 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Marketing Page 4 |
$300 $400 $10
Sony Ereader Amazon Kindle Paperback book
Now you have several ways to bring your reading material with you. The Sony E-reader is in its second generation, and is pretty slick -
the screen looks closer to ac actual page than any computer, and also will read almost any document file you can load into it. This is
very un-Sony, since you can use any type of book you can get, including free titles available all over the web.
The Amazon Kindle has wifi, allowing for wireless downloads - actually, purchases, from Amazon. It also does email, and handles RSS
feeds, but for a small fee. It does not read a wide variety of formats.
A standard paperback book is easy to use and share, can be dropped on the floor, and is easy to notate. You can also operate it when
your plane is taking off or landing.
As much as I love technology, these electronic readers strike me as far from a must-have device. If you could carry your library the way
that an iPod allows you to import all your CDs, that might be something, but you can't really do this. Also, the device is still pretty
expensive. The titles on Amazon are usually about $10, which is not bad - but considering the almost zero cost of distribution,
something ought to be cheaper - either the books, the readers, or both.
$99 is the right price for a reader, and if titles were $5 that would seem right as well. Why not have magazines available for 99 cents, as
long as you get the ads as well? Until these things make more sense, I think I will stay with flipping pages.
Sony Ereader Amazon Kindle Paperback book
Now you have several ways to bring your reading material with you. The Sony E-reader is in its second generation, and is pretty slick -
the screen looks closer to ac actual page than any computer, and also will read almost any document file you can load into it. This is
very un-Sony, since you can use any type of book you can get, including free titles available all over the web.
The Amazon Kindle has wifi, allowing for wireless downloads - actually, purchases, from Amazon. It also does email, and handles RSS
feeds, but for a small fee. It does not read a wide variety of formats.
A standard paperback book is easy to use and share, can be dropped on the floor, and is easy to notate. You can also operate it when
your plane is taking off or landing.
As much as I love technology, these electronic readers strike me as far from a must-have device. If you could carry your library the way
that an iPod allows you to import all your CDs, that might be something, but you can't really do this. Also, the device is still pretty
expensive. The titles on Amazon are usually about $10, which is not bad - but considering the almost zero cost of distribution,
something ought to be cheaper - either the books, the readers, or both.
$99 is the right price for a reader, and if titles were $5 that would seem right as well. Why not have magazines available for 99 cents, as
long as you get the ads as well? Until these things make more sense, I think I will stay with flipping pages.
Most of us do not even look up from our reading when
the airline rolls the pre-flight safety video.
But Virgin America, as you would expect, has an
amusing video that people actually watch. Click image
to see it.
the airline rolls the pre-flight safety video.
But Virgin America, as you would expect, has an
amusing video that people actually watch. Click image
to see it.
Despite my reservations about Amazon's
Kindle (below) it sold out before Christmas,
2007. The average price for one on Ebay is
about $800. Amazon's site will not assure
customers when their e-book reader will arrive.
The best-known holiday shortage is the
Nintendo WII. Prices on Ebay are through the
stratosphere.
The prize seems to go to this entrepreneur who
will guarantee that a guy in a Santa suit will
show up at your home on Christmas day to
deliver your game console. For $28,000.00.
The seller even lists a seperate $35.00
'shipping Cost" !
Kindle (below) it sold out before Christmas,
2007. The average price for one on Ebay is
about $800. Amazon's site will not assure
customers when their e-book reader will arrive.
The best-known holiday shortage is the
Nintendo WII. Prices on Ebay are through the
stratosphere.
The prize seems to go to this entrepreneur who
will guarantee that a guy in a Santa suit will
show up at your home on Christmas day to
deliver your game console. For $28,000.00.
The seller even lists a seperate $35.00
'shipping Cost" !
The marketing questions are - "Did Nintendo or Amazon manufacture a shortage in order to hype the product (as I am doing in these pages)?
And "will the lack of availability generate greater demand or will disgruntled shoppers buy something else?
Most accounts seem to indicate that the shortages are due to a conservative approach to inventory levels, rather than a deliberate sales ploy.
