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Business Marketing: The Power of Words

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 03:56:00 +0000

Business Marketing is one of my favorite subjects to talk about. It encompasses constant innovation and embraces interesting traditions. I love when companies use words, and words only to really connect to their audience. These words can be a slogan, or they can be just representative statements that the company chooses to use to identify themselves with. When thinking of my future businesses and the art of branding, I would definitely want to utilize words to the business' advantage, as they have much power.

Marketing with words gives a company the opportunity to be bold. Billboards and advertisement spaces in newspapers and magazines can be used in a very simple manner yet at the same time convey a very clear message. Companies that are already recognizable to the masses use the power of words effortlessly. Let's take Nike for example. Driving down the street one can notice billboards without a multitude of products pictured everywhere but just words and phrases, following the Nike sign and symbol. Nike's most recognizable words are " Just do it." By using this phrase anywhere, Nike needs to do nothing else to market itself, as "Nike" already registers to most individuals. The brand is instantly recognized because of these famous three words.

Here, we see how words can carry a brand just as strongly as it's products or even famous people that endorse it. Nike is a large company, but the use of words can be used in even the smallest of business operations. In the case one has a company on a much smaller scale than Nike, for instance a cookie shop, words can be used successfully. On all a cookie shop's cookie boxes and tins, instead of plastering the company name everywhere they can place a logo, lets say for instance a picture of a cookie, and place a phrase with it. If I had a cookie shop, I'd use a phrase like "Flour Power." I could start with these words and turn them into "powerful" words by simply making my brand recognizable with this phrase.

What powerful words can you think of to use for your company or for the company ideas you have?

Business Marketing: The Sounds of Success

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 03:48:00 +0000

In this blog post, I'd like to talk about Business Marketing utilizing song. I have been taking more and more notice to TV commercial ads and radio ads that have a sing along song intertwined in their ad. I began wondering if one could use song to advertise anything and advertise any type of business. After some time of intense observation, I realized that yes, one can use song to advertise anything and any type of business.

If you turn on your radio, of course all ads are sound oriented, but notice how many ads have a little jingle to them. Whether it is an auto parts company or a medical company, I have noticed that people take more notice to an ad when it is recognizable by some sort of music based sound. I myself sing along to these catchy advertisements, and I can attest that a company is more memorable to me because of the songs. There are many times when I hear a company name and immediately start singing the ad that I have memorized unconsciously.

On television, whether it is a short Subway jingle like "Eat Fresh," or a long jingle like the one for The General Auto Insurance, ads have a somewhat hypnotizing effect on their listeners and/or viewers when they consistently use a song or jingle that becomes familiar over time, just as your favorite Pop songs do after listening to them many times on the radio. I think this catchy trick of using musical sound as an advertizing and marketing strategy has contributed to many companies successes. Becoming familiar is one general goal most companies want to accomplish, and I think using song is a fast way to accomplish this.

Would you use music and song to promote your business? Do you think doing so is cheesy?

"Expert Views on the Value of Business Plans" Lessons and Inspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:21:00 +0000

In my initial blog for this Business Plan Development course I profiled experts Oprah Winfrey and Mark Cuban. I intend to incorporate what I learned from my research about them by creating a couple of goals for my business based on how they have inspired me. Oprah has taught me to be fearless. No matter what is going on in my life or what has affected my life in my past, I control my today. When it comes to my business, having a plan and focusing on that alone will be the determinant to my success. I will also make sure that no matter what level of success I am in with my business, it is imperative that I stay prepared for any and all opportunities that come my way that can aid me in growing my own empire.

After profiling Mark Cuban, I have learned to never settle with just any amount of success. Cuban flipped his successes many times, and did not ever stop working hard after his first big deals. I will make it a point to never settle, and always keep in mind there is always more I can do with and within my business ventures and there is always more success to be had. I will take pride in the fact accepting anything is never good enough when it comes to my business successes.

