Marketability of Manziel

Charlie Merry

Marketing Blog #14

Prof. Popovich

Johnny Manziel Marketability

 

            Football has become a national obsession in the United States. Football is by far the most popular sport with the NFL and college football programs bringing in lucrative amounts of revenue. Sports channels such as ESPN and the NFL network are covering the sport 365 days of the year. Fans tune in all year long and can’t get enough of the sport. One of the most anticipated days on the football schedule isn’t even during the season. Every May the NFL draft is held in New York City. College football’s best players attend the star studded event with hopes of fulfilling a lifelong dream. This year the draft has been garnering even more attention due to some notable players who have entered the draft. However, the most covered athlete this offseason has unquestionably been Johnny Manziel.

 

            Manziel is a quarterback from Texas who attended Texas A&M University for the past two years. Manziel made history his freshman year as he became the only freshman to ever win the Heisman trophy. The Heisman recognizes college football’s most outstanding player annually. Manziel had a similarly spectacular sophomore season and was one of the finalists for the Heisman. Manziel’s success was notable because of his small stature and brash attitude.

 

            Manziel made headlines throughout his college career for his flashy crew. World famous rapper Drake is affiliated with Manziel. Furthermore, he’s been seen attending events such as the NBA finals and partying in clubs with celebrities. Photos have surfaced with Manziel partying with Rob Gronkowski, Rick Ross, and Lebron James just to name a few. Controversy over his personal life has surfaced as he was in the midst of an autograph scandal. The NCAA prohibits athletes from making money off of their name. However, Manziel overcame these allegations and had another spectacular season.

 

            Now entering the NFL draft, Manziel has become one of America’s most marketable athletes. Nike recently signed Manziel to a multi-million dollar endorsement deal. Teams are considering drafting Manziel just because of how marketable he can be. Teams with poor attendance will become relevant instantly if they acquire him. Everyone seems to want a piece of Manziel and wants to capitalize on his popularity. This has shown me that it’s not just always about performance on the field. Professional teams clearly value the marketability of their athletes. Being a fan of the NFL, this was interesting to realize. Despite Manziel’s hard partying lifestyle, teams appear to be willing to pay him millions of dollars not just for his play, but for his brand. Manziel has shown how important good marketing can be in professional sports.

Marketing Saint Michael's

Charlie Merry

Blog# 13

Marketing

Prof. Popovich

Marketing Higher Education

 

                Going through High School it was assumed that College was something that’s necessary. If you wanted a career that produces a high salary, college needed to be in your future. However, I seem to see an increasing amount of people choosing alternative routes out of High School. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it can lead to increased happiness and perhaps a well-paying job. Furthermore, liberal arts schools such as Saint Michael’s are seeing lower enrollment numbers as a result of this. Saint Michael’s sees that there’s a decrease in demand. Students who are attending colleges these days seem to be specializing in something and opting out of a liberal arts education. Saint Michael’s needs to effectively market their brand if they want to solve this problem.

 

                There are many benefits of a liberal arts education. Liberal arts educations provide you with a multitude of skills and you become a well-balanced individual. Saint Michael’s needs to show the public why this is important and market why it’s important. Specializing in something can be profitable, but will it provide you with the skills necessary to be a life-long learner? Saint Mike’s needs to recognize this and market it to those in demand of a college education.

 

                Furthermore, Saint Michael’s can market their location as a selling point. Saint Mike’s is located near Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is recognized as a premier college town that has plenty of young night life. This is certainly attractive to prospective students as they want other students to connect with throughout their four years. Also, Saint Mike’s is nearby to plenty of great skiing in the northeast. Those students who like to ski will certainly find it attractive and Saint Mike’s should market these burgeoning opportunities to prospective students.

 

                Overall, Saint Michael’s needs to effectively market their strong points if they want to fight off declining enrollment numbers. We’ve seen how important effective marketing can be to any company or enterprise. Saint Michael’s is doing their best as it is. However, if they want to continue their steady enrollment they must step up their efforts in the future and the present.

