Thursday, September 24, 2009
The end of an era...
Sometimes in life you take the high road. This guy pretty much has most of his life. Good luck 99.....
However, the NHL does not work in the sunbelt. I am a marketer ... this has nothing to do with attendance or TV ratings or other standard metrics. Ever try to buy a hockey stick or get your skates sharpened in Florida or Phoenix? They maybe have one place in the whole city... and you would be lucky to know where that is.
Is like buying golf clubs in Alaska -- those people fish, they don't play golf.
Same in southern US .... they will never be hockey fans. Time to move on
Friday, September 18, 2009
A couple of real Canadian heroes
A couple weeks back I was in Calgary for the Olympic orientation camp and Hockey Canada Foundation dinner. I was lucky enough to spend considerable time with Jean Labonte, Captain of the men's sledge hockey team, and Gen. Rick Hillier who was the keynote speaker at the dinner.
I have a business relationship with Labonte and because of his handicap I had always felt awkward around him - as if I had to behave differntly. For some reason I just felt nervous, and it was a real eye opener to meet most of the team that week and see just how skilled these guys are and how they go about their lives without feeling nervous or different about us able-bodied folks. Labonte was cool about this - he told me to be myself, just relax and if he needed a door held open or such, he would just ask. I really got to know him that week - his story is an inspiration and as he reminds me, he will kick my ass in a sledge game any day - I don't doubt that.
As for the General - this man epitomizes the word LEADERSHIP. He was brought stature and attention to our great armed forces and never cow towed to the political leadership of the day. Rick spoke of the challenges these men and women face and I can assure you there was not a dry eye in the place. I am happy to post these pictures of two really great Canadian heroes.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
This is not your father's Buick.....
I am reminded of the great advertising line in early 90's "This is not your father's Buick" as GM tried to make the brand appeal to younger dirvers. They were right - it was not my father's Buick - his was actually well built - not some piece of shit. And I have never beleived in my heart of hearts that Tiger really enjoys taking Elin and the kids out in a LeSabre!
DETROIT -- General Motors Co. will end its half-century run as sponsor of the Buick Open golf tournament as it tries to focus scarce marketing dollars on its cars and trucks, a person briefed on the decision said Tuesday.
GM and tour officials will make the announcement after this year's open, which begins Thursday and ends Sunday, said the person, who did not want to be identified because the announcement will not be made until the tournament ends.
The decision calls into question the fate of the other PGA Tour stop sponsored by GM, the Buick Invitational held in February in San Diego.
GM spokesman Pete Ternes said the company is discussing its future role with PGA Tour officials. The company's contract for the two stops ends in 2010, he said.
"Both are under discussion and we haven't signed or agreed to any changes at this point," he said Tuesday.
The troubled automaker, which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 10, has been cutting back on professional sports sponsorships for the past year to conserve marketing dollars. Earlier this month the company placed longtime product development chief Bob Lutz in charge of marketing, and he has said the company will focus its advertising more on products.
GM, which has racked up more than $80 billion in losses in the past four years, is trying to spend more promoting its new vehicles, especially its cars, which it says are competitive or better than those made by its Japanese rivals.
The company is selling or phasing out its Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer brands and will concentrate on selling Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.
The century-old automaker has been cutting back on everything from professional baseball to NASCAR in the past year. In 2008 GM ended a nine-year endorsement deal with golf superstar Tiger Woods, who will play in this week's Buick Open in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., about 50 miles north of Detroit.
Yet Ternes said GM will continue to sponsor professional sports.
"We will continue to be involved in the future, because they offer great platforms to get the word out about our new products," he said. "However, as we reduce from eight brands to four, we will be looking closely at all our marketing relationships."
The automaker had sponsored four stops on the PGA Tour, but pulled out of the Buick Challenge at Callaway Gardens, Ga., in 2002 and the Buick Championship at Cromwell, Conn., near Hartford in 2006.
