Response to Kerri Hinkle's "Marketing through Mission"

What do you think about the ethical implications of using a mission to win customers?
Is it a smart idea? Why or why not?

Organizations are constantly claiming CSR yet time and time again we witness that their claims are at best exaggerated.  However i do believe that the mission statement of the company is the best goal the company can seek out, not necessarily the one they have achieved.  even if a company is lacking in CSR at least a responsible mission statement proves they are aware of the issues that may be plaguing society.  as to whether this is a scheme to win over customers i truly do not know.  it is always a smart idea to have a socailly responsible mission statement, it is the responsibility of the consumer to question the company and  find out how legitimate the claims in that statement may be. 

Importance of Proper Research

This week in class we hit upon the importance of research to a marketing firm.  A firm must know everything about their product, how customers react to it, and what demographics it will sell best to.  they even consider the social ramifications their ads and test samples of consumers before releasing them. however, as was evident when we watched the banned ad on youtube, sometimes this research fails.  Whether it be the managers fail to see the customer reaction to their product or the social implications it may have, there are instances when the research proves wrong.

What do you think are the main reasons marketing research can fail.   How would you address these issues as a manager?

Response to Heather Young's "Dove Ad"

What other ads have you seen that are using this emotional connection to a specific company to advertise rather than the actual product itself? Was it more or less effective?

Time and time again i see advertisements that tug at the heart strings of consumers rather then promoting the product itself.  This is a commercial for an SUV that says nothing about the SUV but instead shows its detector stopping the driver from hitting a child behind the car.  No doubt this is a practical addition to the car that should be advertised, however to exploit the emotion involved in a potential child's death to promote a product seems nothing less then immoral.  these ads have only one effect on more, a negative feeling towards the advertiser.

Privatization at KSC

As was mentioned in this class and other management courses more and more companies are beginning to privatize parts of their corporations.  Keene State is a perfect example of an organization acting on this trend.  in the recent year KSC has outsourced a large part of their business, in theory allowing them to focus more on education.  The DC, Bookstore, and waste management branches have all been outsourced to outside companies.  This allows keene to save money on activities such as these, however at what cost to customer relations.

How do you feel the outsourcing of KSC facilities has affected you throughout your school career.  Was the outcome a good or bad one?

Response to Ariana Barones "Biebers Debit Card for Teens"

Do you having Justin Bieber backing this project was a savvy business move?

As anyone in the management industry has noticed, people spend without thinking.  I believe having a well known pop star, who is influential in children and young teens lives, promotion responsible budgeting is one of the best acts of CSR in recent history.  not only will Biebers move help an array of teens better manage their budget, I'm sure it will get him the gratification of those teens parents.  all in all Biebers debit card initiative was a very savvy business move.

Facial Recognition Software-Advertisement

Almost like something out of star trek or minority report more and more advertisers are attempting to use facial recognition software to see who they are advertising to and how it affects them.  Introduced earlier this year were plans for Samsung's new galaxy phone to utilize recognition software to track where users eyes were looking enabling to scroll the page without using their hands.  Shortly after speculation that this technology will be revolutionary to advertisers allowing them to see who is looking at their ads, and eventually letting them generate ads geared towards individual customers.

What impact do you think Facial recognition Technology with have with marketers.  How do you feel about advertisers gearing ads based on your individual references.

Response to Drew Farrar's "Brand Marketing"

Have you ever purchased a product just for the status it may have?

Although I understand the reason people make brand purchases i do not see the relation they attribute to product and status. the only instance i can see where a purchase has determined status was when i was looking at colleges.  the choice of where to go to school had long lasting implications both socially and economically. Perhaps its because the purchases made as a college student are not as drastic as those made in middle age.  it is possible that some day when I'm purchasing an expensive i will allow its perceived status to influence my decision, to a degree.