New Shoes Simulation Review

Charlie Merry

Prof. Popovich

Blog #12

Marketing

New Shoes Simulation Review

            For the past few months our class has been involved with the New Shoes simulation. This simulation split our class up into separate groups of three or four students. Each group assumed the role of a shoe company that’s trying to sell their product in different markets. This simulation helped us further understand the financial side of marketing and how decisions are made. Furthermore, it helped us learn how to better work in a group environment. My group included John Mielke and Luke Barkowski and we worked together to make new decisions each period.

            Each week our group would usually have to make two decisions for two new periods. My group had to decide how much to spend on things such as advertising, consumer promotions, and market research. Also, we had to make decisions regarding our involvement in the foreign market and whether or not we should enter this market at all. There were a few disagreements during the simulation but our group worked through these problems in a democratic fashion. The New Shoes simulation wasn’t easy, and we sometimes made decisions that could have used more thought. However, we learned from the issues we encountered during the simulation used this information to make new decisions.

            Another aspect of the New Shoes simulation was the Excel spreadsheet portion. Excel is a program that allows users to input information and formulas into cells that will help produce answers on a large scale. Learning how to properly use Excel is an extremely important skill to have in today’s world of business. Many companies wouldn’t even consider hiring you if you don’t have a command over Excel. Throughout the New Shoes simulation we were supposed to be constantly inputting our information into a spreadsheet after each period’s decisions. Our group waited until the last second to complete our Excels. While I did learn a great deal about Excel, it would have definitely benefitted my group if we had completed our Excel’s earlier.

Overall, I thought that the New Shoes simulation was an important assignment that I learned a lot from. I didn’t feel as if it was too hard or too easy, but it found a good balance. There were some aspects of the simulation that I didn’t like. I thought that there might have been an overload of information in the simulation, making it hard to locate specific figures. Another problem was just finding enough time to make decisions before the 9PM cutoff time. Despite these problems, I thought that I learned a lot of relevant things from the New Shoes simulation.

Final Four Defends Brands

Charlie Merry

Marketing Blog

Prof. Popovich

Final Four Defends Brands

 

            Every year sports fans throughout the nation anxiously wait for March Madness to come around. March Madness is the NCAA Division 1 basketball tournament that’s held annually throughout March. This tournament has become a huge spectacle and it attracts more viewers than any college sporting event during the year. Yesterday’s semi-final game attracted over 16 million viewers, more than Game 4 of the NBA Finals this past year. This undoubtedly attracts numerous brands and companies who want to become affiliated with this successful event. The NCAA partners up with these companies during the tournament and provides plenty of exposure.

 

            I’ve been watching March Madness as much as I can this year. I wouldn’t really consider myself as a huge college basketball fan, but I love watching these games unfold. Smaller schools who aren’t typically on television routinely give larger schools a run for their money. The David vs. Goliath tale is seen numerous times during the tournament. Anyways, this year I’ve been paying more attention to the advertisements and brand placement throughout the tournament. Sixteen companies are paying the NCAA hundreds of millions of dollars to be dubbed as official sponsors of March Madness. This may seem like an excessive amount of money, but due to the high viewership, these companies are getting massive amounts of exposure. The NCAA will go to great lengths to showcase these brands on the court.

 

            Many coaches and trainers in the tournament have received warnings for surprising reasons. Coaches who walk onto the court with specific brands of bottled water are quickly reprimanded. NCAA officials will quickly ask the offending parties to put their water into an official NCAA cup, instead of providing that water with free brand exposure. This may seem like a silly thing to do, but these companies are literally paying millions of dollars for the right to be showcased.

 

            March Madness is a marketing bonanza that rivals the Super Bowl. Everyone across the country is watching, even those who don’t care about college basketball. Even if you don’t care about college basketball, you likely filled out a bracket and will be more inclined to watch than before. March Madness is a great time for companies to advertise new products and unveil new product developments. Successfully showcasing your product through March Madness can produce a big time marketing win for your company.

