Summary
The feud between Activision and former Infinity Ward employees are getting heated up, as the ex employees are suing their publisher for a maximum of half a billion dollars. Under the name "Infinity Ward Employee Group" (IWEG), they are accusing Activision of breach of contract.
The group which is comprised of 38 people and were part of the creative team behind the game Modern Warfare 2, are after a hefty sum of unpaid royalties. According to one of the attorneys, Activision owes the group about $54 million in profits from 2009 and it wasn't just a simple case of 'I forgot'. Apparently, Activision withheld the money to force some employees to stay against their will to finish Modern Warfare 3.
Connection
This article relates to about two different parts in the chapter "Store Policies and Procedures"; Records management policies and Employee conduct policies.
The book doesn't delve deep into employee compensations or wages but the fact of the matter is that the company withheld the money against the employee's wishes. This really does call for major lawsuit after all the hard work they put into making the game. The book talks a bit about safety for employees but not in any sense of wages or bonuses.
Reflections
I feel that this was really a case of poor decision making by the big bosses of Activision. This is a really big company with huge revenues. What the employees deserved in terms of bonuses were really peanuts compared to what the company is raking in each month. I believe this has tarnished the company's image but the biggest hit would be that the whole creative team of the game quit. And this is a game that has won a lot of critically acclaimed awards upon its release.
A big blow in terms of future investments, Activision has made a huge mistake by doing such a thing and only time will tell what happens to this great Call of Duty franchise.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Black Friday, or Bleak Friday?
http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14973087
Summary
Black Friday is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season in America, which falls on November 27th of this year. People start queuing outside shops to be the first to get their hands on an amazing item that is selling way below retail price. Black Friday is also an attempt for retailers to get back on their feet if they are having a bad year. This is the most important time of the year for retailers as they really look for a boost in sales. Even though nowadays online retailing is really growing big, it only accounts for 6% of all retail sales in America. Online retailing is a real threat for conventional retailing as people order stuff online and by doing that, it is hampering sales of Bricks-and-mortar shops.
Connection
The book "Marketing Today" does not include the nonstore retailer Online Retailing, and it is becoming a big part of our lives these days. We rely on buying stuff off the internet rather than going to an actual store as it saves money and saves time. Retailers like Factory Outlets are also losing business because of online retailers. Even though factory outlets sell stuff for cheap, people would still rather sit at home, go on the internet and order whatever they want to buy. The most hard hit of all retailers would be specialty stores. Stores that sell specific products such as books or certain type of clothing is really hit by the recession and the emergence of online retailing. On the other hand Department Stores like Sears, The Bay, get a lot out of Black Friday. Sadly there is no such thing as Black Friday in Canada, all we have is Boxing Day and that is practically at the end of the year in late December.
Reflection
To me, this a really sad situation that the retailers are in. They have to rely on days like Black Friday or even Boxing Day here in Canada to get sales. Throughout the whole year they just lay back and wait for customers to slowly trickle by.
This article also digs deep into how the nonstore retailer, online retailing, is really putting salt on the wounds of conventional retailers. After the recession sales for the stores haven't been that great anyway and with online retailing growing so fast, it seems dark days are in the horizon for bricks-and-mortar shops.
Summary
Black Friday is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season in America, which falls on November 27th of this year. People start queuing outside shops to be the first to get their hands on an amazing item that is selling way below retail price. Black Friday is also an attempt for retailers to get back on their feet if they are having a bad year. This is the most important time of the year for retailers as they really look for a boost in sales. Even though nowadays online retailing is really growing big, it only accounts for 6% of all retail sales in America. Online retailing is a real threat for conventional retailing as people order stuff online and by doing that, it is hampering sales of Bricks-and-mortar shops.