BMW has famously produced 95% of projected volume for years, just to prevent devaluation via over supply.
I feel that demand for these devices are therefore likely to support continued desirability, rather than dissuade the shopper.
And "will the lack of availability generate greater demand or will disgruntled shoppers buy something else?
Most accounts seem to indicate that the shortages are due to a conservative approach to inventory levels, rather than a deliberate sales ploy.
BMW has famously produced 95% of projected volume for years, just to prevent devaluation via over supply.
I feel that demand for these devices are therefore likely to support continued desirability, rather than dissuade the shopper.
Ford took a potentially wonderful brand and watched it slide
away. Jaguar is so financially hopeless that it must be bundled with
profitable LandRover in order to unload it.
There are few takers, but the most likely suspect is Tata Group, a
large automotive company. There is, however, a difficulty.
Tata Group is Indian.
"I don't believe the U.S. Public is ready for ownership out of India of
a luxury car brand such as Jaguar," says a dealer spokesman.
Interesting observation. Tata, as it happens, has owned several
well-known British brands already. Tetley has the largest
world-wide tea market share, including in Britain. In Scotland, for an
example, 51% of tea bag sales are Tetley.
The consumer loves a brand, and rarely pays attention to its
faceless owner.
away. Jaguar is so financially hopeless that it must be bundled with
profitable LandRover in order to unload it.
There are few takers, but the most likely suspect is Tata Group, a
large automotive company. There is, however, a difficulty.
Tata Group is Indian.
"I don't believe the U.S. Public is ready for ownership out of India of
a luxury car brand such as Jaguar," says a dealer spokesman.
Interesting observation. Tata, as it happens, has owned several
well-known British brands already. Tetley has the largest
world-wide tea market share, including in Britain. In Scotland, for an
example, 51% of tea bag sales are Tetley.
The consumer loves a brand, and rarely pays attention to its
faceless owner.
What's the opposite of shoplifting? Apparently it is shopdropping. An article in the New York Times tells about groups of people
who are creating things that they sneak into stores and put on display. As you would expect from the Times, the article is about
optically charged concepts - religious activists putting material between lesbian periodicals, T-shirts with Marxist icons, that sort of
thing.
The web site, shopdropping net explains this as "SHOPDROP: To covertly place merchandise on display in a store. A form of
"culture jamming" s. reverse shoplift, droplift. "
who are creating things that they sneak into stores and put on display. As you would expect from the Times, the article is about
optically charged concepts - religious activists putting material between lesbian periodicals, T-shirts with Marxist icons, that sort of
thing.
The web site, shopdropping net explains this as "SHOPDROP: To covertly place merchandise on display in a store. A form of
"culture jamming" s. reverse shoplift, droplift. "
If you look at the examples posted on the site by Ryan Watkins-Hughes, you see a somewhat different story. Ryan crates packages
(seen above) that feature pictures from his world travels.
Here is what Ryan says, "SHOPDROPPING is an ongoing project in which I alter the packaging of canned goods and then shopdrop
the items back onto grocery store shelves. I replace the packaging with labels created using my photographs. The shopdropped works
act as a series of art objects that people can purchase from the grocery store. Because the barcodes and price tags are left intact
purchasing the cans before they are discovered and removed is possible. In one instance the shopdropped cans were even restocked
to a new aisle based on the barcode information'
In other words, it is art. Gurilla art, I suppose, but art is the intent. It could be viewed as slightly destructive, but you have to admit it is
fun. Political versions are referred to by the unpleasant term, " culture jamming", whatever that really winds up being.
I, for one, hope I see some interesting art placed on a store shelf by a local artist. I'll probably buy it.
(seen above) that feature pictures from his world travels.
Here is what Ryan says, "SHOPDROPPING is an ongoing project in which I alter the packaging of canned goods and then shopdrop
the items back onto grocery store shelves. I replace the packaging with labels created using my photographs. The shopdropped works
act as a series of art objects that people can purchase from the grocery store. Because the barcodes and price tags are left intact
purchasing the cans before they are discovered and removed is possible. In one instance the shopdropped cans were even restocked
to a new aisle based on the barcode information'
In other words, it is art. Gurilla art, I suppose, but art is the intent. It could be viewed as slightly destructive, but you have to admit it is
fun. Political versions are referred to by the unpleasant term, " culture jamming", whatever that really winds up being.