Snowboarding Season at Sugarbush

Charlie Merry

Marketing Blog

4/2/14

Blog #9

Snowboarding Season at Sugarbush

 

            One of the main reasons that I came to Saint Michael’s College was to have easy access to the mountains in the area. Saint Mike’s $60 student pass to Smuggler’s Notch is a great deal that many students take advantage of.  I grew up snowboarding frequently and it’s definitely one of my favorite wintertime activities. Growing up near mountains such as Sunday River and having parents who ski certainly helped get me into snowboarding. I can even remember coming to Smuggler’s Notch for skiing vacations when I was younger. However, this year I chose to buy a pass to Sugarbush in addition to Smuggs, which has turned out pretty well.

 

            The main reason that I bought a pass to Sugarbush was because many of my friends decided to get Sugarbush passes. I was a little skeptical buying the more expensive pass because I didn’t get the chance to ski very much last year. Playing a sport at school takes up a lot of free time, and sometimes you just need the weekend to rest and relax. However, I’ve been able to ski a decent amount this winter and justify spending the extra money on the pass. Skiing with friends on a day with good snow is a recipe for a great day. Also, my roommate has a ski house at the base of Sugarbush, so he’s a longtime skier of the mountain and knows it very well. My roommate also has his car at school, so getting the Sugarbush pass made sense because I’d always have a ride to the mountain.

 

            The ski season thus far has had its ups and downs. I couldn’t negotiate a schedule this semester that left me with weekdays on which I could go skiing. Also, it seems that whenever there’s a storm at the mountain I can’t find the time to make it there. For example, the one week we left for Spring Break the mountains got upwards of 20” inches of snow. I couldn’t complain because I was heading to Florida, but it still would have been nice to get to the mountain during that time. Despite these problems, I’ve still had a much better ski season so far compared with last year.

 

            I’ve been able to get to the mountain 16 times so far this winter. That’s not bad considering that I can’t go during weekdays and I can’t go sometimes due to scheduling conflicts with tennis. Hopefully I can finish the ski season strong and get out there another 10 times before the mountains close. Sugarbush has proven to be a great mountain and I’ve discovered some awesome terrain throughout the winter. I love winter and pray for snowstorms, which might seem crazy for those who despise the winter season. However, winter provides me with some of my favorite activities, mainly snowboarding and pond hockey. Overall, the ski season thus far has been good and I’m excited to finish out the year with some warm spring skiing.

Spring Break

Charlie Merry

Spring Break

Marketing

Prof. Popovich

Blog #9

 

            Every year college students around the country eagerly await spring break. This year spring break at Saint Michael’s College was from March 14^th to March 23^rd. This time allows students to relax and take a brief pause from their hectic lives. Some students simply go home while others choose to go on vacations with their friends. This year, I was fortunate enough to go on a training trip to Orlando, Florida with the tennis team. I had an amazing spring break this year and it was definitely nice getting away from the bitter Vermont winter.

            Both the men’s and the women’s tennis teams made the trip to Orlando this year. The men’s team was busy throughout the week with matches. We played five matches throughout the week and usually practiced afterward. The schools we played included Colorado College, Hobart, Hope, Hamilton, and Onondaga College. Each match began at 8 AM so we had an early start each day. However, this didn’t bother me because it allowed for time afterward to chill by the pool or play beach volleyball. Also, it was definitely good to play our matches in the morning, before the intense Florida sun reached the middle of the sky.

            I had a relatively productive training trip in Florida. First of all, it was great to finally get back outside and play on some real courts. Our indoor tennis facilities at Saint Mike’s are absolutely terrible. The surface is used for multiple sports, so it’s not built with tennis in mind. Tarrant center’s surface is rubbery, which makes the ball skid and explode on you faster than normal. Going back outside was one of my favorite parts of the training trip. I ended the trip with two wins, tied for the team lead. Also, I lost two 3 set matches during the trip. Losing is never fun, but going 3 sets proved I could play with these teams and I felt I should have won both of those matches. Overall, I felt that I got better, and I ended the trip with the most games won during the week.

