Week Eleven EOC: What Are The Benefits VS. The Features

 The benefits to, " From Us, Through Them, To You," are to help raise awareness for the Nevada Donor Network and the United Blood Services, by going to local high schools. I want to help make young people aware that they are not too young to help or save lives. By going to the local high schools we can encourage the young people of today and the future of the tomorrow, to start actively participating in helping as many people reach tomorrow as possible. Everyday we lose people because there are simply not enough resources to help them, but if we encourage our youth and young adults, we could make a change that is so desperately needed. No one should ever be lost because there wasn't enough resources for them or they are on a waiting list, patiently waiting on something that may never arrive in time. Just one person can make such a huge impact and it is time to make people aware of that fact, and to create and promote real change. "Given their wants and resources, people demand products with benefits that add up to the most value and satisfaction." -- Marketing: An Introduction, page 6. Features are that these organizations and schools are local, and the access to stop by anytime is convenient and accessible. Also the prices on the products are reasonable. Features are a competitive tool for differentiating the company’s product from competitors’ products. Being the first producer to introduce a valued new feature is one of the most effective ways to compete. Marketing: An Introduction, page 19

Week Nine EOC: Three Great Mission Statements

Make a Change flag football league's mission is to search and contact young people that want to help, that want to make a change, a bringing them together to support and fight for what they believe in - Geovanny Sorto. What I liked most about this project was that it promotes togetherness. It's about everyone coming together in a way to cause change.What I would like my fundraiser to accomplish is raise money for Breast Cancer in a different way other than the usual just wearing some article of clothing that was made and colored pink. - Ryan Torrisi This project I liked because it's goal was to help raise money for breast cancer in a different way then just the normal wear a pink shirt. My goal is to get involved, set up a social charity event at a local resauraunt, and help fight against cancer, and help the children live healthy lives. - Timothy Mize

Week Nine BOC: Five Hottest Songs Of Summer

Who?
5. Ellie Goulding - Lights
4. Katy Perry - Wide Awake
3. Gotye Featuring Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know
2. Maroon 5 Featuring Wiz Khalifa - Payphone
1. Carly Rea Jepson - Call Me Maybe

Why?
Billboard publishes a host of charts that are individually or collectively based on key fan interactions with music, including album sales and downloads, track downloads, radio airplay and touring as well as streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, Vevo, Youtube, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen BDS, Nielsen SoundScan and Next Big Sound. In order for artists and title to chart in Billboard, they must be among the higher ranked performers among the specific metric used to compile the chart. Specific methodologies can be found on each chart page on billboard.com and on the Chart Legend reference page on billboard.biz.

Week Eight EOC: Creative Content

Creative Content

When planing an event these days, there are a vast amount of resources available to use, a lot of them free. My plan is to utilize these free resources to help get the word out to the schools to create awareness about how important it is to donate blood and/or platelets and also to become an organ donor. Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr can all be used to help spread the word and also to raise awareness of not only how important it can be to help but also about how much it is actually needed. Also using both organizations' and the school's websites to get the word out. I would also take photographs at the events to make banners and albums to show people what goes on and the whole process.

Implementation Evaluation Control

Monitoring and adjusting things that are not working is constant. You have to be constantly watching and making sure everything is going the way it is supposed to be going. "To find the best marketing strategy and mix, the company engages in marketing analysis, planning, implementation, and control. Through these activities, the company watches and adapts to the actors and forces in the marketing environment." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 50. Having specific people in charge of watching over everything and then all coming together to make the necessary changes needed to ensure that things run smoothly. "Managing the marketing process requires the four marketing management functions -- analysis, planning, implementation, and control." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 55

Price

When looking for a price to put on a product, you want to find a balance between why they want the product and how much are they willing to pay for it. "Rather than offering high quality at a high price, or lesser quality at very low prices, marketers in all industries are looking for ways to offer today’s more financially cautious buyers greater value—just the right combination of product quality and good service at a fair price." Marketing: An Introduction, page 79 With the products from, " From Us, Through Them, To You," The prices are affordable while serving to help a greater cause."For example, many high-end fashion designers whose designs sell at sky-high prices to those who can afford it now also sell merchandise at prices that the masses can manage." Marketing: An Introduction, page 79. When you donate blood or become an organ donor you will have the option of buying a T-Shirt for $5.00, with the option of buying additional T-Shirts for $7.00. With all procceds being split between the Nevada Donor Network and the United Blood Services. Also they will receive a bracelet for free with the option of buying additional bracelets for $3.00, also with the proceeds going to both organizations.

