At the very start of the project, it definitely felt like we were going through Comm 101 again-from the SWOT to the Porter’s Five-seemed like we have done it all. Then it got HARDER! Our group members had quite some disagreements when doing the STP assignment. We disagreed on what the target segments are and their respective demographics.Yet this kind of constructive disagreement is what kept refining our project. Another difficulty was obviously scheduling issues. Everyone as a intensely filled schedule so it was challenging to set up group meetings.

The hardest though, was talking in front of the camera for the final video project. Personally I have never been formally filmed before so imagine the number of times my group members had to count “3, 2, 1 go” for me. One new thing I also learned through the process was writing in the style of a script. Before this project, I have been required by all courses to produce formal writing like business report and research essay.

The video project was definitely one of the funnest thing any course had offered. However, it was harder for every group member to contribute more equally than conventional presentation project because a lot of work was weighted on the person with most film making and video editing knowledge; in our case Mark.

Since the launch of the Target’s brand new home page design for Thanksgiving, we have seen waves of criticism on the web. Titles such as “What the Hell Did Target Do to Its Website” from Jezebel, and “Pretty Much Everyone Hates the New Target.com Redesign” from AdWeek are clear signs of the dissatisfaction from the general public.

So now let’s take a look at what’s Target not doing right.

First impression: MESSY!

We are looking at circles and boxes and thumbnails and coupons all on the same page. Quoting Adweek, the website’s got a “overall cluttered-as-crap vibe”.

On top of its issue of information overload, the combination of outlining colors is somewhat misleading. With a quick glance, you might just think that Target’s calendar got messed up and they are advertising for Christmas ultra early.

Now check out the website and tell me what you think!

http://www.target.com/

This new term simply fascinates me–PHABLET; the synthesis of a phone and a tablet. Roughly three years ago, Apple introduced the iPad and ever since then, the table computer industry has been on the roll. Just recently, there is a new category of mobile device that has been realized and it is the phablet. Closing the gap between a cellphone and a tablet, electronic companies, such as Samsung, not only manage to provide customer with a device of greater value but also enjoy great profit.

Fighting against the incredible heat generated by the iPhone 5s, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, classified as a phablet, is still enjoying great volume of sales. The incredible specs of Note 3 include:

• 5.7 inch display
• 3 Gb RAM
• 32GB built-in storage
• Quad core, 2300 MHz

For aesthetic reasons, Samsung replaced the signature smooth plastic back cover with a faux-leather back with fake stitching, giving its flagship product a more business touch. Also, this gear comes with an S Pen, which might make it the first successful mobile device which comes with a stylus. From Samsung’s TV commercial, we can see that the company is stressing its ability to replace the need to carry a phone and a tablet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baTh1jeObRw

Competition certainly comes along. Nokia just announced its latest addition to the phablet family–the Lumia 1520 earlier today. Blackberry’s 5-inch smartphone Z30 is rolling out in the next few weeks. There is even rumour about iPhone 6 entering the phablet category.

While Samsung is targeting the high-end consumers, Apple tries to expand its market by extending its brand breadth–introducing the new iPhone 5c. Look at what my classmate Charlie, has to say about this new product.

https://blogs.ubc.ca/charlieshi/2013/10/17/a-5colourful-phenomenon-marketing-genius-or-design-failure/

All in all, it will be an interesting journey for us consumers to see what more “phabulous phablets” electronic conglomerates will come up with.

Related sources:

Iphone with 4.8-inch display?

Nokia’s Lumina 1520 is the latest massive ‘phablet’.

How do you have TWO No.1 albums in ONE year?

Well, first of all, you gotta be someone like Justin Timberlake.

Ok, I think most of us can agree that we will never get to where megastar JT is right now; but let’s still take a moment to appreciate and applaud to his second no. 1 album–The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2.

But what can we take away from JT’s massive success in his discography career?

Here are a few tips I concluded:

1. SUSPENSE is almost always a good thing for marketing! Was it not true that part of your mind went to wonder about where the rest of the album was when you noticed the tracks did not add up to 20?
2. Pick the right partner. It is quite evident from his 2006 album that JT and his long-time friend/collaborator Timbaland are a combination to do some good. So why not work together again?
3. Be the ASPIRATION. From the sexy falsetto, handsome dance moves to his classy suit & tie outfit, timeless fedora and Louboutin shoes, JT demonstrates perfectly from head to toe how to be an aspirational figure.

So, in addition to enjoying his new CD (through legal sources I hope!), take a minute and appreciate the effort that was done in order to market this album successfully.

Sources:

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5748190/justin-timberlake-scores-his-second-no-1-album-of-2013

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/on-the-charts-justin-timberlake-debuts-at-number-one-again-20131009

While we are continually flooded with news updated every second, it is quite surprising to find posting out there in the community that is as dated as 4-year old.

McDonald’s does a very good job in informing its customers what is new about the fast food giant. As you walk into a McDonald’s restaurant, you are embraced with limitless smiles, standardized two-sentence greetings and DON’T FORGET, the most updated food menu and the in-season promotion items in their own special cut out cardboards. Flyers show up at your doorstep regularly to remind you it is time again to get your favourite $4.99 Can Dine value combo.

