the unobserver

I thought this was quite an entertaining conversation in class, and today I saw that CNN posted a video about it.

Drink up the poop

Cheers!

I was browsing a bunch of our section blogs, and I came across one that talked about that commercial where the cat is playing the keyboard  (Cat Playing Keyboard).

I am such a sucker for cute animals in commercils, so this blog post will be dedicated to just that.

Funny that the first thing I think of is the Telus commercials with all their baby animals.

Next up we have our Kleenex Cottonelle commercial. Those cute puppies always get to me.

Last up, we have the signing bunny from Skittles :D.

Until next time,

The unobserver

To be honest, when I was reading over one of the boxes in our textbook called “Adding Value: Pay What You Want – Really” on page 253, I couldn’t stop to think what the motivation was behind this theory of paying what you want for food.

The example given in the textbook talks about Terra Bite Lounge in Kirkland, Washington (and I was quite pleased to find out that the owner is a Google software developer considering I am also a bit of a techie). The idea is that you pay what you want for your coffee.

So how can this be profitable? As quoted by an article in the New York Times:

“We know we could never go to these restaurants because we would feel extreme guilt and overpay for our food. Actually, that’s sort of the idea.” It seems that there is another effect that helps these restaurants make money: social monitoring. As stated by Erica Okada, ” “social monitoring” — the feeling that others are watching what you do — can enforce payment”.

Interestingly enough, Terra Bite had to start charging for their meals. The owner mentioned that this was partially due to the fact that a lot of teenagers tend to go there (interesting demographic effect no?). As a teenager, we know that food is great, but cheap food is even better. Many people like feeling as though they are getting the better end of the deal.

As true as this is though, there are also those people that keep the restaurants surviving because they believe in the cause of the restaurant, and therefore pay a premium.

Another restaurant that has this trend is Panera Bread. Take a look:

If you want to read more about Terra Bite and other Pay-What-You-Want businesses, here are a couple of links:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003558690_terrabite06e.html

There is a great article I was reading, which is about how classic sales pitches like, “SALE ONLY TODAY!” and “Limit 4 coupons per person” still get us triggering that “I need to buy that” feeling.

The idea is that these sales pitches are aimed at different aspects of our behaviour.

Here were the top 7 sales pitches we can’t resist:

1. “Our Big Sale ends tomorrow/today/in a few hours.”

Aimed at: Your survival instincts.

2. “Get 23% off.”

Aimed at: Your love of a bargain.

3. “We have a great deal on the accessories for that, too.”

Aimed at: Your long-term investor.

4. “Save $250! (New price: $500.)”

Aimed at: Your price-sensitive side.

5. “Get a free gift with your $50 purchase.”

Aimed at: Your inner child (who wants a present, too).

6. “Limit five per person.”

Aimed at: Your competitive spirit.

7. “Shop today and save 50% next week.”

Aimed at: Your best intentions.
Read more: 7 Sales Pitches You Can’t Resist – Spending – Deals – SmartMoney.com http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/7-sales-pitches-you-cant-resist/#ixzz151BwaRPA

For some reason I am just thinking about the effects family have on my purchasing. Personally, my sister is usually my first filter on things like jeans/electronics, mom is for travel, and dad is for finance… therefore is there potential market to have some sort of family plans?

Will get back on this after the midterm.

Until next time,
the unobserver

One way to capture my attention: talk about new technologies and their markets.

I have seen various posts on either Apple (https://blogs.ubc.ca/joeylee/) or Apple vs Google (https://blogs.ubc.ca/juliezhu/), and I can’t help but make a comment on it.

Apple, Google, Microsoft, Intuit, SAP, etc etc is so much more than just smartphones and labtops. After interning at Microsoft this summer, I have learned the realistic range of what projects a company takes on.

(Cheesy warning) A company is almost like an iceberg: 10% the public sees, 90% is covered.

Apple has some things that people like more than other (example smartphones and laptops), Google has somethings that the same or other people also like (Google maps, Google docs).

When comparing the two, the most important aspect is to be specific. I do like the way that Joey Lee talked about the smartphone industry specifically, but I believe the header “Google vs Apple” have many different aspects to it.

The marketing of both Droid and Apple have very different markets as well (technology saavy vs family friendly though both strive to be sexy).

Honestly? I think both are a good investment.

Also, on a different note, I think Google’s changing logo on their main google.com sight is wicked awesome. Check out some of the art that they’ve had here:

Examples:

Until next time,
The unobserver

I went to Atlanta, Georgia last week for a Women in Computer Science conference. That’s right, Atlanta.

“What’s in Atlanta” you might ask. Well, two of the biggest brand names are from there: CNN and Coca Cola.

Here’s some food for thought:

Coke can be found in some of the most sparse areas of the world. They use local people to deliver their products, and provide jobs for those who do. Now, imagine if a vaccine had as good distribution as coke. If Coca Cola can reach small villages in who-knows-where, why can’t medicine and food?

I think that the Coca Cola brand is marketing at its top. Their distribution is everywhere, their product/packaging comes in a variety of comfortable sizes and materials, their price is cheap relative to the area it’s being sold, and its promotion is booming, especially with their website games, sponsorships, and coupons.

Anywho, here are some pictures of their museum/factory in Atlanta:

(That first picture of the boy and the coke is worth over 2.5 million dollars!)

Until next time,

The unobserver

I don’t remember the last time an ad made me actually laugh before yesterday. Unfortunately, I was laughing to myself while on the elliptical at the Marine Drive gym (yay weird looks?).

Take a look:

Pro: Pretty funny ad for anyone (including people who don’t know what an ewok is), and I took note to remember Spike TV.
Con: what’s the point/main message? The message at the end is: “There is much to be learned.” My face is still blank.

They have a whole collection of these types of ads (Star Wars with Spike TV). Personally, I find the “movie characters in real situations” theme pretty entertaining.

Until next time that something actually catches my eye,

The unobserver

I can’t help but comment on this ad.

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