            Another highlight of the trip was when both the women’s and men’s teams made a trip to Universal studios. Universal is an extremely entertaining theme park with cutting edge roller coasters and simulation rides. I especially enjoy the huge roller coasters such as The Hulk, and the Dueling Dragons. My favorite part of the park was probably the newly constructed Harry Potter world. I grew up reading all of the Harry Potter books and it was really cool to see this world brought to life through this part of the park. The park recreated the Hogwarts castle as well as the marketplace in the series, Hogsmeade. This part of the park also had extremely entertaining rollercoasters as well as simulation rides. After the park, the team ate a delicious dinner at the Hard Rock café. Ending what was a great day in Florida. Spring break this year was definitely one of the best I’ve ever had, and I hope the teams will choose to return to Florida again next year.

Studying Abroad

Charlie Merry

Blog #8

Marketing

Prof. Popovich

 

Study Abroad

 

Studying abroad is an extremely appealing option to plenty of college students throughout the country. Studying in a foreign country is a unique experience that could be very beneficial for anyone. More and more students are choosing to study abroad, realizing that it could help them increase their cultural awareness. Over 4 million students are now choosing to spend a semester or more abroad. I have plenty of friends who are currently studying abroad or are planning on studying abroad next year. Saint Michael’s has a very supportive staff who encourage studying abroad to everyone who has the chance. I went through the simple process of applying for study abroad and was recently accepted. I’ll be spending the fall semester of my junior year studying in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Students are choosing to study abroad for a number of reasons. For example, some just want to become a better speaker of a different language. I’ve taken Spanish courses since 7^th grade and consider myself to be an above average speaker of the language. However, living in Spain will undoubtedly help me become a better Spanish speaker. I’ll have no choice but to learn the language if I want to get around the city or ask for directions from a stranger. Learning another language is something that’s important to me. I think it could be extremely beneficial for job opportunities, and it would be something that’s just cool in general. Hopefully I can improve on my vocabulary this summer to ready myself for living in Spain.

 

Another reason that students are choosing to study abroad is for the cultural experience. Many people aren’t given the opportunity to experience a different country with different customs and norms. I truly believe that every country can offer a unique way of viewing things and this will be interesting to experience firsthand. For example, the Spanish have a very different way of viewing things such as time, sleep, and what time to eat meals. The Spanish notoriously eat dinner extremely late, and take midday naps during the work week. I’m extremely excited to see how different it can be living in a foreign country. Not to mention how excited I am to take regular naps throughout the week.

 

Furthermore, the program that I’m doing study abroad through offers classes that will help me meet major and minor requirements for graduation. This was extremely important to me because I needed a plan that would allow me to graduate on time. This comes out as a win/win situation. I’ll be able to study in Spain, while also fulfilling the regular amount of necessary credits. I can’t vouch for study abroad just yet, but I’m anticipating a great experience. I definitely believe that Study Abroad should be utilized by more students, as it could be viewed as a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity.

Big Bad Bruins are Back

Charlie Merry

Marketing

Prof. Popovich

Blog #7

Big Bad Bruins are Back

 

After an extended layoff due to the Olympic Games in Sochi, NHL hockey has finally returned. Olympic Hockey is certainly intriguing and special, but I’m happy that NHL hockey is back, especially in Boston. The Bruins are currently sitting at 37-17-5. For the non-hockey fan, that equates to 37 wins, 17 losses, and 5 losses that came in overtime. This is a phenomenal record at this point in the year, leaving the Bruins in sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division. Gaudy win totals are becoming the norm for Bruins fans, the Bruins are currently on an impressive streak of consecutive years making the playoffs. Bruins playoff hockey is one of the most intense atmospheres in sports. Bruins fans can rejoice in this, as they consider themselves one of the most diehard in the entire National Hockey League.

