Suri Dong's Blog

Ipad 2 the new lighter, faster, whiter, and much more impressive. Is this really true or is it something our dear old Mr.Jobs trying to pull? With his evil all knowing marketing mind, we have seen before. I think we all know what it is.  Sydney Archer’s blog I pad 2 really that much more? clears this dilemma for us. Personally I own, an I pad myself and was tricked by my the excitement of an efficient tablet. But to be honest other than taking occasional notes, I barely  use it. As we quote an old saying “trick me once shame on you, trick me twice shame on me”. That how anyone who currently own an I pad feels like. Of course the master mind of marketing, has already avoided these skepticism, by showing endless videos of the difference between the two generations. In reality we just are blinded by the sophistication they bring in their advertising. As for most people I think the biggest attraction for the 2nd generation is the cost stability that apple is so careful with. The new I pad cost exactly the same as the old one. Perhaps even our dear old Mr.Jobs feel the pressure of the growing tablet market. As Google, hp, Microsoft, and etc develop their own versions of tablets; apple has no choice but to release the I pad to counter their offers.

I just hope they realize no one is bring an I pad with them to take vacation photos.

Whitney lindskog‘s blog has brought my focus on McDonald’s time base marketing plan. When McDonald began in 1955, there was hardly any market strategy at all; we will call this the beginning of time, in a fast food perspective of course. From the start with no other fast food restaurant to compete with them, they had full control. This gave them time to understand their environment. Then came the source of fast food, the “big band”, accelerated dining time. More profit means: More customers, less time at each table, which means that they would need to eat faster. (bare in mind they do not have drive threw back then) Family’s were perfect candidate for such eating habits. If you don’t believe me just think of your last real Thanksgiving dinner. This crunch time theology brought McDonald through out the ages. It revolutionized itself to now, with unique designs each decade to attract the families through the 80’s and 90’s.

Too bad people no longer wanted to be fat, or else McDonald would not have to change their marketing mix at all. Common, who wants a salad where the restaurant  is know for the fatness of their food.(who ironically tells you how fatty they are) Well at least we can trust that one day McDonald’s is going to create some life preserving food. If we live longer, it will mean we buy more food and would be a better long term investment in us. Then they will be hands down master of time.

Reblogg: http://herballifemyhealth.blogspot.com/

Marketing’s alpha and omega, beginning and the end can only be represented by the works of direct sales. Does not matter if you sale vacuum going door to door or the head of a pyramid corporation, you are one of the front line fighters. Myhealth is one of such direct distributors that I have found browsing through an array of blogs. It is seldom to mention such tiny blogs like this one, but there are thousands of them out there. Credit is given where credit is due. All these blog follow few basic patterns; they are filled with info, plenty of ways to contact the creator (ie. facebook, twitter, email, etc.), and they always have a sales pitch. The one I read about is no exception. If you browse down the page, the first thing you notice is the limitless amount of links on the blogs sidebar. There also seems to be an miniature autobiography most likely copied from Facebook or Twitter. As we dig further into the content, there is hardly anything there that is not related to the sales pitch. This just proves that the fore father of marketers were sales men. Another odd trend is no matter which site or blog your on, we can always see links to one of the massive social networks online. It almost seem like a massive conspiracy. Thank you, twitter for making half the world bloggers; when they have no idea what their doing.

Collaborating with teen celebrities, it added the freshness into the brand. Also, these celebrities wearing pairs of Keds sneakers showed up on the magazine or newspaper, it’s the best advertisement.

Today, Feb 24th, Steve Jobs just turned 56. Yesterday, a bunch of computing students from Imperial College London created the website at happybirthdaystevejobs.com aims to collect publicly shared birthday wishes ahead of the billionaire’s fifty-sixth birthday. It’s also a way to support Steve “while he is currently dealing with serious health issues.” Urma, the creator of the website writes.

After Jobs’ announce of an indefinite medical leave of absence, many people, such as the fans of Steve and the shareholders of Apple, are very concerned about the future of Apple. Steve Jobs is the biggest face of Apple. How much of the Apple brand equity is Steve Jobs? Is the brand at risk with Jobs’ new medical leave? When a major brand is closely tied to a single person brand value can rise and fall on the fortunes and failures of that person.

Steve Jobs is an iconic figure in technology and culture. When he holds up a gadget at any event, everyone oohs and aahs. When he stands before industry conferences, holds up a gadget and says, “this is cool,” whatever it is becomes cool. The Apple brand is known for design, but it is also known for the guy who invented the PC as we know it in his garage. Customers are willing to pay higher price for iphone, ipad etc, because they are products of Apple, products of Steve Jobs. Without him, Apple can still succeed and can still be cool, but it might hard to replicate Jobs’ huge success.

