Week 4 EOC: iPhone App idea

With the creation of Spotify in today’s music scene it would seem more mobile apps would be available to work with it. Spotify is a database collection of music so that you never need to download music to your mobile device. (http://www.spotify.com)  All music is played live virtually giving you access to millions of tracks of music. With the popularity of Spotify in the last few months you would think it would have more mobile apps that work with it. As of right now Spotify is popular amoung “Innovators”. Not many people know about it so less people are jumping on the bandwagon to join. “People differ greatly in their readiness to try new products.” (Armstrong and Kotler, 156) Since it is such a new product not many people are ready to leave a product they are comfortable with, iTunes, to make the switch to Spotify. Spotify recently verged with Facebook so that your friends could see what you were listening to. But what about using it for something useful? An app I would create would give you the ability to remix the music you already own from past purchases, be able to remix them on your phone, and sync the music to Spotify so that any of your friends could be able to listen to the music you created right on your phone. This would be a great tool for music lovers but especially up and coming disc jockeys.

Music is what connects many of us today. Some might like to think Facebook, but really can you think of one person who absolutely does not listen to music? They do exist, but it is very rare. By having an app on your phone that can use the technology of Spotify would further encourage their customers to use their product and also encourage them to tell others to use Spotify. “Customer satisfaction is a key to building profitable relationships with consumers—to keeping and growing consumers and reaping their customer lifetime value. Satisfied customers buy a product again, talk favorably to others about the product, pay less attention to competing brands and advertising, and buy other products from the company.” (Armstrong and Kotler, 154) A similar product available on iTunes at the moment is Romplr. Romplr remixes music directly on your phone, but you may only use music that is available on the app. What if you don’t like any of the choices? By using a service you already pay for monthly, like Spotify, and incorporating more ways to use the product, Spotify could make a more lasting relationship with their customers. Many users of Spotify are satisfied with having access to all the music they love but what would happen if they were given a test trial of a remixing software app that incorporated Spotify? Once the trial was over their want to remix music would become a need. “A need becomes a motive when it is aroused to a sufficient level of intensity. A motive (or drive) is a need that is sufficiently pressing to direct the person to seek satisfaction.” (Armstrong and Kotler, 148)

Giving more freedom with an already amazing product would give Spotify the advantage and possibly increase the number of customers in the future. 

Week 2 EOC: Videos Games

With the growth of technology you can expect the longevity of videos games to decrease. Though game creators have made changes to their gaming systems it has still been lackluster with the advancement in today’s technology. In the gaming market today the most accessible way to play games is literally in the palm of your hand: your cell phone. With the creation of apps for iPhone and Android gaming is so easy that you can have a quick game of “Words with Friends”.  “Many console and PC game sales are also being cannibalized by digitally downloaded games and alternative entertainment sources like Apple Inc.'s iPhone, which offers thousands of games that can cost only 99 cents or even nothing at all.” (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124865158612682399.html#printMode) Mobile devices have become to star of the gaming world. Though Nintendo Wii was a hit with its debut in stores till 2006, it is become the cash cow of Nintendo’s gaming systems. Stores couldn’t keep up with the demand for the Wii in the first two years it was being sold. Though popular for its wireless controller and ability to watch streaming movies, Nintendo has decided to lower its price from $250 to $149.99. Just in time for the holidays. “The Wii along with many of their games became an overnight success when the console was originally introduced. Over the last few years the system has sold a record number of units but due to competition from other gaming console manufacturers, their Wii sales have declined.” (http://thestockmarketwatch.com/stock-market-news/recent-events/nintendo-lowers-cost-of-wii/8258) It seems that the gaming world has their work cut out for them to be innovative for consumers. Even the popular gaming system for younger children, Nintendo 3DS, has seen a decrease in sales. “The company has had a pretty torrid 30 days or so, culminating in the embarrassing news that the PSP is already outselling the 3DS in Japan, not to mention other cases of potential embarrassment such as players complaining of headaches and the 3DS’s price tag coming under scrutiny.” (http://gamerant.com/nintendo-3ds-sales-terry-78821/)  It’s easy to say that Nintendo 3DS is the dog of the gaming system. With all the different gaming systems out there one that doesn’t make news as much is computerized games. Though games like Sims and World of Warcraft survive the market, how are they able to do this with such little marketing? Both games have a loyal customer base and though they don’t make major changes in the game, new versions and updates are constantly being released. It also helps that to be able to play World of Warcraft you have to pay a monthly subscription. “Blizzard Entertainment, of course, is the Irvine (Calif.)-based maker of the world's most popular and profitable online game, World of Warcraft (WoW), which boasts nearly 11 million monthly subscribers around the globe. The company is also at the heart of the recent $18.9 billion merger with Activision, primarily a maker of console titles such as Guitar Hero and Call of Duty. Born in early July, the newly combined entity, Activision Blizzard (ATVI), is now the industry's biggest player, with projected annual revenues of nearly $4.5 billion.” (http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/aug2008/id20080820_123140.htm) It seems that even a company not making headlines can still make plenty revenue to make a profit and become success. There’s a reason it is considered the “question mark” of the gaming world.  

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

One company always stand out when I think about their customer service. No matter what they always surpass my expectations and I cannot wait till my next interaction with them. That company is Disney. Compared to other companies geared for children and families, Disney is truly the epitome of excellent marketing and customer service. Even through a recession millions of people flock to Disneyland and Disneyworld to experience the “magic”. “Customer relationships and value are especially important in today’s tough economic times, when more frugal consumers are cutting back and spending more carefully.” (Marketing An Introduction, 4) No matter what the tickets prices are to go to Disney, they still manage to never have a slow day. It is there unbelievable loyalty they receive from their customers. The customer knows that they will always have a great time and so year after year they continue to visit and then bring their children and their children bring their children and the cycle continues. The customer service is not only received in their parks. Want to stay on Disney property? Flying in from another state? Disney has is covered. Disney will pick you up from the airport for free and take care of all your baggage. Only thing you have to worry about is planning what to do first once you get there. “The key to building lasting customer relationships is to create superior customer value and satisfaction. Satisfied customers are more likely to be loyal customers and to give the company a larger share of their business.” (Marketing An Introduction, 14) Some like to stay Disney should lower their prices because of the recession. But why should they? They are supplying an amazing product and continue to keep their clients happy. They live by their slogan and keep their promise of “Where Dreams Come True”. 

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

My name is Christine McCall. I am originally from Hollywood, Florida. After deciding to become a photographer I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and began my degree at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. I love all aspect of photography, the work that goes into it all the way to the finished product. When I discovered my love for photography I was attending Florida State University pursuing a degree in social work. I wanted to work with people and help them. After studying aboard in Florence, Italy photography became my haven. I was able to create and express myself without words. Through photography I am able to see things that I do not normally do without my camera, the embrace of two people, or a smile from someone reading a book. My topic of interest is portraits and location photography. I am able to interact with my world as well as the people living in it.