Budweiser's Holiday Strategy

 

I have been introduced to Budweiser's new strategy with the holidays coming up. Similar to the story I posted last week, they are seemingly in need of a makeover. Budweiser is one of the oldest beer companies in the country and has created thousands of different styles of bottles. For this season, it looks like they are going back to the beginning, as they will display their oldest bottle logo to bring back that nostalgia feeling to its consumers. They will also be selling their beer bottles in a wooden crate to add more "old timey" feels to its product. Also they have been airing commericals showing consumers inviting old friends and family back home to celebrate with them, something that suggests some more nostalgia. I enjoy this move by Budweiser because I know bringing back an old logo can be profitable for a beer or really any beverage company. If you saw the Budweiser Super Bowl commercial last year, they tugged on your emotions with a pretty girl and cute dog. It worked and people loved talking about it. So this new move by the major beer company is nothing new in their efforts to create buzz and drive sales. There are articles that say Miller Lite's similar move created buzz and was extremely successful and Coca-Cola has done the same too. I also like the crate idea and am tempted to purchase. When I come home for the holidays feelings of love and connection are in the air, and Budweiser knows this.

Papa John's Revamp

 

Better ingredients. Better pizza. Better sales? We all know the Papa. His real name is John Schnatter  and he's a pretty successful guy. The fourth largest take out pizza chain in the country with over a billion dollars in revenue each year. They're all over sports commercials with endorsers like Peyton Manning and they even recently purchased their own college football bowl game. A juggernaut in the world of "let's order some 'za'".

However, Papa's got a problem. Their sales are lagging. And while the reason could be a sluggish market or fierce competition, Papa John's has decided to revamp their whole marketing campaign complete with a brand new look. The Yum Brand owned company (Schnatter is CEO and Founder) has reported a decline in sales and in response are launching what many would call a "craft beer" style approach. Choices are plenty as now the customer can choose between new crust flavors,  11 specialty recipes, five new ingredients, four new drizzles, six new sauces, 11 specialty recipes and a new skinny slice pizzas. I think this is an intelligent move by the pizza conglomerate as it seems customers want more options for just about everything these days. Additionally Papa John's has reported they will be unveiling new boxes and new uniforms for employees. From time to time I have seen various household brands change their look around to refresh the way they appear to the consumer. It is important to stay up to date with what is in demand by the people. And it changes! So, the company must be willing to adapt. I like this move so find me first in line when these new slices show up in stores.

Augmented Reality: Startup Magic Leap Creates Huge Buzz

What would you do if Google gave you $500 million? Pocket it? Buy a bunch of Ipads? Well, there's a new startup company that's making the internet go crazy for a few reasons. Here's why: they promise on redefining (or should I say defining) the augmented reality industry as it is using their slogan, "What would happen if we used technology to bring back into the world?" Augmented reality is defined as a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are supplemented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. Basically, some really cool visual effects that give the could give effect of say, a tiny elephant floating in your hands. More buzz is created from the company's founder Rony Abovitz, who is keeping company details so secret he is omitting names of employees from the website and declining interviews. Abovitz is the co-founder of MAKO Surgical, a medical company he sold for more than a billion and a half dollars, that made robotic arms performing orthopedic surgery. This is the most cutting edge form of visual technology that is set to be unveiled to the world to date, making Magic Leap's progresses the topic of discussion in the tech world today. So would Google invest in such a company? Many speculate it has ties to the Google Glasses, which could be introduced to the market as early as this year. Just think about being able to see images float before your eyes with breaking ground technology being created today. I know this is something I would love to try out. Would you? 


Check out the CNN article here: http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/17/tech/innovation/magic-leap/

Ebola-C: Profiting From Fear

 

We have all been hearing about it. Nonstop. And if you're like most, you've let it get into your head. The Ebola Crisis is all over the news. Sadly many of the main details are true. The disease has ravaged West Africa, leaving over 4,000 people dead. Ebola, also known as ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF)) or simply Ebola is a disease of humans and other primates caused by ebolaviruses. The symptoms typically start between two days and three weeks after contracting the virus, with a fever, sore throat, and other flu like cues. It's scary because right now the disease is not only hard to treat effectively, but also hard to contain. Under certain conditions it is extremely contagious and already a small number of cases have been detected in the US.

This blog is not meant to frighten or alarm anyone. In fact Ebola is very treatable if caught early and considering our country has the best medicine in the world, I don't think we have much to worry about. What we have come to find out however is that in the wake of almost all situations, positive or negative, someone is always trying to make a buck. Ebola-C, a vitamin supplement you can purchase online, has made prospective creator Todd Spinelli a rich man in the past 3 weeks. This is because that's how long the product has been on the market and it's made him almost $500,000 in sales! The tablet is rich full of Vitamin C, which naturally sparks a healthy person's immunity. That being said there are some claims out there that say Vitamin C is a possible remedy/combatant to the Ebola Virus. Spinelli and his constituents clearly recognized and quickly created the product to be sold soon after Ebola became a big deal in America and abroad. On one hand, it seems like a smart business decision. Maybe it is. However is it right for someone to monetarily capitalize using fear tactics? In addition let it be known that Ebola-C is not approved by the FDA nor has its claims been deemed universally or even majority deemed accurate. In one sense this businessman is making a living while on the other hand he may be adding to not the Ebola Crisis, but the Ebola Scare Crisis which is just as real as the disease itself. I want to know what you guys think: Is it ethical for this Ebola-C creator to make a product that is not only unproven to cure the disease but also to cash in greatly based on your fear level? I'm curious.