Based on the information provided to me by the experts, I have changed my business plan by being more concise and focused. I initially did not have a clear and concise idea about my mission and focus but now that has changed. Overall, I have seen the value of having a focused vision from the experts Oprah Winfrey and Mark Cuban. Being concise goes hand in hand with being organized. Being concise is also a pathway to being able to execute. Being concise, strong, and confident in what I believe in business-wise is the most valuable ideal I could have recognized and learned as an aspiring entrepreneur. This all contributes to why I feel the most important part of my business plan is definitely the Company Description. A focused, concise, business description is where the potential successes of my business will begin.

The Value of Business Plans: Oprah Winfrey and Mark Cuban

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 13 May 2012 06:25:00 +0000

Venture Capitalists and billionaires Oprah Winfrey and Mark Cuban both are known for their full pockets and contagious personalities. Each has their business hands in various industries, and each is very successful.

Oprah Winfrey is a huge media mogul and an inspirational leader to the world. Born in a very rural town of Mississippi she overcame much adversity in her life to reach the level of success she has (Oprah, 1991). After being a talk show host for many years, she began diving into various realms of business as her popularity grew. Oprah used all these business opportunities to contribute to the building of the empire she leads today.

Oprah is a venture capital investor that almost all investors wish they had access to because of the “Oprah Effect” (Investopedia). Oprah’s track record of investments has seemed to primarily focus on the self-help and educational realms. In a business plan I imagine she looks for something that is powerful, captivating. These components are key in a business plan because they grab the attention of the investor, and also create an energy that is exciting. If an investor’s attention is gained, there are no limits to where a potential business deal can go with them. She explains that you must do your homework before creating a business plan (Brewster, 2007) and by doing this your business plan will be something ready to captivate, and it will also ensure you don’t sound like a broken record to an investor.

Mark Cuban may be best known for owning the NBA team the Dallas Mavericks, but in the entrepreneurial realm he is known for taking chances and supporting business ideas he loves. Raised in a middle class family in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Mark Cuban began working at the age of 12 selling garbage bags and has always been known as a “go-getter.” (Biography) In 1990, he sold his first company CompuServe for 6 million dollars. (Biography) Since, Mark has grown his empire to become a billionaire. Being a venture capitalist has played a large role in the growth of his empire, a role he flaunts on ABC’s show “Shark Tank.”

On Shark Tank, budding entrepreneurs present their business plans in a presentation. If moved, Mark Cuban, one of the 4 “Sharks,” invests in the business. (Shark Tank) After watching seasons of the show, I have noticed that a key component Mark Cuba looks for in a business plan is previous successes (if any) and if the plan has the potential to be more than mediocre. Mark Cuban is fiery, and looks for passion when it comes to start-up businesses. Mark states, “Don’t start a company unless it’s an obsession and something you love.” (Cuban, 2012) This tells us that a sense of commitment and dedication is a must to be present in business plans that he may be investing in.

Although Mark Cuban and Oprah Winfrey are very different investors, they both have what it takes to help a business succeed and they each have their ways of telling if they want to do so or not.

Sources:

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Your-Great-Idea-Whose-Time-Has-Come/2

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/oprah-effect.asp - axzz1uj2j4IXP

http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/win0int-1

http://www.biography.com/people/mark-cuban-562656

http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/bio/mark-cuban/727229

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/222524

Businesses Marketing on College Campuses

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:09:00 +0000

In this blog post I would like to talk about marketing on campus universities. While I was an undergraduate at UCLA, I noticed an incredible amount of various companies that marketed on campus. Whether it were by posting flyers all over campus, or having company tents with representatives set up along our “Bruin Walk,” companies always managed to find a way into the view of the tens of thousands of college students that walked through campus on a daily basis. During different seasons of the year, the marketing rush seemed to vary. It was definitely more prominent than others.

I not only noticed the assortment of marketing strategies and presence on campus by various businesses, but I also observed student reactions. Personally, being as busy as I was, all of the companies and offers etc… really began to become a blur after a while. Unless a company was online giving free burgers, like In & Out Burgers would do yearly, or free things like shirts or supplies, my attention was always easily distracted by my tasks at hand and business I needed to attend to. I saw this to be a reaction many of the students on campus had. If a company was offering something free, they were sure to gather the most attention, and in the end the most contract information from students.