            The Bruins have been paced this season by David Krejci, Reilly Smith, Jarome Iginla, Milan Lucic, and Patrice Bergeron. Krejci is a center on the Bruins, leads the team in points, and just recently represented the Czech Republic in the Sochi Olympics. Smith is a newcomer on the team. Smith was acquired from the Dallas Stars in the controversial trade that sent fan favorite Tyler Seguin out of town. However, Smith is quickly proving that he is a valuable asset to have, lessening the sting of losing Seguin. Jarome Iginla is a burly winger who has been in the National Hockey League for many years. Iginla is respected throughout the league for his skills as well as his leadership and class. However, Iginla made waves in Boston last year when he spurned the Bruins to join their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite this slight, Bruins fans have embraced Iginla as he’s become one of their top point producers. Also, the fact that the Bruins defeated the Penguins in last year’s playoffs certainly helps. Milan Lucic is a fan favorite in Boston for his physical style of play that embodies the hard working fan-base. Lucic is a physical winger who also puts up solid point totals. Patrice Bergeron is perhaps the most important player on the entire roster. Bergeron is a life-long Bruin who has a Stanley Cup, and two Gold Medals that he acquired while playing on Canada’s last two gold medal winning hockey teams. Bergeron is beloved in Boston for his hard work as well as his production. Bergeron is a renowned two way forward in the league, meaning that he’s a skilled defensive as well as offensive forward. Bergeron has won the Selke trophy before. This award is given to the player who best displays the defensive aspects of the game from a forward position.

            Overall, things are going very well for the Bruins thus far this season. The team is playing well and seems to be clicking as playoffs are quickly approaching. Despite the regular season success of the team this year, there’s a larger goal at hand. The Stanley Cup was won in Boston in 2011, but the team lost in the final last year to the Chicago Blackhawks. I’m sure that everyone on the team is eager to avenge their failure in last year’s playoffs. Their road to the Stanley Cup should be extremely entertaining to watch.

Michael Sam

Charlie Merry

Blog #6:  Gay NFL Prospect Makes History

Marketing

Prof. Popovich

 

            Football has long been considered to be the most brutal and macho sport in existence. The culture of an NFL locker room is no different. Players make crude jokes and off color humor is considered to be the norm. However, recent cases of bullying in the NFL have surfaced, creating a dark cloud over the NFL. Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, two players on the Miami Dolphins, have had legal issues with one another stemming from reports that Incognito bullied Martin. Text messages were released by Incognito’s agent, hoping to clear his client’s name. These texts were extremely homophobic and regularly made lewd comments regarding gay people. Michael Sam, an NFL prospect, recently came out as being gay.

 

            Gay people are stereotyped as being sensitive, unmanly, and genuinely soft. Michael Sam is six foot two, 262 pounds of pure muscle. Sam had an amazing career at the University of Missouri. Sam capped his senior season by winning the SEC conference’s defensive player of the year award. The SEC is widely regarded as the best conference in college football. While Sam might be gay, it clearly doesn’t affect what he does on a football field. There’s been a wide range of views on Sam coming out as gay.

 

            Most people are receiving Sam with open arms and laude his coming out as courageous and noble. When the Westboro Baptist Church went to boycott his reappearance on the University of Missouri’s campus, over 2,000 students showed up as well, blocking the WBC’s protest. Sam has also received many votes of confidence from his teammates and coaches, calling him a great person and teammate. However, there have also been some people who’ve said that Sam could create problems in the locker room. The NFL has never had an active gay player, which makes what Sam did historical.

 

            Saying Sam would be a distraction is somewhat preposterous. Sam’s University of Missouri teammates have already said that Sam was one of their favorite teammates. Some NFL players believe that it would be awkward to have him be in the same locker room as them. The NFL should make sure that it’s providing a safe environment for all kinds of workers. Saying “that’s just how it is” won’t work anymore. The league must make sacrifices to make everyone feel safe and comfortable where they work.

 

            Also, the NFL can’t say that Sam isn’t “NFL material.” The NFL has active players who have been convicted of dog fighting, manslaughter, DUI, domestic abuse, and murder. However, someone who’s gay is suddenly being questioned for his character? The overall mantra should be, if you can play, you can play. I’m sure that every general manager will have to consider Sam when the draft occurs in a month. Sam has proven himself on the football field, and hasn’t shown any questionable characteristics. I’m glad that Michael Sam let it be known who he truly is. Sam will surely break down some ancient and barbaric barriers in the NFL.

TJ Sochi

Charlie Merry
Blog #4
Olympic Hockey
Marketing
Prof. Popovich
2/15/14
Words: 528


Throughout my life my favorite sport has always been hockey. Growing up playing and watching the sport was a thrill and I made some of my favorite memories through hockey. Having a father that loves hockey as well as a pond in the backyard definitely helped my passion for hockey grow. I'm a huge fan of the Boston Bruins in the NHL. However, with Olympic hockey in full swing, team U.S.A has my full attention.