For some added confidence into why you probably shouldn't have a panic attack over all this, check out Shepard Smith's recent announcement to the American public:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2KBfynW09I

Taking Shots of Healthy: Why You Won't Get A Hangover Tomorrow

 

About a year ago, I was at a friend's house when we were abruptly awoken in the morning by my buddy's dad. "Let's take some shots!", he said. Question marks go through my head. This can't be real. What happened next turned into me copying a regimen that has become a ritual for me, when I can afford it. He lined up four shot glasses, pouring four colorful shots into each one and we drank them. And no, mind numbness did not ensue. Instead it was quite the opposite. The "Grand Slam" as it's been coined consists of a shot of wheatgrass, lemon, ginger, and cranberry. You take them at the same time and while it's bitter, sour, and possibly even gross at first, it makes you feel great immediately for you. I promise. Some people don't know what wheatgrass is. Wheatgrass is the "young grass of the wheat plant, Triticum aestivum". It grows in temperate regions throughout Europe and the United States and happens to be fantastic for you. One ounce equates into one ounce of fresh vegetables. The color usually scares people off (bright green) and while I admit it actually tastes like grass, the other shots kind of balance out the bad tastes. So it's not that bad. Doing this regimen has been said to create a very natural buzz of energy and I've got to say I've experienced this first hand. I think we should all be eating/drinking healthier, especially after long weekends out with friends (total hangover cure). So I really do encourage all those potentially interested to try this out. Like I said before, it's not cheap and actually few health stores carry all the ingredients because they have to be kept fresh. Arden's Garden has a few locations in Atlanta that you can check out. So go for the Grand Slam. You just might be glad you did!

You can check them out at:

 http://365atlanta.com/2010/07/18/158-healthy-smoothies-and-a-grand-slam-at-ardens-garden/

The Case of Devon Still: How the NFL Still Gets It Right

 

If you were procrastinating from school work last night like I was and tuned into Sunday Night Football, you saw something special. Devon Still, a lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals, had his daughter honored last night in front of millions. While Devon suited up last night, his daughter fights cancer in a hospital bed. The story is awesome. Just a month or so ago, Devon was to be cut by the Bengals but instead was kept on the roster by the team for the reason that he could keep his health insurance and compensation so his daughter's surgery could be paid for. It's been a great story so far that honestly keeps getting better. Last night the New England Patriot cheerleaders wore #75 jerseys (keep in mind this was the opponent) to additionally support Still and his daughter. Robert Kraft, the Patriots owner, has also pledged $25,000 to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

I for one think this is an awesome story. Just a few weeks ago, I talked about how the NFL didn't take domestic violence seriously and was facing a crisis. Today you hear this awesome story. I think it's important to take things as a grain of salt. There are good things, bad things, great things, and all sorts of things in the middle that take place within an organization or team from time to time. But as long as you realize your mistakes (the NFL did by the way) and always look to improve, there will be another day. I applaud the Bengals, Patriots, and the NFL for stepping up their game.

 

The Georgia Bulldogs: Escaping Mediocrity

 

So I don't know how many people are talking about this right now, but as a diehard Bulldog fan I think there is some cause for concern. Yes our team has lost but one game this year (South Carolina). And it was a close one at a hostile location that had disputable calls. That's okay. The rest of the games we've won, but I'm still concerned. And here's why: I fear our team won't last the season. Every year the Bulldogs are ranked high (almost always top 15 at least) and are hyped up with top players (ever heard of Todd Gurley?). But injuries have plagued the team in past years, keeping us from performing well in big games late in the season. Don't get me wrong, I've got the highest hopes for our boys this season. As a senior, I hope we can go all the way. I'm just tired of ESPN and other critics saying our team can't win the big game. I think we've paid our dues. We have a coach in Mark Richt who has been called the "Charlie Brown" of college football. In other words the nice guy who just can't catch a break. I for one am tired of this assumption. Yes, our schedule is always tough. We play in the best conference in the country. Yes, injuries happen to every team. It's a brutal part of the game. But I think it's time for this team to hunker down and take advantage of this season. We've got a potential Heisman Trophy winner in Todd Gurley who the country knows is truly special. We've got talent on both sides of the ball even though our secondary isn't perfect. Heck if anyone can coach these guys up it's Jeremy Pruitt, our new defensive coordinator. So listen I apologize for my slight rant, but I honestly think it needs to be said. I am a proud to be a Dawg no matter how our season ends up. However I think I speak for most of us when I say we are ready to see these guys go all the way. So strap in, sit down, and let's finish strong.