Monthly Archives: October 2012

 Cherihan‘s article on the Gangnam Style outlines greatly the popularity this single has brought upon our world. Gangnam style is without a doubt the most popularized and well-known visual piece of artistry right now. Not only has the song, performed by South Korean artist PSY, taken over the radio and internet, it has also reached out to the older generations. On a personal level, my dad has been struct with the pandemic of the Oppa Gangnam Style infection. I can personally attest to seeing both people of my parent’s age enjoying this song as well as 3 year olds dancing in style to this song. The significance of gangnam style is not only its catchiness, but its extent of success globally. The South Korean government is even investing in it as they get closer to elections (Economist). In addition, the music video has such mesmerizing effects on us, viewers and consumers, that we have not only been drawn in by it, but we can instantaneously distinguish this single from others. Thus, I wonder how successful the marketing behind this song has been and how this will affect the way others try to market to the world now.

Sources: 

– https://blogs.ubc.ca/cherihanhassun/2012/10/08/what-gangnam-style-is-doing-to-brand-south-korea/

– http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/10/investing-gangnam-style?spc=scode&spv=xm&ah=9d7f7ab945510a56fa6d37c30b6f1709

Apple’s iPhone 5 release and the Samsung lawsuit has brought Foxconn on the news once again. The high demand for the new iPhone forced workers very demanding, productive, and strenuous conditions. Many students have blogged about this subject (Tanvir Toor, Alex Chua, and Chris Williamson) but the question I am wondering is whether the iPhone 5 will be known as the product that boosts Apple’s overall growth or the product that diminishes its brand image. The Foxconn situation is brought up at a time where Apple has recently dealt with the Samsung lawsuit and can be seen as a less charitable business to competition. Will the news of harsh working conditions stop consumers from endlessly throwing money at Apple?

Despite the demands of citizens in first world developed countries on this supply, we often forget the effects our demand has on the suppliers. The forced conditions could force a strike by the Chinese workers union against Apple and thus proving to be detrimental to the corporation. After Apple’s protection of intellectual property against Samsung and other competition, I can see various rivals in the market exploiting more to worsen Apple’s brand image and their seemingly bad corporate social responsibility. Thus, the decrease in marketshare caused by the lawsuit results in high opportunity costs that put Apple in a vulnerable place after the release of their newest iPhone. As a supporter of Apple products and their dream aesthetic design-oriented products, I am curious what they will do now.

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