Mass Effect 3 In Space

In an attempt to boost the hype for the new video game, Mass Effect 3, EA Games has decided to launch multiple copies of the game into space a week before the game’s release. The point of this was for fans to search for the copies when they landed back on Earth. Each of the games contained a GPS tracking device and fans were told to follow the coordinates to find the games. Once the game was found, they were able to keep it and gain a full week of play before it came out in stores. This sounds like a very nerdy version of Willy Wonka’s golden ticket scavenger hunt. And it seemed to work for the most part. Games were found in Las Vegas, New York, and London but two games were lost in a dense forest in California. What are some marketing reasons for why the company would go through such extremities for the launch of this new game?

In Repsonse to Professor Johnson's Post: "The Case of John Smith"

Questions: Should John smith sell the names? (Be sure to answer the poll to the left of this post.) Also, Does the AMA Statement of Ethics address this issue? Go to the AMA website (American Marketing Association) and look at their Statement of Ethics. What in the Statement relates to John Smith's dilemma?

I don’t think that John Smith should sell the names to the car dealership. Even though this would help the car dealer a great amount by giving him names of prospective buyers, it would be wrong because the people who took the survey were most likely told their names would be kept private throughout the survey process. The American Marketing Association’s Statement of Ethics provides information on ethical values a company must uphold. One of which is honesty. It would not be honest of John Smith to hand out the names because the people who took the survey would not know about it. It’s unethical because John Smith would be breaking consumer relationships. Yes, John Smith may have to lay off some employees in his company, but isn’t that the company’s fault that they don’t have the money to keep employees? There are other ways for John Smith to make the money to try to keep employees, what do you think they are?

What's Gotten Into American Idol?

American Idol has been on the air for eleven years now. Some would say it has dragged on long enough with the new similar shows “The X Factor” and “The Voice”. These newer singing competitions seem to be more focused on giving ‘nobodies’ the chance to change their lives and make something of themselves.  Has American Idol changed from a singing competition to some sort of talk-show? Is the show focusing too much on the quirky people who audition instead of the talent that’s out there?

In Response to Christine's Post: "Comcast's New Streampix"

"Do you think Comcast will be able to compete against Netflix who already has a solid base of customers?  Is their simple marketing strategy of making their product less than Netflix enough to make them successful?"

I am not a user of Netflix or Comcast Xfinity, so I’m no expert on the benefits of either program. But knowing what Netflix provides and what Comcast is attempting to provide, I can see Comcast being able to compete with Netflix fairly. I feel that with Comcast having the lower price and essentially offering the same thing will cause many Netflix customers to switch companies. I also think it was a great move on Comcast’s part to make the Streampix free for existing Comcast clients. If anything, that will help deter people from ever signing up for Netflix. Are there other markets that have up-and-coming competitors?

In Repsonse to Christine's Blog Post: "Red Bull Commercial"

"Do you think this ad is the best way to market an energy drink?"

Yes, I think this is the best way for Red Bull to market their energy drink. They have taken their slogan and ran with it, using it in every way possible. I think the ads about “Red Bull giving you wings” are better than the “anything is possible” ads but as long as they continue to use both, I think they will continue to be successful. I like that they are changing things up by moving on to an inspirational commercial instead of humorous ones. I think the commercial that Christine posted is moving and encourages you to believe that you could be the athlete you’ve always wanted to be by drinking Red Bull. What other marketing strategies could Red Bull use to promote their energy drinks?

How Diet Companies Utilize New Year's Revolutions to Gain Members

Each year when New Year’s Eve rolls around, you know you are bound to be asked what your resolution will be for the upcoming year. Most answers you’ll hear are losing weight, quit smoking, and eat healthier. Many dieting companies take advantage of this time to promote their weight loss programs. So far just this year, over $124,000,000 has been spent on weight loss programs in the United States alone. And even more is spent on advertising for these companies to market their plan. But, on average, these New Year’s resolutions to lose weight don’t last more than a few months. This is why most diet companies will increase the promotion of their weight loss program again around February/March (spring break time). And again before the summer begins, hoping that everyone is captured by the idea of getting the “beach body” they’ve always dreamed of. What was your New Year’s resolution? And have you stuck to it?

In Response to Christine's Post: "Superbowl Ads"

“Do you think showing the ads before the game was a good marketing strategy or not?”

Many of the companies that created special Superbowl commercials released them on the internet before the game started this year. I think this wasn’t the best idea on marketers’ part. Many people who tune in to the big game don’t even care about football, the watch for the good food, half time show, and commercials. In fact, about half of the people who attended the superbowl party I went to admitted they were most excited for the commercials. It’s possible that with those especially funny commercials available ahead of time, viewers may have been lost from the game; therefore viewers missing other commercials put on by the same advertisers. If the commercials for the superbowl were just every-day commercials, do you think less people would tune in to see the game?