An article called “Building a Buzz on campus” on Boston.com highlights that “College students have long been prime targets of corporate marketing because as they shop for themselves for the first time, they are poised to form brand loyalties.” This is very interesting. This train of thinking is used within the same realm of reasoning credit card companies’ use when marketing for college students’ attention. Really, all companies can be seen doing this. Companies push hard to gain the interest of the college generation for hopes they will gain lifelong customers. Living on my college campus, daily I was made to feel like I was a “prime” target. “Building a Buzz on Campus,” also goes to highlight that marketers have their work cut out for them while on campuses because students really follow social media trends and also what their peers like primarily. I definitely agree that it is hard to really succeed at having someone try a product or join a group, etc… when being marketed to on campus unless the company relates to something the college student was previously drawn to or interested in, or perhaps deals with aiding their future aspirations in some way.

Sources cited:

http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2005/10/24/building_a_buzz_on_campus/?page=full

Photo:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDi7O2_2xOTIverkKnwUusl4ReFPaQmgrtghJXxpv-0uWC3FlvIlBCAsxgToRc2-E7mTQLYi4423tOhNSrNUug4ZH07DA2nTJrVXfUD5SLJuIPI4nUMgINGwkAtpmnoOEl4gaYSE_chA/s1600/marketing+strategy1.jpg

Social Media

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:18:00 +0000

This week I would like to write a blog about social media and the dependency on it that continues to grow, much beyond it’s already close to a billion membered groups of followers and participants. Social media has become more than just social media—it has become an outlet for almost everything and anything you can think of. Social media wears the hat not only of a marketer, advertiser, game provider, consumer electronic seller, fashion trend creator, but hundreds of other hats also. Social media has become an accessory to other habits such as watching television, and listening to music. It is a staple for many to keep in contact with friends and family. But some would argue “we” as a people are letting social media go too far. That we are letting social media replace things that should not be replaced such as hand written letters and simple phone calls. Do you agree?

I definitely think that social media has become somewhat of a household staple (if you will) to the masses. Not only are children and businesses using it, but mothers and grandfathers are also using it as well, and very frequently. Social media as a whole has moved beyond the “fad” stage, and has become somewhat of a lifestyle. Alex Priest in “Facebook Dies, Twitter Freaks Out, and We Realize Our Social Media Dependence,” highlights a time when Facebook was down and the response the public over the Internet reacted. It illustrated a direct addiction type of behavior with social media. This addictive nature is what is creating somewhat as an uncomforting energy in society towards excessive social media, but I think that is soon to fade away. Over time the stamp of social media will become more and more bold. There is no stopping it.

And in regards to businesses and social media, there certainly is no way around not only participating in social media, but there is also no way around needing it. Because of the lack of privacy, some businesses have strayed from being involved with social media. I do not think this is smart. What social media represents today means that no businesses owners especially can afford to not participate in social media. “Tapping into Social Media Smarts” by Terri Griffith even encourages business owners to encourage social media participation with it’s own employees. This is an extremely new age idea, but as explained it is important to be open. If everyone keeps social media as the background to daily living, and even business running, I think all will be ok.

Griffith, Terri. “Tapping into Social Media Smarts.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703518704576259252907505330.html

Preist, Alex. “Facebook Dies, Twitter Freaks Out, and We Realize Our Social Media Dependence.”

http://technorati.com/social-media/article/facebook-dies-twitter-freaks-out-and1/

The National Sports Marketing Network

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:23:00 +0000

In this blog post, I’d like to review the National Sports Marketing Network (NSMN). This website initially caught m eye when just doing some research on sports marketing. I like places that present an opportunity for networking and knowledge. According to the front page of the NSMN site, they have been “advancing the sports business industry sine 1998.” Instantly, I feel like I have found an awesome resource for the industry I am thinking about working in one day.