Olympic hockey is different than the NHL as the rink is bigger, and the stakes are different. Players aren't performing for a paycheck, but for national pride and bragging rights. These players grew up idolizing members of the national team and they know that the entire nation is watching. Players from different teams in the NHL suit up for the same team, their home country. It's always fun watching these teams assemble as some countries have the ability to create All Star teams. The heavy favorites at the Sochi games are Canada, U.S., Sweden, and Finland. Olympic hockey is when even the most casual fans pay attention to the game. The United States hasn't disappointed so far.


Coming off a silver medal at the Vancouver games, expectations are high for the U.S. squad. Every member of the United States team is an NHL player, solid players at that. The U.S. won their first game of the tournament against Slovakia. Slovakia is a solid team that came in 4th 4 years ago. Led by their goalie, Jaroslav Halak, and superstars Zdeno Chara and Marian Hossa, this game wouldn't be a cakewalk. However, the Americans made it look easy in their 7-1 rout of the Slovaks. However, things would prove to be much more difficult in their next game against Russia, the host country.


Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, has made it known that hockey is the event he cares most about. Russia is a perennial powerhouse that boasts plenty of superstar talent. Led by superstars Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Evgeni Malkin, the Russians are loaded. The game was played this Saturday and it was an instant classic. Tied 2-2 late in the game, the Russians scored what appeared to be the game winner. However, the goal was called off much to the home crowd's dismay. Once overtime ended, the shootout commenced. T.J. Oshie, a questionable pick to make the roster, stole the show. Oshie scored 4 shootout goals, made possible by the different shootout rules in International competition. Oshie gained over 90,000 on Twitter and became a household name overnight.


This is why I love Olympic hockey so much. These games showcase hockey to a much broader audience and show people what they're missing out on. The Olympics definitely create more fans of the game and increases the amount of kids who want to play hockey. Furthermore, these players truly care about the outcome of the game. Their passion for hockey shines through and it shows how much they really love the game. Olympic Hockey is a great spectacle and is something that's great for the sport as a whole.

Sochi Olympics

Charlie Merry
Blog #4: Sochi Olympics
Marketing
Prof. Popovich


After a long four year wait, the Winter Olympics are yet again upon us. Hundreds of countries will converge in Sochi, Russia to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics. The Olympics are a special time for a number of different reasons. Countries forget their differences for a brief time period and are united through sport. These games are as much about celebrating each other as they are about winning and competition. Russia certainly has a lot on the line as they prepare to host the world in what is, the most expensive Olympics in history. The Olympics have also become a large stage for marketers to exploit.


Numerous blue-chip companies sponsor the games or athletes who receive plenty of coverage throughout the spectacle. For example, Coca-Cola ad's are constantly running in between events and make it a point to announce their support of the Olympics. Furthermore, companies have their advertisements strewn throughout Sochi for all of the fans and athletes to see. Companies want to be associated with the Olympics and all that they represent. Companies truly have an international audience when they're marketing to the Olympics. Also, companies who sponsor athletes have certain advantages. For example, Shaun White is sponsored by the snowboard company Burton. Shaun White is one of the most covered athletes at the Olympics, and he's almost always dressed in Burton gear. Burton is receiving exposure through White, and kids will want to buy their products based on White's performances.


While these games certainly are important for marketers, they're also a first-rate spectacle. These games only occur once every four years, the world takes notice whenever they come around. When else will you be able to watch curling or cross-country skiing? Elite athletes from all around the world are shown to us for the first time. The Jamaican bobsled team made their much anticipated return to the Olympics as the try to replicate the success of the team in the movie, "Cool Runnings." Viewers enjoy watching these countries compete in sports that are usually not televised. National pride spikes considerably during the games. People want their country to succeed on this huge stage. Despite all of the positives that come with the Olympics, there has been a dark cloud surrounding these games in particular.


