Ticketmaster to Tie Prices to Demand

The Wall Street Journal
April 19, 2011
By Ethan Smith

Ticketmaster is implementing a dynamic pricing strategy.  As we have learned, this means that Ticketmaster will adjust the cost of sports and concert tickets according to demand.  This is a technique airlines and hotels have used to maximize profit, but it has never been done in this industry.  The timeline on when this will start is still unknown, but it looked like sports teams will adopt the system first.  One goal of this is to revive concert ticket sales, which have been declining for years now.  One challenge that will be faced is dividing up profits among the many entities involved in a concert tour.

Cheaper Kindle in Works, But It Comes With Ads

The Wall Street Journal
April 12, 2011
By Stu Woo

Amazon plans to release a less expensive Kindle, but users will be forced to view on screen advertisements.  It will cost $114, $25 less than the current version.  This is an example of product line extension, as we have talked about in class.  Personally, I think this could be very successful as long as the ads don't annoy readers.  It appears that ads won't be present while the user is reading, but they will appear on the homepage and screen-saver.  Amazon will put their own ads on the Kindle.  It will be the same model as the current Kindle.  Experts believe people will think the new model is a good trade off.  Kindle, a product in its growth stage, has not said how many they have sold.  Experts believe the number lies around five million.  Will the future have product placement in the books?

Fox Networks Targets Hispanic Audience

The Wall Street Journal
April 4, 2011
By LAUREN A. E. SCHUKER

Television networks are trying to get a piece of the growing Latino population in the U.S.  Fox is adding a third Spanish-language network.  This will form Fox Hispanic Media.  Fox is responding to advertisers who say their budgets are increasing for Hispanic spending.  This is an example of target marketing and segmenting by demographics.  The number of Hispanic households that are new to television grew by 3.1% in the past year.  The overall number of households new to television was only 0.9%.  Ad time on Spanish-speaking networks costs almost half the amount on similar English speaking networks.

NCR to Install Blockbuster Express Kiosks in RaceTrac Stores

The Wall Street Journal
March 31, 2011
By MELISSA KORN

NCR Corp. will begin placing more Blockbuster movie rental kiosks in its RaceTrac convenience store throughout the Southeast.  With already 200 installed, another 8,000 will be up by June.  The company also has some located at Walgreen's and Sheetz.  It's rival, Coinstar Inc.'s Redbox has over 30,000 kiosks.  NCR has recently begun a campaign to vend certain movies the same day they're released for sale.  This could be a big advantage to the growing company.  The idea of renting and selling DVDs and Blu-Ray discs from a kiosk is a good example of place utility.  Customers are more likely to rent a movie if they can grab it quickly and easily has they exit a supermarket, rather than make an extra trip to the video store or wait two days for it to arrive in the mail. 

Networks, Advertisers Call New Plays Amid NFL Strife

The Wall Street Journal
March 28, 2011
By LAUREN A. E. SCHUKER

The recent NFL players lock-out has caused networks to begin preparing alternate programming in the event that games are cancelled come September.  Advertisers, who spend around $3 billion a year on football, have already bought commercial spots on new networks.  Golf, college football, and prime-time dramas are attracting extra attention from advertisers planning ahead.  Networks that rely heavily on football, such as Fox, NBC, and CBS, will have to get creative.  Spike, whose target market is 18-49 year old males, is looking to take advantage of cancelled games.  They are considering Sunday night boxing matches and a football comedy show to get some of the fresh market share.  In my opinion, a business must always look for opportunities.  Spike conducted a SWOT analysis and decided that advertisers might have to move their spending and Spike would be a good place invest.

Metro AG Cautions That Japan, Middle East May Hurt 2011 Sales

The Wall Street Journal
March 22, 2011
By HILDE MESSER

More on Japan today: global retail powerhouse Metro AG cautions that the devastation in Japan may weaken the economy.  Analysts are still waiting to see what the effects will be, but they know the situation is beyond anyone's control.  The current turmoil in the Middle East just makes thing worse.  Metro has benefited from strong global positioning.  Last year they entered new countries and opened up 100 stores.  More than 60% of their sales come from abroad.  Not the direct effects, but the indirect effects of these current events may pose problems for Metro.

