• Semacode- a type of barcode technology, closely resembling a crossword puzzle, which can be used to encode URLs.

We will create a semacode that will link directly to Bob Schneider’s homepage (www.bobschneidermusic.com). This code can be placed on t-shirts, merchandise, or posters. The public can then use their mobile phone device to take a picture of the semacode using the phone’s built-in camera. This picture will lead them to the Bob Schneider Web site address to be accessed on their phone’s Internet browser.  Upon accessing the Web site, individuals can discover more about Bob Schneider himself, learn about upcoming performances, and even purchase tickets or merchandise. Users can also find out about Bob’s social media presence on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.  Over 70% of our survey respondents are unaware of Bob’s use of social media. The semacode technology can help the public become more informed and aware of the widely popular and expanding sphere of social media.

Thorough survey data collected, it was determined the primary age of Bob Schneider’s target audience members lie between 18-24 years old.  In today’s society, a majority of people who fall in this age range own a personal cellular device. This age group is technologically inclined and curious. Therefore, we feel by implementing the semacode, Bob will make a strong impact on his audience and will gain an advantage over his main competitors who do not use this technology.

This is a very important article that shows how the recession relates to normal people’s lives and stores daily. When the recession hit, customers who have been loyal for decades were left with little in disposable income to spend.  In relation to customers’ much tighter budget, countless restaurants noticed a rapid decline in sales and profits.  However, McDonald’s is one restaurant chain that has seen a rise in profits during the recession. The dollar menu has fared extremely well in the past six months. McDonald’s also wants to make certain their customers remain happy and keep a favorable image of McDonald’s and their products even though they may be cheaply priced.

The industry is going to be greatly effected by McDonald’s new facelift and addition of products. First, customers will be more willing and able to eat at McDonald’s compared to other food chains such as Burger King or Taco Bell.  The locations will be convenient, new, and remodeled. They will also have new products for cheap prices.  A major worry with having such low prices is a narrow profit margin. However, McDonald’s costs will remain flat and will in turn see higher revenue from all of their locations worldwide.  With higher profits, McDonald’s will not feel the need to lay off employees. The last thing our nation needs right now is an addition of unemployed citizens.

This is a very important article that shows how the recession relates to normal people’s lives daily. Citizens are facing tough financial times and are taking it out on the companies who provide them business/services. Customers need to be considerate of these businesses and be responsible for their payments. They need to understand that by making a payment just a few days late, they can cost the business thousands upon thousands of dollars. This in turn makes their payments in the future rise, as the companies must make up for their previous loss due to late or missing payments.

The industry is going to be greatly effected by this “customer divorce.” In the beginning of implementing this new strategy, the small businesses are going to see a drop in revenue. If the companies continue to allow customers to take advantage of their services and make late payments, if any at all, the businesses are running the risk of missing out on gaining new clients who will make payments on time. In order to gain respect and more importantly, revenue, companies must make this sacrifice.

She has the power to persuade people into doing, buying or supporting absolutely ANYTHING or ANYONE. Companies can spend millions of dollars advertising and implementing their marketing plan, but if they can weasel their product on Oprah’s show… they will soon be making billions, free of marketing costs. There is absolutely no single thing that will guarantee a product, service, or person’s success more than being on the Oprah show.

Each Christmas season, companies try to push their products to make it on Oprah’s favorite things show. On the show, Oprah talks about the products, demonstrates them, and usually gives each audience member their own product for free. After the list of Oprah’s favorite things is released and the television show aires, the companies whose products were featured are instructed to brace themselves for the most business they will ever receive. Even if it is a new company that just opened its doors, or one ran from someone’s basement, sales reach the millions, as do profits. Aside from the Oprah’s favorite things show, on a day to day basis, if Oprah even slightly mentions craving a martini from this bar or a cookie form this bakery, success for those businesses begins immediately as the words come out of her mouth.

In addition to promoting products, Oprah is famous for promoting people. Dr. Phil, Dr. OZ, and Bob Greene all are known to the common public through her daytime show. Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz both have their own talk shows and are having rapid success. We don’t even need to go into the topic of President Obama…

This is a very important article that shows how the recession relates to normal people’s lives daily. When these mom-and-pop stores close, customers who have been loyal for decades are left sad and inconvenienced. Families can be torn apart by the closing or downfall of their business. To lose their family enterprise means having to deal with the psychological and economical effects.