GM is watching every dollar it spends, and sponsoring PGA Tour events is not cheap. Golfers will compete for $5.1 million in prize money at the Buick Open, starting with Thursday's first round.
The automaker already has cut costs at the Open, ending a tradition of paying for dealers to travel to Michigan for the tournament and wining and dining select guests in lavish hospitality tents.
The end of GM's sponsorship is another ripple effect from the crisis hitting Detroit's three automakers. Michigan had the nation's highest unemployment rate last month at 15.2 per cent, and the Flint area, where the tournament is held, reported 17.4 per cent.
Loss of the Buick Open would be a big blow to the Flint area, which has seen wealth and people drained away by the decline of GM, once its largest employer.
"The Buick Open is the most prestigious thing we do in this community," said Jerry Preston, president of the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He estimated it has "a $10 to $12 million economic impact" in the area.
Preston said tournament organizers haven't heard from GM on its plans and said they would work to persuade the PGA to keep the event at Warwick Hills should GM bow out.
"If we lose the sponsor ... there are several Michigan companies that are ready to step forward," he said. "We're extremely grateful to Buick for being the sponsor all these years."
Both GM and Chrysler Group LLC had brief stays under bankruptcy court supervision and emerged this year free of staggering debt and burdensome contracts. The companies have received a total of $65 billion in federal aid.
Ford Motor Co. has avoided taking government aid by borrowing $23.5 billion before worldwide auto sales went into the worst slump in more than 25 years.
GolfWeek Magazine, citing two sources it did not identify, reported on its website last week that GM would end the PGA Tour's longest partnership and a new sponsor and venue would replace Warwick Hills.
Kenny Perry, who will not play this week, won the tournament last year as it celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Vijay Singh has won a record three Buick Open titles. Woods, Perry, Julius Boros and Tony Lema have two Buick Open titles.
Woods provided the tournament with a boost last week when he committed to playing in Grand Blanc Township even though it will likely lead to him playing in three straight tournaments. He and rock legend Bob Seger highlight Wednesday's pro-am and will be followed by a throng of fans, starting with their 7 a.m. tee time.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Marketing `investment' big part of game plan
I am thinking Adidas might just kick some real ass with this smart strategy...
Adidas, the world's second-largest sports goods maker, plans to keep marketing spending stable despite the global downturn, in contrast to moves at bigger rival Nike.
"We will continue to spend about 13 per cent of our (annual) net sales on marketing," Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer told a news conference in Germany yesterday.
Industry bellwether Nike, Adidas and Puma all launched recent, broad cost-cutting programs to offset the recession-linked downturn in consumer spending. At Nike, cost-cutting includes reducing marketing spending by focusing more on digital campaigns than on traditional media such as TV.
Adidas sees marketing "as investment" so will cut jobs and close offices and stores to save money. Its goal? Record sales of soccer-related products in 2010, a World Cup year, of "more than 1.3 billion euros ($2 billion Canadian)," Hainer said.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Lulu "LEMON"?
Not sure if this brand has staying power, yet I continue to see lot's of women doing their shopping in ..... I think this brand might be having an identity crisis - anyone agree or disagree?
Lululemon shares slip as profit drops
The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER — Fashion retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc. stock fell 11 per cent in early trading Thursday after the yoga wear retailer reported a drop in first-quarter net income and said it expects more of the same lies ahead.
Lululemon's stock fell $1.55 to $15.27 on the Toronto Stock Exchange in early trading after the announcement.
The company said its net income in the three months ended May 3 was $6.5-million, down 23.5 per cent from the same time last year
The first-quarter profit amounted to nine cents per diluted share, down from $8.5-million or 12 cents per share a year earlier.
Lululemon's outlook calls for earnings in its fiscal second quarter to be in a range of eight to nine cents per share — about the same as in the first quarter.
The reduced profitability comes as Lululemon's revenues increase but margins fall.
In the first quarter, net revenue rose to $81.7-million, up six per cent from $77.0-million a year earlier. Lululemon says second-quarter revenue will be even higher at between $85-million to $90-million.