In Tokyo, Responses Vary in Tony Shops

The Wall Street Journal
March 21, 2011
By MARIKO SANCHANTA And CHRISTINA PASSARIELLO

Tokyo's fanciest retail sections were open for business this past weekend, with streets less crowded as usual after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.  Many European shops were closed.  These luxury shops are in trouble in the short-term aftermath of the destruction.  Actually, over the past few years luxury items in Japan have been on the decline as the people who once cited high prices with good quality are more concerned with value.  before the earthquake many thought the worst was over for luxury shops, but now that appears to be wrong.

Struggling ReelzChannel Hopes a Hot Potato Becomes Hot Ticket

The Wall Street Journal
March 21, 2011
By LAUREN A. E. SCHUKER

Little known cable network ReelzChannel has a big opportunity to put itself on the map with its new miniseries "The Kennedy's."  They picked up the show after it was let go by the History Channel and unwanted by other networks.  This is an expensive gamble that may pay off and be a transformation.  They have doubled viewers since acquiring the show, though one analysts makes the case that one miniseries alone, even as controversial as this one, isn't enough to build a powerful network.  Also, while the show has lured viewers, it has yet to lure any big advertisers.

Lincoln to Sponsor New York Times Readers

The Wall Street Journal
March 22, 2011
By NAT WORDEN And JON KAMP

More on the New York Times charging readers!  They will be getting some help from Ford's Lincoln brand.  Lincoln has targeted 200,000 heavy readers and will offer to sponsor their digital subscription costs.  Details of the arrangement are still to come, and by sponsoring it is most likely going to increase advertising with the more readers.  The help comes in providing early consumers for the newspaper.  New York Times will be charging $15 per month for online readers who read more than twenty articles.  Personally I believe this will be key; readers who are on the fence about paying will give it a try.  The marketing communication manager for Lincoln said she hopes to appeal to younger thought leaders.  We see who their main target market is here.

Web Shows Get Ambitious

The Wall Street Journal
March 21, 2011
By SAM SCHECHNER

Media companies are starting to create internet video hits closer to the scale of traditional television.  Netflix will be producing a drama starring Kevin Spacey, while companies such as Yahoo, AOL, and Hulu are investing more dollars into their original internet productions.  Hulu will be creating a five - seven minute action thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland, similar to "24."  This is surprising to me considering the spotty track record of the industry, but I will be interested in the outcome.

New York Times to Launch Pay Wall March 28

The Wall Street Journal
March 18, 2011
By Russell Adams


One theme of this blog seems to be the decline of the newspaper industry.  Following up on some previous posts, the New York Times will finally be charging consumers to pay for digital news later this month.  Subscribers to the print edition will get full online access.  They have been reluctant to charge in fear that they will lose their customer base completely to other free sources, but it now appears they have no other choice.  Research has shown the readers are willing to pay.  Among print media companies, the New York Times does indeed have the largest market share.  They will also be working collaboratively with Apple and their products.

Jack in the Box Joins Food-Truck Craze

The Wall Street Journal
March 18, 2011
By John Kell


Keeping with what seems to be today's theme of fast-food burger chains, Jack-in-the-Box is going mobile.  They are now selling burgers, tacos, and fries out of food trucks in Southern California.  They will be rolling out especially large trucks, 12 feet bigger than the usual.  This is an example of place utility, as we have learned.  Their new mobility allows them to serve customers in more places.

Burger King Parts Ways With Ad Agency

The Wall Street Journal
March 18, 2011
By EMILY STEEL

After seven years, Burger King and its ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky have mutually decided to part ways.  Burger King hopes to have a new agency in place in three months.  This separation is part of a broader shake-up in their marketing department, which will have emphasis on global business.  Burger King has reduced its ad spending in recent years, spending $302 million in the U.S. last year.  Burger King was among the largest clients of Crispin.

