In response to Kristen's post

The electronic industry is all about Planned Obsolescence. The main goal of this type of production is to ensure that consumers will have to buy the product multiple times, rather than only once. How many iPhone models are there now? Apple has been plagued with accusations and investigations about its business practices. Its shareholders are upset because Apple has billions in cash and has paid little in dividends. If I upgrade to a smart phone, it will not be an Apple product. My taste toward tech is price rather than the newest product.  

America for Sale

I just came across this article today on NBCNews.com. It is about an immigration program called the EB-5 visa program. It allows foreigners to earn a green card granting them permanent residency and a citizenship. In addition to the usual bureaucracy, this path to citizenship, costs at least a $500,000 investment in an American business and the creation of at least 10 jobs.

Everybody knows that money talks but is buying your way to the head of the citizenship line a fair process? Is buying your way into America a process that all its citizens should know about? I’m curious to know how this program is marketed, if at all, to other countries. What do you think?

In response to Gina's post

Unforgettable Advertisements

Many of these commercials are a form of guerrilla marketing. Wikipedia defines Guerrilla marketing as an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Typically, guerrilla marketing campaigns are unexpected and unconventional, and consumers are targeted in unexpected places. Because there are so many commercials in so many forms they have almost become unnoticeable. By using outside the box tactics, some companies are trying to grab your attention in hopes you’ll remember their product in your purchasing decisions.

Captive audience

Everything costs more and those costs keep rising. Those rising costs affects everything including the things some people think are free. Have you ever considered how much public school costs and where the money for these schools comes from? With more of the public unwilling to adequately fund public schools and with state education budgets being slashed, school administrators are seeking alternatives sources for revenue. One alternative is allowing private and commercial advertisements in schools.

Marketing experts can reach this captive audience in many ways; in schools ads, ads in classroom materials and programs, and corporate sponsored educational materials and programs.

Is the commercialization of our education system a good idea?

In response to Kristen’s Post

When a company uses something like this in advertisement do you feel you are more likely to purchase it?

Advertisements are designed to convince you to buy a particular good or service. Catch phrases and slogans are just one tool that is used to change your buying behavior. Throughout my career as a consumer I’m have no doubt that an advertisement or a marketing campaign has changed my buying behavior in favor of a product. Even though my consumer tastes are well established, I’m sure there will be an ad in the future that will convince me to change those tastes.  

We're #1

Last week’s post was how the millennials in the US have turned their buying power in favor of American cars. I’d like to continue this week with the same topic. I found an article that R.L. Polk & Co. revealed that the Ford Focus is the world’s bestselling car. Ford has 3 vehicles that made the top ten list. The success of the Focus lies in part to a 51% increase in sales in China.

Is price the contributing factor for Ford or is there some other reason that the Focus came out on top?

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost-ros.aspx?post=619afc64-1886-4110-a3f0-a1df03b47726&icid=autos_4180

In response to Allison Ray

I don’t understand why people buy bottled water when for only a few cents you can drink tap water. OK, I realize that tap water doesn’t always taste good, but this can be solved with a simple and inexpensive filtration system. When you buy bottled water where do all those bottles go? According to Pristine Planet, just over 20% of those water bottles get recycled which means the rest get thrown away. So much for going green. Is the convenience of bottled water worth the price?