The amount of revenue a sports team can generate for a local economy is anything but a shocking statement. Recently, the city of Vancouver has announced that they have the capability of adding a professional basketball team. I believe that the sold-out Raptors vs Kings game in Vancouver in early October validated the fact that there is a large portion of basketball fans residing in Vancouver.

A news report demonstrating the effect that a sports market, such as hockey, has on local businesses proves that not only does the sports organization itself strive, but so do local bars and restaurants broadcasting games to its customers as well as sports apparel stores merchandising jerseys. Yes, there is no doubt that this is a big investment. Adding a new sports team will involve increased facilities to accommodate all the professional sports teams in the city. However, I am certain that the pros outweigh the cons. This relocation could potentially generate various external opportunities that can enhance the franchise. Economically, there will be more jobs in the work force for those working at bars and restaurants or selling concession. Socially, it is clear to me that this is a sports city. Vancouverites take pride and joy in cheering for the Canucks, Whitecaps, and the Lions.

“Spectator sports employ 93,500 people across Canada, about 0.5 per cent of the total workforce. That directly contributed $4.5 billion to Canada’s economy in 2010.”

An additional sports team in Vancouver can initiate similar statistics.

Picture source: Google images

If you’re a female, it is highly likely that you have searched up “How to” tutorials on YouTube within the category of makeup or fashion. With that, I have decided to comment and elaborate on Stella Cho’s blog post regarding this subject. In this day and age, a majority of the population with access to the internet frequently find themselves navigating through YouTube videos. Being guilty of it myself, I can see how companies selling beauty products could use the digital media world to gain more of a competitive advantage. My fellow classmate Stella outlines the partnership between YouTube’s “beauty gurus” and companies. It is clear that a large portion of cosmetic and fashion companies’ target market consists of young women. YouTube stars undoubtedly have a significant impact on what adolescents are purchasing. I can accurately assume that they act as role models to many. Let’s say that a company wants to promote their new line of cosmetics. In this era, all they have to do is develop a business partnership with one behind a YouTube account. After a few videos displaying their usage of the product, consumers will be eager to make the purchase. With fashion, a couple of the ever-so-popular “lookbook” videos on YouTube will suffice.

Ultimately, establishing a cooperative agreement and expanding their marketing campaign to the social media world will spark a powerful and positive change in consumer interest.

It is clear that in Canada, the First Nations community plays an integral role due to its history. A Vancouver Sun article outlines the BC Government’s goal in reducing conflict with First Nations people. Though history cannot be altered, the current relationship can be restored. I stress that it is extremely important for companies to take various First Nations groups into account when a company is conducting their affairs. They should not go against them and diminish their lifestyles but rather work alongside of them to advance their corporation.

A great example would be Port Metro Vancouver. As a gateway for trades, it has shown the significance of First Nations by expressing that their land and waters “intersect with the traditional territories of several First Nations.” With this in mind, they have developed a recent strategy in collaboration with the Canadian government as well as Tsawwassen First Nations (TFN.) Because the Port notices that in order to make use of new facilities, they must cross some of the Aboriginals’ territorial land, I believe it is an intelligent move for them to increase their partnership with TFN which will ultimately allow for employment opportunities for its members.

A large portion of our demographic consists of Aboriginals. In conjunction with the PESLE analysis, if a company is able to develop their business model by using them as one of the external factors, it will enhance the company economically, with new infrastructure, environmentally, as well as socially, by triggering a position attitude within the First Nations communities.

Sources:

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Premier+urges+cooperation+more+litigation+government+natives+reach+fork+road/10194776/story.html

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=769139

Details have emerged regarding Samsung’s imminent release of its Galaxy Note 4 and it has allowed for increased tension between Samsung and Apple with its iPhone 6 Plus.

The popularity of both brands has triggered the companies to strive towards gaining a competitive edge. What has captivated me the most was Samsung’s attempt at marketing their product by mocking its rival through social media. In fact, the joke regarding the iPhone’s ability to bend has caused many companies to jump on the bandwagon.

In a recent COMM101 lecture, the topic of the tool of positioning triggered an interest for me. The scheme of “Getting Into the Mind of the Consumer” links to the incident between Samsung and Apple to a great extent. It is no surprise that Samsung has the goal of trying to display their brand as number one through its latest marketing antics by relating itself to its contender. In reference to Al Ries’ and Jack Trout’s article, “repositioning the competition” may involve displaying advertisements to allow consumers to see the rival company in a constrasting way. Samsung is doing just that.

Not only that, but just over a week ago, Samsung announced that it will release its Galaxy Note 4 “ahead of schedule.” It is stated that Samsung’s decision to sell a product in China prior to other markets is a first. In my opinion, this will allow them to advance themselves against Apple, whose iPhone “is not yet available in China.”

All in all, it seems as though the friendly competition between Apple and Samsung may allow for more technologically-advanced products in the future.

Sources:

Curved. Not bent. #GALAXYNoteEdge pic.twitter.com/OTPIYlI07f

— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) September 25, 2014

http://news.yahoo.com/samsung-curved-not-bent-mocks-apple-iphone-144529246.html%20

http://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-unlike-iphone-our-galaxy-note-4-wont-bend/

http://www.quickmba.com/marketing/ries-trout/positioning/

http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-samsung-launches-note-4-phablet-ahead-of-schedule-2014-9