But gross profit as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 42.8 per cent in the first quarter, down from 53.4 per cent a year before.
Income from operations was $9.9-million, or 12.1 per cent of net revenue — down from $11.9-million or 15.5 per cent of net revenue a year before.
Lululemon's outlook calls for comparable-store sales to decline in the second quarter compared with the year-earlier period.
Lululemon shares slip as profit drops
The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER — Fashion retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc. stock fell 11 per cent in early trading Thursday after the yoga wear retailer reported a drop in first-quarter net income and said it expects more of the same lies ahead.
Lululemon's stock fell $1.55 to $15.27 on the Toronto Stock Exchange in early trading after the announcement.
The company said its net income in the three months ended May 3 was $6.5-million, down 23.5 per cent from the same time last year
The first-quarter profit amounted to nine cents per diluted share, down from $8.5-million or 12 cents per share a year earlier.
Lululemon's outlook calls for earnings in its fiscal second quarter to be in a range of eight to nine cents per share — about the same as in the first quarter.
The reduced profitability comes as Lululemon's revenues increase but margins fall.
In the first quarter, net revenue rose to $81.7-million, up six per cent from $77.0-million a year earlier. Lululemon says second-quarter revenue will be even higher at between $85-million to $90-million.
But gross profit as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 42.8 per cent in the first quarter, down from 53.4 per cent a year before.
Income from operations was $9.9-million, or 12.1 per cent of net revenue — down from $11.9-million or 15.5 per cent of net revenue a year before.
Lululemon's outlook calls for comparable-store sales to decline in the second quarter compared with the year-earlier period.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
My GM Survival Plan
As you know from my recent Facebook and blog postings, I have been a bit obsessed with the GM situation.
So, in the spirit of "walking the walk, not just talking the talk", I hereby submit my list of what I think GM must do - at breakneck speed - not only to flourish, but ensure survival.
1. There is only one priority - Restore consumer confidence in the GM brand. This is job one - without it, we all lose our money (and more jobs). Consumer confidence in the brand and the corporate reputation have hit all time lows. This has to be the focus - from executive level on down to dealers and the assembly line folks. This is a long term excercise and must be the focal point of the "new GM".
2. Revolutionize the culture. This might be even harder than number one, but if we regress to union fighting managment it's all over. Every single employee has to drink the Kool Aid and be part of the new GM - including dealers. A new spirit is essential and it must focus on the customer - not the pension plan or more bailout dollars. The culture must be innovative and aligned to compete in the new global realities. Pride and workmanship and quality must shine through.
3. Evangelze dealers as brand ambassadors. No more plaid jackets and gimmicky pricing. Dealers and staff are the front line for GM - they must be smart, professional and "consultative" in selling - not high priced commission types.
4. GM must re-invent marketing - especially their web site and advertising strategy. GM's web site compared to best of breed Mercedes, is a joke. The experience is dismal and does not even allow you to book a test drive online! This is 2010 - that stuff is basic! As for the millions spent on advertising, - time to hire a new agency and re-visit strategy - starting with alignment between the manufacturer/brand spending and dealer or association campaigns. We are tired of "specials " and "deals" and "rebates' - give us great ads, that tell us why we should buy the cars and simplify the price message (Benchmark Hyundai!)
5. Make global supply chain managment a core executive competency. If you cannot accurately forecast demand, and constantly overproduce and end up with high ivnentories you do not deserve a dime of tax payer money. GSCM needs to be executive mandated and drilled into product managment.
6. Deliver and experience. Exceed expecations across the board - from early online looking to dealer test drive visits to service and follow up - integrate the customer experience from top to bottom. Bring this to warranty - make it easy for us to love you.
7.Drive innovation across the organization. This is part of the cultural mandate and innovation in product planning through to retail experience is essential to win back customers. Don't confuse "no charge oil change" with innovation!