Pepsi Thirsty for a Comeback

The Wall Street Journal
March 18, 2011
By MIKE ESTERL

After losing ground to Coca-Cola in the past year, Pepsi is looking to make a new push in the U.S. soda business.  The plan is to spend 30% more in television ads.  Revamps and other tweaks to its packaging are also on the way.  What I found more interesting here is one technique Pepsi will be using soon.  Just like Coke does with product placement on American Idol, Pepsi will be doing on the television show X-Factor.  It seems to have been a huge success for Coke.  I am actually wondering what took Pepsi so long to do the same?  The CEO of Pepsi says they need television to make the big, bold statement. 

Nike Plans to Raise Prices

The Wall Street Journal
March 18, 2011
By MAXWELL MURPHY And JOAN E. SOLSMAN

Trying to combat rising costs, Nike will be raising prices and a variety of products.  The costs include oil, air freight, cotton, and labor.  Before Nike had been picking their spots to raise prices, but now it will be across the board.  The consumer is under pressure because of high unemployment and rising inflation.  Positive currency changes have help Nike in China and Japan. They expect the disaster in Japan to hurt profits there.  In North America, Nike's largest market, sales were up - possibly a sign of the recent economic recovery.

Pay TV Reverses Decline

The Wall Street Journal
March 14, 2011
By SAM SCHECHNER

U.S. television subscriptions crept up in the fourth quarter of 2010, a switch from the decline of the previous quarter.  Nobody is sure what the future holds for the television subscription business, especially now with shows viewable on the internet.  Many executives say there is little room for expansion in the U.S.  A major concern is also that younger people may never pay to a television service.  There has been a drop in subscriptions of college towns, proving that the younger generation is comfortable with using other sources.

Google to Help Broker Video Ads

The Wall Street Journal
March 11, 2011
By Amir Efrati

Google will soon set up a marketplace for website publishers to match with advertisers.  This is good news for the future of video for publishers.  Most ads are still purchased ahead of time through negotiations, but what this new marketplace could mean is the bidding for real-time advertisements.  The importance of online advertising is undeniable and growing - last year reaching $1.5 billion in revenue.

Air Canada Threatens to Pull NHL Sponsorship Over Violence

The Wall Street Journal
March 11, 2011
By Stuart Weinberg

A recent vicious hit on a Montreal Canadian by a member of the Boston Bruins has sparked Air Canada, sponser of the NHL and the stadium in which the Canadians play, to threaten to withdraw their sponsership if the NHL doesn't crack down on violent on-ice incidents.  They say they will withdrawl unless the NHL takes immediate action, including suspensions.  The commishioner of the league doesn't seem to be scared, claiming that he is satisfied with the action the league has taken.  The commishioner seems to have called the bluff of Air Canada, who might need the NHL more than the NHL needs it.

Video Site Hulu Plans to Shrink Its Board

The Wall Street Journal

March 11, 2011

By SAM SCHECHNER and JESSICA E. VASCELLARO

In an effort to streamline decision making, Hulu will get rid of some board seats.  Now a 12 member board, it remains unclear exactly how small it will shrink.  Key questions for the board are how long videos should remain for viewing on the website, and what videos should be part of Hulu-plus, which requires a paid subscription of $7.99 a month.  Management is also concerned with charting a course away from its competitor Netflix.  This article gives a good inside look at what goes on in upper management.

The Journal Adds 200,000 Mobile-Device Subscribers

The Wall Street Journal

March 11, 2011

By Aparajita Saha-Bubna

The Wall Street Journal will be reaching more consumers now that they have accumulated 200,000 mobile-device subscribers via Apple's iPad and Amazon's Kindle.  Subscribers pay $4 per week to read on their mobile device.  This is another example of a newspaper trying to expand digitally since there has been a decline in print advertising revenue, which is traditionally its largest source of revenue.  Meanwhile the New York Times is in its final testing phase of their online subscriptions.  First offering content for free, I will be interested to see how consumers react.  Will they pay for something that used to be free?

Apparel Retailers' Pricing Power Gets Tested

The Wall Street Journal
March 8, 2011
By Kelly Evans

Clothing retailers are trying not to let their prices go up, though rising costs in cotton and transportaion are making this very difficult.  Strong brands that have pricing power are best-positioned, but not immune however.  Teen retailers, which compete on price, are worse off.  Many chains have been turning in down fourth quarter profits, and much more to come can be expected.