Connection
The book "Marketing Today" does not include the nonstore retailer Online Retailing, and it is becoming a big part of our lives these days. We rely on buying stuff off the internet rather than going to an actual store as it saves money and saves time. Retailers like Factory Outlets are also losing business because of online retailers. Even though factory outlets sell stuff for cheap, people would still rather sit at home, go on the internet and order whatever they want to buy. The most hard hit of all retailers would be specialty stores. Stores that sell specific products such as books or certain type of clothing is really hit by the recession and the emergence of online retailing. On the other hand Department Stores like Sears, The Bay, get a lot out of Black Friday. Sadly there is no such thing as Black Friday in Canada, all we have is Boxing Day and that is practically at the end of the year in late December.
Reflection
To me, this a really sad situation that the retailers are in. They have to rely on days like Black Friday or even Boxing Day here in Canada to get sales. Throughout the whole year they just lay back and wait for customers to slowly trickle by.
This article also digs deep into how the nonstore retailer, online retailing, is really putting salt on the wounds of conventional retailers. After the recession sales for the stores haven't been that great anyway and with online retailing growing so fast, it seems dark days are in the horizon for bricks-and-mortar shops.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Shockvertising: Is it working?
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/todays-paper/shockvertising+spreads+through+media+clutter/2145422/story.html
Summary
This article is about how a woman was allegedly being stalked by a marketing campaign that included emails, videos and even a guy following you. She started a $10 million lawsuit accusing Toyota.
Nowadays with the demand for being noticed, 'Shockvertising' will only increase. It has become a major point now in marketing as big companies like Boost Mobile, Diesel, Aylmer pasta and MTV Canada have started this new trend of shockvertising. There are of course risks to this new trend, there has to be a limit, otherwise going too far will land companies in huge lawsuits sort of like Toyota, where 10,000 people like the ad and just one is rebelling against it.
Connections
Companies are taking big risks by turning to shockvertising. Its true that some people are getting offended but majority of the people will probably enjoy it and remember the company that the commercial was advertising. The more odd and obscene it is, the more it will be stuck in our heads. They are in a way using demographics and niche marketing at the same time. Using demographics, they can see which media they can apply shockvertising to (Internet, newspaper etc.), and get success. Then with that information, they can easily make the advertisement unique so it appeals to a certain group of people that they are targeting. This would be niche marketing.
And what is allowing all the companies to do this? Freedom. The freedom that lets them do whatever they want. Even send people after you, follow your every move.
Reflections
In the end, I give thumbs up to all those cool and unique ads, but thumbs down to companies like Toyota and their extreme usage of shockvertising. For ads like Aylmer Pasta that show an angry chef, I'm fine with that. There could be an angry chef in a kitchen; there probably is one in every single kitchen. What Toyota did was unacceptable. If I were the lady I would've have sued them for even more. From the company’s point of view, this allows them to put up more controversial ads that may put them on the spot but it will also give them the limelight they have always wanted. And as for me, I will be keeping an eye out for these unique "shockvertisments."
Summary
This article is about how a woman was allegedly being stalked by a marketing campaign that included emails, videos and even a guy following you. She started a $10 million lawsuit accusing Toyota.
Nowadays with the demand for being noticed, 'Shockvertising' will only increase. It has become a major point now in marketing as big companies like Boost Mobile, Diesel, Aylmer pasta and MTV Canada have started this new trend of shockvertising. There are of course risks to this new trend, there has to be a limit, otherwise going too far will land companies in huge lawsuits sort of like Toyota, where 10,000 people like the ad and just one is rebelling against it.
Connections
Companies are taking big risks by turning to shockvertising. Its true that some people are getting offended but majority of the people will probably enjoy it and remember the company that the commercial was advertising. The more odd and obscene it is, the more it will be stuck in our heads. They are in a way using demographics and niche marketing at the same time. Using demographics, they can see which media they can apply shockvertising to (Internet, newspaper etc.), and get success. Then with that information, they can easily make the advertisement unique so it appeals to a certain group of people that they are targeting. This would be niche marketing.
And what is allowing all the companies to do this? Freedom. The freedom that lets them do whatever they want. Even send people after you, follow your every move.