Promotion

Promotion for, " From Us, Through Them, To You, " will be pages on different social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Along with flyers to put up at the schools' before it happens as well as the schools' and organizations' websites. "The major marketing mix tools are classified into four broad groups, called the four Ps of marketing: product, price, place, and promotion." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 13. Using as many free resources as possible. If possible, try and get an ad in local weekly circulating magazines to help get the word out.  "For example, marketing research gives marketers insights into customer motivations, purchase behavior, and satisfaction. It can help them to assess market potential and market share or to measure the effectiveness of pricing, product, distribution, and promotion activities." - Market: An Introduction, page 106. There are endless possibilities.

Distribution

Distribution for, " From Us, Through Them, To You," will be T-Shirts and bracelets paid for by sponsors and will be available from at the school events. As they will be available from both organizations websites and also from the schools website. Sellers must search for buyers, identify their needs, design good market offerings, set prices for them, promote them, and store and deliver them. Activities such as consumer research, product development, communication, distribution, pricing, and service are core marketing activities. - Marketing: An Introduction, page 9. They will be available for $5.00 when you donate blood and/or platelets with an option to buy additional T-Shirts for $7.00. Bracelets will be given for free with you donate or become a donor and any additional bracelets can be bought for $3.00. With all the proceeds going back to the organizations. Beyond creating brand conversations, on their own or by invitation, customers are having an increasing say about everything from product design, usage, and packaging to pricing and distribution. - Marketing: An Introduction, page 19. With everything sold it can help promote the awareness these organizations need to spread the word about the importance of giving back and donating.

Product

With every company, there is always a product. With, " From Us, Through Them, To You," it is no different, just slightly more than just buying something. We have T-Shirts, from sponsors, you can buy for $5.00, when you donate blood or become an organ donor, with the proceeds going straight to the Nevada Donor Network and the United Blood Services. "Smart marketers look beyond the attributes of the products and services they sell. By orchestrating several services and products, they create brand experiences for consumers." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 7. With the options of buying more T-Shirts for $7.00. Also there are bracelets with the saying, "Recycle Yourself," That you can get for free when you donate blood and/or platelets or register to become an organ donor. With the option of buying additional braclets for $3.00 with all proceeds also going back to the Nevada Donor Network and the United Blood Services. "Many sellers make the mistake of paying more attention to the specific products they offer than to the benefits and experiences produced by these products." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 7. With these products we can keep raising awareness everyday by wearing these and just by going about in our day to day lives. We need to keep educating people about these organizations and these products can not only help but get people interested.

Target Market Strategy

While, " From Us, Through Them, To You, " is targeted more towards young adults, our goal is to encourage everyone of all ages, races, genders etc. to donate blood and/or platelets and to become an organ donor. "Once the company has chosen a desired position, it must take strong steps to deliver and communicate that position to target consumers. The company’s entire marketing program should support the chosen positioning strategy." Marketing: An Introduction, page 53. The amazing thing about this program is that anyone can help, they just have to choose to, and while some might be adament about not wanting to participate, that is okay because you can not win everyone over. "The set of controllable tactical marketing tools—product, price, place, and promotion—that the firm blends to produce the response it wants in the target market." Marketing: An Introduction, page 53. And while you can not win everyone over, you have to do your best with the ones that are more than happy to help. Those truely are our targeted market. They are the ones that are going to help us reach are goal of raising awareness and making a difference in the lives of people who might not have had another chance without their help.