New York Times Ad Sales Slip

The Wall Street Journal
March 2, 2011
By Tess Stynes

The latest in the continuing blows to the newspaper print industry is a decline in print advertising sales.  The company has been trying several new strategies, such as trying to create a pay system for the online version on the paper.  They expect to test this shortly.  Because of higher promotional costs, print, print prices, and pension expenses the company also expects to see a %1-2 rise in operating costs.  Their print advertising losses more than offset their growing online business.

Warner 'Likes' Facebook Rentals

The Wall Street Journal
March 9, 2011
By Michelle Kung and Geoffery A. Fowler

Trying to find a fresh source of revenue, Warner Bros. Entertainment will begin renting movies via Facebook.  Facebook has become an increasingly popular site for uploading and streaming videos, but hasn't made any indications it is planning to launch a paid video service of its own - it is happy to take a cut of the sales from another party for now.  The cost to rent a movie is $3, and the first movie to be offered will be "The Dark Knight."  This shows that studios cannot count solely on DVD sales anymore and are movie towards social media distribution.  For now, it seems Facebook will not be a short term threat to Netflix, but the long term is yet to be determined.

 

Skype to Roll Out Ads

The Wall Street Journal
March 8, 2011
By Scott Morrison

Internet telephony service Skype will be displaying ads to consumers this week in an effort to generate new revenue, but some investors are still worried in its ability to do so.  The ads, the will first appear in the U.S, U.K., and Germany will feature such advertisers as Viza, Groupon, and Universal Pictures.  The ads may conatin audio and video.  Users will be able to close ads, they will not interrupt conversations, nor will they appear as pop-ups or banner ads.  The more I read about new ways to reach consumers the more I find that marketers realise it is important not to annoy the target.

Febreze Joins P&G's $1 Billion Club

The Wall Street Journal
March 9, 2011
By Ellen Byron

In a follow up to a previous post, it appears that Proctor & Gambol's new strategy of not treating their products as their own company might not be entirely necessary for Fabreeze.  The product is on the rise, recently becoming P&G's 24th product to cross the $1 billion line in annual sales.  Fabreeze is definitely a bright spot for the company, considering the economic slump made consumers purchase cheaper detergents and shampoo products.  However, the recession may have helped Fabreeze in a way; since people are eating out less they have become more home-centered.  Fabreeze has widened its products too.  Globally, air freshener sales have been rising too.

JCDecaux Eyes CBS Outdoor

The Wall Street Journal

March 9, 2011

By Thomas Varela

JCDecaux, the world's largest seller of outdoor advertising, is considering purchasing competitor CBS Outdoor.  The CEO of CBS Corp. says that outdoor advertising is no longer a key component of the business.  JCDecaux made it clear that they will not overpay for the aquisition.  Once out of reach, the price now seems to be more reasonable, but the two sides are not in talks just yet.  JCdecaux is the sector's biggest player by revenue, but as of now they only 10% of that revenue comes from the United States.

Television's Senior Moment

The Wall Street Journal
March 9, 2011
By Amy Chozick

As televison audiences are getting older the characters are too.  Traditionally operating on a currency of youth, the television industry seems to be giving more lead role to actors in their 60s.  Networks want to charge advertisers more to reach the baby-boomer generation through retooling boomer classics such as Hawaii Five-0.  Personally, I believe boomers watch much more television than the younger generation.  Still, most marketers prefer young consumers, whose buying prefernces can make a product catch on with older consumers.

Writers Get Close on Web

The Wall Street Journal
March 7, 2011
By Jeffery A. Trachtenberg

Since fewer authors are going on extended tour and fewer bookstores around the country are hosting signing events, Simon & Schuster are hoping to build better reader-author relationships through web interviews in which readers submit questions via email.  This in turn, they hope, will lead to higher sales.  Readers who like a particular book are often very passionate about the author.  This format will be more intimate than a text Q&A.  Authors might also appreciate that video interviews don't take much time, and the ones that can build successful relationships are certainly helping out their sales.  

