Marketing - McGraw-Hill Introduction to Business

Chipotle Opens Digital-Only Restaurant for Pickup and Delivery

November 17, 2020

Since the start of the pandemic, takeout and delivery orders have taken on outsized importance at restaurants that have been unable to open to full capacity. As a result, some companies are investing in “ghost kitchens” that focus solely on pickup and delivery orders. For instance, last week Chipotle opened its first Digital Kitchen in New York, a location with no dining room that is largely closed off to walk-in customers.

“The Digital Kitchen incorporates innovative features that will complement Continue reading →

Delivery, Entrepreneurship, E-commerce, Restaurants, Food & Drink, Coronavirus, Chipotle, Marketing, Product Distribution, Operations Management

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

E-Commerce Outlet Alibaba Earns $75 Billion on Singles Day

November 12, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Since the 1990s, on November 11th Chinese retailers led by the e-commerce giant Alibaba have celebrated Singles Day with an abundance of discounts and deals. Initially started as a sort of anti-Valentine’s Day and celebration of singlehood, over the years Singles Day has grown into one of the globe’s biggest sales events. In fact, Alibaba said that consumers purchased more than $75 billion worth of products on its site during yesterday’s festivities.

This massive haul represents a 26 percent Continue reading →

Product Development, Promotions, Marketing, Retail, Global, China, Product Distribution, E-commerce, Singles Day, Holidays, Coronavirus

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Demand Surges for Nugget Couches during Pandemic

November 10, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

When lockdowns started to be put in place in March and April, parents across the country took to social media to find out which products would keep their kids entertained at home for extended periods of time. The overwhelming favorite among Facebook groups and blogs soon became the Nugget couch, a microsuede fabric couch that is specifically designed for kids to go crazy on. Although it certainly can be used as regular furniture, the Nugget is mainly designed for fort-building, Continue reading →

Product Distribution, Manufacturing, Coronavirus, Marketing, Operations Management, Ethics, Entrepreneurship, Promotions, Social Media

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion

Fast Food Chains’ Investment in Breakfast Backfires

November 5, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Over the last few years, fast food chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell have invested heavily in breakfast menu items in order to drive up morning sales. This strategy worked for a while as breakfast sales continually increased from previous years and chains poured millions of dollars into marketing the so-called “most important meal of the day.” But like so many other previously successful ventures, the coronavirus pandemic has taken a major toll on the breakfast business.

Morning drive-thru traffic Continue reading →

Product Development, Promotions, Fast food, McDonald’s, Product Distribution, Marketing, Food & Drink

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion

[VIDEO] The Unexpected Death of the Ad Jingle

October 29, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Jingles were once a regular feature of television and radio advertising, but these catchy tunes are no longer as popular with admakers as they used to be. This video looks at the history of jingles in commercials and why they have slowly disappeared in the age of digital advertising.

Questions:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using jingles in modern advertising?
How did the use of music in commercials evolve over the course of the 20th century?

Advertising, Marketing, Music, Product Distribution, Commercials, Product Development, Promotions, Entertainment, Television

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Videos

[VIDEO] How Robots Made This Food Commercial Look Effortless

October 16, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

On the surface, food advertisements don’t seem to be overly complicated. As this detailed video shows, though, filming the average food commercial often requires scientific precision as well as robotic assistance.

Questions:

Why is it important for ad makers to stick closely to what their clients want to see in a commercial?
Do you think it is worth the expense for companies to use robots and other complicated and expensive filming techniques in their ads? Why or why not?

Branding, Promotions, Entertainment, Advertising, Marketing, Automation, Robotics, Food & Drink

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Videos

McDonald’s Boosts Sales Through Marketing Partnerships

October 15, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Despite being one of the largest restaurant chains in the world, McDonald’s experienced a drastic drop in sales at the beginning of the pandemic just like many other businesses. Once the chain recovered from the shock of closing tens of thousands of dining rooms, though, it refocused on streamlining its drive-thru business and menu. McDonald’s also struck a marketing partnership with the rapper Travis Scott for a branded meal that became a bestseller for the month that it was available Continue reading →

Product Development, Promotions, Entertainment, McDonald’s, Product Distribution, Marketing, Food & Drink

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion

Costume Shops Struggle with Low Seasonal Sales

October 6, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

October is usually the month that Halloween store owners look forward to all year round. Adult customers often spend well over $100 on costumes and accessories as they prepare for parties or haunted pub crawls. But with many of these social events now canceled due to the pandemic, Halloween stores are struggling to make up this essential source of revenue. At Lorenzo Caltagirone’s Virginia costume shop, for instance, sales are down 80 percent. “I’ve never been this worried before,” said Continue reading →

Marketing, Product Distribution, Entrepreneurship, Halloween, Seasonal, Supply & Demand, Coronavirus, Health

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion

Movie Studios Hold Back Major Releases as Theaters Stay Empty

September 22, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

On August 27th, Warner Bros. began gradually releasing the movie Tenet in theaters that had been closed for months due to the pandemic. After more than two weeks on American screens, though, the $200 million film has only earned $29.5 million domestically. As a result, Hollywood studios may hold back on releasing major titles until audiences are ready to return. “You can’t do it. The economics won’t allow you to do it,” said one studio executive. “We can’t give [theaters] Continue reading →

Hershey Prepares to Preserve Halloween Sales

September 15, 2020

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

While makers of staple foods like soups and cereals have seen sales skyrocket during the pandemic, candy companies like Hershey have not been so fortunate. With foot traffic down significantly in convenience stores and other shops, consumers are not making as many impulsive treat purchases as they did last year. Still, matters could get even worse for Hershey in the coming months if the company does not have a happy Halloween.

The nearly $800 million haul that the company brings Continue reading →

Coronavirus, Marketing, Promotions, Hershey, Halloween, Holidays, Food & Drink

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion