'Super' Toothpaste?

My inspiration for this blog came from a post on the M-Blog.  There is a link to the actual article here.

            With a product like toothpaste, is there really any need to have as much variety of specialized products as there are in the current market?  Personally, I think not.  Yes, many people do have specific preferences of their toothpaste, however, there are ways to satisfy each consumers need in the market without producing such a vast amount of variety.  For example, why are there so many types of protection offered by toothpaste?  Don’t we all want the best overall protection possible?  Why do some toothpastes claim to protect cavities, some claim to whiten teeth, some fight gingivitis, and some help with bad breath?  Personally, I want my toothpaste do all of those things!  Which leads me to wonder if this is all part of a marketing scheme.  Maybe if a company marketed their toothpastes as a one for all protection then perhaps consumers with white teeth, but bad breath, would choose the another brand that says “Fights Bad Breath” on it.

            But while this differentiation may help sales, I have to think that this form of marketing must be expensive to the company.  Having to advertise all different types of the toothpaste has to add up.  A suggestion I would make would be to cancel all forms of toothpaste in production, create one ‘super’ toothpaste and market it extensively.  If the general consumer knows that this toothpaste is supreme to all others and satisfies all of the consumer needs, whether it be white teeth, cavities, bad breath, etc., then they will most likely choose that product over the rest.  Once this is done the only variation that would need to be offered would be the flavor.  Offering this ‘super’ toothpaste in mint, cinnamon, fruity and all other preferred flavors would fill in the rest of the consumer needs.  This would mean this singular product, offered in all flavors, would only need one advertising plan to show its protective qualities.  Then once consumers see it in the store, they will not have to turn away because they dislike the flavor as all needs will be satisfied. 

            What do you think of this idea of a ‘super’ toothpaste offered in all flavors?  Do you see any flaws in this marketing idea? If so, what are some other suggestions you may have?

In Response to Jordan's Post on 2/27

        If McDonald’s continues to grow more and more popular over in Japan, I absolutely see a rise in their national obesity rate in the near future.  This is not a complex math equation, but a simple matter of applying the facts.  The cycle will be representative of how obesity rates climbed in the US.  As more Japanese start to consume these 550 calorie “American” burgers, the more likely they are to become hooked on them.  And with the low cost and delicious taste of these burgers, it will become even more challenging to pass them up.  The more people realize they can buy a few burgers for the same price as rice and vegetables, they will most likely choose the burgers.  As we all know from our own diet, when you start to substitute healthier meals in turn for McDonald’s burgers, you begin to see an increase in your body weight.  Unfortunately for Japan, they seem to be headed down this path.  This is very sad to me because, as you mentioned, the Japanese culture has always represented a healthy lifestyle.  Hopefully, the Japanese will take a lesson from the US and stop this trend before it starts.

LiveDownloads: A "Win-Win" Stituation

            As a devote fan of the “jam-band” scene, live music is my favorite form of music.  However, it is not every day you get to go to a concert.  So how can you temporarily satisfy this need for live music without going to a show?  The answer is quite simple, record the live music. 

            The trend first began in the late 90s when Phish started releasing a series of live shows as albums that were sold in stores.  The success of these albums caused the band to start recording and releasing the soundboards of each show, available for download on the internet.  Now basically every band on the scene takes part in the new trend.  Bands like Phish, String Cheese Incident, Furthur, Umphrey’s McGee, moe., STS9, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Lotus have made this a staple as part of their act.  In going to their shows, you not only get to enjoy it while you are there, but you know that when you get home the next day you will be able to relive it for only a $10 purchase.

            Not only is this a great way to market the band’s music, but it also brings in extra revenue for an extremely minimal expense.  The band is going to put on the show anyway and the proper recording equipment would only be a one-time investment.  It truly is a win-win situation for the band and the fan.  As a fan, I buy almost every recording of shows I have seen as it is fun for me to relive the night.  Also, I feel this keeps me continually wanting to go to the next show.

            I personally think this idea of recording and releasing live shows is something that all bands should follow.  Music goers love to relive their concert experience and this is the best possible way to do so.  It is a very inexpensive way to produce extra revenue for the band, as well as keep the consumer happy.

            What are your thoughts on this idea?  Even if you aren’t a fan of this style of music, wouldn’t you like to have a copy of your favorite band live in concert that you attended?  In case you are interested, here is a link to the LiveDownloads website.

In Response to Nikki's Post on 2/25

        I would like to first start by stating that I am in full agreement with you.  The United States is so far behind in alternative energy use it is not even funny.  We all know the benefits that can be achieved with wind power as a source of alternative energy, yet we have made minimal effort to take advantage of it.  Yes, the shoreline off the coast of Nantucket is arguably one of the most beautiful in the world, but I think it is time we stop being so selfish and take advantage of the wind resources in that area.  If these wind turbines could potentially produce 75% of the power needs of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket as you have mentioned, we would have to insane not to build them.  Not only are these turbines a completely clean and sustainable source of energy, but also over time they would completely pay for themselves.  The original investment for the wind farm I’m sure is close to a billion dollars, but after years of use the amount of energy produced will eventually exceed the initial investment when compared to petroleum costs.  Also, I think that these wind turbines are amazing architectural achievements that we should be proud of.  We seem to have a terrible perception that beauty is always aesthetic, but in today’s world we must look past the “eye-sore” of these turbines and look at the environmental beauty they possess.  We have had plenty of time to enjoy these beautiful views, but it is now time we look towards our future and sustainability of this planet.  We need to not be so selfish and think of all the benefits that would come with the wind farm.