SWOT Analysis

With only 38 percent of the population eligible to donate blood and with waiting lists for organs, we need to raise awareness to how much it is really needed. With, From Them-Through Us-To You, we have the chance to educate the youth and young adults about the how they can do their part to help others. We are a generation, who is solely focused on "what's in it for me," and we need to break out of that thought process. We need to take this opportunity to promote real change, starting with the youth of today, showing them that they are not too young to make a difference."An overall evaluation of the company’s strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T)." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 55. Strengths - Some strengths that this has are making a real difference in the lives of many different individuals. There are so many people just waiting, hoping and praying for an organ or a transfussion. Weaknesses - There are always weaknesses. Some with this endevor are that people just ignore what is going on or refuse to help. Opportunities - The opportunities are endless. From saving people's lives', to encouraging people to want to help a cause they are passionate about, or even starting their own projects, such as this one. Threats - With, From Us-Through Them-To You, The threats can be the same as the weaknesses, with people not receptive to the project, the idea, or the end goal of helping save lives. "The company should analyze its markets and marketing environment to find attractive opportunities and identify environmental threats. It should analyze company strengths and weaknesses as well as current and possible marketing actions to determine which opportunities it can best pursue. The goal is to match the company’s strengths to attractive opportunities in the environment, while eliminating or overcoming the weaknesses and minimizing the threats." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 55. With, From Them, Through Us, To You, there are only two goals; to raise awareness and to help save lives. Together we can make a difference, not only in the world but to the lives of people who need it the most.

Objective

My objective besides making the youth of today aware of the serious need for blood, organ, tissue, and eye donations is to actually have people go out and give blood and become organ donors, while raising money for the Nevada Donor Network and the United Blood Services. "Each company must find the game plan for long-run survival and growth that makes the most sense given its specific situation, opportunities, objectives, and resources." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 39. So many people think that just them, as a person can not make a difference by themselves, but that is far from the truth, especially in this case. Just one person donating a pint of blood can save up to three people. While only 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood, those numbers are simply not high enough. Everyday we lose people because there are simply not enough resources to help them, but if we encourage our youth and young adults, we could make a change that is so desperately needed. No one should ever be lost because there wasn't enough for them or they are on a waiting list. Patientely waiting on something that may never arrive in time. Just one person can make such an impact and it time to make people aware of that fact, and to create and promote real change."Some companies state their logistics objective as providing maximum customer service at the least cost. Unfortunately, no logistics system can both maximize customer service and minimize distribution costs." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 330.

Business Mission Statement

"Many organizations develop formal mission statements that answer these questions. A mission statement is a statement of the organization’s purpose—what it wants to accomplish in the larger environment. A clear mission statement acts as an "invisible hand" that guides people in the organization." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 39 My mission is to help raise awareness for the Nevada Donor Network and the United Blood Services, which is Eye, Tissue and Organ donations as well as, Blood and Platelet donations, by going to local high schools. I want to help make young people aware that they are not too young to help or save lives. Something as simple as taking an hour out of your day to donate blood or register as a organ donor can help so many more people than we realize, even as simple as when you're renewing your license and checking yes to being an organ donor can save lives. By going to the local high schools we can encourage the young people of today and the future of the tomorrow, to start actively participating in helping as many people reach tomorrow as possible. With T-Shirts with the slogan, " From Us, Through Them, To You," or "Recycle Yourself," at $5.00, with proceeds being split equally between both organizations when they register to donate blood or to becoming and organ donor, can really make a difference. "A company’s mission should not be stated as making more sales or profits—profits are only a reward for creating value for customers. Instead, the mission should focus on customers and the customer experience the company seeks to create." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 41.

