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Discussion 1: Post a relevant article here from any business source (but be selective - is a blogger a credible source of info?). Your article should include discussion of a product (good or service) and components of value discussed in your text (articles about product launches or failures often include such information). Does the article address the questions posed in Figure 2.9 in the text? Does this figure give you ideas for improvements the company could make? This first post that includes an attached article (use the 'chain link' icon, and make sure your link is active) is due by the first SUNDAY of the unit (there is only one deadline on Canvas, the later one, so don't miss this first part!). 

Discussion 2:  Post two examples: include photos or video of one symbol and one ritual that you have seen or participated in.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJEYUYXJQkc

Include a full discussion of the symbol and the ritual, a minimum of a paragraph or so for each.  Use good writing practice to create an argument about the meanings your culture attaches to the symbol and ritual you discuss, and specify the culture as necessary.

Discussion 3:  

Though many moms and dads try to shop for healthy cereals for their kids, the children themselves have a lot of influence on the purchases. This article gives some statistics regarding this influence, and advises that parents should be targeted with an eye to appealing to kids simultaneously - not an easy task since they may care about different things.

Instructions: Please reply below - Choose a product and do some research about its purchase, concentrating on household purchase roles. For heterosexual couples, is the decision to purchase made by the husband alone, the wife alone, or jointly by both parties? Is the buyer also the decider or also the user? Is there an influencer? Do these factors complicate the marketing of this product? Provide a link to an article. In your example, did the marketer make a good choice here? Why or why not? (Consider if you are in the target market too.) Please post a VISIBLE photo to illustrate (use the scenery icon on the menu).

 http://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Manufacturers/Kids-cereal-challenges-Do-not-underestimate-pester-power-says-analyst  

Discussion 4:  

Cheerios commercial featuring a mixed race family

I had to watch this commercial several times before I believed it really existed. It is nice to see my own family represented in traditional media.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/05/cheerios-ad-mixed-race-couple_n_3390520.html (Links to an external site.)

https://youtu.be/yOmXfX7Lxow

Cheerios/General Mills took some heat for this (actually had to close commenting on the YouTube page), but also received kudos. The 'traditional' family is disappearing in a lot of ways, and consumers often appreciate seeing different representations of what they know to exist, or are living themselves.

Instructions: 

Please reply below - Post an example of an advertisement that shows the changing nature of microcultures in the US (see trends in your book, or come up with your own). Examples might include women or men in nontraditional jobs, interracial couples, gay couples (OK, gay couples in ads is getting too easy - see if you can find some other new trend), single parents, etc. How hard was it to find an example? Considering both ethics and business perspectives, do you consider your ad to be effective marketing? Why or why not?  Please post a VISIBLE photo to illustrate (use the scenery icon on the menu) or a video (use the embed code).

Discussion 5:  Social and cultural norms tend to become obvious only when they are broken. Post a video of someone violating a norm (it has to happen in front of others that aren’t ‘in on it’).You can find one on YouTube, or if you’re feeling brave, you can ask a friend to film you doing it. You can pick any social norm to violate as long as it doesn’t break the law (I don’t have bail money). These could range from shaking hands with the left hand, belching during a date or meeting, wearing shoes that don’t match,walking with their books on their head, singing in a crowded elevator,etc. How did observers react? Did you witness any sanctions? Did reactions vary by any noticeable psychographic or demographic variables? What does thistell you about the importance of social norms? 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqehmFDMrQ8 

Photo Exhibit 2 9 a.b.c for discussion 1  another Photo for discussion 3