I first notice that there are different chapters, based on location of the NSMN. Right now there are 12 chapters in 12 different cities. There are events in these different chapters that members can attend for free. These events provide opportunities for members to get certain discounts, network with various companies and high profile professionals.

The most critical member benefit I feel is the complimentary job matching and job posting service, career appointments, and twitter workshops. The job matching is an awesome benefit; as usual job boards typically do not have sports marketing based opportunities. The career appointments allow one to make appointment with someone to go over resume etc., in order to be prepared to land a career in sports marketing. The twitter workshop enables people to build their personal brand with the sports business community. I like this a lot, as I have never seen such a structured beneficial layout of opportunity before for those in the sports business realm.

I was looking through the list of Los Angeles chapter members, and I recognize a lot of the big and small names (including Redbull and Ticketmaster). I definitely want to join and go to a couple vents to see really what the NSMN is really about. It looks like there is a large chance of gaining something from participating. The website is structured, organized, straightforward, and easy to browse through.

http://www.sportsmarketingnetwork.com/

LA Sports Marketing--A Website Review

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:15:00 +0000

Being that networking is essential in the sports marketing business, I did some research to see what company’s are in my area that I could contact for opportunities. In this blog I am going to do a website review of the LA Sports Marketing company—www.lasportsmarketing.com

I was pleased to learn from the front page that the company has 43 offices in 33 cities throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For someone visiting their site seeking to be a client, or looking for job opportunities like me, this fact is important. The amount of offices speaks to the company’s success and also attributes to understanding what kind of business the company runs and on what scale.

The bio page only has two bios. I think this is lacking. Out of all the employees the company must have, I think it would be nice to get a feel of the company by having more employees listed.

The career section doe not list opportunities able to be applied to, but yet a general consensus on what type of career opportunities are at the company. I think this is ok, however I would like to know specific positions I am applying to before I apply.

The client portfolio is under construction, and being in business since 2000, I think this is questionable. If I were a client, I would not appreciate this lack of detail. Overall, the site is ok but it needs some work in my opinion. The highlight would be the emphasis of their loyalty and professionalism exerted to their work. The lowlight would definitely be the site structure. It is 2012 and it is very easy to get a modern, catchy, professional site. At this point, the site kind of makes me question what their offices are like and if they would have anything to offer me at all.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Find Themselves in a Media Rights Bind

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:01:00 +0000

A recent issue regarding media rights in sports has been with the baseball team, The Los Angeles Dodgers. The LA Dodgers are suing Fox over the sale of media rights. The lawsuit stated that Fox Sports, whom broadcasts all Dodger games violated an agreement they had together protecting the Dodgers and their bankruptcy situation. The Dodgers have a pending deal with the MLB in regards to the Dodgers' media rights. After agreeing to sell the Dodger franchise, they have found themselves in a world-wind of mess. Beginning in the year 2014 and on, the Dodger's media rights will be up for sale. This soon to be settlement with the MLB is stated by Fox to be breaching their contract with them. Fox believed the Dodgers should not be selling their media rights.

The Dodgers requested of the court a restraining order on Fox. This would be to protect them from messing up any media rights deals and issues. And after suing Fox Sports in bankruptcy court this month, the initial hearing on if this immediate situation was to be dismissed or not was canceled. Reuters cites that the Dodgers have been trying to get negotiations on the sale of the team going while the Fox situation is basically on the back burner. The Dodgers are offering to sell the entire team including their media rights, which is why they prefer to make a concrete deal with the MLB before Fox Sports takes advantage of their situation.

I think that the Dodgers should not completely abandon Fox in their sale of media rights. Being they apparently have a stringent contract, I think there should not only be a deal made with the MLB but with Fox as well. The Dodgers can not assume they can abandon their legal commitments just because they are in a very bad situation currently business-wise. If the appropriate time is taken, and parties do not try to avoid each other, I think that a solution should be relatively smooth. I am sure the Dodgers want their media rights in the right hands at the end of the day.

Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/21/us-dodgers-idUSTRE7AK2EM20111121

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203699404577042220194179562.html

http://www.wgal.com/r/29827191/detail.html

NBA Lockout

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:08:00 +0000

I think the biggest sports business conflict that has arisen in the past 5 years is definitely the NBA lockout. Unlike the NFL lockout, a resolution is not seemingly being able to be met on relatively easy terms. Although the NBA Lockout of 2011 is not the first ever NBA lockout, it is proving to be the worst. The 2011-2012 season has completely been compromised, and as of today was supposed to be resolved already as weeks’ worth of originally scheduled games have been canceled.

Derek Fisher is the NBPA (National Basketball Player’s Association) president, and early on in the lockout he expressed many sentiments that on behalf of the players, everyone wanted to reach common ground before games were canceled and the NBA would be on a true stall. Many fans have been on edge throughout the entire lockout ordeal, hoping this would happen. Unfortunately, games have already been lost and fans are not the only ones that are upset. Television networks, vendors, and players are all losing money over what is happening.

Most recently, there has been a multitude of meetings and going back and forth between the NBA owners and the NBPA. Rejected deal after rejected deal, and revised deal after deal, no consensus has yet been reached. Some players have even been cited as refusing to be bullied throughout the negotiation process. Now, it has come to somewhat like a scramble to reach a mutual deal so everyone my resume with the NBA season. Business has too long trampled what the NBA should be about—the game.

The lockout has been going on for 135 days, and new business issues arise almost on the daily. Although fans are optimistic that the season will return soon, many underlying factors are showing up. In one article I read, the agents that are influencing the NBA players’ requirements and demands all will have long careers, as the average NBA player plays only 4-5 years. True interests need to be examined by the NBA players so they are truly doing what is best for them, not who works for them. Essentially, the big picture now needs to be seen more than the immediate picture. The history of the NBA can forever be changed by the exchanges happening. I hope it is all resolved soon.

Cited:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-10429217

http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2011/11/12/2556803/nba-lockout-2011-news-update-details-revised-proposal-decertification-cbs-new-york-times

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-9675207

Missouri and the Big 12 Dillema

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:04:00 +0000

In the sports world, the trademark sports conference, "The Big 12," is expecting some changes. University of Missouri plans to leave the Big 12, and some are worried will it affect the Big 12 trademark. The University of Missouri wants to explore its conference options. I think this should be fine, as long as the Big 12 can replace them and keep their group of teams strong. Missouri backing out of the Big 12 can mean other teams wanting to do the same, which can result in the Big 12's demise. If everyone plays fair, and Missouri leaves courteously from the Big 12, I think the controversy will fade quickly.

On October 29, 2011, it was confirmed that the University of Missouri sent half of the 5 million dollar exit fee to the Big 12. However, the chairman of the Big 12 still holds that they will now be allowed to leave until next year due to regulations and rules, unless they want to go to court. As West Virginia is due to take Missouri's spot, the Big 12 still holds that Missouri is still a member of the Big 12, regardless what is going on. I think that Missouri needs to take a non-threatened stance against the Big 12, and look after its own best interest. The Big 12's trademark I think will be unscathed at the end of all the buzzing.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/article_98b9f561-c14b-59ec-8ffd-82d380c9a4a0.html

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/282166/6/Mizzou-chancellor-given-permission-to-leave-Big-12

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/oct/04/missouri-will-explore-conference-options/

Baseball's Top Contract: A-Rod Signs for 252 Million Dollars

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:23:00 +0000

In a country that loves sports, many people in America know of an athlete, or athletes that they watch, like, or follow in professional sports that makes a huge amount of money. Whether it be a sport such as baseball, football, or basketball, sports tend to hold the grip on many children’s dreams and aspirations. Sports still hold the old dreams and aspirations of those all grown up. And many may wonder, what is a big factor of these dreams? Well, I’d go so far as saying this is obvious. I believe that most people would be able to pinpoint the well-known professional athlete lifestyle and salary as creating that “want to be an athlete” appeal amongst the masses.

