What's More Important? Fast Shipping or Fast Returns?

According to a survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group, only 9% of 1,5000 shoppers interviewed said same-day delivery and fast shipping was a factor that made a big influence on whether or not they purchase the product. Instead, in both online and in store facilities, the factors that really matter to customers is free-returns and low prices. Mel Wolfgang commented that "the reality is that people care about the basics-price and the ease of retuning the good"instead of instant gratification that most marketers think customer crave. So why are companies focusing so much attention on communicating fast shipping? It's not like it's a brand new idea.

I found this article to be really interesting because i have been noticing when I'm shopping online a lot of the stores are offering fast shipping but in order to get that instant gratification, i have to spend more than i originally intended. In my mind, and most college students I know, although fast is great, low prices and being able to change my mind without extra costs is the luxury i would rather have. Fast isn't always better. I would hear about how your compony is going to save me money instead of offering me benefits that often end up to be costs.

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/shoppers-prefer-easy-returns-over-quick-shipping-148126

It's that time of year again, March Madness!

As college basketball teams around the country start gears up for another crazy showdown and fans start filling out their brackets, advertisers and sponsors are getting ready too. According to Business Weekly, “watching March Madness is getting no less maddening” (Mayo) for those advertising because each game and each round is a gamble. This tournament is unpredictable, fast, and can change in a matter of dribbles. You can really never know which games are going to drawl the most attention and upsets are unpredictable which makes investing really risky. Although a majority of the adds are driven by corporate sponsorships such as AT&T, Nike, Sports Eye, and Coco Cola, advertisers are hoping to cash in on the an estimated $1 billion + revenue from CBS, TBS, and TNT. Being a huge fan of March Madness, it’s always interesting to see the attention advertisers receive compared to those who sponsor the tournament and the teams. It’s nowhere close. March Madness is unlike any other sporting event; no one really cares about the commercials, it all about your team, your school, which for me is KU. Add agencies have their work cut out for them, fans watch for the love of the game, for the pride of their school, and the love of their colors, not for the commercials. Rock Chalk Jayhawks. 

All Bad Luck Comes in 3's

It seems like Carnival Cruise just can catch a break! First Carnival Triumph gets stranded in the Gulf of Mexico, then Carnival Dream landed a busted back up generator in St. Maarten, and then Carnival Legend cancelled a cruise to the Caymans over a propulsion problem this past Friday. I can just see the owners and CEO's of Carnival and all those annoyed cruise goers just throwing up their hands and shouting to the heavens "COME ON!!!!"  But don't worry, for all those still daring enough to take your chances on a cruise ship, Business Week has all your go-to questions covered.

1. Food and Water: if your ship loses power, your body can survive without food for 3 weeks and 3 days without water so these things should not be your initial concern
2. Raw Sewage: It can be harmful if mixed with drinking water or if left without being properly taken are of but the biggest problem in this situation is the smell. opening unbrewed bags of coffee grounds will help with the smell and should help eliminate the oder
3. What do bring with you just in case: flashlights, extra hundred dollars in cash,  and a fully charged cell phone, make sure to keep it charged and used only when needed
4. Power of Twitter: tweeting can help relieve stress, get your message out there, and even help in emergencies
5. Pirates: don't worry there are no records of any hijacked cruise ships, they are too fast and too high
6. Who do you trust: trust your instincts, if you think there is a problem check it out. remember tensions will be high in an emergency situation do your best to stay calm

I thought this article had an interesting approach to the Carnival Cruise epidemic and i thought it was really creative the way they made their own Business Week cruise survival guide. Maybe Carnival's advertising team should take the hint because it seems like their compony is sinking itself.

"The Bible" the New Hit TV Show

We all know The Bible as the untouchable book but now thanks to the History Channel's The Bible has become a brand new hits TV series. The 1st episode pulled in 14.1 million viewers, the record for most views so far in 2013, and is expected to rack in an even bigger audience next time it airs. The first episode took place on Noah's Arch where Noah shouted the story of Adam and Eve and then went on telling other bible stories such as Lot with dramatics and zeal. Markets are raving about this new series being a marketers dream in the way that is already is a topic a lot of people will tune into and that nothing like this had ever been done before. I think this is a fun way to tell the stories of The Bible and i look forward to seeing how the History Channel chooses to interpret it and see if The Bible will make it's way to the big screen. It also will be interesting to see the different advertising tactics used to create promotionally material for this series.

Article #6

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-14/history-channels-the-bible-is-a-marketing-miracle#r=hpt-tout

HBO, beers new best friend

Article Number 4

I’m sure have all heard off those famous combinations like baseball and peanuts, sweet and salty, movies and popcorn but prime time TV and beer is a new one for me. According the Business Week, HBO show Game of Thrones has partnered up with Brewery Ommegang to create their own blonde ale Game of Thrones Iron Throne.  I think this a really cool advertising idea the way that it not only markets for HBO but also advertises for Ommegang as well. It’s fun, creative, and innovative. It also increases both of those products chances of picking up new consumers and picking up more market shares.

Here are so more HBO themed beer ideas from the articles author and HBO expert Bruce Fretts, Enjoy!

True Blood: True Bud Lite


Sex and the City: Tres Equis (XXX)


Veep: One Heartbeat Away From the White House Pale Ale

Deadwood: Colt .45 Single Action Malt Liquor


John Adams: Boston Lager


Six Feet Under: Miller High Death


The Sopranos: St. Paulie Walnuts’ Girl

Oz: Jailhouse Ale

Boardwalk Empire: Nucky’s Lucky Lager        

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-12/soon-at-a-drinking-horn-near-you-game-of-thrones-beer#r=hpt-ls

Does anyone know what are suppose to do for the project we have due next tuesday????