As most know Pinterest is an convenient sight that allows you to get many great ideas. Whether it be fashion ideas, home décor idea's, or food recipe's. Printerest recent move is trying to narrow the add focus to match particular interest. They have decided to focus more on attracting dollars from retailers and consumer packaged goods while de-emphasizing on other marketing companies.

In September the company decided that they would no longer hands-on support, for example, consultation from sales executives, to marketers outside the core areas of retail and costumers goods. this does not mean that users can not buy ads on the site, it just means to do so they will have to use self service, web-base interface, or a group of ad tech firms. The article mentions that not focusing are other markets as aggressively is costing them to actually lose money.

"Pinterest has said it is targeting search-advertising budgets over those apportioned for social media. Some industry experts compare the data Pinterest has on its users’ product interests to Google’s ability to discern what users want to buy based on what they search for." Pinterst still offers no where near the same scale as google does when advertiser's purchase ads through a web-based auction. Even so according to Ms. Hofstetter "Pinterest does have a lot of potential."

-Ariel Williams
http://www.wsj.com/articles/pinterest-narrows-ad-focus-to-match-users-interest-1450138860

Amazon stepping it up

Amazon.com is trying to step its game up when it comes to cable. It is now offering on-demand programming from channels such as Starz and Showtime. What the catch? Well you have to be a Prime member of amazon and is cost 8.99 each month. Sounds like Amazon is trying to compete with companies like Hulu and Netflix. Amazons new offerings is setting them up to do bigger and better things in the future. They plan on this new service luring prime customers to there 99 dollar a year program. This program will offers 2-day unlimited shipping for every order, streaming videos offerings, and many other goodies. Amazon admits to reaching out to there prime members more because they are paying more, it only makes sense right?

Holiday orders gone wrong

If you are planning on purchasing last minute Christmas gifts online you might want to reconsider. According to a study done by Kurt Salmon the shipping arrangements are having many problems this year that are leaving costumers waiting longer than expected for purchases. The retailers that are having these problems are mainly those who are offering free shipping. Because the shipping is free they choose much cheaper ways to ship products. Although this may be saving them money, this cheaper methods are not the most effective, leaving many costumers unsatisfied. It took nearly 7 days, that is an average of 20% longer to ship these purchases put to customer than it did last year. So if you haven't already purchased your gifts online and you plan to, I would get on that asap, or your family may be receiving there gifts in 2016.

Facebook launches local services

As we all know Facebook is not only a place to stock your friends and family but has many other purposes. The latest thing that Facebook is doing is joining an increasingly crowed market for local services. Facebook is now competing with company's like Yelp.com, Angie's list, and even Amazon.com. Facebook very discretely launched a new site that connects users with local services and businesses with the best Facebook reviews and ratings. The social network says that Facebook is actually among the first pages its users look to learn about new businesses, especially on mobile devices. This is a great strategy for Facebook.

 








While eating out at a restaurant you rarely ever initially think about whether or not you will receive food poisoning from it. Although food poisoning is not something that happens everyday, it occurs more often than you think. About 128,000 have been hospitalized is the last year in the united states alone. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to check your food for certain bacteria, to prevent those long unfortunate long trips to the bathroom. The Nima from 6sensorLabs is trying to do just that. This device as of right now only detects gluten in foods at minuscule concentrations. The device is also very handy, small enough to fit in your pocket. 6sendorlabs goal for the Nima is for it to recognize all manner of proteins including the ones that would allow it to detect bacterial contaminations such as E. coli and  salmonella. This innovative idea is one that I think could do very well in the competitive market. Some might say ehh, ill take the risk of getting sick, but for those who are cautious about what they put onto there body will see this product very useful.

Ex-president of Honduras pleads not guilty in FIFA probe

There have been many members of the FIFA committee accused of fraud and bribery. The former president of Honduras, Rafael Callejas, was one of the people accused of bribery along with 20 other people. December 14, 2015 Callejas came to the United States on his private jet, now that his VISA was revoked, and he made a court appearance and pleaded not guilty of the charges. 

All of this scandal with the FIFA officials is taking away the credibility of FIFA. As a soccer fan it is kind of sad to see how there can even be corruption in such a great sport. All of this makes people not really want to involve themselves with things having to do with the FIFA. At the same time of feeling sadness I feel like it was obvious that there was corruption in the FIFA since it is such a huge corporation and it has so many powerful people involved. Also as a fellow Honduran it does not really surprise me that Rafael Callejas was accused of the bribery, because I know all the corruption that occurs in Honduras.   

http://www.wsj.com/articles/AP327886a72f574303b1989a23890da468

Valeant Unveils Drug Pricing, Distribution Pacts With Walgreens

This is the tale of a bad guy-turned-good guy. Well, maybe. We are all familiar with Walgreens pharmacy and convenience store sales. Both in front of and behind the curtain, Walgreens proclaims its focus on the wellbeing of its customers and its commitment to helping sustain and improve lives. In the other corner is Valeant, another pharmeceutical company. The two are not contenders, but have joined forces. Valeant has recently been paid scrutinizing attention due to its bullying business strategies, some of which have apparently been borderline illegal. It is guilty of hassling insurance companies, and overpricing newly acquired drugs. This bully of a company has struggled with its sales, so it is trying to save face by following Walgreens goodwill example. Valeant has agreed to cut the prices of its drugs that will now be sold in Walgreens stores by 10%.

There is illustrated between the two the 'two types of people in this world' maxim. On one hand there is a money grubbing corporation of a pharmaceutical company, Valeant, while its cousin Walgreens, is the type who actively seeks to give his neighbor and leg-up. We generally imagine a pharmaceutical company to have a withholding nature, and Valeant has proven itself this villan. Pharmaceutical companies can go one of two routes: either buy and sell the drug  as a stricly profit-oriented organization, or research and distribute new and ever better drugs. Walgreens presents itself as this latter, the selfless hero.

The creation, manufacture, and sales of medicines is not new, but the product is constantly being renewed. Perhaps Valeant will actually commit and succeed in becoming one of the good guys in the healthcare industry.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/valeant-unveils-drug-pricing-distribution-pacts-with-walgreens-1450186752

Is Apple’s CarPlay Aiding GM Sales?

 

General Motors Co. has been introducing  Apple's in-car software. This seems to be bringing a lot of more customers. Apple's in-car software is CarPlay, a software in which the car has a display of the iPhone's screen on a car dashboard, giving access to applications. One of the applications is the Apple maps. This is very useful and economic because with this people do not have to worry about buying a car with a navigation system, instead they can buy a normal car and use their phone to find directions as they drive. There are a few other automobile companies that offer the software, but only in a few models. 

This software is a new product and it is bringing a lot of customers toward General Motors Co. I think this is going to be a success and this will be very beneficial for General Motors because their finances are not that great, so this might help them improve. It is interesting how Apple is beginning to be incorporated everywhere, and it just keeps growing.  

http://www.wsj.com/articles/is-apples-carplay-aiding-gm-sales-1449864225

Crude Moves Out to Sea as Inventories Swell

In the past oil shortage is one of the problem that All countries in the world are faced with. The oil producers regions in the past time such as Middle East, South Africa, even tried to build the Celtic alliance in order to get greater benefits. 

And with the global supply of crude oil continues to increase, today's market is facing a new challenge, the oil storage facility is close to saturation. The oil analyst in brokerage PVM  analysis that the saturated of oil saving space will led to a decline orders in oil. Thus put an end to the investor optimism on the oil market. 

The most pessimistic recently expectations are from PIRA. They said the original saving land space may be run out in the first quarter of 2016. Land saving space close to the saturated forced investors to seek a new storage solution - tanker storage. And it will make the land oil storage costs of $0.40 a barrel before, rose to $1.30 a barrel. According to estimation the from Energy Aspects. This is undoubtedly a disaster for investors of crude oil. 

Expected only when crude oil prices continued to fall until $35 a barrel, as investors can profit under the condition of sea storage solution. Moreover due to the lifting of sanctions on Iran, more Iranian oil will enter the market, global oil production will rise further. So for the foreseeable future, crude oil prices will continue to fall.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/crude-moves-out-to-sea-as-inventories-swell-1449864003

The Health of Obamacare

Obamacare has indeed reduced the number of Americans without insurance.A large number of Americans quality of life really have a greatly improved. Obamacare improve the health of Americans from some part. 

First, the number of people who do not participate in insurance decreases. Millions of Americans involved, many of them are first time have an insurance. 

Second, prohibit to refused the people who have disease. Current law prohibits the insurance company refused to applicants who already suffer from the disease. Thus, those people who can not be considered to have insurance before, now can be involved in insurance, so that they can pay the doctor, checking and medical prescription costs.

Third, the children can enjoy their parents insurance. Now kids can use their parents insurance until 26 years old. The results of this reform is in the past five years, about 5.7 million youngsters have enjoyed this benefit.

Fourth, the free preventive health care measures. Insurance companies now must contain a series of health checks and screening programs, including an annual physical examination, breast X-rays to check cholesterol and diabetes.

Fifth, to pay for the medical care, rather than see a doctor and inspection. Under Obamacare, in order to stimulate doctors and hospitals be more comprehensive care to patient, their incomes have some growth. In addition, before health care reform, insurance companies and Medicare will only pay the cost of medical care systems and inspection, and now the situation has improved, they will pay the insured costs of all aspects of care to ensure that the physical condition of the patient.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-health-of-obamacare-1449848377

Alibaba’s Hong Kong Media Push Tests Political Goodwill With China

On December 11th, Alibaba announced the acquisition of Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post", take the Alibaba’s Internet advantage and the "South China Morning Post" the editorial advantage together to create a opportunity let English can know about China. The acquisition is the SCMP Group (SEHK: 0583) of its media assets, including the "South China Morning Post," the paper editions, online editions, magazines and outdoor media business. 

 Alibaba committed to building a future business infrastructure. Build up the electricity supplier, payment, logistics, cloud computing and other business platforms in 16 years, serving Chinese business community, and extend to the world. And now, on China's economic and commercial high-quality content products, it has increasingly become a global business infrastructure, especially for SMEs. AliBaba realized that should be combined with high-quality news gathering and efficient Internet communication platform to meet the needs of China and the global business community.

Executive vice president of Alibaba, Caichong Xin said: ""South China Morning Post "unique place that she reported in English focused on any one of China would like to know China - the world's second largest economy, people are concerned about such reports. Our vision is through the advance of Alibaba in the digital age, let more people can easily read "South China Morning Post" content , help the media to get a global audience, and establish a global influence. "

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/12/14/alibabas-hong-kong-media-push-tests-political-goodwill-with-china/

Treasury Will Delay Announcement on $10 Bill Redesign to 2016

U.S. monetary figure head has been given priority to with outstanding white man. A century later, 10 dollar bills finally could usher in a new female image. It is understood that the new 10 dollar notes will be issued in 2020, to commemorate the giving women the right to vote the 100 anniversary of amendments to article 19 of the constitution of the United States. 

                            

In march 2015, the independent group "Women on 20 s " have a vote to the society, initiative to use female to replace the U.S. President Andrew Jackson on bill of $20. I think that the female image on the paper money is an important step towards gender and racial equality. The celebrity picture printed on the paper signifies hope to remember by people and history, and increase a woman on her head is played in the history of the women in the indelible important role.

Website： http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2015/12/11/treasury-will-delay-announcement-on-10-bill-redesign-to

Why China Is Loosening the Yuan’s Ties to the Dollar

                                                 China Foreign Exchange Trading Center recently released first CFETS RMB exchange rate index, caused widespread market speculation, some analysts believe  this represents the RMB against the US dollar will open depreciate space. In this regard, Chinese People's Bank pointed out that this reflects the past focused on the bilateral exchange rate of RMB against the US dollar and the criteria habits and behavior accordingly formed ingrained way. From the longterm fundamentals, the RMB exchange rate conditions remain basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level.

  Study RMB exchange rate for the future, can not put dollar for only benchmark The central bank under the China Foreign Exchange Trading Center (CFETS) released CFETS RMB exchange rate index. The index references include foreign exchange trading center listed 13 kinds of currencies on foreign exchange transactions of RMB currency basket, calculated using the factors considered entrepot tradeweighted method. According to the index, as of the end of November, compared with 2.93% appreciation of the RMB by the end of 2014. The central bank then forwards Commentator article that market perspective on the bilateral exchange rate of the RMB exchange rate against the US dollar from the look turned to a basket of currencies.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-central-bank-defends-position-after-yuan-hits-four-year-low-1450068419

Amazon Offers Showtime, Starz On-Demand to Prime Members

WSJ says, "Amazon’s new offering furthers its ambitions in streaming video and could lure new subscribers to its $99-a-year Prime program, which offers unlimited two-day shipping, the streaming video offering and other goodies." Amazon covets Prime members because they spend more money on the shopping site than non-Prime customers.Amazon, as stated in the title, is now offering showtime, and Starz on-demand to prime members. Those that already have a prime membership, know that there are endless shows and movies and books available that comes with the amazing two day shipping service. Amazon intends to add new channels in the future, thus increasing their strength in the streaming community. This new opportunity will make these channels and shows more open and available to the public

This article applies to the product and service portion of the class. Amazon has already been top of the line when it comes to streaming and shipping services, and this new contract will put them way ahead of competitors such as Hulu and etc. It will be amazing to see where this company has gone in the next few years. 

questions to ask: Will this affect the cable industry? If so, then how? Should the public know the contract price deals the companies have made? How many people actually use amazon prime to watch shows and movies? 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-offers-showtime-on-demand-to-prime-members-1449595727

Posted by Joseph Brown at 8:53 PM

The Worst Day to Buy a Plane Ticket

This article was interesting because everyone likes to go on vacations. Whether they like to go on vacations close to home or far away, people like vacations. The article states that the lowest price possible for most flights is 57 days before the departure date. It is interesting because the closer the departure date is to the date of today, the more expensive it is. It was mentioned that prices of plane tickets tend to be the most expensive on Fridays because many people decide to buy the tickets when they have time, typically at the end of the work week.

This article relates to our class because it goes along with the four P's of marketing. It goes with the portion of promotion. Most airline companies have deals for people that fly frequently, but they also have deals for people that book their flights in advance. The earlier the plane ticket is bought, the cheaper the plane ticket usually is, even for holiday seasons. This is good to know because everyone likes to save money, whether it is money on transportation or money on food.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-worst-day-to-buy-a-plane-ticket-1449686730

Spotify Considers Allowing Some Artists to Withhold Music From Free Service 

WSJ says, "Even on an experimental basis, it is a big reversal for Spotify, which has so far maintained unequivocally that its free, ad-supported service needed to have all the latest tunes so that it could compete with free sites such as YouTube."

Spotify, which has always been known to be a free and public service, is now looking to not offer a lot of mainstream for a price. Now, it does have a premium service where you can pay monthly to have the app allow you to have unlimited skips and not experience any ads. The issue is that a lot of mainstream artists, i.e. Taylor Swift, have removed their music from Spotify so that free users cannot listen to their songs. Coldplay originally had done this with their new album, but decided to reverse the decision after having meetings with Spotify executives. 

Spotify still has not made a final decision as to how they are going to handle this issue, but they definitely do not want to change from what their original basis is, which is a free service.This article covers the service and product part of what we have learned in class. It is about what a company has to offer its customers, users, and those that they are a middle man for. 

Questions to ask: is it a good idea for spotify to adhere to big artists by making their music only available if you pay? Will this have a negative outcome on the amount of people using the app? Will other music apps decide to do the same? 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-to-allow-some-musicians-to-withhold-music-from-free-service-1449603477

Posted by Joseph Brown at 8:42 PM

Plan on Auto Emissions Testing Rejected by EU Committee

This article was interesting because this testing is quite important for the environment that we live in, and the testing is more foolproof than the testing that goes on right now. In the article, it talks about a plan coming to mind about emissions testing for a more real life experience, rather than testing in a laboratory where everything is controlled. The plan proposed was for car manufacturers to do emissions testing for their new vehicles on a real life road, rather than in a laboratory. The idea is to get a more real test and result from the car driving on every day conditions and to make it harder for cars to pass certain emission regulations.

This article was relevant to the things we learned in class because it goes with the development of a product. Many different companies have different goals. Some are aimed at making a quality product that will last long, and others are more interested in just making more sales. It goes to show that the companies that are more interested in making a quality product are around much longer and there is a reason for their success.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/plan-on-auto-emissions-testing-rejected-by-eu-committee-1450123465

Auto Parts Industry Looks for New Deals

This article was interesting to me because it is an important topic to everyone. Eventually, most people buy a new car within their lifetime. Whether it is new or not, it has some sort of technology built into it, no matter how basic it is. Cars 30 years ago would have technology like power windows and power locks that would come as a luxury if you pay more. Nowadays, anything less than power windows and power locks seems like a thing of the age of dinosaurs. Now car companies are becoming more and more technologically advanced with more common things like navigation and bluetooth and less common things like EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection). Car companies are now partnering or buying other technology companies to use the technology from that company to use in their automobiles to have the upper hand on other car companies.

This article applies to what we learned in class because it goes along with the four P's of marketing. This article helps show that car companies are willing to invest more into research and development to more of what the customer wants. They research and develop more and more so that they can have a product better suited for the target market. These things are now seen in our every day life as normal things, and much less as luxurious things.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/auto-parts-industry-looks-for-new-deals-1450136530

Facebook Bends to Publishers, Tweaks Instant Articles Advertising

Just like my last article about Netflix, we see here that Facebook is adhering to the wants of its users. Facebook had decided to change their advertising policies, so that it will be easier for marketers to make money from those that use the social media site. The WSJ went on to say, "Facebook said on Wednesday that it will allow publishers to include more advertising in each article and to sell Facebook-only ad campaigns to marketers if they wish." The changes allow marketers to have a much more free reign of what and how they market their sites and products. WSJ also said, "Facebook said it would give publishers the ability to manually control the links to other articles that appear at the bottom of Instant Articles templates. This will enable them to link out to sponsored content or other paid experiences on their own websites. Publishers won’t be permitted to host sponsored content directly within Instant Articles on Facebook, however."

The way this article applies to what we have learned in class is the "product"  as well as the service of the four P's. Facebook is adhering a service that is already in play by many other social media sites, but they are deciding to tweak the way it is being done. This will most likely set a trend in terms of how other social media sites let marketers use their sites. Time will only tell as to how things will turn out!

Questions to ask: Where do you marketing in social media in the next five years? Should ads even exist on sites such as a Facebook to begin with? Do you use the ads on social media for items or services that you purchase or have purchased?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-bends-to-publishers-tweaks-instant-articles-advertising-1449676734

Posted by Joseph Brown at 8:30 PM

Guest Voices: Delivery Companies are Redefining the Last Mile in Crowded Cities

This article was interesting to me because it affects us more than we think. In the article, it talked about the Coca Cola Co. distributing crates of drinks to certain areas, but there was a parking ban that stopped them from doing so. They had to rethink their distribution strategy to help compensate for this inconvenience. They decided that the shipping trucks would park in certain areas early in the morning to give the delivery motorcycles the crates to deliver to make it more efficient.

This article applies to what we learned because it has to do with the "place" portion of the four P's of marketing. The company decided to go into a different route of getting their product to their customers because of the barriers that they had to overcome. Despite the obstacles of the parking ban, the company still was able to deliver the product to their customers in that area.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/guest-voices-delivery-companies-are-redefining-the-last-mile-in-crowded-cities-1450195757

"In Beer Merger, Head Office Is Hard to Call"

Major shifts in the world of beer have taken place this year as the Anheuser-Busch InBev purchase of SAB Miller. This article discusses the effects this merger will have on corporate operations with regards to office locations. The London Stock Exchange stands to lose by the merger, although the New York Stock Exchange will experience no setback, as the beer giant already has one of its main offices in New York. No changes are expected with regards to product pricing. However, since AB InBev will acquire additional products, new developments remain to be seen.

I am very interested to see what changes in price this merger will bring, and how beer enthusiasts will respond. Beer consumption is virtually a pastime for many Americans, across all age ranges. Reports on such changes will surely surface by February 2016 but I expect the full effect to be felt next football season.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/in-beer-merger-head-office-is-hard-to-call-1450175401

Garret Soto

Venezuela's change!

http://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuelas-opposition-vows-to-fix-economy-first-1449799699

VENEZUELA VOTES FOR A CHANGE!

VENEZUELA - On december 10th 2015 venezuela's opposition "MUD", celebrated a victory on its legislative elections of this year, since a referendum in 2007 has the Venezuelan opposition has not won a single election. Furthermore, since 1999, Venezuela's government has been unanimously led by the PSUV (Unified Venezuelan Socialist Party), the party has celebrated total control of all main branches of the Venezuelan government and has had the majority of the seats in senate ever since coming into power. Despite such widespread popularity throughout the 2000's, Venezuela's government has failed to properly execute its socialist economic policies in the country, causing a major upset for them in the Dec 10 elections, when the MUD won 112 of 167 seats in parliament.  

        Problems like the falling prices of oil, government corruption, and crime has led many Venezuelan's to seek a new form of government, since its creation in 2011 the MUD Venezuela's new opposition and newly founded political party, has gained widespread popularity thanks to its promise of new economic policies that would ensure Venezuela of a recovery and a stabilization of its economy left in shambles from its past government. 

        The MUD "Table of Unity" promises to use its majority power to better the nations economy and not to immidiatly oust the current president, Nicolas Maduro. 

 

Use Your Phone Without Sevice

"A new accessory for phones with no reception might be a life-saver, or at least a link back to civilization." A new gadget has be produced where you will never be without service. The GoTenna brings a direct connection from up to 4 miles away. If you plan to be off the map this is the perfect thing for you. Campers or hikers even regular travelers can avoid roaming charges on there oversea trips. It also has free maps downloadable including landmarks, roads, and other services. The GoTenna works where ever you need it.

“This gives me the confidence to be independent, since I will still be able to contact Chuck,” a GoTenna user. Where ever cell service usually cuts out is no longer a problem. This is a great new product for people on the move. I think this a great idea. It hits a market that hasn't been attempted to be reached yet so, the market is wide open. TheGoTenna not only gives you service but, also works as a walkie talkie for other users that have the app. The device straps on your bag or pant loop and doesn't cause any extra hassle. At the price of 2 for $199 it is reasonable affordable for all that it does. The high tech buddy system is also water proof.    

-Taylor Forrest

http://www.wsj.com/articles/no-cell-signal-this-can-help-when-you-wander-off-grid-1450203815?mod=LS1

Is Your Doctor Getting Too Much Screen Time?

Computers are becoming important in the health field because more and more doctors are beginning to record their patients medical records on computers. Studies have shown that patients feel that the care they receive is lower when the doctor looks at a computer screen a lot during the examination, also that doctors that use electronic devices to see medical records spend about a third of the patients visit looking at a screen.   

Some health-care systems teach doctors techniques for maintaining interaction with patients as they enter data in their electronic device. One of the things is to use the screen to educate the patient about their health. This is a great way to keep interaction because experts say that the biggest problem with inputting data into the computer is the lack of eye contact, and eye contact establishes trust and a bond with the patient, also it prevents doctors from being able to read body language. 

The service is the product offered when a patient goes to its doctor and if the doctor begins to lack that interaction the patients are looking for, then the patients will begin to move away from that doctor. If the doctor uses a computer to record patients records, then they should you use it in a way that they can still interact with the patient so the patient won't feel lack of importance and trust.     

http://www.wsj.com/articles/is-your-doctor-getting-too-much-screen-time-1450118616

Twitter Wants You To Log In

Twitter plans on  beefing up their ads. They want to reach out to the people that they feel don't use it enough. Twitter plans to put adds embedded into there timeline. The plan is to reach and multiply users. "For example, if a visitor is looking at a certain actor’s profile page, Twitter could potentially show a trailer for that actor’s upcoming movie as an ad." Twitter plans to implement these things to urge people to visit the advertisers website. Twitter will begin testing this new option with select advertisers in the U.S., U.K, Japan and Australia. They are aiming at areal time platform to get the attention of a particular person. All that Twitter is doing here is related to marketing. That is why they have completely changed and revamped their marketing strategy. Most of the ads will be video ads, which is smart. They're simple eye catching ads. Once the video starts going it is more likely to catch the attention of Twitter users. Twitter has been a big social media competitor but, the addition if these advertisements should bring in not only more users... but more money.  

- Taylor Forrest