Tina Brown's Newsweek Relaunch Hits Newsstands Monday

The Wall Street Journal
March 7, 2011
By Russell Adams

A new look for Newsweek Magazine will be launched Monday.  It will have thicker pages, a new font, more graphics, and articles that cover topics of a wider range than before.  They are rebuilding a brand that has been struggling greatly for a few years.  Reporting will play a big role in the refashioned magazine.  New editor Tina Brown has been praised in the past for her mastery of the high-low in journalism - mixing serious and light topics.

U.K. Broadcasters Try Product Placement

The Wall Street Journal
March 7, 2011
By Adrian Kerr and Lilly Vitorovich

Nestle's SA Dolce Gusto coffee maker appear on a British cooking magazine TV show, marking the country's first example of product placement.  This technique may not take off fast, but it does mark a change to whether product placement should be allowed at all.  The practice in already common in the United States.  In the U.K., strict restrictions have been placed on the practice, including children's, religious, and news programs.  Also no product related to alcohol, tabacco, gambling, or medicine is allowed.  It will be key for marketers not to annoy viewers by doing this.  It is not clear yet what impact product placement will have on TV ad revenue.

Starbucks to Sell Instant-Coffee Packets in China

The Wall Street Journal
March 8, 2011
By Laurie Burkitt

Starbucks sees a big opportunity in packaged goods in China.  The company is introducing single-serve coffe packets in 800 stores in China.  Starbucks has big plans to expand in China, even saying that China may be its biggest market by 2015.  They will also focus on creating tea-products for China, since tea in king there.  Consumers in China might need more time to develop a taste for coffee.  Sales are rising fast, though, and small cities in China are beginning to demand their products.

Unusual Store Locations Fuel Subway's Growth .

The Wall Street Journal
March 8, 2011
By Julie Jargon

Subway has overtaken McDonald's as the world's largest restaurant chain.  At the end of last year, Subway had 33,749 units compaired to McDonald's 32,737.  Subway has recntly experinced great growth.  Opening restaurants in unusual places certainly contributes to thier rapid growth.  Some odd locations for a restaurant that Subway has been a part of include military bases, colleges, an automobile showroom, and a church - just to name a few.  My two sense is that the trend to eat healthier is catching up with McDonalds.  Not that they are in any trouble, but Subway, who prides themselves on being the healthier choice, has proven to be more than just a contender globally.

Google Executive Sees Online Ad Market Reaching $100 Billion

The Wall Street Journal
February 28, 2011
By Scott Morrison


An executive at Google claims the online display-advertising market could to $100 billion in a few years.  Google currently has thousands of engineers over the world working to eliminate complexities from the internet display-advertising market.  Currently the ad market is somewhere between $20 and $25 billion.  YouTube, generation more than two billion views per week, is bringing in $2.5 billion a year in ad revenue.  These recent figures represent the first time Google has ever provided details about its financial performance from ad revenue.

Taco Bell, in New Push, Defends Its Beef

The Wall Street Journal
February 28, 2011
By Julie Jargon


In a follow up to a previous post on this journal, Taco Bell is continuing its defense against a lawsuit that claimed its beef has too much filling.  A calculated risk, marketing experts say the ads pertaining to this issue could pay off.  Taco Bell will air television commercials and radio spots claiming its 88% beef - 12% signature recipe combination.  The president of the company has also explained what the mixture is made of on YouTube videos.  They are also trying to draw customers in by dropping the price significantly on their crunchwrap surpreme.

As Ireland Staggers, Guinness Reels

The Wall Street Journal
February 25, 2011
By Paul Sonne and Guy Chazen

The recent economic downturn in Ireland is hurting its national drink, Guinness, just as much as it is hurting the banks.  Consumption has been fallen in recent years as many decide to drink at home, instead of in pubs because it is cheaper.  Also, alcohol consumption in Ireland in general has fell.  Nearly 1,500 Irish pubs have close in the last five years.  The closures have hurt Guinness especially because the drink is generally preferred on draft rather than in a can or bottle.  Ireland accounts for 20% of Guinness's sales.  One out of every pint sold in Ireland is Guinness, so the future of the company is still very bright.  But for now, there is little reason to believe that confidence  will grow and spending on premium brews will increase soon.