"Man vs. Machine"

            I don’t know about the rest of you, but I had pretty much forgotten ‘Jeopardy!’ was still on television.  This was until the other night when I saw advertisements for a special edition of Jeopardy entitled, “Man vs. Machine”, where two of Jeopardy’s top all-time contestants were set to match up against a new super computer processing machine made by IBM named "Watson".  Ken Jennings, Jeopardy’s all-time consecutive wins leader, and Brad Rutter, Jeopardy’s all-time money leader, were set to take on the smart computer in a three part series broadcasted on national television.  According to the NY Post, the special was the second-highest viewed program on the US television market for two consecutive nights, falling behind American Idol and Two and a Half Men, respectively.  I couldn’t help but think of the pure marketing genius that lay behind all this. 

            Ever since the 1980s when computer technology came to the forefront, man has pondered with the idea of computer robots taking over the world.  For example, movies such as iRobot and AI: Artificial Intelligence, both based on the same idea of computer robot domination, we’re huge hits at the box office.  Why?  Because for some reason we are fascinated with this idea, even dating back to 2001: A Space Odyssey.  The idea that we as humans created something smarter and more powerful than us is mesmerizing and also scary to us.  We eat up these scary and mesmerizing ideas because they are things we all question, but not really wanting nor willing to experience them in real life.  Thus why the entertainment industry was started in the first place.

This is why I see the recent Jeopardy special as such a brilliant marketing scheme.  Most of us now use computers on a daily basis.  We know how much information they can hold, how much faster they run, and now they have the capabilities to hear, speak, read, and write.  This is why we love the challenge brought on by the intelligent computer Watson, as we feel since we created it we should be able to beat it.  And that’s just what the advertised, “Man vs. Machine”.  People all across the United States tuned in to see if the two human Jeopardy geniuses could actually beat the new super fast, super intelligent computer processor.  They were basically telling us to tune-in and support humanity!  I never caught the actual episode, but I remember when I saw the commercial being very interested.  Had I been in front of a television while it was aired, I know I would have undoubtedly tuned-in as well. 

            So I guess my question to you is… why are we as humans so fascinated with the idea of computers, robots, and their possible take over?  Why do we have the urge to see if we can possibly beat such machines?  And do you agree with me on the pure brilliance of this marketing strategy?  In case anyone is more curious, here is the article I found on the topic. 

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/watson_the_computer_boosts_ratings_g6cJr3ZNYU7PNsRlNCWgzN

In Response to Laurie's Post on 1/30

            I couldn’t agree more with you.  As businessmen, or women, we try to fulfill certain demands within the consumer market by supplying the consumer with the product they want.  It is no longer a time in which the public is unaware of the health affects of smoking, we are taught this our whole lives.  But still people continue to smoke cigarettes and they are in high demand.  As you said, it’s not like they are putting the cigarette in your hand, they are just supplying a product that is demanded in the market. 

            Also, it is my opinion that if the anti-smoking companies can air their commercials all over television, it should only be fair to allow the tobacco companies to air their commercials as well.  You could also argue that if tobacco cannot air their commercials on television than why are beer companies?  Take the SuperBowl for example, every 3 or 4 commercials was an advertisement for beer!  I do not understand how people can trash cigarettes while the consumption of beer, if not done responsibly, can be many times worse than smoking.

            That being said, I completely understand why people dislike the tobacco companies and do not want their products to air on television.  All I’m saying is that there should not be such a double-standard as there is today.  Tobacco has ruined thousands of lives, but so has alcohol and you never here any bashing of the alcohol industry.  Plus, last I checked American was the home of the free, if you want a cigarette you should have the right to go and buy one.  And as you said, if you don’t want a cigarette than don’t buy it!

The Rise of Netflix

           Once upon a time, Blockbuster Video was the premier video rental service in the United States.  For decades the dominant video store sprawled all across the country forcing mom and pop video rental stores out of business.  Independent video stores were no match for the multimillion dollar corporation and for many years they operated their business with virtually no competition.  But with the recent rise of online video streaming, Blockbuster is now a thing of the past. 

Netflix, which originally started as a monthly service providing movies by mail order, began incorporating this idea of instant streaming into their monthly package as they foresaw a rise in demand for the service.  Today, they are the leading provider of subscription live stream movies and television on the internet.  In 2011, Netflix surpassed the mark of 20 million subscribers in Canada and the US making it the second leading video subscription service behind only Comcast.  A recent study has shown that during peak the hours of internet use, 8 to 10 pm, Netflix streaming represents over 20% of the downstream internet traffic.  Needless to say, Netflix has become an extremely popular and profitable organization.

            But how did Netflix accomplish so much, so quick?  In my opinion, they got to where they are now by a brilliant marketing scheme that directs their streaming service right to their target market; young adults.  Now when you buy a Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii, all platforms come with a built in program that allows easy access of Netflix streaming as long as you have an active subscription.  So what does this mean to the consumer?  No longer do you have to sit in front of a tiny computer screen to watch live stream of your favorite shows; now you can watch them right on your television.  I personally have a PS3 and love the service offered by Netflix; it is just too cheap to pass up at only $10 per month.  It has even caused us to cancel our cable television as we no longer see the need anymore for Netflix has satisfied that need. That being said, I must admit their marketing strategy worked on me.

            What are your opinions of this service?  How often do you stream video on your computer or game system?  Do you personally have a Netflix subscription or do you still rent movies from the video store?  Also, what do you think of the recent emergence of Redbox?  Do you think it will threaten Netflix?

Here is the article I found that inspired this blog.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/blockbusters-fall-and-netflixs-rise-in-pictures/?ref=netflixinc