I, for one, hope I see some interesting art placed on a store shelf by a local artist. I'll probably buy it.
Hybrid cars have proven to be more expensive than the gas savings, and there is increasing
doubt that they really offer much environmental benefits at all. Sales of most hybrid vehicles have
been disappointing, and several have been discontinued already. The Prius is an exception.
The NY Times reports that over 400,000 of the Toyota car were sold in the USA, far better than any
other hybrid.
While green products seem to address a consumer's emotional buying needs, the Prius does
something that no other hybrid can do. Other hybrids are standard vehicle designs that have a
different drive system. The Prius was designed only as a hybrid, and looks distinctive.
In other words, it advertises how sensitive you are.
More than half of Prius buyers surveyed said the #1 reason for owning one was that "it makes a
statement about me". Consumers reported loving being stopped and asked about the car. "I really
want people to know that I care about the environment," said one driver.
Now we have it. When you create a costly product that is supposed to make people feel green and
good, make it obvious. After all, we are fulfilling a need.
doubt that they really offer much environmental benefits at all. Sales of most hybrid vehicles have
been disappointing, and several have been discontinued already. The Prius is an exception.
The NY Times reports that over 400,000 of the Toyota car were sold in the USA, far better than any
other hybrid.
While green products seem to address a consumer's emotional buying needs, the Prius does
something that no other hybrid can do. Other hybrids are standard vehicle designs that have a
different drive system. The Prius was designed only as a hybrid, and looks distinctive.
In other words, it advertises how sensitive you are.
More than half of Prius buyers surveyed said the #1 reason for owning one was that "it makes a
statement about me". Consumers reported loving being stopped and asked about the car. "I really
want people to know that I care about the environment," said one driver.
Now we have it. When you create a costly product that is supposed to make people feel green and
good, make it obvious. After all, we are fulfilling a need.
| A Prius owner from Flickr |
| Google has launched Google Sky. This is an enhancement of Google earth, created in partnership with Nasa. Google Sky (or Space) allows you to zoom into the cosmos, creating an eerie feeling of vertigo at times. users will eventually be able to zoom over any mapped areas, such as the surface of the moon. It is spectacular. But what about the money? Pundits often point out that of all Google's many businesses, only one makes money. Google is often (mistakenly) compared to Microsoft. Why have free spreadsheets and word processing if Google's web-based system will never be as good as MS? This misses the point. Microsoft is in the software business. Google sells advertising. By making useful web-based products they expect to be on every mobile phone and computer regardless of operating system. This is potentially a more valuable business model than software, as it is free, and cannot be pirated. |
Grand Opening is a store that constantly 'opens' in Manhattan.
Every 90 days it reinvents itself completely. This does not mean that
they do some redecorating - the two brothers that own it actually
change the entire retail concept.
The last incarnation was a place called Pong that let you rend a
ping-pong table. A web cam allowed you to see if the table was free.
The newest version is called Drv-In. They've parked a 1965 Ford
Falcon convertible inside. It sits six, and for $75.00 you get a private
drive-in experience of a classic movie. The films will be shown in
chronological order starting from 1960.
The space will have a ceiling that looks like a starry night sky, and
there is a full concession stand.
I have no idea if they can make money with this concept, but one
hopes so, in order to see the idea spread.
Every 90 days it reinvents itself completely. This does not mean that
they do some redecorating - the two brothers that own it actually
change the entire retail concept.
The last incarnation was a place called Pong that let you rend a
ping-pong table. A web cam allowed you to see if the table was free.
The newest version is called Drv-In. They've parked a 1965 Ford
Falcon convertible inside. It sits six, and for $75.00 you get a private
drive-in experience of a classic movie. The films will be shown in
chronological order starting from 1960.
The space will have a ceiling that looks like a starry night sky, and
there is a full concession stand.
I have no idea if they can make money with this concept, but one
hopes so, in order to see the idea spread.