This leads me to discuss the biggest sports story in the past decade. Arguably, it is Alex Rodriguez’s contract with the Texans. In baseball, known primarily as “A-Rod,” Alex Rodriguez signed one of the biggest contracts in history. In December of the year 2000, A-Rod signed a 252 million dollar contract with the Texas Rangers. This astonished not only the baseball industry but the sports industry as a whole. A-Rod faced not just popularity but also scrutiny for his deal. Some thought he was worth the money, and of course many thought he was not.

Being that A-Rod’s Texans contract was so massive, it sent A-Rod instantly to be placed under the microscope in the sports world. Every move he made and step he took, someone was watching. And he is attributed for changing baseball forever with his lucrative deal. His contract deal was accused as being responsible for baseball contracts escalating over the years following his signing. Many free agents expected more and more money, which caused problems for budgeting teams for team owners, recruits, and managers. Regardless, A-Rod was able to take hold of the baseball industry like no one ever has. Since that 252 million dollar contract was signed, he has stayed as the leading example of what a large contract and team deal is.

Watch “The Biggest Plays in Sports Business”: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1368367744

Additional Links:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2005-11-29-cover-arod-contract_x.htm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/the_bonus/05/05/arod.book/1.html

A Website Review: www.entertainmentcareers.net

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:49:00 +0000

In this blog post, I’d like to review a website I know all of us in the entertainment industry have visited at least once. The website, www.entertainmentcareers.net, not only shows up as the first site when searching “entertainment jobs” on Google, but it is also promoted in various school counseling offices as a job search source. I have used it in the past, and as I have begun browsing through it again, I’d say that it is a website with potential. With the right self-marketing and some monthly membership fees, one can find themselves a job, or internship, smack dab and center in whatever section of the entertainment industry they are looking to work in.

Entertainmentcareers.net charges a fee (like sites similar to it) to be able to apply to jobs in the entertainment industry in various parts of the country. As most specialty-job sites do, this requirement of a fee is not too shocking. You may browse jobs without a membership, which is great. For their membership “special”, you can get full-membership access to their site for $4.95 for the first month and $9.95 for each month after. Or, they offer consolidated monthly options—3 months for 25 dollars, 6 for 45 dollars, and 12 for 70 dollars. Is it worth the money? I’d say you’d have to test the site out and apply a few places for a month or two. If dead ends are all you see, and the right kind of jobs and internships are never there, I’d say to test another route.

As most know, the entertainment industry is somewhat like a bubble. Often, it is hard to find out when a company in the entertainment company is hiring, and even harder to get your foot in the door when they are. The site entertaimentcareers.net provides an insider look into a multiple of both big and little named entertainment companies looking for new employees. For this reason, I’d say the site is worth a try, if not just a browse. And if you are an entertainment business owner, you can post jobs to this site which is a great benefit as well. It allows to find those looking to work in places of business like your own.

www.entertainmentcareers.net

Groupon Grows

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:03:00 +0000

Social media can now be identified as a driving force for small and large businesses alike. In the entertainment world, social media has given individuals the access not only to great entertainment events, but also the opportunity to create their own entertainment events. In many of these social media sites today, people can find amazing deals and monetary savings on entertainment. Movies, music, shows, and everything in between can now be accessed in one’s local area with ease. Amongst the most popular social media sites, deal site Groupon has managed to double their usage by way of intense marketing and good finance management. Capitalizing on the appeal of their own business offerings, Groupon has made a statement to the world that they are here to stay. The news of them doubling their users indicates the intense rate of growth the company is experiencing.

Now with 115 million users, Groupon has announced that they are discontinuing the usage of a financial measure they have been referencing but now see now unfit and unattractive to stock holders. This metric, called Adjusted Consolidated Segment Operating Income (ACSOI), excludes marketing costs. Groupon spent 4 million last year in the first quarter, and this year 208 million in the same bracket of time. Getting more customers is a priority to keep the business successful, and so marketing is directly critical.