Reflections
In the end, I give thumbs up to all those cool and unique ads, but thumbs down to companies like Toyota and their extreme usage of shockvertising. For ads like Aylmer Pasta that show an angry chef, I'm fine with that. There could be an angry chef in a kitchen; there probably is one in every single kitchen. What Toyota did was unacceptable. If I were the lady I would've have sued them for even more. From the company’s point of view, this allows them to put up more controversial ads that may put them on the spot but it will also give them the limelight they have always wanted. And as for me, I will be keeping an eye out for these unique "shockvertisments."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Disney buys Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion
http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/31/news/companies/disney_marvel/index.htm
Summary
This article is about how Disney bought Marvel Entertainment, owners of your very own Spider-man and Wolverine, for $4 Billion. This news came as a shock to many faithful followers of Marvel Comics as people flooded the internet to find out more about what happened this massive comic industry.
In a conference call with investors, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said the deal will allow Disney to sell Marvel's vast array of characters and properties across different media platforms and in many markets. This deal would give Disney an opportunity to market more content that would appeal more to boys and girls alike, a market that keeps on getting stronger and stronger
Connections
Disney made a major decision in buying Marvel. During a tough economic time, they made a right choice by cementing themselves as the strongest in the entertainment business.
Disney might as well took into account the channels of distribution as well as promotion, of the marketing mix. Marvel has a huge fan base, that now would be fan's of Disney. All comics including X-Men, Spiderman, Wolverine etc., will now be sold as a product of Disney, not Marvel. $4 billion is just peanuts for Disney, in the long run, they will earn billions with the help of Marvel. Now not only will they gain more publicity with newer fans but will retain old faithfuls because of their love of the comics and their characters.
Marvel has over 5,000 characters in their library. Combining them with Disney, is what they are planning. From comics, to video games to toys for young boys.
Perhaps Mickey Mouse as a villain in one of Wolverine's comics?
Reflection
In the end, I give Disney a big thumbs up for what they did. I think it was a glorious decision in taking over Marvel. This will seriously boost their revenues and assets. But from Marvel's point of view. I believe they should have gone down with a fight. After all, they have a huge industry with an even bigger fan base.
As a Marvel fan myself, I do fear that Disney in some way might try to merge characters from both the universe, this will truly tarnish all the hard work that Marvel put into making their characters into what they are now.
Summary
This article is about how Disney bought Marvel Entertainment, owners of your very own Spider-man and Wolverine, for $4 Billion. This news came as a shock to many faithful followers of Marvel Comics as people flooded the internet to find out more about what happened this massive comic industry.
In a conference call with investors, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said the deal will allow Disney to sell Marvel's vast array of characters and properties across different media platforms and in many markets. This deal would give Disney an opportunity to market more content that would appeal more to boys and girls alike, a market that keeps on getting stronger and stronger
Connections
Disney made a major decision in buying Marvel. During a tough economic time, they made a right choice by cementing themselves as the strongest in the entertainment business.
Disney might as well took into account the channels of distribution as well as promotion, of the marketing mix. Marvel has a huge fan base, that now would be fan's of Disney. All comics including X-Men, Spiderman, Wolverine etc., will now be sold as a product of Disney, not Marvel. $4 billion is just peanuts for Disney, in the long run, they will earn billions with the help of Marvel. Now not only will they gain more publicity with newer fans but will retain old faithfuls because of their love of the comics and their characters.
Marvel has over 5,000 characters in their library. Combining them with Disney, is what they are planning. From comics, to video games to toys for young boys.
Perhaps Mickey Mouse as a villain in one of Wolverine's comics?
Reflection
In the end, I give Disney a big thumbs up for what they did. I think it was a glorious decision in taking over Marvel. This will seriously boost their revenues and assets. But from Marvel's point of view. I believe they should have gone down with a fight. After all, they have a huge industry with an even bigger fan base.
As a Marvel fan myself, I do fear that Disney in some way might try to merge characters from both the universe, this will truly tarnish all the hard work that Marvel put into making their characters into what they are now.
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