Athletes are complaining about their living arrangements and it's clear that construction wasn't fully completed. Photos have surfaced of hallways with hundreds of dangling wires, live wires have even been found in showers. Since the beginning of the games, over 27,000 tweets have been sent with the hashtag, #SochiProblems. Some hotels have even urged their guests to avoid using the water because it "contains something very dangerous." Reporters have sent out pictures of this water, which is almost completely yellow and definitely looks quite dangerous. The bathrooms have also received extensive coverage for their inadequacies. Hilarious photos have surfaced of bathrooms with two toilets next to each other with no separation, and of signs asking people to dispose of their toilet paper in a bucket. Despite these problems, the Sochi Olympics are underway and promise to be another memorable games.

Superbowl Commercials

Charlie Merry
Prof. Popovich
Blog 3: Super Bowl
Marketing
Words: 655




Another year means another much anticipated Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is without question the most anticipated sporting event of the year in the United States. Over 100 million households tuned in to watch the Denver Broncos battle the Seattle Seahawks for NFL supremacy. The Super Bowl is appealing even to non-football fans due to the popularity of the commercials. This game could also be viewed as a Super Bowl for marketers and the companies whom they promote. Companies prepare all year to make commercials that will be positively received. Making a dud commercial is an extremely costly mistake, a 30 second slot of time will set you back $4 million dollars. However, the sheer size of the viewing audience makes this an investment that could certainly pay off in a big way.


People will talk about their favorite commercials as much as they'll talk about the game in the next few days.


 Companies try to make witty commercials that will utilize the four p's of marketing: product, place, price, and promotion. Product involves where and when can you get across your marketing messages to your target market? Consumers want to know how your product will meet their specific needs. For example, Volkswagen had a terrific ad this year that was both funny and effective. The setting involved a father and daughter taking a drive together, the daughter then suggests that whenever a Volkswagen reaches 100,000 miles, a German engineer gets his wings. German engineers are then shown spontaneously sprouting wings while producing the new edition of Volkswagen's car. This commercial is likely targeted to adult couples who value longevity and quality products. The commercial was funny, and also got across their central message. People watched the ad because it was funny and original, but people will buy their cars because of their image as a quality vehicle.




Place involves where consumers will look for and ultimately, buy your product. Chobani, the yogurt company, had an excellent spot that involves place. Customers are strolling through a general store, and are then shown running outside the store in terror when they spot a bear roaming the aisles. The bear proceeds to destroy almost everything in the store until he finds what he's looking for. Once the bear finds the chobani yogurt, he approaches the counter, apparently trying to purchase the yogurt. This ad shows the consumer where you can buy chobani, while also being a commercial worth remembering and talking about. Furthermore, the ad emphasized how their ingredients are all natural (perhaps why the wild animal wanted it). Chobani showed the consumers where to purchase their product, while also showing their environmental sustainability.


Price involves the amount that consumers must pay to purchase your product. Increasingly, companies are trying to make affordability a focal point of their product. Smart car had a terrific ad that showed the affordability of their product. The ad showcased that their car is made for urban environments and obviously, receives terrific gas mileage. Smart cars are good on gas, and you can get one for payments of $139 a month. Smart car sold to their demographic, while showcasing the low cost of owning a smart car.


Promotion involves communicating the benefits of your product to the consumers. Obviously, the marketers of these companies chose TV commercials during the Super Bowl to promote their products. Marketers prepare all year for the Super Bowl, as almost the entire country is watching the spectacle. Creating a successful ad can pay large dividends for your company. Super Bowl commercials are a topic of discussion, however, it's usually only the really solid commercials that are talked about the next day. Overall, I didn't think the Super Bowl commercials this year were that good. Despite this, that didn't mean I didn't watch them and I will remember the companies who made the rare winner commercial this year.

Consuming Kids

Charlie Merry
Marketing Blog
1/25/14
Prof. Popovich
Blog 2: Consuming Kids
Words: 520


During class this past week, we watched a video entitled Consuming Kids. Throughout this video we learned about the current state of marketing that's geared towards children. The overall theme was the amount of advertising that's specifically designed to attract kids. This has been a controversial topic in the United States for many years. Since Ronald Reagan's groundbreaking decision to deregulate the advertising industry, marketers have been increasingly targeting young kids.


