Since we covered points-of-parity and points-of-difference last week, I thought it would be relevant to do a post about it. In the article, Apple and Samsung are compared in terms of switch-over rates, customer loyalty and the choice that first-time smartphone users would pick. In the comparisons, Apple won in terms of switch-over rates and customer loyalty, however, Samsung won in terms of customers changing over from a basic or non-feature phone.

From the article, we can tell how important brand image and brand loyalty is to both these companies. Apart from advertising, what makes these products so distinct is their points-of-difference (PoD). While sharing many similarities (points-of-parity PoP) such as both being smartphones having basic features such as video and music players, Apple attracts users by its easy-to-use instinctive system, the basic functionality of iTunes and its simple sleek design whereas Samsung boasts the highest resolution rates in the market as of now, higher customizability for the tech-savvy and a more sophisticated design.

From the demand of goods from each brand, we can see how diverse and spread out the tastes and preference of consumers are.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2013/08/20/apple-and-samsung-who-could-win-the-smartphone-war/

Crypton Future Media definitely hit the jackpot when they synthetic voice software Hatsune Miku. Making use of Yamaha’s Vocaloid (voice+android) technology, aspiring producers were able to get an artificial idol, Hatsune Miku, to sing their songs for them. This created a whole new market in Japan, as the program was unlike no other. The Vocaloid series has since then boomed in popularity, sprouting more than a million derivative artworks and more than a hundred thousand fan-made songs.  Holographic images of the Vocaloids actually even perform concerts all over the globe, with heaps of people swarming to see them.

I was fascinated at the Vocaloid series just due to the sheer genius of Crypton Future Media that created the idea. I believe that this level of popularity would not have been born with just the voice-synthesizing software, it was the idea of packaging it with its own character that spawned the franchise that is now known as Hatsune Miku. Because she is not a real idol, Crypton is also able to save tremendous amounts of money as even the concerts that are held mainly consist of virtual data. A true example of how innovation can change the world.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/09/29/hatsune-miku-vocaloid-singer/2877767/   (video on link for reference apart from article)

Originating from Japan, the girl band was produced by Akimoto Yasushi in 2009, where they started performing in a theatre  in Akihabara, hence the naming AKB. Since then, the group has sold over 20 million records within Japan and has also gained global recognition in some countries as a raging sensation, sprouting out sister units in various countries such as JKT48 (Jakarta), SNH (Shanghai).

One would wonder the reason behind the success of AKB48, despite mostly singing mainstream bubblegum pop and mediocre dance moves compared to their Korean counterparts. I believe that it is due to their producer, Akimoto Yasushi, who saw an unfulfilled niche market in the idol industry. He produced the group with the concept “idols you can meet”. Unlike most idols in Japan who are unrealistically portrayed in the media, fans actually have many chances to meet members of AKB48 through the many popularity poll performances, handshake meetings and sign sessions. Such events were hard to come by in Japan before AKB48’s debut.

From the above facts, we can see just how important it is to have a keen eye to spot possible unfulfilled niches. Only with a keen eye, can we seize opportunities when they come to us.

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57371627-1/otaku-band-akb48-morphs-into-$200m-business/