Week Seven EOC: The Pitch

We live in an age where we are more concerned about "Me." How most people only worry about how something affects them and not about how it affects others? By giving only a little bit of your time you can not only help yourself but you could be helping many others. " Organizations like the Nevada Donor Network and United Blood Services are just some ways of giving back that help so many people. United Blood Services is where you can donate blood to help many, many people and Nevada Donor Network is an organization that you can donate your organs, eye and tissue after you have passed. The misconception about, by being and organ donor, doctors and paramedics don’t try and save you is a complete and total farce. It is a way to help someone in need after you have expired that can ultimately save someone’s life. My pitch is that I would get in contact with both organizations and talk to them about going around to the local high schools and raise awareness. Creating T-Shirts with the slogan, "From Us, Through Them, To You," that you receive when you become an organ donor or donate blood and/or platelets. "but solid positions cannot be built on empty promises. If a company positions its product as offering the best quality and service, it must actually differentiate the product so that it delivers the promised quality and service. Companies must do much more than simply shout out their positions in ad slogans and taglines. They must first live the slogan." - Marketing: An Introduction, page 195. The goal is simple, to make young people aware that they are not too young to help, save lives and give them the opportunity to give back, "From Us, Through Them, To You," with all the proceeds being split between both organizations. Some facts from the United Blood Services are that: 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. Every 2 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion. 5 million patients in the US need blood every year. Less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood. Blood cannot be manufactured; it can only from volunteer donors. Platelets, critical for cancer patients, have a shelf life of only 5 days. And with the Nevada Donor Network some facts are: Each donor can save and enhance as many as 50 lives. 18 people a day die waiting for a transplant. Over 100,000 men, women and children are waiting for an internal organ transplant in the United States. Donations saves thousands of lives each year, but too many are lost because there are too few donors. Unless you're registered or have a "D" on your license, your organs might not be used in time to save a life. Doctors match donated organs by looking at body size, blood type, time waiting, medical urgency, and proximity of donor and potential recipient. Something as simple as taking an hour out of your day to donate blood or register as a organ donor can help so many more people than we realize.

Week Six EOC: Me Times Three

Converse All Stars -

I have owned a pair of all-stars since I was a little kid. It has always been the preferred choice of shoe for me. My choice is a pair of classic low top black and white All-Stars. I have worn them everywhere from weddings to funerals to Christmas and birthday parties to everyday wear. They have meant so much to me that I feel like I am cheating if I wear a different pair of shoes.


Canon EOS Rebel XS -

My camera is often also as if it is an extension of me. I always carry it with me and feel lost without it. Photography is something that I am the most passionate about. I can express myself in a way without saying a single word, and I absolutely love that feeling. If I could wish and achieve my dream career it would deal with anything related to music. Album covers, band photo shoots for magazines, even concert photography would be dream come true for me.


Music -

Music is very therapeutic for me. I used to suffer from an extreme case of anxiety, and music, I have come to find soothes it. It doesn’t necessarily take it completely away but I have found it helps monumentally. Music for me, in a way, helps to overcome the stresses that happen daily and it is something I’m always listening to. I even wake up every morning with a song in my head. My musical tastes are very eclectic. It ranges from country to alternative rock. Indie to oldies. It is always changing from day to day, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Week Five EOC: Super Bowl Commericals

Some commericals were made with little to no money, some a substantial fee, but during the superbowl, with the costs being over a million dollars it has to be relevent, right? While some are funny, some absolutely ridiculous and others that just don't hit the mark. The commercial I chose is a Best Buy commerical during the 2011 Superbowl. The commercial features Ozzy and Sharon Osborne and Justin Bieber. The premise of the commercial  is that Ozzy is shooting a commerical for a 4G phone, while Sharon is looking upon and helping as his manager. Through the course of the commercial the technology is getting faster, changing from 4G to 5G, and ultimately changing to 6G. This is where they bring in Justin Bieber, trying to appeal to a newer and younger audience. With the tagline, " Don't get left behind," showcasing their "Buy Back Program." Where when you buy something, as soon as a newer version comes out, they buy it back from you so you can get the newer version.
Why I think it works is because of who the pair up is. Slightly older audiences will recognize Ozzy and Sharon Osborne for the many different things they have done, stretching from rock bands to realiity tv to ultimatley daytime tv. While many younger audiences will recognize Justin Bieber for his music and for pretty much being everywhere nowadays. I thinks that's why it works, you have two people on opposite sides of the spectrum.