8. Stop the infighting. By now everyone has skin in the game - the unions, managment, government, dealers, bondholders, and the enitre auto eco-system. Focus on the basics and the customers - this constant internal warrring is winning you nothing.
9. Bring in some outside talent. Year over year results have proven the need for some expertise beyond "car guys". Hire some creative folks with unique skill sets in areas of retailing, product development online and web marketing - forget hiring guys from other car companies.
10. Prove you can make decisions fast. You need to demonstrate intense managment capabilities now more than ever - and truly move at the speed of light. Not everything is going to go as planned, even with the influx of new cash - so don't vascilate - make changes quickly.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Will this work?
Latest on GM Canada's Restructuring Progress
The Governments of Canada and Ontario have approved our comprehensive plan, enabling General Motors of Canada to complete our restructuring and launch a more competitive, stronger new GM Canada, building on our award winning vehicles.
GM customers can confidently continue to purchase and service their vehicles and take full advantage of GM’s leading warranty coverage throughout this process. We stand by our commitment to deliver vehicles with world-class fuel economy, safety, quality, and innovation.
Thank you to our loyal customers, the largest customer base in Canada, for your unwavering support. I would also like to thank all our stakeholders, including employees, retirees, the CAW, dealers and suppliers, as well as the Canadian and Ontario Governments, who have made it possible to lay the foundation for a new GM Canada. We are intensely focused on building a leaner, greener company that will be competitive over the long term.
As we move forward with the reinvention of our company, I hope you share in our enthusiasm for a great new future. To track our progress visit gm.ca
Thank you for your continued support.
Arturo Elias
President,
General Motors of Canada Limited
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
New Yorker Cover Art, Painted With an iPhone
THIS IS WHY THIS PRODUCT IS SO COOL AND DISRUPTIVE - THIS IS AMAZING APP AND THE PR VALUE FROM THIS IS OFF THE RICHTER SCALE!
STEPHANIE CLIFFORD
Published: May 24, 2009
Some people send text with their iPhones, and some play games. The artist Jorge Colombo created this week’s cover for The New Yorker with his.
Mr. Colombo drew the June 1 cover scene, of a late-night gathering around a 42nd Street hot dog stand, entirely with the iPhone application Brushes. Because of the smears and washes of color required by the inexact medium, it comes off as dreamy, not sharp and technological.
“The best feature of it is that it doesn’t feel like something that was done digitally; quite the opposite,” said Françoise Mouly, the art editor for The New Yorker. “All too often the technology is directed in only one direction, which is to make things more tight, and this, what he did very well, is use this technology for something that is free flowing, and I think that’s what makes it so poetic and magical.”
Mr. Colombo bought his iPhone in February, and the $4.99 Brushes application soon after, and said the portability and accessibility of the medium appealed to him. He began the scene by beginning with the buildings’ structure, then layering on the taxis, neon lights, hot-dog stand and people. (A video of the process is available at newyorker.com beginning on Monday.)
It “made it easy for me to sketch without having to carry all my pens and brushes and notepads with me, and I like the fact that I am drawing with a set of tools that anybody can have easily in their pocket,” he said. There is one other advantage of the phone, too: no one notices he is drawing. Mr. Colombo said he stood on 42nd Street for about an hour with no interruptions.
“It gives him an anonymity in the big city that an artist with the easel wouldn’t have,” Ms. Mouly said.
“Absolutely nobody can tell I am drawing,” Mr. Colombo said. “In fact, once I was doing the drawing at some place, and my wife was around, and they asked her why did I have to work so hard? I seemed to be always on my iPhone sending messages.” STEPHANIE CLIFFORD
Friday, May 22, 2009
Lovin, the Merecedes C 300
Click title link to video
I took this car out yesterday and was absolutely blown away and I am madly in love with it. I have jsut had the best overall customer experience of my life - the online interface is outstanding and booking a test drive was a breeze. The follow up from call centre was prompt and courteous, and the visit to dealership (Mississauga) was amazing - great people and exquistie attention to detail.