Groupon is extremely important to entertainment now. Although it is not entertainment based, it is definitely entertainment focused. From concert ticket discounts for top notch performers, party-planning, to club drink package deals, Groupon is now playing a significant role in people’s lives when it comes to going out and engaging in entertainment related activities. As the economy seemingly is causing the masses to be focused on frugality, Groupon gives this opportunity.

http://www.groupon.com

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/06/us-groupon-subscribers-idUSTRE7746I120110806

SISTERHOOD in the City

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:42:00 +0000

A specific industry niche association I recently discovered was The National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME). This association aims to enlighten, educate, and empower women of color in the music and entertainment industries. NABFEME’s goal is to provide a resource for learning, inspiration, and networking. They have various events and programs that cultivate women to be successful and also ready for the entertainment and music industries. The association is a support system, and it currently has two regional locations in Atlanta and Chicago. There are various other NABFEME network leaders in cities across the country.

NABFEME offers scholarship opportunities, mentoring, and even educational programs. Amongst all the services of the association, I believe that the SISTERHOOD service is most influential on the entertainment and music industries. NABFEME’s SISTERHOOD program is one that represents “A Network of Our Own.” SISTERHOOD is a networking outlet that minority professionals in music and entertainment can come together in discussion about issues, both professional and personal. This program is influential because the entertainment industry as a whole is known as being one that is hard to get connections. By providing a circle that is easily accessible, NABFEME can create instant opportunities for individuals. This will allow more access and exposure of minority women professionals in the entertainment world, no matter what specific part of the industry one is in.

NABFEME’s SISTERHOOD program has the potential to affect the entertainment industry by allowing those that may usually have a harder time climbing the success ladder in the industry to have their own chance and take it into their own hands.

http://www.nabfeme.org/

NecoleBitchie.com--A Review

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 05:54:00 +0000

Entertainment blogs and websites have taken over the internet. People make it a point to visit many of these sites everyday whether it be by cellphone, or on their computer at work. Entertainment blogs and websites have drawn a large audience around the world. The exposure to such sites has been promoted easily with the social networks Twitter and Facebook. Today, people have never been so connected to their life interests, music, and entertainment interests.

Amongst the most popular entertainment sites is my favorite, the site of Necole Bitchie, http://necolebitchie.com/. Necole Bitchie incorporates not only the latest celebrity gossip but also fashion and relationship help. These things separate itself from other gossip sites like Perez Hilton’s. I prefer Necole Bitchie’s site because it is not one-note. As it is a blog site, and it is based on opinion primarily, I find the perspectives taken very interesting and entertaining.

Now as most probably would look at the blog and think of it as nothing special, if they found out the background story behind it they probably would have more respect for it. Necole Bitchie herself was in a dark place in her life a few years ago, when she decided to start her blog. She started writing for Russell Simmons at http://globalgrind.com while keeping her personal blog going. It took much planning and execution for her to eventually get her site to where she wanted it to be. After dedicating her time and being diligent in her work, she started to get enough exposure and revenue on http://necolebitchie.com to run her own site full time. Half of her operation is based on finding and keeping advertisers on her site. This business savvy entrepreneur knew where she wanted to take herself, and did it. I think this is very cool. It would be interesting for her to put up an entertainment-business news section on her website.

Necole Bitchie noted that Twitter gains her much attention. I believe word of mouth has a lot to do with her success as well, as that is the way I learned about her site. All in all, she has undoubtedly created a name for herself in the entertainment industry. VH1’s new show, “Single Girls,” referenced Necole Bitchie twice this season. “If it’s Bitchie then you know it’s true!”

Other sources: http://www.dondivamag.com/index.php/hustlers/bitchin-is-a-business/

UCLA Jazz & Reggae Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:39:00 +0000

The annual UCLA Jazz and Reggae Festival is a tradition for Los Angeleans and out-of-towners alike. Held every Memorial Day weekend, this picnic-style festival has drawn many top names in the music industry. This year, on “Jam Day,” artists featured included Lupe Fiasco and Talib Kweli.