So when I was safely assuming that I would be synced with every piece of latest news whenever I walk into the restaurant, last week, I was amazed to see a nutrition fact sheet which dates May 28th, 2009.

Certainly, it is important for the managers to keenly advertise their new vegetarian wraps. It is just as important to let the consumers know what they are taking in when they order the new Santa Fe veggie wrap.

It is one thing that the information is not available to be publicized but it is another thing when marketers are intentionally neglecting some facts and only disclosing fractions of the whole story.

Microsoft has stomped the floor of newsroom of technology recently with its launching of new system Windows 8 and tablet Surface. Many say that this is a risky move especially after the release of iPad Mini from Microsoft’s deadly rival–Apple.

Going through its timeline, it is not difficult to notice that the company has been going downhill for quite a while–from pocket PC, to Windows Mobile to Windows Phone, little has come out to Microsoft’s favour.

Reviews came out shortly after the new products’ releases. One of them, from the CBC News, is the “Windows 8 and Surface: 10 things to know” which points 5 pluses as easily as to 5 minuses. One of the downsides has caught my attention: the lack of apps.

Lacking apps has been the a lethal issue which has caused the downfall of numerous “once-upon-a-time” tech giants–Nokia, Sony, LG etc. Adversely, app is also one of the secret ingredients to success for Apple and Android.

I’m very interested in seeing how these two products will turn out in the market; whether it will help Microsoft to regain its market share or be the last grasp of the company.

With little doubt, we are living on the most wasteful continent on Earth. Nothing proves this better than the fact that the two largest countries on this continent is either withdrawn from or apathetic about the Kyoto Protocol.

Green indicates countries that have ratified the treaty
(Annex I & II countries in dark green)
Brown = No intention to ratify
Red = Countries which have withdrawn from the Protocol.
Grey = no position taken or position unknown

Fortunately, some optimistic signs are pointed out by science journalist, Bob McDonald’s. According to his blog, “Obama, Climate Change and Canada“, Canada is likely to go through some transformative changes in sustainability-related regulations because of the re-election of President Obama.

If this inference is to come true, it will not only bring emission issue under control, but also create numerous opportunities for entrepreneurship. These possibilities can be innovations in oil-fracking process, oil pipeline retrofitting techniques, better mileage friendly engines and many more. Speculations might arise from the existing companies’ perspectives, wondering about the disadvantageous restrictions these potential new regulations might impose on  them. However, I would say that these opportunities will bring benefits which far outweigh the restrictions and will eventually result in a less mitigated environmental situation.

In other words, the Stakeholder Theory might be true!

Have you ever wondered why nine of the top ten universities are in the United States? I cannot feel more proud or honoured about the fact that I attend UBC–one of the best schools in Canada. But, with no offence, it is just a tip of an iceberg compared to the prestigious colleges in the States.

Conventionally, people explain this phenomenon with the apparent, extrinsic reasons: wealth of America, abundance in funding, large population, etc. However, what people failed to recognize, is the intrinsic force within these American universities, which drive them to prestige. (I was unaware of it too until I came across this article: The Secret of Harvard’s Success: Alumni )

Started with Harvard, and adopted by many others, the practice of selecting alumni as part of the board of director is the secret that leads them to success. It says, in the article, “After all, no group cares more about a university’s prestige than its alumni, who gain or lose esteem as their alma mater’s ranking rises or falls.” Alumni, in general, have higher motivations. What’s more, is that their knowledge about their own schools comes in handy and adequate to contribute to better decision-making.

This is such an insightful discovery not only because I am a university student, but rather it demonstrates the power of the right leader to guide a party forward in a right direction.

Today’s lecture in Comm 101 is quite an inspirational one. By bringing in guest who is alumni of ours, it really encourages us to take a step to pursue our own dreams in an innovative manner and tells us entrepreneurs are not only bald, with moustache, middle-aged man. 🙂

Energy-Aware’s product–Power Tab, is a gadget which reflect electricity usage in a monetary way. Instead of telling people how many kilowatt they are using, it actually shows the dollar per hour they are charged given they way currently, they utilize their appliances.

It is not a surprise that this product has come to a major success because there are two reasons underlying that urges customers to buy Power Tab. First, it attracts people who are largely ethically oriented (environmental-friendly users). By monitoring closely to their power usage, people can easily make adjustments to conserve energy thus “SAVE THE PLANET!” Moreover, this product definitely charms the practical, capitalistic demographic. Oftentimes, people are not aware of how they can minimize the balance and their utility bills because the only information they have is that vague number wattage. Dollar sign $ is way more powerful to affect them than watt numbers.

Power Tab’s success comes from the interest from two very diverse group of people. It is this ethical and financial rationale that drives customers’ inclination in investing on such a product.

For more information about Energy-Aware and Power Tab, check out the following website. http://www.energy-aware.com/our-products/ihd/