Learning the Hard Way...

RUNNING A BUSINESS...MARCH 24, 201

Burned by Daily-Deal Craze, Small Businesses Get SavvyBy ELIZABETH HOLMES

Retailers have learned the hard way that coupon sites like Groupon Inc. don't always deliver the best options. In a recent article by the Wall Street Journal they talk about how many businesses felt burned after their early experiences with Groupon. Now the small retailers that form the base of its business have become savvier about working with Groupon and other social coupon companies. As the article mentions, Groupon operates in more than 500 markets and has over 60 million users. Through the use of these coupons such as Groupon retailers have learned to better sort out the sites that might be useful because before deal offers came so quickly that once someone failed to read the fine print on a contract from a coupon site that promised shipping and it cost him at least $5,000. In my opinion I think that coupon sites such as Groupon are a great idea because they give people an opportunity to save money which ultimately is what most people want. With this in mind Groupon and other similar services are targeting almost everyone, because after all who doesn't want to save money?!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704050204576218813288848414.html

Internet Travel...

Marketing Week
March 3, 2011

Travel company Black Tomato looks to beach bonanza

By Branwell Johnson

This article writes about the Internet travel company Black Tomato launching new brands to cater for growing premium segments of the travel market and to to into luxury fashion sales. They are going to be launching the brands called Beach Tomato and Epic Tomato. Beach Tomato is designed to be an authority on beach culture and will offer both holidays and the opportunity to purchase beach fashion items online. I think that it is a good idea that this company is creating new brands because they are creating styles that can relate to different people and different personalities which is important in a target market. People will feel as if they relate to this brand and it will encourage them to buy these products. Black Tomato will target key publications in the luxury travel market for PR and accompany with digital marketing activity, using existing database and social media.

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/sectors/travel-and-leisure/travel-company-black-tomato-looks-to-beach-bonanza/3024372.article

Update on AOL...

Marketing Week
March 2, 2011

AOL cuts 900 jobs following Huffington Post deal

By Lara O'Reilly

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned how AOL was making a big move by making a deal with Huffington Post. I thought it would be great to keep you all updated on what happened with the deal thus far. AOL is planning to cut about 20% of its workforce following the $315m acquisition of the news website. This will mostly affect AOL editorial staff now seen as unnecessary as it combine Huffington Post operations with its own media services. The article states that AOL says that their " strategy remains clear: create high-quality content experiences for consumers, at scale." I think that their overall strategy is very clever and it is unfortunate that they had to cut so many employees. Currently AOL has just 5.3% of the US display advertising market share!

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/sectors/media/aol-cuts-900-jobs-following-huffington-post-deal/3024374.article

Scheme...

Marketing Week
March 11, 2011

The Perfume Shop plans loyalty scheme

By Rosie Baker

In a recent article from Marketing Week it talks about the Perfume Shop preparing to launch its first loyalty programme as part of an overhaul of its brand communications strategy. The retailer is planning a brand campaign at the end of the year to build deeper brand engagement. I think it is clever for them to take a different approach since other previous activity focused more on price promotions and products. They will be more focused on promoting its "accessible luxury" proposition delivered by in-store fragrances experts. I think it is a great idea for them to have in store experts because it will encourage people to come to their store because most people take the opinion of an expert with much respect. The Perfume Shop is in the progress of looking for an agency to develop a brand campaign that will run across TV!!

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/sectors/retail/the-perfume-shop-plans-loyalty-scheme/3024371.article

Digital Marketing..

Marketing Week
March 11, 2011

Digital marketers can’t look past transparency

By Lara O'Reilly

In a recent article Marketing Week discusses the consumer confusion about online data. It is a law fir product placement broadcasters must display a logo if a paid for reference is to occur, publishers must clearly display "advertorial" for advertising features. The EU Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive which will require marketers to obtain consent from visitors to their site to store and retrieve cookies- the technique which stores information such as passwords and browsing habits. The industry is worried the directive could slow the growth in behavioral advertising. I think that digital advertising needs to reflect the way consumers really act online, rather than relying on old-fashioned guess-work.

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/disciplines/digital/digital-marketers-can’t-look-past-transparency/3024382.article

Obama and Retail...

Marketing Week
March 11, 2011

AP sues retailers for using Obama image

By Lara O'Reilly

The Associated Press (AP) is suing American retailers Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom and Zumiez for using unauthorized images of President Barack Obama on their clothing. The original photo, which was used in the ironic "Hop" Obama campaign poster, is owned by AP.  AP says the retailers' use of the image,taken by one of its photographers, is a breach of copyright. The image is also the subject of another legal dispute relating to artist Shepard Fairey who adapted the photo for use in the presidential campaign. AP said it would sue Fairey in 2009 but they settled the dispute in January with an agreement to split the proceeds of his merchandise carrying the image.

http://mcdermottreport.com/tv/2011/03/13/associated-press-suing-nordstrom-others-over-obama-poster/



Another iPad Update...

The New York Times
Technology..March 11, 2011

In New Case, iPad Starts in an Instant

By Miguel Helft

As The New York Times states, "in technology, fast is never fast enough." When Apple begins selling its iPad 2 on Friday evening, many of the new device's features may be upstaged by a lowly accessory, the "smart cover," a protective case designed by Apple that snaps onto the iPad through magnets and doubles as a stand. I think that the reason Apple is so successful is because they are able to consistently come up with new products such as this. The cover is able to turn on the iPad 2 faster than without it. With this in mind it will encourage people to by this cover because who wouldn't want something that makes their product faster!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/technology/12faster.html?ref=technology