In response to: John Smiths dilema

I believe that the AMA statement of Ethics does address this issue.It states that one should always do no harm, honesty, fairness, show responsibility and have transparency.

The poll was to gather specific information about whether or not  someone would buy a particular car. I doubt if when taking the poll the poller indicted that they would be disclosing the participants personal information.

The  AMA Statement of Ethics deals specifically with: do no harm, honesty, responsibility and fairness.  Disclosure  of a participants personal information could do harm, would not be honest and there would be a definite lack of transparency.   

In Response to Molly's comment on:Gap-toothed models are they a phenomenon?

Do you think this gap-toothed phenomenon will soon be a thing of the past? or will it stick around and make a name for itself?

It is hard to say if the gap - toothed model is a phenomenon or not, but this would not be the first time a gap toothed model was popular. Lauren Hutton was a very popular model/actress in the 60's- 70's and there was a gap between her two front teeth. 

I think that it is very possible that the industry is looking for something that isn't quite perfect in their eyes right now. But who knows what they will want next week.


I also believe that the consumer is responsive to ads that don't  have super models. It is refreshing just to have everyday people selling products. Many TV ads and many advertisements have regular people selling their products  today.  


I believe that the gap-toothed phenomenon is at the will of the advertising industry. What they think will sell is what we will see. 

Do you think that the consumer will want to see the gap- toothed model more than they will want to see the super model?

Asics Corp. repositions its advertising campaign to focus on running shoes for serious sports performance.

In a recent article in the WSJ (2/14/2012) Asics Corp. the Japanese Sports Equipment maker stated that as a result of its success with its TV advertising market strategy in Spain, which increased their brand in that country by 7%, they had decided to focus their target marketing to Athletes who were interested in running shoes for serious sports performance.

Alistair Cameron, who heads up Asics European Unit, noted that: “more than half the runners in the 2011 NYC Marathon wore the tiger striped Asics running shoe”

Asics was well pleased with the recent marketing results in Spain, given that Spain’s economy has been hard hit in recent years. So well pleased that the company has decided to build its brand of these shoes with a ‘Major TV marketing push’ in Europe this year during the Olympics.  

Although Asics Corp. is a much smaller company than their rivals, Nike and Addidas AG, Asics prides itself on their ability to make “the best product”.  They understand that they have a weakness in establishing sales and distribution channels and have not, till not marketed their products well.

They feel that a stronger media presence will boost sales and brand awareness. 

Do you believe as I do that understanding your weaknesses and their ability to address these issues and move forward with their planned TV marketing ideas will help Asics succeed in building its brand?

In response to Chris Belands Post Regarding Starbucks:

Do you think you will see alcohol sold at your local Starbucks anytime soon? Would you buy a beer or a glass of wine with your coffee? Do you think there will be any problems with people mixing too much caffeine and alcohol?

Response:

I don't think that I will see alcohol being sold at Starbucks anytime soon.  I couldn't see myself buying beer or wine with my coffee. I don't know if mixing caffeine and alcohol is such a good Idea.  People do mix caffeine and alcohol, but I don't see a need for Starbucks to start selling alcohol now. 

First of all there would be legal issues:

Alcohol is a controlled substance. 

There would be legal restrictions and guidelines to follow. 

For each of the 55 countries.

The serving age for employees would become a factor as well

Starbucks states on its website:" Our stores are a neighborhood gathering place for meeting friends and family. Our Customers enjoy quality service, an inviting atmosphere and an exceptional cup of coffee". Alcoholic beverages added to their line of offerings might change the atmosphere in the neighborhood gathering place that they have worked so hard to create.

I don't think  that Starbucks needs to expand it product line and offer alcoholic beverages. 

In the past few weeks  Starbucks has introduced a new coffee, they have already had great success their 30 blends of coffee, with the z-cups,the breakfast sandwiches, teas, their Frappuccino coffee brand and their merchandise.

Starbucks recently released a report that stated 'Total Revenue increased 10% percent to a record 3.4 billion".

I believe that Starbucks has a strong product line that they enhance with new products that they have developed with research and a strong market strategy. These new or improved products enrich their existing product offerings.

By continuing with this marketing strategy they will be able to keep their competitive advantage without venturing into  alcoholic beverages. Do you agree?

 

Apple and Its Environmental Footprint

Apple is aware that the manufacturing, shipping, transportation and usage of its products leaves an environmental footprint.  In recent years Apple has addressed it environmental footprint.  

In 2009, Apple began to report openly about its total carbon footprint. They included environmental reports for every product. This gave the general public an open window to watch and see how Apple would address these issues.

 In 2010, Apple estimated that it was responsible for 14.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.  Apple, also realized that 98% of these emissions came from: manufacturing, transportation, use and recycling of its products. The remaining 2% came from their facilities.

Apple took a stance to reduce their impact on the environment and they have stated that they have taken the following steps:

1.    Design the product using less materials
2.    Ship using smaller packaging
3.    Use less toxic substance- go greener
4.    Be as energy efficient as possible.
 

I believe that Apple has addressed this ethical issue in the appropriate way. Do you?

 The chart below show the reductions to date: