Monthly Archives: September 2018

by | Friday, September 28, 2018 · 7:01 am

Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Pop-Up Restaurant

Cheetos have long been a favorite snack food in America, but it has a fairly limited menu application. Or so one might have thought. After all, it’s just a snack food, right? Wrong!

In a new promotional campaign this fall, Cheetos is launching a Flamin’ Hot pop-up restaurant in Hollywood for three-days in September, featuring meals developed by celebrity chef Roy Choi. The restaurant is named The Flamin’ Hot Spot and all the dishes are inspired by Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. (The concept is similar to one that Cheetos did a year ago with a pop-up restaurant in New York City with a menu developed by Chef Anne Burrell.)

According to Cheetos, they noticed a trend among customers and restaurants with Cheetos finding its way into creative menus including bagels, sushi, and burritos. The Flamin’ Hot Spot will have appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

Some of the menu highlights include:

  • Hot Ap-Paw-Tizers
  • Flamin’ Hot Elotes
  • Flamin’ Hot Chipotle Ranch Wings
  • Flamin’ Eats
  • Xxtra Flamin’ Hot Rice Bowl
  • Hot Cheetos Burrito
  • Cheetos Sweetos Hot Cakes
  • Chester Cheetah’s Churros

Unfortunately, if you want to dine there, the three-day event is already sold-out and has a long wait list! But don’t worry – all of the recipes will be available for free in a digital cookbook on the Cheetos Web site. Ingredients are also available on Amazon Fresh.

Are you hungry for something flamin’ hot now?

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Poll students: Who eats Cheetos?
  2. View video: https://youtu.be/-RWb_8G6Eyo
  3. Show Web site: https://www.cheetosflaminhotspot.com/#menu
  4. How does the restaurant fit into a promotion plan for Cheetos?
  5. Does this new restaurant change the positioning of Cheetos in the product life cycle?

Source:  Ad Week

 

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by | Wednesday, September 26, 2018 · 6:57 am

PepsiCo Buys SodaStream

The beverage market is in a fight to maintain – and grow – market share of soft drinks. And, as sales of soft drinks slow, the beverage industry has been looking for new paths. One recent deal concluded by Coca-Cola was to buy U.K.-based coffee company Costa, giving it entry into the hot drink market. And now PepsiCo has announced that it is buying do-it-yourself carbonation company SodaStream International.

Unlike sugary soft drinks, SodaStream has taken advantage of the growing market for seltzer beverages. Consumers like that seltzers do not have sugar and are calorie-free. This gives consumers drinks that are healthier than the traditional soda drinks. Plus, the do-it-yourself carbonated drinks can be tailored for individual tastes with different fruits and flavors added to the drinks.

According to Beverage Marketing Company, sales of seltzer has increased nearly 42% in the past five years, while soda consumption is at a 31-year low (according to Beverage Digest). SodaStream now has 12.5 million customers, up from 4.5 million in 2012, and sales have increased 31% this year. The product appeals to consumers who are looking for healthier, more environmentally friendly types of drinks.

The beverage war continues. What will happen next?

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the four primary marketing strategies: market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification.
  2. Show a brief video about the purchase: https://youtu.be/Idmv5onpbSs
  3. Have students view PepsiCo’s product assortment: https://www.pepsi.com
  4. Show SodaStream web site: https://sodastream.com/
  5. Which strategy is PepsiCo using by purchasing SodaStream?
  6. Divide students into teams. Have each team select one of the four different strategies and explain why that strategy could be used to market SodaStream.
  7. Have each team determine the marketing mix (4Ps) to support their strategy choice.
  8. Debrief the exercise.

Source:  Washington Post, New York Times, Fortune, CNBC, TIME, and other news outlets

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by | Monday, September 24, 2018 · 7:36 am

Sony’s New Litter of Aibo Robotic Puppies

In the very innovative electronics industry, Sony faces a slew of competitors such as Apple, Samsung, and others. While Sony was once the pinnacle of innovative devices such as the Sony Walkman and Discman, it has been overtaken by industry leaders Apple’s and Samsung’s products including smart phones and devices. Now, Sony is seeking to reestablish itself in the U.S. with its totally charming robotic dog – Aibo (Japanese word for a pal).

Aibo isn’t totally new; it was first released in 1999 and then discontinued in 2006 – to the dismay of many thousands of Aibo owners in Japan. The new litter of Aibo puppies combines robotics with a cloud-connected artificial intelligence (AI) engine and advanced imaging sensors. And, as Aibo interacts with its owners over time, it will develop a unique personality to make owners happy and form bonds with the family members.

Like many real-life puppies, Aibo doesn’t come cheap. It has a price tag of $2,899 which limits how many families can afford to adopt from the new litter. Sony’s goal does not appear to be market penetration, but is instead using the product to show the company’s innovation skills by combining software, hardware, and services, as well as rebuilding brand awareness.

Sony wants to connect with consumers on an emotional level with Aibo. The puppy has more than 400 parts and 22 points of movement, making it move more like a real animal. The eyes are displays so that its gaze can follow its owner around the room, and it can learn doggie tricks like fetch and shake hands by using the Aibo app. Aibo can also take photos and videos to share with the family.

How much is that doggie in the window? 

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss new product innovation and its importance to electronics companies.
  2. Show Aibo Web site: https://us.aibo.com/
  3. Show Video: https://youtu.be/oGo0TwNXXuo
  4. Discuss the various promotional tactics that can be used for launching a product.
  5. Have students come up with tactics and list all the tactics on the white board (ex: billboards, print, direct mail, etc.).
  6. Divide students into groups to work on this exercise.
  7. For Aibo, have each team select three different tactics. For each tactic, explain why it was selected and how it will be used.
  8. Debrief by putting together the entire suggested lists on the white board. As a final step, have the entire class vote on the top three tactics to use.

Source:  Tsukayama, H. (23 August 2018). The rebirth of Aibo is also a chance to revitalize Sony’s brand. Washington Post.

 

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