United Continental Launches Ad Campaign

The Wall Street Journal
February 27, 2011
By Susan Carey


Five months after the merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines, the company will introduce an interim advertising campaign.  The new ad will combine both names for the first time. It will debut on billboards and in magazines.  United, based in Chicago, is the world's largest airline by traffic.  The new ads, which won't have a slogan, will emphasize the airline's larger route network.  The company will also change its logo in March.  155 airplanes have been repainted.  The two carriers will not combine website until 2012.

Hoteliers Build on the Hipness Factor

The Wall Street Journal
February 22, 2011
By Kris Hudson and Alexandra Berzon

New hotels that boast elaborate bars and fancy restaurants and decor are in the works.  The format costs more to build than a standrad chain hotel, but it can also be more profitable.  This new trend doesn't even have a commonly accepted name for these buildings.  This is a clear example of a new product-new market strategy as our class learned.  These hotels can also be more profitable because they attract large crowds other than hotel guests.

Marketers Ready to Interact on Oscar Night .

The Wall Street Journal

Frebruary 23, 2011

By Emily Steel

Marketers will be using new ways to get across to their market during Sunday's Academy Awards.  Consumers are watching it on televison, but more and more they are also online while they watch.  Last year 13% of viewers were simultaneously on the Web, up from 8% the previous year.  During the Super Bowl a few weeks ago Twitter noticed that 30% of its messages were related to the game.  One important task for marketers will be to not over-step their bounds to the point where they annoy consumers.  Ad exectutuves claim that their efforts into real time marketing are in the early stages.  They are certainly on the forefront of how marketing will be done in the future.

Whitens, Brightens and Confuses

The Wall Street Journal
February 23, 2011
By Ellen Byron

There has been an explosion of new toothpastes in the last few years.  New kinds that whiten, reduce plaque, curb sensitivity, and fight gingivitis come in all forms, shapes, and sizes.  They are certainly cluttering the toothpaste aisle.  Manufacturers realize this and are beginning to hold off on new product development.  69 new kinds were introduced last year, down from 102 the year before.  Proctor & Gambel, makes of Crest, are realizing that fewer is better, reducing their number of oral-care products in the past two years.  Even during the recession, the price of toothpaste rose.  Many dentists think the difference between brands aren't very meaningful. 

Heinz Adopts Greener Ketchup Bottle

The Wall Street Journal
February 23, 2011
By Mike Esterl

Heinz ketchup is borrowing Coca-Cola's plant bottle packaging in an effort to go green and use less petroleum.  The new bottle will look and feel the same as the old one, except for the label which will read "Guess what my bottle is made of?"  This will be Heinz's biggest makeover since 1983 when they introduced their plastic bottle.  Heinz is also looking t partner with Coca-Cola in other areas such as supply chain management, which we learned about.  Interestingly, the cost of this new packaging is slightly higher than the tradition technique, but that could change in time as they build more scale of oil prices continue to rise. 

Ryanair to Target Advertising on Boarding Passes

The Wall Street Journal   FEBRUARY 21, 2011 By DANIEL MICHAELS

Irish budget airline Ryanair Holdings is attempting to generate more sales in other ways than tickets.  They will be tailoring pitches directed at the individual to make higher ad rates, therefore keeping ticket prices low.  Their business model is selling tickets cheap then making money selling other products and services.  Airlines world-wide are trending to focus on generating ancillary revenue, which accounts for less than 5% of revenue for most carriers.  Ancillary revenue for Ryanair is about 20%.  Ads will appear on airplane tickets, targeting spending before the flight rather than after arrival.  This new technique using passenger data may cause for an overhaul of computer systems.

Jameson Pours Out Tall Tale

The Wall Street Journal
FEBRUARY 17, 2011
By CHRISTINA PASSARIELLO And MAX COLCHESTER

Irish whiskey brand Jameson continues their humorous company history ad campaign.  The latest commercial will again feature founder John Jameson caught up in a fiction tale about saving his beloved whiskey.  Jameson has made use of tradition and company heritage to enhance their aura and justify premium prices.  Jameson's target market is men ages 25 through 35.  Some consumers tend to buy premium labels such as Jameson for its status rather than taste.  Jameson's storytelling has helped is achieve a 2% whiskey market share in the United States and and 72% Irish whiskey market share.