The industry is going to be greatly effected. First, customers will be forced to shop at the large retail stores and chain restaurants. Many cities that thrive on one-of –a-kind family run businesses will see a lack in tourism and will in turn, suffer even more, economically. Next, countless employees will lose their jobs. Many of these employees have no education or training in other areas of the workforce and will be left unemployed. The last thing our nation needs right now is an addition of unemployed citizens. This will end up costing the government more money, as they will have to fund these unemployed citizen’s lives. For the family businesses that do survive this recession, they will need to focus more on a specific target audience and try harder to offer products and services that are unique and hard to find.

I believe this is an important step in HSN’s advertising plan. With the recent technological breakthroughs, a large percentage of viewers skip or fast forward advertisements on TV altogether.  Placing certain brands into HSN’s broadcasts will be a subtle way to promote or introduce viewers to products without seeming annoying or aggressive, as in commercials.

This new product placement innovation on HSN’s broadcasts will play an imperative role in the many industries it is involved in. People look to the network for new items and ways to use them.  I believe that consumers become more engaged in what they are watching if they see a familiar product or one that they have recognized before in real life. This plan also allows those brands wishing to advertise a cost efficient way to reach their publics. The brand will receive instant attention/promotion through simply being seen. This can help those brands that have seen declines in their advertising budget during this economic downfall in our country.

The children grow up with bad eating habits and before you know it, they have diabetes. This is a drastic situation, but it does happen quite often. Parents should closely monitor what their children are putting in their mouths. Yes, they can have candy and sweets every now and then, but don’t let your kids start the morning off with a huge bowl of sugar. In the long run, by practicing healthy eating habits, kids will not become obese. They will not suffer from low self-esteem, depression or other heath related complications. All in all, this can be one step in the direction to a less fat country.

This is a very important article that shows how the recession relates to popular companies in the United States and abroad. When the recession hit, companies were forced to carefully audit their expenditures and actions, as consumers now have much less money, as a whole.  Although the recession has proven to make citizens drink more alcohol, these consumers do not necessarily choose to drink such premium beer as Heineken. They are aware there are much cheaper brands, therefore make the economical decision and drink those.

The industry is going to be greatly effected if Heineken does not win the battle to purchase Femsa Cerveza. The company is notorious for keeping a limited target audience and keeps away from developing markets such as Africa and Asia. After its purchase of Scottish & Newcastle in 2008, Heineken was left in major debt. Despite this factor, Heineken needs to purchase Femsa in order to utilize the profits available in the growing Latin American/ Mexican market. I would hope that Heineken gets out of their rut and is able to continue brewing beer. Especially now they make Heineken Light…

This is a very important news story that shows how the recession relates to normal people’s lives and stores daily. When the recession hit, customers who have been loyal for decades were left with little in disposable income to spend.  In relation to customers’ much tighter budget, countless retail stores noticed a rapid decline in sales and profits.  They have had to mark more items on sale and cut down on their inventory and new items.  Additionally, the gift card program can be used to target specific audiences who are high spenders at these stores. It can also be used to spark new customers by enticing them into the store with “free money.”

The industry is going to be greatly effected. First, customers will be more able to shop at the large retail stores as they had once done. .  As a result, the stores will begin to see rises in their profits as customers spend more than the face value on their free gift card.  With higher profits, the retail stores will not feel the need to lay off employees. The last thing our nation needs right now is an addition of unemployed citizens.  The stores will also not be threatened to file bankruptcy or go out of business.

Twitter takes over everything. Entertainers, college and professional athletes, celebrities, parents, friends, restaurants, stores, movies, cars, and more. The list of Twitter users goes on and on. Twitter using has even become so addicting that certain organizations such as the NBA have had to announce bans on tweeting during certain hours.

I finally gave into the craze after almost all of my professors said I would not be able to get a job if I didn’t have one. News-flash! I jumped on the Twitter train right away. Now that I have one of my own, it seems I notice mentions of the social networking site even more. Twitter is on the news, in magazines, TV shows and even sports games.

One interesting company in London called Green Tomato Cars has implemented Twitter into their day to day business. People can simply send  direct message to the hashtag #twook to @greentomatocar and a Prius cab ride will pick them up. Since July 2009, the company has only tweeted 30 times and has 452 followers. Although a good idea, why can’t a customer just pick up their cell phone or phone and call the company? Also, why can’t the customer go online to the company’s website instead of having to get onto Twitter, search for the company and then message them. I am so confused…