Week Three EOC: My Demographics

While my generation has several different names including; Millennial Generation, Generation Y, Generation We, or The Global Generation, one thing remains the same, we are the better than previous generations in some ways and ultimately worse in others. 50 is the median of text messages sent every day. I, in a day, send at most 5. A generation that seems to value money, fame and image. I, however, value hard work, honesty and commitment. I don’t see the point in spending so much time imaging how celebrities live and what they wear. I have no interest in being famous, I would like to earn enough money to where I can see travel and/or help take care of my family, and all I care about my image is that I come off as the person I really am and not some shallow shell of a person.  Idealistic in terms of their own career aspirations and their hopes for the world. I personally know where I want to end up in life, how to get there and have an idea of what it's going to take to get me there. While one the other hand I think the world is headed for hell and we're just along for the ride. We are the most technological generation. It also can pose as a problem when it consumes you to the point of obsession. You have people joking about a zombie apocalypse, but it you honestly takes a second and look around it is already here. You have people who are glued to their phones and not interacting with anyone unless it’s through the device. Most economically desirable consumer demographic because of their current and future spending power. I believe this is true as just now the Baby Boomers are heading in to retirement.

Week Four EOC: Business vs. Consumer Buying Behavior

 When conducting a business deal, it differs on what type of business. Whether it is business to business or business to customers, it all hinges on a host of different factors that can make or break your business deal. The example of GE Transportation and Kazakstan National Railway is a good one. While what GE Transportation had was exactly what Kazakstan National Railway was looking for it came down to other factors such as international economics and politics, to name a few. It was about way more than did GE have what they wanted to buy for their company. But ultimately, they came to a resolution and it turned out to work in both of their favors.  GE built the first 10 locomotives in a U.S. plant and the remaining 300 locomotives were built in Pavlodar, Kazakstan. To achieve success when handling the business to business market, it is important to remember that there is a lot more involved than just selling a product to a consumer. It is keeping open lines of communication and handling things in a way that makes it a pleasant working relationship that makes the business want to come back time and time again for more business. It is also the way two businesses work together to achieve the goals they wish to meet, and that although there could be set backs, you have to work hard for something that you want. When they help each other reach these goals it is when you can call it a success, and that hopefully you have their return business for years to come. “Customer partnerships are at the center of GE and Ecomagination,” confirms GE chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt in a recent letter to shareholders. “We are viewed as a technical partner by customers around the world.”

Week Three EOC: Making Money for Good

While there are always companies that are way to interested in their bottom lines to want to give back, some see this as an oppurtunity to envoke real change. These companies want to make a difference and show that they can do so by even the smallest of ways, like donating a small percentage of every item sold to a certain organization or cause.

 Box Tops For Education - Since 1996, Box Tops For Education has raised over $400 million dollars for America's Schools. By cutting out the Box Tops coupon on the top corner of hundreds of particpating products, most found in your local grocery store and giving them to the school of your choice, you are helping them with their mission statement, which is, nourishing young lives by enhancing every child's learning environment.

Product Red - Product Red was founded in 2006, by U2's Bono and Bobby Shriver of ONE/DATA, to help raise awareness and raise fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. It is a brand licensed to companies such as Starbucks, Converse, Nike, Hallmark, American Express and others. Each company came up with a product with the Product Red logo and a portions, in somes cases up to 50% donated to the cause.

 Mary Kay Cosmetics - When you think of Mary Kay Cosmetics, you probably think door-to-door Avon lady but with a pink SUV, but Mary Kay knows the importance and fighting for an important cause and giving back, as their mission is changing the lives of women and children around the world. The cause is domestic violence and what they have done to help stop it is amazing. Buy buying a Creme Lipstick from their Beauty That Counts line. They have be able to donate millions of dollars to not only domestic abuse victims but also cancer patients and also orphaned children.