Tropicana Swaps Carton for Carafe

The Wall Street Journal

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

By MIKE ESTERL

After extensive recent market research, Pepsi is switching Tropicana's old carton to clear plastic carafes.  This is in response to Coca-Cola's Simply Orange packaging, which is steadily gaining close to Tropicana's market share.  Tropicana failed at attempting repackaging two years ago.  Research has shown that customers like to see the juice in the container.  Based on an online survey, a source of primary data, consumers tend to choose their juice based on quality first, then price.  However, nearly half noted Simply's nice packaging.  Both Pepsi and Coca-Cola have found that non-carbonated drinks are a key growth area.  Tropicana will be have the new packaging out in the coming months.

Nascar Revs Up Rough Side to Win Back Fans

The Wall Street Journal
FEBRUARY 14, 2011
By VALERIE BAUERLEIN

Having recently seen a declining number of fans and viewership, Nascar looks to bounce back this season.  Only a few years ago Nascar was a booming sport in popularity. The television contract signed in 2001 broadened Nascar's fan base greatly.  Nascar's most loyal fans, the blue collar type, were hit especially hard during the recession.  Attendance and sponsorship declined.  Many fans find Jimmie Johnson, the driver who has dominated Nascar for the last five years, to lack charisma.

Apple's Subscription Rules Raise Possible Antitrust Issues

The Wall Street Journal
FEBRUARY 15, 2011
By NATHAN KOPPEL

Apple's new subscription service has fallen under antitrust scrutiny.  Publishers will be allowed to sell subscriptions of various media via Apple products under two conditions: subscriptions must be sold through Apple's store and subscriptions outside of Apple must allow Apple to sell for the same price or less.  What will be key is determining how much control of the market Apple currently has.  As we learned, trusts limit competition and therefore raise price, hurting the consumer.  Publishers may be concerned that Apple is using their dominant control of the market to restrict competition.

New York Times Ad Revenue Slips, Profit Falls

The Wall Street Journal
FEBRUARY 3, 2011
By RUSSELL ADAMS

Transformation in the newspaper industry and the economy has recently hit the New York Times hard.  Declines in print advertising helped contribute to a 26% decline in fourth quarter profits for the New York Times.  Print Advertising accounts for about 80% of profits for the company who has over half a billions dollars of debt.  Nytimes.com will start charging its most frequent readers.  Plans are to offer readers the first few articles in full for free then force them to subscribe in order to read further.  The company continues to cut costs and sees no end in near sight.  It is sad to see what was such a powerful industry in tatters, and fading fast.

Promoter Crowds Ticketmaster

The Wall Street Journal
FEBRUARY 3, 2011
By ETHAN SMITH

Since Live Nation has merged with Ticketmaster it seems as if they have had a monopoly in concert ticket sales.  Anti-trust regulators have required that new-to-the-business  Anschutz Entertainment Group be allowed to compete for sales.  AEG expects to be selling tickets by the end of the year.  Many people in the concert business have been concerned that the Live Nation - Ticketmaster merger created a force too powerful.  Personally, I am happy to hear about this considering the high service charge fees I've paid in the past when ordering concert tickets.  Hopefully the new competition puts an end to that.

GM Makes Hybrid Push

The Wall Street Journal
FEBRUARY 7, 2011
By MIKE RAMSEY

Trying to improve fuel technology and compete with rising new miles per gallon targets, GM will be promoting the Buick LaCrosse this summer.  For a company who has traditionally has trouble launching and marketing new products, this will be a key test for the new management.  Taking a unique approach from its competition, GM will not call it a hybrid, but an eAssist.  Perhaps this is a move to differentiate themselves from Toyota.  GM exectutive Mark Reuss wants to under-promise and over-deliver.   The 2012 Buick LaCrosse, a full-size sedan, will get as much as 37 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city.