I am falling madly in love.....
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
GM & Chrysler Woes continue
Question of the Day?
If you were in the market for a new car, would you buy a Chrysler or General Motors model right now?
Yes 30%
No 60%
Not sure 10%
21414 responses, not scientifically valid, results updated every minute. (This may not scientifically be valid, but based on everything I hear, it sure as hell is!)
If you were in the market for a new car, would you buy a Chrysler or General Motors model right now?
Yes 30%
No 60%
Not sure 10%
21414 responses, not scientifically valid, results updated every minute. (This may not scientifically be valid, but based on everything I hear, it sure as hell is!)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Obama Cap - this is great marketing!
White Sox design Obama cap
Print This Story By ERIC FISHER
Staff writer
Published January 26, 2009 : Page 04
The Chicago White Sox are aiming to release a President Barack Obama-themed version of their cap in time for the start of spring training.
The club has developed two prototype designs of its club hat with Obama marks on the side and back. The hats have been approved by MLB Properties, and the White Sox now are awaiting a formal blessing from the Obama administration before league licensee New Era goes into production. Both designs will be made if accepted by Obama.
The White Sox enjoy a special relationship with the newly inaugurated president due to his roots in south Chicago. Should the hat happen as intended, proceeds from its sale would be donated to charities, likely ones that provide services near U.S. Cellular Field.
The team needs approval from
the president before it can
start selling the caps.Retail distribution would likely be tied, at least at the outset, to official league and club channels, such as the team’s stadium store and MLB.com’s online shop, but a wider release could occur should demand warrant it.
“We know exactly what we want to do with this [hat]. It’s just a matter now of getting sign-off from Obama’s camp, going through the proper channels and moving forward,” said Brooks Boyer, White Sox vice president and chief marketing officer.
“We’re very excited. This is somebody who’s obviously a White Sox fan, but more importantly, really embraces and embodies the attributes of our brand: the notions of pride, passion and tradition we rally around. He’s made it hip to be a White Sox fan,” Boyer said.
Sales of all White Sox hats have surged 25 percent since Obama’s election in early November compared with the same period a year ago. Obama himself is not part of that increase, as club officials have tried unsuccessfully to give him a fresh replacement for an older, tattered White Sox cap he owns.
The club is devising other marketing and merchandising opportunities around its most powerful fan and have developed an area within the team’s official Web site devoted to Obama.
While team officials said there is not a concern about upsetting conservative-leaning White Sox fans, pointing to baseball’s historic role as a political unifier, they are aiming to draw a careful line about how much they do in connection with the president.
“We don’t want to be overly opportunistic and exploit this,” Boyer said.
Sports marketing executives with Chicago ties said the club’s Obama embrace did not run much immediate risk of backfiring.
“Short-term, at least, this is a very smart business play,” said Tom Fox, former Gatorade and Wasserman Media Group executive. “There’s a tremendous amount of good will around this guy right now, regardless of political affiliation. As time goes on, and his positions in office become more defined, you do run some risk of this becoming more of a polarizing thing, but not in the short run.”
Reader Comments
Monday, February 2, 2009
NCAA Hockey on Sportsnet
I am fascinated watching this NCAA product on Sportsnet - a great game between Harvard Crimson and Boston College - the Beanpot Tournament. Big crowds wearing their alma matter sweaters, everyone cheering and even national TV. Pretty good for a market that is not supposed to be a hot bed of hockey. No wonder so many of our finest are now leaving the ranks of Junior A and going for the full ride US college route.
We have many problems with our fine public university system - not to mention TA and bus strikes preventing students from actually going to school - however, we need a better system of keeping our best athletes in this country.
Lets discuss this - what should we do?
We have many problems with our fine public university system - not to mention TA and bus strikes preventing students from actually going to school - however, we need a better system of keeping our best athletes in this country.
Lets discuss this - what should we do?
Monday, January 5, 2009
GO CANADA GO!!!!!
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