Being that I have attended about 5 of these festivals, I must say it is a huge production. Attending UCLA has allowed me to get a background access to the set up, and take down of the event. The main constant in the running of the festival is that there are teams everywhere. Clean up teams, security teams, stage teams, and even food and beverage teams. Teams facilitate the entire festival. As thousands fill the intramural field of UCLA, teams are everywhere running the show and keeping things in control. And although I do not know the budget of the festival, I do know the planning is year-round. I also know that the festival is very lucrative for the vendors working on the festival grounds.

In my experience attending the festivals, there has always been a flawless execution. There is a real peaceful and relaxing, yet exciting feel to the festival. Whether one attends both days of the festival or just one, the comfort of a simple day laying on the grass (or standing and dancing) with amazing food, non-alcoholic drinks, surrounded by a massive crowd is just…well… great. Walking through the event, it seems as if it is a bike chain properly connected---just moving in a constant flow. The collapse or failure of any micro-team (if you will) would affect the macro-essence of the event. As long as everyone does their job, there are no problems. So far, I have not seen any.

I would assume that the artist recruiting team has one of the most important jobs in the festival committee, as music is the reason for the gathering. Customer satisfaction seems to rely mostly on the artists scheduled for the festival, the security of the festival, and the food and drink at the festival. If anyone is in town during this event, I’d say it is somewhere you must attend!

http://jazzreggaefest.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JazzReggae_Festival_@_UCLA

http://www.facebook.com/jazzreggaefest

The Show ALWAYS Goes On!

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Fri, 20 May 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Ever since Charlie Sheen was fired from the hit television show “Two and a Half Men,” there has been much press about it. The entertainment industry took great interest to this story for the past few weeks, with Charlie Sheen being the grunt of most of the stories. His so-called “outrageous” comments, and insulting rants about “Two and a Half Men” producers placed Charlie in a not so good business predicament. Nonetheless, Charlie took his losses—his contract and salary from the show—and went on to start a comedy tour that went all across America.

Little did Charlie know, his hopes for being rehired on “Two and a Half Men” were cut extremely short. Just this week it was announced that Ashton Kutcher is signing on with “Two and a Half Men” as his replacement. Although this news was not shocking per say, it definitely was a significant update for the “Two and a Half Men” series. Connecting entertainment and business together, we see the swiftness CBS and the “Two and a Half Men” showed in order to continue on what they are there for… which is to bring in the dollars and secondly, to continue entertain fans.

This story can really give insight into the seriousness of the business aspect of the entertainment industry. As many would say Charlie “made” the “Two and a Half Men” show, CBS illustrated that no matter what, the show must go on. We can learn there is no one “star”, as a new star can always be brought in. It is almost cliché to say that the entertainment business is always changing and never a sure thing, but in this case for actors we can definitely see how this can be true.

I think that Ashton Kutcher will give a new light and interest to “Two and a Half Men.” He has the ability to bring a younger audience, and with his millions of Twitter followers, he can also bring a multitude of new fans.

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/entertainment/celebrity_news/ashton-kutcher-joins-two-and-a-half-men-20110513

~A LITTLE ABOUT ME~

noreply@blogger.com (Markita) — Fri, 20 May 2011 01:15:00 +0000

I am Next in Line, because I choose to knock on every door I want to walk through. There are those who create their own opportunities, and there are those who wait for them to come by. I'd like to think of myself as a creator. This blog, "Next In Line" will encompass the past, present, and anticipation for future because I feel like we are all here by way of all of these stages. While living through these stages, if you will, I want to inspire others to place themselves at the feet of the opportunities they desire. By way of things from current events to current thoughts, I think there is usually a lesson--or atleast some sort of entertainment everywhere.

I traveled the circumference of the globe in 2008, and graduated from UCLA in 2009. I am always on the run, so come along. Help me keep up the pace of this thing called life.

*MJ*