I’ve been a reader of author Michael Porter’s strategic thinking output since his noted article in the Harvard Business Review in 1979 (pdf: How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy). Since that time, Porter has penned numerous seminal articles and books on strategic thinking.
I’ve wondered how his pre-Web thinking would stand up in a world where business strategy has been monumentally affected by the Internet. He answers that question in this Harvard Business Review interview on YouTube:
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will not just be about sports, they will be about sponsors trying to create a super-brand using online marketing. These Olympic Games are expected to be unlike any other, and it still remains to be seen whether the standout will be for “Brand China” or for the sponsors’ brand campaigns.
“Going green” seems to be one of the biggest trends in consumer marketing right now, and some retailers are going beyond just making their business practices more environmentally friendly. In fact, more than 300 retailers – including Kraft, Bed Bath and Beyond, CVS, Starbucks and even Petco-- have joined RecycleBank to market to environmentally conscious consumers.
Marketers now have so many tools and so much information at their disposal, it is sometimes easy to get carried away with the next, big thing and lose sight of what really matters. David Armano, VP of Experience Design at Critical Mass, offers up his Wheel of Marketing Misfortune as a reality check when looking for the quick fix. For a thorough explanation, check out his post on the subject at Logic + Emotion.
Online music service Rhapsody this week threw a couple of punches at Apple’s iTunes by announcing a host of new features and offerings that will certainly heat up the online music download arena.