Steve Jobs is not just the Co-founder, marketer of Apple. He, himself, is a product, and much much more.

“Product Design + Perfection + Marketer + Visionary + Charisma + In famous Anger = Steve Jobs. ” A blogger writes.

Again, happy birthday, Steve Jobs! Can’t wait for another keynote.

sources:

www.happybirthdaystevejobs.com

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110218/steve-jobs-health-apple-110218/20110218/?hub=CalgaryHome

http://www.b2cmarketinginsider.com/mobile-apps/steve-jobs-and-apple’s-future-brand-value-010321

What’s Google? The biggest search engine in the world? No, google isn’t just a search engine now.

First started selling the ultra-popular Android smart phone, then providing the hit low-cost calling service, Google voice. Now the search company is trying its hand at becoming a phone carrier.

Never afraid to push the envelope, Google been moving in that direction for years. Google increase  its product lines to capture new or evolving markets, increase sales, and compete in new venues. Google noticed that the search engine industry is quite mature. If the company wanted to have a new  breakthrough, it needed to start branching out to other services.

Google chose to launch into the technology field, which is not surprising at all. Because Google has already established a strong brand image to customer that Google is at the top of that field. Hence, people who are already familiar with Google will be willing to try the new products. Just like  this comment on the site states : “well…I am not surprised at all cos Google can!” Let Google push boundariesto see what’s possible.

source: http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/30/technology/google_wireless_carrier/index.htm

“I love this store!” , “I have four words! The best store ever!” These are what  you will most likely receive when you ask youthful shoppers’ opinion about Aritzia in downtown Vancouver.

The comments about Aritzia might be a bit over the top, but many retail industry observers are equally enthusiastic about the privately held, family-owned company that caters to adolescents and women aged 14 to 30.  How did the company rise above the fashion crowd? One of the great contributors to Aritzia’s success is that the company has influenced many customers’ attitude toward the brand.

As David Gray, president of, a retail information and strategy company, stated ” There were people all bending over backwards to get Aritzia into their malls. They’re Canadian and they’re different.” Aritzia was borne of a family with a retail legacy in Vancouver. Aritzia made good use of its history background by educating customers its uniqueness: Made in Canada. The company created an emotional bond with Canadian customers. It successfully conveyed the message: buying products from the company is the way of supporting the Canadian fashion industry, just like it stated in the campaign: ” Support your local industry.”

In addition, as you will notice when you shop in Aritzia stores, salespeople all dress like very fashionable and chic. Employees were encouraged to wear the latest store apparel, serving as living mannequins, thus made customers believe in that “Any girl who work or shop here definitely has style!” says one young shopper.

Influencing cognitive and affective component of customer’s attitude, Ariztia became one of the most competitive retail store in Canada.

source: http://www.retaileducation.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=61

Starbucks has been my favourite cafe, since I had my first Cinnamon Dolce Latte, 5 years ago.

Why did I choose it at the first place? I think Starbucks did a terrific job in determining its market mix:

Product: offers various of drinks, and you can even make your own flavour

also sells CDs, MUGs etc.

Price: affordable

Place: plenty of locations- sometimes you can even find 2 Starbucks cafe located on the same block

I love the interior design of most Starbucks cafe. I like the warm and cosy feeling. Holding a cup of hot latte and chatting with BFFs. It’s very enjoyable!

Promotion: Flipping through magazines, you can always see celebrities holding Starbucks in the photo. Great way of promoting the products. And it’s FREE!

Hence, I always choose Starbucks regardless of how yummy Blenz’ Latte might be, how convenient Tim Hortons is. I considered myself as one of the Starbucks’ loyal customers.

Company uses many strategies to maintain its sustainable competitive advantages such as: Customer, operational, product and locational excellence. Many firms focus their strategy on retaining their loyal customers. In my point of view, Starbucks did a great job in this criteria.

Customer loyalty is used to describe the behavior of repeat customers, as well as those that offer good ratings, reviews, or testimonials. Marketers achieve customer loyalty by creating an emotional attachment through loyalty programs. In this case, Starbucks distributes “starbucks card” to customers.

With the card, you’ll earn 1 Star every time you pay with your Card. And as you collect Stars, you move up to bigger benefits, for instance, free beverage on your birthday.

Also, you are welcomed to customize your own card. This service makes me feel like I am someone special. It feels Great!

Anyway,

!!!!!!!