CBS expects to buy half of TV Guide Network

"CBS is expected to pay about $100 million to buy out the TV Guide Network stake held by One Equity Partners, the private-equity arm of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. OEP owns 49% of TV Guide Network, with an option to buy another 1%. A deal could be announced as early as next week, one of the people said."

TV Guide Network (TVGN) as the name suggests has been known as source of listing for channel suffers. Since cables and satellites operators implemented interactive channel listening and programming, TVGN has lost relevance. In order to innovate and keep its position in the market TV Guide Network started offering its own programming. TVGN is not as successful as it used to be, but it is in 80 million U.S. households. TVGN's reach is very appealing to CBS, who also owns Showtime and CBS sports.  Lions Gate, who owns 51% of TVGN, hopes to see growth in the network if the deal is confirmed. It would be interesting to see what CBS would bring to the table and what would CBS gain besides market share if this deal is approved.   

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324557804578377021176087656.html

Pope Francis Talks About Sustainability And Well-Being

" 'I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: Let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.' He added:  ' We must not be afraid of goodness or even tenderness.' "

In his inauguration mass as the new leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, Pope Francis communicated to the world his appeal to the protection of the weak, the poor and the environment. In other words, he is endorsing the triple bottom line business model - people, profit and planet.  He also mentioned that being humble and caring are not signs of weakness.  “Let us never forget that authentic power is service,” he said. “Only those who serve with love are able to protect.” In addition, he entitled each one of us to be protectors of the gift that God has given to us, including the environment we live in.  Since day one he showed to be humble by asking the people to pray for him. He should be a great example of a honest, humble and caring leader to Catholics and non Catholics all over the world.     

Source:http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/19/17367434-at-inauguration-pope-francis-appeals-for-protection-of-poor-environment?lite

I Know How She Does It

"But she is likely to find that nagging men and women to change their natures is a more daunting task than anything she does at her day job."

Sheryl Sandberg, 43 years old, mother of two young children, former vice president at Google, and current chief operating officer at Facebook wrote a new book called "Lean In". She intends to encourage women to be powerful and fearful. She believes that women are holding back their careers since women earn 57% of college degrees and 60% of master's degrees but there are still very few women in the board rooms. She wants to encourage women to go out there and behave "like man". Women are not in the board room not because of their capacity to run a business, but because many of them just don't want to. She said that once she had a question from a girl about how to balance family and work. She says that this girl was recently graduated and that she didn't even had a boyfriend yet. The society expects women to be a superhero - mom, housewife and CEO. The society says "I don't know how she does it", I know how she does it - she tried, she made it happened and she kept it up. It is not about who is better or worse or the biological difference between men and women, is about doing what you want to do and believing that you can do anything you want whether you are man or woman.  This book has had many different reviews, but one agreement among them is that she sure will find out that the task she has taken is far more challenging than anything she has done before. This book will definitely be in my "To Read" list. 

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324735304578356643109954604.html?mod=us_most_pop_newsreel

March Madness - Who Will Be The Next Pope?

"Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to resign in six centuries, created a very rare air in the pre-conclave period because believers haven't flocked to Rome to mourn the death of their pope."

The papal conclave to elect the new head of the Catholic Church begins this Tuesday. The election of a new pope has always been an international event, but not like it has been this time. People look at the papal race as a World Cup or a Championship. There are games in Las Vegas, brackets all over the country, and even online games that anyone can play to bet in your favorite candidate. In addition, every country is campaigning for their favorite candidate. The Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan said that the president of Nigeria told him " 'they should give it to us this time'…They all say, 'We are voting for you,' and I have to tell them they're not voting." Their intention to vote do not matter. Their prayer may help, but not their vote or money. It is the "March Madness", not because of basketball but because of the Vatican. This is a historic moment and I have no doubt that there will be still many news about the March Madness of the Vatican until the next pope is elected. In the meantime people should gamble less and pray more so we can have a strong leader blessed by God to be Peter's successor. A pope doesn't only influence the way the Catholic church is governed, but he also influences the relationship among Catholicism and other religions, and how Catholics behave in the society. 

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323826704578354131939902530.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop#project%3DPAPABILE0213%26articleTabs%3Darticle

Electronic Dance Music

"EDM's revenues are going up, while the broader music market's are heading south. For its technologically deft fans, this is not about buying and downloading songs, it's about being there. Devices can isolate; frantic EDM-infused festivals unite." Jan 25th

Electronic dance music (EDM) events are the place to advertise if the company aim to reach Millennials and Generation Z. The EDM sound is universal. The same DJ can be understood by many different crowds. The language and culture are not a barriers for this type of music. Duch-born Tiesto, for example, has earned $22 million dollars last year as result of his international tours. He has fans all over the world. The biggest EDM promoter in the US, named Insomniac, "sold more than a million tickets last year; 300,000 people came to one three-day fest". The public that listen to this type of music prefer to enjoy the event experience rather than listen to the music alone. It is no surprise that the EDM's revenues and popularity are going up. Generations that have been connected online since birth are now looking forward to be connected in person. Marketing in this type of event is the right marketing strategy for companies that want to reach Generations Y and Z. 

