T-Mobile

T-Mobile is known for their spokeswoman, the girl in the pink dress. Each commercial shows this carefree, bubbly girl wearing a signature color pink dress. T-Mobile has decided to shed this look, with a new commercial, featuring this girl looking through her closet of pink dresses and throwing them on the ground. She then looks over to the other part of her room and we see her feet as she steps out of her signature dress and straps on a leather outfit and a motorcycle helmet. 


T-Mobile ends the commercial with these words: "Set the Record Straight. Test Drive America's Largest 4G Network". There have been reports that this commercial was made to shed T-Mobile's "girly" persona and appeal to more males.

What do you think is the reason that T-Mobile made this commercial? Do you think that this will help T-Mobile appeal to more men?

In Response to Nichole's Post

Nichole's Question: What else can JC Penney do to help their sales increase? Do you think Penney's is on the right track?


Nichole was referring to their new way of doing business, where there are no sales, just low prices to begin with. I think that this is a great way for JC Penney to market themselves because everyone hates having to make sure they get to the store in specific hours to get the sale. This can be impossible for people in school or at work, so having the low prices all the time is a fantastic way to get more people to shop there. I think that they are definitely on the right track of attaining new customers and keeping the old ones.

I think they could also try to lower their prices online to compete with the other online stores. Online prices are almost always lower than in-store prices, so being low online is a way that JC Penney could get customers. 






Would you be more likely to shop at JC Penney now that their prices are lower? Why or why not? Do their ads work for marketing this new business strategy? 

Sales Promotion

Car dealerships are well known for using sales promotion to get their products purchased. There are multiple yearly sales, and some are even monthly. This month, there are many new leasing and financing options for different car manufacturers that are an attractive feature to those looking into purchasing a new car. 


Many car companies have started to decrease the amount of money a car owner is expected to pay each month, which increases the shoppers interest in the cars. There are deals for Toyota, Kia, Volkswagen, Honda, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Hyundai. Specific cars from these manufacturers are all offered for a low monthly price, ranging from $159-$239 and some are offering 0% financing. 


http://autos.yahoo.com/news/top-new-car-lease-and-finance-deals-for-april.html?page=2


  


Do you think that this is the best way for a car manufacturer to sell their products? Would you be willing to purchase one of these cars for this sale? What do you think the car companies could do to get more customers to purchase their cars?

In Response to Kristen's Post

Kristen's Question: Have you ever been influenced to purchase something, or to go see a movie because of social media marketing? Do you think it is a productive way of marketing now a days?


Personally, I think that social media is a fantastic way for marketers to get their product noticed. Almost everyone has a Facebook now, ranging from middle-schoolers to middle-aged people trying to connect with people from their pasts. Seeing ads and statuses on Facebook about products can influence others to try the product or to see the movie, etc. 


I know that I would be more inclined to go see a movie or to buy a product if I saw it on Facebook. The ads show you how many of your friends have liked the product and knowing that your friends are indulging in the product makes you more willing to partake in it as well.

I had heard about the Hunger Games, the topic of Kristen's post, from friends and my siblings, but I didn't think much of it until I saw it explode on Facebook. When all of my Facebook friends had statuses about the Hunger Games, I was intrigued and wanted to see what all the hype was about. I hadn't planned on seeing the movie until I saw the hype on Facebook. I think social media is the best way for marketers to get their products known, especially when we can fast forward through commercials, or we mute the TV or change the channel when the commercials come on. This is the best way for companies to get themselves known.


If you were a company trying to get recognized, do you think you would be more apt to use print advertising and billboards, or would you be more likely to make ads for Facebook and Twitter?

Gas Prices

Gas prices have been fluctuating for as long as anyone can remember. Our parents remember them being in the $1 range, whereas we remember them being around $3.50-$4. The one time that gas hit over $4 was in 2008, when they peaked and then declined. But, unfortunately, gas prices are expected to rise to that $4 mark again this month. They have been raising a fraction of a price each day and this could have a major effect on the amount of driving people will be doing.


In class, we talked about how gas prices are inelastic because no matter how much it is, people still tend to buy gasoline in order to fill their car and get where they need to be. Some are saying they think that people will start to consolidate their errands and car pool more often if the gas prices get out of control. 


David E. Parsons of AAA Carolinas said "We expect prices to increase into May,” said Parsons. “The good news is that in the past two years we saw a stabilization or reduction of gas prices once we get into the summer months. We hope that scenario repeats itself again this year.” 


If this trend continues, what kinds of things will you do in order to cut back on the money you spend weekly on gas? Do you think that people will change their lifestyles to save money? 

In Response to Christine's Post

Christine's Question: What do you think will happen to Android products when they cant offer great app's for their consumers?


For me, an Android owner, I have no problem with the apps I am offered on my phone, but I know many people buy their phones specifically for the app options. Therefore, if Android does not step to the same level as say, the iPhone, they will start to become obsolete and eventually, they will not be anyone's first choice for phones. 


I think that Android phones need to offer the same applications as other smart phones if they want to stay in the competition. As stated in Christine's blog, developers are using their time to make apps for iPhones and I think that they need to focus on making the same or similar apps for Androids as well. If the developers only focus on the iPhone, the Android will not be purchased quite as much as it is now. 


How do you think Android could market their product to increase sales, even without the same apps as the iPhone?

Groupon

Groupon is a company that allows people to find coupons for local businesses in cities all over the United States. They put coupons online and email them to their clients, then the clients can share them with friends. They sell memberships for clients that will enable them to get the emails and the coupons with the deals offered by the website. They also sell each individual deal for a separate cost. They guarantee satisfaction in their deals, offering the "Groupon Promise":

Groupon is a "deal of the day' website that gives their users discounted gift certificates to shops in 48 countries. They were made to give people a chance to try something new in their town, to venture out and not follow the same routine or go to the same places all the time.

Groupon puts its ads on Facebook and Twitter and emails their deals out to clients, as well as using the social media outlets.

How else do you think Groupon should advertise in order to get their name out there more?