsung launched a commercial called “The Next Big Thing is Already Here” for the Galaxy S III.  In the commercial, it shows a line up of people anticipating the release of the iPhone 5, however while waiting they see some people with the Galaxy S III.  Samsung mainly showcases its large screen and S Beam, the ability to instantly share files simply by placing the phones side by side.  Throughout the commercial, Samsung uses these features to make the iPhone 5 seem like it’s not as advanced as the Galaxy S III, hence “the next big thing is already here”, as the Galaxy S III was released before the iPhone 5.

One month later, Samsung released another commercial titled “Game On”.  In this commercial, two people are playing a game and the male character complains that it’s unfair because the female character has a larger screen.  It appears in the commercial that the male character is using an iPhone 4.

Apple and Samsung have become rivals in the smartphone world and Samsung is trying to target Apple in their advertisements, persuading consumers that Samsung is better than Apple.  This relates to what we learned about relative positioning.  However, I believe Samsung is unethically trying to dominate in the world of smartphones.  I think it is unnecessary to target Apple in their commercials “The Next Big Thing is Already Here” and “Game On” and that they should showcase their points of difference without comparing themselves to Apple.

Sources: Samsung Galaxy S3 Insults iPhone 5 (Again) in Facebook and YouTube Ads [PHOTOS and VIDEO], Samsung Galaxy S III Image

Normally we would expect dollar stores to be small shops in malls or street corners selling poor quality items for cheap prices, but Dollarama is changing those views entirely.  Dollarama is what I like to call the superstore of dollar stores.  It carries a variety of items ranging from $1.00 to $3.00 (as of August 2012) and supplies brand name products such as Dove, Olay, Glad, and Rubbermaid, but also carries the usual dollar store products such as hair accessories, stationary, and houseware items.  Dollarama is also known for supplying products normally not found in dollar stores such as condoms and $1.25 pregnancy tests.

Dollarama Inc. is a Canadian market leader and it is in competition with companies such as Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, and Target which is coming to Canada in 2013.  Its second quarterly reports were released in September 2012 and proved financial analysts by exceeding the predicted figures and earned 7.3% more sales than 2011.  I was surprised their sales increased with the addition of $3.00 items.  As consumers expect products to be around $1.00, I would have expected sales to decrease as consumers would not be attracted to purchasing items more than $1.00 at a dollar store.  Its price of their stocks have also increased $50 since 2009.

Dollarama has proven that they are a strong contendor in retail and that their revenue can be high even as a dollar store.  I am a regular customer as well as a supervisor at Dollarama and I am excited to see the future success of this company.

Sources: Why Dollarama is beating Wal-Mart and Target, How Canada’s retailers discounted the rise of the dollar store, Dollarama profit jumps 32% as sales increase, margins improve, Dollarama’s growth is simply ‘remarkable’, Dollarama Image

McDonald’s launched their first “Our food. Your questions” campaign in June 2012.  This campaign is designed to answer consumer questions about McDonald’s food such as “Why does your food look different in the advertising than what is in the store?” and “Why is the food at McDonald’s so cheap?”  through social media.

McDonald’s answers these questions through YouTube videos and their website in a creative way that help convince consumers that McDonald’s uses and serves good quality products.

I feel that this campaign will help reinforce McDonald’s image as a fast food restaurant.  Customers and food critics alike have had the opportunity to state their experiences, opinions, and claims of McDonald’s that put the restaurant in a negative light.  With this campaign, McDonald’s has the opportunity to rebut these claims and reposition itself in the fast food industry.

Sources: McDonald’s Transparency Campaign Continues With Questions You Never Thought The Chain Would Answer, McDonald’s Canada campaign assures its burgers are, in fact, made of ‘100% beef’

Interbrand’s report on 100 most valuable global brands is reporting that BlackBerry’s brand value has decreased by 39% since 2011, moving from number 56 to 93 on the list.  BlackBerry used to be a top competitor with its popular QWERTY keyboard and BlackBerry Messenger, but other companies such as Apple have created apps that put BlackBerry behind its time.

The new BlackBerry, BlackBerry 10 is supposed to be released early next year, but I think that the features of the BlackBerry 10 will not be enough to be a strong competitor against Apple and Samsung.  Apple and Samsung have created a strong brand name for themselves over the last few years while BlackBerry has slipped through the cracks.  In my opinion, if BlackBerry wants to be a top competitor against Apple and Samsung, the company will need to develop new features that neither Apple nor Samsung have to set itself apart in the smartphone world, but also appeal to all smartphone users instead of business orientated customers.

Sources:  BlackBerry’s brand value takes a hit, Hands on: BlackBerry 10 review

In class we discussed about the business ethics, but we did not discuss the ethicical issues of men versus women in the office.

The CEO of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer, gave birth a few days ago and has shocked the world that she will only be on maternity leave for a few weeks and then return to work.  This announcement angered women who believe that Mayer will miss crucial mother/child bonding time.

This is one example of how men and women do not face the same obstacles in the workplace.  Women in business often have to choose between their career and having children, and no matter what choice they make, their actions will be criticized.  As the CEO of Yahoo, I think it would be difficult for the company if Mayer went on maternity for one year, which is why she chose to go on maternity leave for a few weeks.  But for a lower position, women should be able to have both a career and children, and I believe Mayer will be an inspiration to women who want the best of both worlds.

Sources: http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/01/yahoo-ceo-adds-motherhood-to-to-do-list/, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer gives birth to boy, will be back at work soon

The iPhone 5 was officially released toady, yet a knockoff of the phone has already been released in China.  GooPhone, the smartphone business of Shenzhen Shenma Lianzhong e-Commerce released their version of the iPhone 5, called GooPhone I5 in late August.  The GooPhone I5 looks almost identical to the leaked photos of the iPhone 5, including the larger touch screen and smaller dock connector.  However, the GooPhone I5 runs on Google’s Android system and is sold for a cheaper price.  The ethical issue here is that GooPhone is planning to sue Apple for “patent violations”.  The business of filing for design, trademark, or technology before the global brand hoping to be paid off by the brand is called a patent troll and has become quite popular in China.  GooPhone is known for creating knockoffs of popular cell phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S3, the HTC One S, and even the iPhone 4, yet GooPhone can sue Apple because the GooPhone I5 was released before the iPhone 5.  GooPhone is not only hoping to take money from Apple that is not rightfully theirs, but also stole Apple’s iPhone 5 design and will not be punished for plagiarizing.

Sources: GooPhone I5, iPhone 5 Knockoff, Already On Sale In China (VIDEO), Enter Goophone I5, Looking a Lot Like Apple’s iPhone 5