Voice

As photographers, we see the world differently than a cop would or even a doctor. We see a world vibrant in colors and full of life, and the need to capture that is something that is strong and undeniable. Personally I feel lost if I don’t have my camera on me. I am always framing and looking for shots even when I don’t have my camera out. Photography and music are escapes to me, a form of therapy, it’s a way to step out of my head for a while and create something amazing. I’ve always had a camera of some sort in my hands, whether it is a polaroid camera, a disposable camera or my digital camera. I have always loved photography but the one photo that actually solidified my decision was a picture of a concentration camp in Poland. It was haunting and it was almost as if you could feel the emotion the photographer was feeling at the time he captured the moment. If I could capture half of the feelings and expressions that he did with that single photo and have it be the reason someone chose to follow their dreams then I would count myself extremely humbled and honored. I would love to be able to do any kind of photography that allowed me to travel around the world and let me work with anything to do with music. Whether it is photographing musicians for magazine articles, album covers or even concert photography. It would combine my two loves and that to me would be truly amazing and a dream come true.

Week Two EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

During a recession, many things fall to the wayside. Such as the case with video games. Video games  and video games consoles for that matter are steadily decreasing in sales and profits. January of 2009, there was significant growth but by July of that year sales plummeted.

“ You’re seeing an industry slowdown in games and consoles. ” – Tom Szkutak, Amazon Finace Chief

Playstation 3 – Can be considered a cash cow because anyone who have wanted one has one. While it still makes money off the games and other services it offers. You can use it for streaming videos, audio and even rent tv shows and movies. Reviewers think the PS3 is superior to all other game consoles.

"An upgradeable Blu-ray player that can also double as a game system makes the versatile PS3 the best hardware value," -  Scott Stein, CNET

XBOX 360 – Can also be considered a cash cow for most of the same reasons as the PS3, but when it comes to gaming online, XBOX 360 is by far the chosen favorite.

"The redesigned Xbox 360 has the same horsepower, game library, and rich online experience as previous Xbox 360 models, but contains several key tweaks and improvements -- inside and out -- that make it the best Xbox yet,"  - Jeffrey Wilson, PCMag.com.

Nintendo Wii – Is probably on the lower side of cash cow because while it is considered to be the best family gaming console it still is popular for the “ serious gaming and gamers” because the graphics are not realistic. But it makes for a fun time with family and friends of all ages to have fun and blow off some steam.

“Although graphics look terrible compared to the Xbox and PS3, playing games on the Nintendo Wii is maddeningly addictive and intuitive. ” - Jim Louderback, PCMag.com

Week One EOC; Great Customer Service

"The key to building lasting customer relationships is to create superior customer value and satisfaction. Satisfied customers are more likely to be loyal customers and to give the company a larger share of their business."

(Marketing Creating and Capturing Customer Value - Page 19)

While there is not a time that stands out in my mind, as one where the service was above and beyond the call of duty or absolutely outstanding, I can represent the other side of the coin. I worked as a customer service associate for a company at the airport for a year. It was a tiny news and gifts store located in one of the terminals. The customers that came through my store varied from young to older, men, women and children of all races and ethnicities. I treated them as how I would have liked to be treated; with respect, a smile and a friendly approachable attitude, someone that could help me find what I was looking for and get me in and out in a timely manner. While there were many times that the customers attitudes were not always pleasant, part of my job was to make sure they left happy and satisfied that they chose my store to shop in and that ultimately they would return to my store upon another visit. Sometimes customers think yelling and screaming at the sales associate will make them do their jobs faster, it actually only causes more stress and frustration for all parties involved. While many times I almost lost my composure, I kept a smile on my face because this is a business and ultimately a loss of profits if I did, not to mention my job. At the end of the day there was only one goal; to make sure the customers had a great experience so that they would return time and time again.