High Payroll Taxes And Its Impact in The Food Industry

 

"Darden Restaurants Inc., which owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster, cut its fiscal-year profit and revenue outlook, citing "headwinds" from consumers pinched by higher payroll taxes and gasoline prices" Feb 22nd

The restaurant industry is very sensitive to the changes in the economy. Darden Restaurants, Inc. has passed through hard moments to keep their restaurant chains profitable. Customers don't go to restaurants when they don't have disposable income. To solve these problems restaurants need to elaborate their marketing strategic plan focusing in offering the best cost benefit on their food and services. In addition, they should decrease the portion size increasing revenue. It is not an easy job for a restaurant to stay in businesses while unemployment rates are high along with payroll taxes and gasoline price. Darden Restaurants needs to re-think its food marketing in order to keep its resuaturants chains profitable.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324503204578320140228148284.html?KEYWORDS=Olive+Garden  

The New Generation of Fashionistas

"Remember clapping? As in when a fashion designer puts on his runway finale and then takes a bow before an adoring crowd. The fashion hordes these days are way too busy tweeting, Instagramming and taking video with their smartphones to put those busy hands together" Feb 9^th 2013

Technology has inspired changes in many industries. In the fashion industry, where trend and innovations are admired by its followers, the use of smartphone to snap pictures of the shows and transmit information is more common everyday. Using their smartphones audiences can take pictures from their seats and post reviews online before the models are off the runway. The feedback is so much faster than it was years ago. Designers are developing strategies to use this fast feedback to their advantage. Donna Karan and Helmut Lang, for example, offered to people unable to attend to the event the opportunity to watch the show through phone apps. In addition, others designers offer incentives such a donation to a charity based on the times a specific hashtag( #) is used in the reviews. This is a new generation and the fashion world, more than any other industry, needs to adapt to this flat world.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP4c1a605677de40de8a5beab2ba6e43d4.html?KEYWORDS=the+sound+of+new+york+fasion+week#articleTabs%3Darticle

"Evil Empire" an insult that became a blessing

“A panel of judges in Washington, D.C., issued a ruling this month against a company called Evil Enterprises that has been trying since 2008 to trademark the phrase "Baseballs Evil Empire." The company sells T-shirts and hats that mash up familiar Yankees iconography with pitchforks and devil's tails.” Feb 23, 13

Yankees have won a legal victory against Evil Enterprises to guarantee that there is only one “Evil Empire” in Baseball. The team has used this trademark since it received the nickname from Lary Lucchino, President of the Boston Red Socks team, after Yankees signed Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras in 2002. Lucchino meant to insult the team, but Yankees used it to their marketing advantage. The team embraced the nickname and uses the slogan to promote a powerful and fearful image in the baseball league. As a matter of fact they have always played Star Wars music at home games since Lucchino’s comments. What a good way to use an insult to your advantage!

 Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP10e11593b23d43f8bbf85f768e6b62e6.html?KEYWORDS=%22Yankees%3A+Yes+We%27re+%27Evil%27+%22

Facebook, is my timeline safe?

 "Facebook said on Friday that it [has} been the target of a series of attacks by an unidentified hacker group, but it had found no evidence that user data was compromised." Feb 16th, 2013

Last year Facebook introduced the timeline feature to its users. Facebook's intent was that its users would add to their timeline things like baby pictures, wedding date, and personal information that happened prior to the date they joined Facebook. The company wanted users to upload all types of information about themselves so they would be emotionally attached to Facebook increasing the opportunity cost of changing social media network website. These changes increased Facebook's responsibility on protecting its users information. Last Friday, Facebook published in its blog that it has been target of a series of hacker attacks. It will probably not be the last time a hacker group attacks the social media network website. This article made me think about my personal strategy on publishing my life and my interests on Facebook. I don't post my social security number, but I certainly post my niece's pictures and my engagement photos. How much is too much? What can a hacker group do with my information? Social Media world is growing faster than our ability to protect our information.   


Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/16/net-us-usa-social-facebook-idUSBRE91E16O20130216

Heart Attack Grill Spokesman Dies of Heart Attack

 

"John Alleman, the unofficial spokesman for the hospital-themed fast food chain [ Heart Attacked Grill], suffered a heart attack last week and was taken off life support Monday"

This story would be funny if it wasn't tragic. The theme and name of a brand are very important factors in advertising a product and service. In this case, the fast food chain "Heart Attack Grill" intends to play with the words and admit that burgers are not healthy but they are delicious. The death of John Alleman was unfortunate, but of course it made the news.     

Source: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/weird/NATL-Heart-Attack-Grill-Spokesman-Dies-of-Heart-Attack--190796301.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_CTBrand

American beer industry is half full

"The U.S. beer industry is largely controlled by two big players: AB InBev, owner of Bud Light and Budweiser, and MillerCoors, maker of the Coors Light brand. Modelo, whose Corona is the best-selling imported beer in the U.S., runs a distant third, with 7% of U.S. beer sales, according to the Justice Department. Together, AB InBev and Modelo would control about 46% of U.S. sales."

The U.S authorities seek to block the deal between Bud Light's maker Anheuser-Busch InBev with Group Modelo, owner of the Corona brand. If the deal is not block, these two brands would hold 46% of U.S. sale. The U.S decision to block these two companies to merge is a strategy to keep the beer market competitive. Furthermore, It is important to protect small beer companies interests as well since small business keep the economy healthy. They employee people and generate income taxes. Moreover, U.S. intends to avoid beer prices to increase protecting customer's interests. 

Sorce: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323701904578275821720321186.html?mod=WSJ_business_LeadStoryCollection