In Response to Aubrey Menegus' Post

     The statement that struck me most about Aubrey's article was the statement that the Yahoo CEO made about Facebook being Yahoo's top competitor.  I strongly disagree that these two companies are able to compete against one another.  Yahoo is a search engine, whereas Facebook is a social network.  Their purpose and goals are completely different.  Therefore, I do not think that they can consider themselves competitors.  However, I think Yahoo could greatly benefit from being involved in Facebook's increasingly popular network.  From reading Aubrey's post, it sounds to me like Yahoo is trying too hard to become similar to Facebook (by incorporating things such as the "like" button)  I am not convinced such small, and behind-the-times changes will bring back Yahoo's 10% of users they have lost.  I think Yahoo needs to be much more creative than this, and step outside of the Facebook zone and come up with their own creative ideas and applications that will make their site more appealing to users.  The actions Yahoo is taking to "fit in"  will not help them; what they really need, instead, is to stand out.

Is iTunes in Need of a New Design?

     After a recent consumer survey, the annual Customer Experience Index seems to suggest that iTunes ratings are rather low for the number of people that use its account.  The Index rates a firm based on regular users' opinions on three principles: whether the service meets customer needs, the ease of working with the firm in general, and whether or not the customer enjoyed the interactions with the company.  Amazon and eBay did surprisingly well, ranking in the top 20 spots.  Apple's iTunes service, on the other hand, ended at number 46 of 133 companies.
     What surprised me the most, I think, was the popularity of iTunes.  This system allowed Apple to spread music easily and thoroughly.  ITunes received a lot of feedback as being confusing, overwhelming, and often less than elegant.  The iTunes service doesn't seem to live up to the same sleek design as other Apple products.  A majority of the participants surveyed are casual users, not incredibly technical geniuses. Despite the advanced capabilities of Apple products, shouldn't the firm also be sure to use designs, layouts, and language that is easily understood by casual users?  I think Apple needs to focus on making changes to their services in order to make the general public comfortable with maneuvering through their websites and services.  Do you think Apple should make these changes?  Or are they trying to find their angel customers, and weed out the "devil customers" by using language and designs that are not easily understood?

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/brandnewday/archives/2010/01/consumers_dont.html

In Response to Paige Culveyhouse

    The amount of money spent during the Superbowl is clearly not something that is overlooked.  Companies spend millions of dollars on 30 second advertisements.  In all honesty, I don't think companies spend all this money to simply promote their money and gain more revenue.  Sure, they hope that it will entice and encourage viewers to check out some of their products and services, but I think the majority of the reasoning behind these ads is simply for entertainment purposes.  These companies already have a large net profit, since they are able to pay for such pricey advertisements.  So do they really need to be spending it on promoting their name?  I don't think so.  I think companies submit ads to the Superbowl because it's what the viewers want to see.  They want to connect with companies that may share similar interests (i.e. sports) and be more apt to purchase products and services when they relate them to an entertaining commercial they saw at the 2011 Superbowl.  I think viewers like to see that companies are willing to spend money for the entertainment of their customers, instead of being driven ONLY by revenue.

Will Television Advertising Be No More?

     We've all been interrupted from our favorite shows and movies by the all too familiar television commercials.  But, recently, businesses are being forced to start coming up with new, and more creative marketing techniques. With the fairly recent launch of DVR, many advertisers believe that the effectiveness of the 30-minute promotional messages will be lost.  Companies are pushing the exploration of different media inputs for their ads, and some are looking to boost a larger part of their marketing straight to the web, decreasing their television advertising budgets over the next three years.
     Though many businesses and citizens alike will agree that television is a pretty big part of society, and the marketing world, and will remain strong, advertisers are being challenged to come up with new and innovative ways to target their markets.  But, with the cost of advertising, especially on television, adds yet another challenge.  Should companies continue to spend billions of dollars on advertising, when surveys are showing that the effectiveness of television ads are decreasing?  Or should they rely more heavily on finding some other way of communicating to potential customers?

http://www.marketingtoday.com/research/0306/tv_advertising_less_effective.htm

In Response to Matt Panicali's Post...

     As of today, I can finally say that I too have seen Social Networks!  I am astonished at how quickly the site took off, but not incredibly taken aback by its overall success.  Facebook is incredibly popular today, and has been used time and again as a great networking tool.  Not only as an innocent and playfully social networking, but also for business to network.  In my opinion, although Facebook is considered by many to be a "personal space", it's also on the internet which basically makes this target group fair game to marketers.  The advertisements posted on Facebook do not hastle account users, but are just present on the side.  They do not prevent you from seeing a friend's page, or from commenting on a status.  However, if a user is interested in looking through the list to see the different types of stores, products, and services that might interest said user, they are more than welcome to browse.  I think, from a business standpoint, this is a GREAT marketing tool.  Thousands of people use Facebook daily, and you have a chance to reach out to people all over the world through this website that is common ground.

