Anheuser-Busch tries to make amends with corn farmers after Super Bowl ad

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Description: New York (CNN)Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, is looking to make amends with the National Corn Growers Association after the beer giant aired commercials with the slogan “brewed with no corn syrup” during Sunday’s Super Bowl. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Feb 04, 2019 Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/04/business/anheuser-busch-corn-super-bowl/index.html Questions for discussion: Why was… Read more »

A tale of two toymakers: Mattel soars, Hasbro sinks, but there’s more to the story

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Description: On Friday shares of Mattel continued to soar after a strong earnings beat on Thursday, while shares of rival Hasbro sank, the result of a poor earnings showing before the bell. But there is more going on than these stock moves show. Source: CNBC.com Date: Feb 08, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/08/a-tale-of-two-toy-makers-mattel-soars-hasbro-sinks.html Questions for discussion: Why did Mattel stock price… Read more »

Apple needs a new retail strategy

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Description: New York (CNN Business)The Apple Store is at a crossroads. Its CEO is stepping down, and the iPhone, its most important product, is in a major slump. That’s bad news for Apple in the near-term — but a major opportunity for the Apple Store to take on an even bigger role for the company. Source:… Read more »

Podcast | How Much Trust Do Consumers Give Brands?

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Description: In the latest episode of “Behind the Numbers,” we’re talking about consumer trust in brands and digging into data from a survey by data platform Jebbit. We’re joined in the studio by Jebbit co-founder Jonathan Lacoste to discuss which brands have succeeded in winning customer trust, which have failed, and why. Source: eMarketer.com –… Read more »

Best-laid plans: Lessons from a brewer who put down $800,000 for new equipment — and then his supplier went bankrupt

Posted by & filed under Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Strategy.

Description: What can a business do if the setback doesn’t qualify for insurance coverage? Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 05, 2019 Link: https://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/blindsided-when-even-the-best-laid-business-plans-come-up-against-catastrophe?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Financial%20Post%20-%20Entrepreneur%202019-02-06&utm_term=FP_Entrepreneur#comments-area Questions for discussion: Why do you suppose Jason Fisher made such a large down payment? Why should this have been a warning that the supplier was cash shy? What lessons should entrepreneurs take… Read more »

It’s not just Google or Facebook: The freezer aisle is ad targeting you now

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Description:  Walgreens is using cameras, eye tracking, and motion sensors to show you real-time ads meant to influence which ice cream you buy. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 06, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90302382/its-not-just-google-or-facebook-the-freezer-aisle-is-ad-targeting-you-too?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=2&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02062019 Questions for discussion: How is technology gathering consumer information and thereby boosting marketing effort? Do you think consumers will reject efforts to collect information… Read more »

Video Game Stocks Get Clobbered, and Fortnite Is to Blame

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Description: Shares of video game makers slid on Wednesday after Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive Software delivered disappointing results. Those two stocks, as well as shares of rival Activision Blizzard, were down more than 10 percent. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 07, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/business/dealbook/electronic-arts-take-two-fortnite-earnings.html Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the sources… Read more »

Esports Playing in the Big Leagues Now

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Description: In 2018, esports captured the attention of nearly 400 million viewers worldwide—and cable and OTT platforms took note, with media rights revenues topping $180 million. Source: eMarketer.com Date: JAN 31, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/esports-disrupts-digital-sports-streaming?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: Summarize what is happening in this industry. What advice is being presented to marketers? Do you agree with… Read more »

These incredible Canada Goose parkas were created by Inuit designers

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Description: Inuit invented the first parkas. With its new collection, Canada Goose highlights the work of Inuit seamstresses keeping their heritage alive. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 07, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90302431/these-incredible-canada-goose-parkas-were-created-by-inuit-designers?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02072019 Questions for discussion: What are the social and economic benefits derived from this program for all parties involved? Do you think design is a critical… Read more »

This clothing factory cuts waste by machine-knitting sweaters on demand

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Description: In Brooklyn, a company is trying automating knitting sweaters and making them to order instead of making thousands that then have to be trashed if no one buys them. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 06, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90300313/this-clothing-factory-cuts-waste-by-machine-knitting-sweaters-on-demand Questions for discussion: How does this technology improve productivity and customer service? Do you think this orientation… Read more »