Matthew Ho's Blog

Born and raised in Canada since 1992, I have been coherent towards marketing since I was a baby. As a generation, we have changed the marketing industry and how consumer’s act. Here are 3 trends that impact my everyday life:

1. The Blog

As a Tech Industry enthusiast , I am constantly  found checking Tech Blogs. Two of my favourite sites are Engadget and TechCrunch both of which made Technorati’s top 5 blogs, and don’t forget those vloggers on Youtube. Reviews, opinions, and rumours attract millions of views from consumers, and influence the decisions of these consumers. Staying current with the technological environment has led companies such as Apple and Google to take market share away from RIM (Blackberry).

2. Apps, Apps, Apps 

Apple started it, Google let them free, and RIM is playing catch up. I use applications on my smartphone on a daily basis. I simply do not know what life would be like without them. This has also led to a new form of advertisement. Banner ads can be found on many mobile games, and has led to new start ups such as UBCs Brian Wong’s Kiip. Apps generate enormous amounts of traffic, especially from the smartphone addicted Generation Y.

3. People, Planet, Profits

Also known as the Triple Bottom Line, the 3 P’s have a large influence on the Generation Y consumer. Company’s that are environmentally friendly have a soft spot in my heart. No only are they helping keep this planet healthy for my grandchildren, they are developing fantastic products. For every shoe sold, TOMS gives a shoe to a child in need.  RIVAL-US promises athletes that no banned substances according to the IOC and Anti-Doping Agency will be found in their products. Taking responsibility of the future has led to the success of these companies, and left a lasting brand on the consumers of Generation Y.

These 3 trends influence my decisions as a consumer on an everyday basis. Not only have I developed a brand loyalty to many of these companies, but I also recommend their products to others.

Did McDonalds just create a new standard for the Egg McMuffin? They’ve turned the Egg McMuffin into a new way of saying, “That’s the best” or “The greatest”. The Egg McMuffin is a new form of benchmark, and a very catchy phrase. I love this ad, and I believe it will lead to more than just a few Egg McMuffin’s being sold. It just may lead to a new way of comparing products.

Hey everyone!

My name is Matthew Ho, and I am currently in my 2nd year at the Sauder School of Business. I am undecided about what concentration I want to go into next year, but I am leaning towards a combined major of marketing and real estate or MIS. I like to think that I’m a pretty big sports fan, and my favourite team has been the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2003 (the Canucks are definitely a close second!) An interesting fact about myself is that my family is originally from South Africa, but I have been born and raised in Canada.

I am taking this course because I believe it will help me decide what option I want to pursue in the near future. I also believe that marketing is a key piece to the puzzle in terms of a successful company. Company’s such as Apple, Nike, and Old Spice have all led successful marketing campaigns, and they have all had success in their respective industries. I also have had a small taste in marketing as a sales associate at GNC. Working in retail has opened up my eyes to the importance of a company brand. Customers had preferred brands, and were more inclined to purchase products from companies with more profound marketing campaigns. I have also experienced marketing as a consumer, as I am a self-proclaimed Apple fanboy.

As I mentioned earlier, Apple is the name of the game, and all of my favourite ads come out of Cupertino. Their most recent Christmas commercial for the Iphone 4s has taken the number 1 spot for my all time favourite ads. They do no mention the name Iphone 4s, or Siri, there voice recognition software, once during the commercial, but most North American consumers understand that Santa Claus is using his Iphone 4s and Siri to navigate his way during Christmas Eve. The Apple brand is astonishing to a marketing student such as myself and have made this company very successful in a very competitive tech industry.