Online reviews have become the norm in today’s society. Services such as Yelp have provided this service while promoting the idea of researching products before buying them.

The latest industry to adopt this model is the restaurant industry. With the holiday season quickly approaching, review-hungry Canadians are looking for restaurants to satisfy their appetites coupled with a dining experience leaving them hungry for more.

View the Vibe, founded by Nicki Laborie, is a platform where short video act as movie trailers for restaurants; to convey the restaurants atmosphere. These videos are distributed via social media, and give customers a little taste of what to expect.

Lately, the success of restaurants is no longer entirely dependent on its cuisine, rather as an entertaining, unique and enjoyable venue to experience a meal. It is these other attributes that are becoming more and more important for modern restaurants. For example, The Richtree Natural Market has elevated their dining experience with interactive tables, digital menus and activities while still serving up delicious food. As the industry grows, more and more restaurants will provide services like Richtree, eventually becoming the norm

Globe and Mail article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/how-restaurants-are-using-technology-to-transform-the-dining-experience/article15411158/

Rob Ford’s controversial refusal to step down as the Mayor of Toronto after he admitted to smoking crack has left many Torontonians confused and frustrated. Not only do the Mayor’s actions impact residents, but what impact do Ford’s actions have on local business?

Globe and Mail article:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/torontos-business-community-gives-ford-a-thumbs-down/article15465346/

According to Andrew Liang, director of Cormex’s MediaLAB project, the negative publicity concerning Ford will harm the city, as the city’s administration has been ridiculed around the world. Liang continues questioning “why anybody down the road would think favourable on this city as a place to invest it”.

Along with impacting business, it damages the city’s image abroad. Marketing experts claim that “it weakens the brand, it distorts it”; ruining the city’s reputation as a “culturally rich, financially vibrant world-class city”.

However, not all parties agree with Mr. Liang. Janet Ecker, president of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance explains that the “theatre of the absurd” politics does not impact investments if the fundamental business aspects of the city remain unchanged.

Even though there are many views, they all lead in the same direction, Mayor Ford must resign in order to salvage Toronto’s image as a city.

CBC video:http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mayor-rob-ford-s-crack-use-weakens-toronto-s-brand-1.2417003

Recently, Lululemon has been at the centre of many controversial claims. Earlier this month a number of claims were made regarding the company’s yoga pants, which were said to be too sheer and pilled. The company was forced to recall this controversial product. Lululemon then rebranded the pants as “Second Chance Pant” with the added promise of more coverage.

Huffington post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/lululemon-alienating-customers_n_4275842.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-business&ir=Canada%20Business

In a recent interview after the product recall, Lululemon chairman and co-founder; Chip Wilson, blamed the pants’ problems on women’s bodies. He boldly claimed that the pants simply don’t work for some women’s bodies and simply rubs in the wrong places. Wilson later on apologized for his statements. His apology was labelled as “the worst ever”.

CBC Blog: http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/08/lululemon-under-fire-for-fat-shaming-marketing.html

In terms of a marketing standpoint, this is an absolute disaster. Alongside this public relations disaster is the very present “fat-shaming” in stores, Lululemon will have an ever more difficult time attracting, let alone retaining its consumer base.

ABC article and video: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/lululemon-chairmen-chip-wilsons-apology-called-worst-20886522

In the short-term, Wilson’s attempted apology did nothing more than hurt the company’s image, leaving the company’s future in question.

The Atlantic skies will be more crowded than ever this summer as WestJet will be running test flights over the Atlantic to Europe. The company will begin to offer its transatlantic flight in June with seasonal non-stop flights from St. John’s to Dublin, Ireland and direct flights from Toronto to Dublin.

The Globe and Mail article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-goes-trans-atlantic-with-new-dublin-flight/article15455464/

As WestJet prepares for the new flights, many questions concerning the company’s future have been asked. It has been reported that while management is looking at the potential for expansion in Europe, their main focuses are the domestic and regional services.

CBC article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-to-go-transatlantic-with-flights-to-dublin-1.2427850

While this new service creates a huge opportunity for WestJet, it does much more than increase revenue. This new service will attempt to establish WestJet in Europe as well as increase the company’s brand recognition. It also gives the company the opportunity to learn about the European market and how they would have to operate.

Overall, this is a huge opportunity for the company and will be very beneficial if their first transatlantic offering is successful.

The outspoken co-founder of Tesla Motors Inc, Elon Musk said “there’s definitely not going to be a recall” of the company’s Model S despite three reported vehicle fires in the last six weeks.

Since the rumours of a possible recall began, Tesla’s share price has dramatically decreased a total of 22 percent since the company posted its third-quarter results nearly a week ago.

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/tesla-ceo-musk-says-model-s-wont-be-recalled-for-fire-risk/

There is an estimated fire in one out of every 1,300 gas-powered cars on U.S. roads, compared to the Model S which is closer to one in 8,000 stated Musk. Emphasizing none of the drivers were injured. Musk claims that the media’s reaction to the fires as unwarranted, and uneccessary.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-12/tesla-ceo-says-there-definitely-won-t-be-model-s-recall.html

Because there will be no recall, Tesla will be saving massive sums of money, but what does it mean to consumers? Due to the lack of a recall, potential customers may see Tesla as a company who does not value the safety of its patrons. Regardless, Tesla still views their vehicle as the best, and would recall the Model S if they thought the car had a safety problem, which clearly they do not.