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I was perusing the Wall Street Journal at the gym this morning, when I caught myself smirking, shaking my head from side-to-side, and thinking out loud (a few bystanders caught me as well). Maybe it's just me, but have you ever tried to make sense of what's being reported in most business journals?
Demand, Cost Cuts Put Alcoa In Black
According to the WSJ, this provides "a surprisingly upbeat start to the quarterly earnings season," as well as "hinted that the worst of the recession may have passed."
Really? Even though Alcoa revenues are down 33% from the same period a year earlier, and profits down 71%? I don't know, maybe we're all simply using a lot more aluminum foil to wrap leftovers and sandwiches that we now have to bag for work.
Vercase to Shutter Its Japan Stores
"The fashion house said it shuttered its last three stores in Japan because they 'no longer represented the brand image.'"
Huh? What does that even mean? Who creates the brand image? Did the neighborhood go to the dogs? Tell the truth: The people have stopped buying your overpriced, status handbags.
Ford Steps Up Ad Campaign
Starting Monday, Ford is launching a new chapter in its "Drive one" campaign, featuring 15-second spots using real customers talking about the "cool" features of their new Fords. "It's all about what 'real' customers are saying," said Matt VanDyke, Ford's director of marketing communications.
Riiight! Real customers. The ads will even have a "grainy, home-video feel" in order to showcase the testimonials as "believable, honest and authentic." Showcase (def: to show to best advantage)? Why showcase? If you believe in your product, grab a Flip camcorder, randomly stop people who are getting out of a Ford (maybe at a gas station), and ask them what they think. Then post every single one of their video answers online (sortable by vehicle year and type, location, age and gender of driver, etc.).
After 5 Short-Lived Campaigns, Wendy's Will Focus on Freshness
Wendy's, part of Wendy's/Arby's Group, says it plans to spend $75 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 on advertising to "tout the freshness of its food and poke fun at competitors." "One TV ad shows vignettes of fakes, including a man in a bad toupee and a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty, nestled between images of Wendy's food. A jingle asserts, 'We never freeze 'em like a hockey puck, or keep 'em stuck in a warming tray, like some others may.'"
A jingle asserting freshness. Wow! I'm sold (not). How 'bout telling us that your beef is sourced and inspected, prior to processing, to guarantee that the cows are treated humanely and that the meat is salmonella and E. Coli free? Oh yeah, I get it. It's much cheaper to waste the resources on blah-blah, meaningless jingles.
Qualcomm Unveils Pocket Mobile TV Player
"FLO TV Personal Television, as the product is called, is expected to be offered by retailers this holiday season at a suggested price of $249.99. Qualcomm also will offer its own programming service, with packages expected to cost $5 to $15 a month."
So let's see, I can spend $250 plus a monthly fee to receive who knows what content on another freakin' gadget, or I can buy a Slingbox and download the SlingPlayer Mobile software to my iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, or Symbian smartphone for about the same price and watch the content (which I already pay for) that's available on my home TV? Duh?
Amazon Cuts Price of Kindle E-Reader
Okay, some of the news makes sense. :)
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Tom is timely, thought provoking and all about the new brand vision packaged as a Seinfeld stand up. I went to school on his ideas.
Jeff Taylor, Founder, Monster.com and CEO, Eons.
Hey, Tom. Thanks for the post. I also agree that some of the news make sense.
Posted by: Strategic Growth Advisors | October 08, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Tom,
I've had those moments at the gym, with headset on and reading whatever, when I delve into my own (sick) world and laugh out loud. However, the best moments are reserved for when I see a beautiful woman walking by, while I'm on the treadmill, and nearly commit suicide by taking my eyes off the track/console in front of me.
I had a different moment today with news of the Nobel Peace prize. There was a sense of disbelief and am I dreaming with regard to catching the news of our recent winner. Not that I don't wish our President well and believe that the US needs to do a better job of leading in most areas, but some stuff seems like mockery. The ballots were due at the beginning of February and Obama wins? Are we, the Nobel Commission, that desperate for a hero?
Going back to the nature of your post, I'm not sure what qualifies as "success" or "winning" anymore in business or politics. Companies are declaring victories for only being 40% down, media outlets are declaring the recession is over while unemployment continues to rise and the "lending" bubble will be hit hard (again) with more foreclosures and homeowners looking for protection, and then the Noble Peace Prize.
I have many of your self described moments and I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting old or falling back on conventional wisdom. I see many things today that I shake my head at in disbelief. With that said, there are many fine moments when I sit down with family, mute the tv, do a little 3rd grade homework, and enjoy the comforts of a warm home.
Obama is taking on the appearances of a 1st round draft pick (quarterback) that's signed a big contract and enjoyed much of the preseason hype...I don't believe we've even started the regular season.
Posted by: The Joker | October 09, 2009 at 07:13 PM