Response to Haley's Post

I do think that pipeline transportation is beneficial because it is a new way to transport resources from one way to another. If you think about it, it is a brilliant tactic that many companies are now implimenting. When I first heard about pipeline transportation in my Climate Change Geology class I found it to be particularly fascinating. That oil, energy and any other form of resource could be shipped under ground is quite unusal. But if you think about it rather than using a truck that burns even more fossil fuels many companies are eliminating as much as possible their impact on the planet. This is known as their carbon footprint. By initating programs such as under ground pipelines it saves from costly spending on transportation and over use of fossil fuels. I know recently in Alaska there has been big contraversy surrounding the use of underground pipelines because of the havic it could have on species that live in the Alaskan frontier. This new and exciting way of transporting resources may be beneficial to humans but it is also associated with some externalized costs. Costs that many do not take into consideration, the impacts that may harm native species and displace many.


Do you think it is wise to use under ground pipelines? Environmental Costs?

Response to Ariana's Post on Louis Vuitton Model

I feel as though Louis Vuitton products are for a real selective market thus making the product even more expensive and selective to make. The amount of time that actually goes into making the product shows the real quality of the product. Price is based off of quality and when a consumer is spending over $3,000 for a handbag or wallet they want something of genuine leather and good quality. I know from time to time I have often considered purchasing a Louis Vuitton wallet or brief case. The only thing that is really stopping me is my income and the price of the product. The working middle class and upper class can afford products of this magnitude, where as a student working a part time job certainly cannot. I know eventually if I have a good job I would like to treat myself to something as nice as a Louis Vuitton product but right now it is not realistic. Their target market is so narrow and geared toward a more wealthy consumer but as with anything status is everything and Louis Vuitton is well known for quality products at an expensive price.


Would you be willing to spend over $3,000 on a wallet if it is of good quality? (If you had $3,000 to just "spend" at your disposal)

Environmental Marketing

When I think of the planet I think of blue skies, fresh air, green grass or in New England from November-April some snow. But do you really think of what organizations are doing to preserve that fresh air and green grass that we love so much? And how they are using marketing to help them get a message across that we are in an environmental crisis with this whole debate on climate change. The other day I was driving home from the mall on I-91 and I saw a billboard explaining the benefits of carpooling and how we are at an all time high currently with CO2 emissions. It was kind of like a public service announcement on a billboard. But we also see public service announcements pertaining to CO2 emissions and global climate change. Take this commercial below for example recently portrayed on the television. All you see is depression and loss. The United States Global Climate Research team is trying to get viewers to feel the emotions of hurt and loss. You can see how the polar bear is devastated with the mass extinction. This commercial is marketed towards citizens that do not really know the implications of climate change. It teaches a public service announcement. Last year I took a global climate change class and we learned the implications of climate change and how sea levels are growing at an ever so quick rate do to the melting of the polar ice caps. I feel as though marketing plays a big role in day to day learning. Without public service announcements like this commercial aired in 2010 many who do not know about the impacts of climate change would continue to burn up large quantities of CO2 and harm our atmosphere, continue to watch sea levels rise and result in a mass extinction. It is horrible to think about but the United States Global Climate Research team is using marketing strategies such as this commercial to express the growing concerns and implications of climate change; disaster.

Do you think public service announcements are beneficial? Why or Why not?

Response to Ariana's Post- Public Relations!

I would agree that public affairs is the most important factor in public relations. It is important to keep the public involved in the day to day operations of a company. They want to be the #1 driver of a company, the customer is what keeps a company going. So keeping them happy is priority. I would say that if it was not for public affairs and giving the customer what they want then they would not continue to purchase a product. Public affairs brings up a relationship between customers and a product or service. It makes consumers feel appreciated and that their business matters to a company. I know as a consumer that I feel the best when a company really reaches out to me and appreciates my business.

Why do you think it is important for companies to use public relations?

Brand Marketing- Genius!

Have you ever been involved in a trend? Or found yourself wearing a certain brand because others do as well? How about brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, and Polo Ralph Lauren. A lot of consumers choose to wear certain brands just because of the image they portray. When a High Schooler wears an Abercrombie & Fitch sweatshirt with the large Moose logo every one knows what brand they are wearing. An over priced $90 Abercrombie sweatshirt may be a good buy at the moment and it may make one feel more socially ranked. But is it really worth $90? Or how about a $65 Polo shirt; you know you are really just paying for that little man in the right hand side of the shirt riding the horse. Is status everything? In today's society it certainly is. People will pay big bucks for a brand and that brand shows how "weathly" one may be. When in fact they could be in large amounts of credit card debit and do not have the money to really be spending on the product. But status is everything and it is interesting to see that a person can go out of their way to spend large sums of money and the product sells itself. People know that LV symbol on your bag stands for Louis Voutton and they see you have the latest bag then they want to buy it. Or you are wearing that new Ralph Lauren Polo and your classmate likes the color and they see that little polo player on the top side of the shirt so they go out and purchase that new Polo as well. The product markets and sells itself.

Have you ever purchased a product just for the status it may have?

Response to Haley's Post on Starbucks & Barnes & Noble!

I think that it is brilliant that Barnes & Noble include Starbucks in their stores. Like Haley, I enjoy drinking a warm beverage while curled up reading a book. You see a lot of different businesses having relationships with one another. For example, on West Street in Keene there is an Irving gas station and inside it is a Dunkin Donuts. That way if you get hungry while you are getting gas you can go grab a quick cup of coffee or a donut. Also in the Keene Target there is a Starbucks inside that if you get hungry or thirsty while shopping you can grab a cup of coffee or a treat. It is smart that businesses build relationships with one another because in the long run they both win from the situation. I can pick up my laundry detergent from Target and get a cup of coffee and a cookie while I head out the door. Especially if a parent brings a kid with them shopping and they want a cup of hot cocoa they will beg their parents until they give in and buy them something from Starbucks, brilliant!


Do you ever find yourself giving into that temptation? That if you go to Target for a bar of soup or a CD that you end up purchasing a cup of coffee at Starbucks as well?

Pricing Strategies- Walmart

Have you ever wondered through a Walmart before? Ever wonder why and how the company does so well yet keeps their prices so low? Recently I was watching a program on Walmart on MSNBC and read an article from the Business Insider regarding Walmart's pricing strategy. Whenever I walk through a Walmart I see big signs 8.77 or 14.38 and I wonder why are the prices not like everyone else? 8.99 or 14.99? Well, that is where Walmart grabs the consumers attention in their prices. Their motto speaks for itself "Everyday low prices." That is what the company strives for and by cutting prices they help consumers save a few extra cents and make them appreciate Walmart's low price strategy. In the Business Insider article it said that due to the current recession many consumers have had no choice but to cut back on their spending habits and save a little extra cash wherever they can. By keeping prices low, low, low Walmart sales are up and more and more consumers have loyalty to the big box chain. "Walmart taught us all in the '80s, when you get a steady sales process, What happens? You can manage the business better. Walmart knows that by pricing lower they will get more consumers. Wouldn't you rather buy a television for $144.44 then $199.99 I know that I would. Any chance I get to save money I know I cease that opportunity. I feel as though by Walmart branding themselves as a place to shop with everyday low prices is a brilliant marketing tactic and it is truly what makes them so successful, and that is certainly what distinguishes them from their competitors. 

How do you feel about Walmart's pricing strategy? Do you think that it is clever? 

Article Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-walmart-can-pull-off-everyday-low-prices-while-everyone-else-keeps-failing-2012-9