Mobile Marketing?

     When the first telephone was invented, society at the time probably never expected anything like a mobile cell phone to ever be available to consumers.  At the same time, the telephone gave companies an entirely new way of marketing their products, services, and ideas.  Likewise, when the first computer was assembled, no one immediately thought that the laptop would be so popular so soon.  But with the computer and accompanying internet, companies have been able to once again expand their audiences.  Each advancement of technology has not only benefited society overall, but it has also greatly improved and increased the way marketers do their jobs.
     It's no secret that cell phones and other mobile devices have become incredibly popular, especially over the last few years.  So, perhaps it should be no surprise when Google executives estimate that by 2015, about 67% of consumer transactions will be done via some type of mobile equipment. (Martinez)  The population of mobile users is constantly growing, so it only makes sense that companies are working on breaking into this more technologically advanced group of consumers.  But with this new variation of consuming comes a new approach to marketing.
     Should we be concerned, then, with this new possible marketing strategy?  Chances are, whenever you make a purchase from your mobile device, all of your personal information that is usually stored today, will continue to be saved.  With this, companies can gather more information about you as a consumer.  To some, this may sound harmless- producers are learning more about their consumers, which can lead to companies offering more of what their clients want.  However, others may look into this new market strategy as more of an invasion of privacy.  With the internet, spam e-mails were created, companies got a hold of your e-mail and people were bombarded with advertisements, newsletters, and countless other irrelevant things.  So what if they could get a hold of the applications we use on our phones, websites we most often visit, perhaps even places we have been?  Instead of companies being able to view buying patterns based solely on your credit card information, mobile  purchases could quite easily be letting the consumer industry into your personal life.  Are YOU comfortable with Apple, Banana Republic, and Barnes and Noble Bookstore knowing your personal information?  I don't think I am.

http://www.dmnews.com/most-purchases-half-of-transactions-to-be-mobile-by-2015-google/article/195728/

Self Marketing Mix

     A large part of beginning any job search is based on what you, the seeker, want.  Are you looking to be a part of a large firm, or a small business?  Are you looking for an opportunity for promotions, or a title that you can call your own for a longer amount of time?  But a job search involves so much more.  In order to be successful and happy in your new placement, it is also important to take time to reflect on your values, your personal goals, and your dreams.  The marketing mix can help job seekers take time to understand these different parts, and find efficient ways to display your unique characteristics.

     The place is probably one of the first things people thing about when they begin a job search.  Do I want to try something in another part of the country or world?  Or would I rather stay in a place that I am comfortable and familiar with?  Obviously, this decision is critical in order to move forward in the search process.  The location of your future job can also have an effect on whether or not you need to start searching for a new home, or a new mode of transportation.  For example, if you live in the city, you can rely on public transportation, but in the country, you may need to think about financing for a vehicle.
 
     The price is also another important aspect when considering a new job.  Are you willing to work for less in order to outdo your competition?  Or have you set on a minimum asking salary, within reason, to be able to pay off bills and loans?  This may also have an effect on the place you choose to live due to financing and the funds that are available to you.  I would expect price to be one of the more difficult aspects of job searching.  Not only do seekers have less control over their pay, but the subject is rarely brought up in the first initial meeting(s).  Many people find it difficult and rather uncomfortable to talk about.  Therefore, it is important that time is taken to really figure out what your reasonable goals are, financially, and be able to voice those opinions and concerns with your future employer.

     The product in this case, ourselves, is rather straight forward.  This includes the relative basics of a general interview.  What is our background experience?  What kind of degree(s) have we received; and from which school(s)?  Are we able to present ourselves in a professional manner?  This may involve the language we use throughout the interview, to the way our resume is organized.  In this assignment, I believe the product aspect and the promotion aspect work hand-in-hand.  So, lets address some of the subjects that could be included in the promotion category.

     The promotion is quite possibly the most crucial aspect in any job search.  It is also, for the most part, entirely in your control.  This is a seeker's chance to show a potential employer that they are the right candidate for the job.  With this, we must be sure that we come prepared, and be able to successfully and efficiently promote ourselves.  This may include our background, and previous experience(s), but it can also include our strengths and the variety of things that we can bring to the table.  In my opinion, this is the part that requires the MOST thought and reflection.  How do we want our employers to view us?  Is it the type of job that would rather have me portray a comical and laid back self?  Or should I promote my professionalism and attention to detail?  The promotional aspect seems to give us a second chance at describing who we are, and lets us, in a way, control the way people see us- to a certain extent. So, when you're ready to begin searching for that new job...I suggest you spend the most time looking in the mirror and reflecting on the promotional aspect of the marketing mix.