Moral questions arose and I couldn't help but feel disgusted by these advertisers. Is it right targeting impressionable young children? Will this increased stimulus negatively affect the modern generation? Companies will stop at nothing to invade the lives of America's youth so they can influence them from "the cradle to the grave." One expert on the whole situation likened marketers to child molesters. These companies hire a staff to research the wants and needs of the younger demographic. Reports have even been done which involve companies filming kids in the bathroom to find out their preferential bathroom items. I personally don't like how these companies are using our private information to sell items.


For example, when you sign up for a website or search the internet, companies pay to get access to this information. Once the companies know what you're more likely to buy, they put ads on the web page that would likely attract you. I find this to be a bit creepy and consider it an invasion of privacy. I've been personally subjected to this targeting whether it's online or through the mail that I receive. These companies want your loyalty and will stop at nothing to obtain it.


However, I also realize that the bottom line is profits. People are under plenty of pressure to produce results or risk losing their job. Morality can take a backseat when your livelihood is at stake. Furthermore, it can be helpful when ads suited to you are conveniently placed before you. Growing up in this age of stimulus and advertising I can now look back and realize that these marketers essentially had me brainwashed. I would believe most things that were said in a commercial and couldn't help but want the newest products or the cereal with my favorite cartoon character in them. This new age of marketing makes it seem that material items will make you happiest. I realize now that this is a flawed way of thinking, but as an impressionable young kid, I didn't know any better.


Overall, this is the debate unfolding before us. People in favor of deregulation argue against governmental interference in business, while people against deregulation have problems with companies targeting the youth. There are compelling arguments for both sides, but it will be hard to envision there being a change. Companies are finding success targeting the youth and the kids clearly don't mind the stimulus. While there may not be a solution anytime soon, the movie shed an interesting light on the ad industry. I would highly recommend this film to anyone with a with a spare amount of time.

Charlie Merry
Marketing
Popovich
Blog #1: My Goals This Spring

Hello blogging world, my name is Charlie Merry. I'm a sophomore business major at Saint Michael's college via Kennebunkport, Maine. I have a real passion for Boston sports teams and enjoy playing sports myself. I'm in the Honors Program at St. Michael's and I've managed to do well in school up to this point.

I would certainly consider myself a hard worker and I pride myself in my work. This is why I have the goal of at least getting an A- in Marketing this spring. Being a business major, doing well in the core business courses is important in terms of graduating GPA. I'd like to do well in the course as well as learn key concepts related to marketing. I'm sure the class will learn plenty, as shown by the large number of assignments in canvas.

I think I can do well in the class and learn about marketing simply by completing the coursework. However, playing a sport at St. Michael's is a real commitment that takes up time. I'll need to budget my time wisely in order to complete all of my work on time. This isn't something that I'm concerned about because I've done it for essentially my entire life. Finding time to properly complete assignments is important and should always be given priority when you're busy.

Other than marketing, I have a goal of winning a few matches on the tennis court this spring. The competition is always high when competing against other schools, but I believe I can come out on top this spring. The tennis team is definitely a young squad this year, but it's full of good guys who enjoy being around one another. Although our record may not show it, a lot of our matches this fall came down to the wire and could have gone either way. This spring will be an important test to the team and we'll see if we can salvage a few wins in a rebuilding year. Also, the team has a spring break trip to look forward to. Both the men's and women's tennis teams will be traveling to Florida during spring break to test our skills against a number of teams from across the country. This will be a good time to relax in the sun as well as improve our skills against teams that we wouldn't normally play.

Overall, this semester is going to be a very important one for me. I'm thinking about studying abroad, finding an internship, and all the while trying to maintain solid grades. Even though this may sound like a lot, I'm sure I can manage the work and still accomplish my goals. This marketing class seems to be an interesting one so far and it will definitely challenge me throughout the semester. However, I believe this is a good thing as it will give me important knowledge following the school year. This first blogging experience has been a good one, and I'll make sure to keep you updated next week!

Sincerely,

-Charlie Merry