Competitive Analysis

2014 Acura RLX vs. 2014 Cadillac XTS

The 2014 Cadillac XTS is fighting draw in a younger crowd than its core market of 62 year olds or to be even more accurate to 70 year olds. While the 2014 Acura RLX has a core market of 35-42 year olds.

“How does the brand or group compare to the competition? Is the brand or group a category or industry leader? In second place? A newcomer?”

(Advertising by Design by Robin Landa, Chapter 2 pg. 16) Both cars are starting at around $40,000 an above. Both can be fully equipped around $50,000. With a destination charge of $895 for the Acura and $925 for the Cadillac the Acura comes on top. Also with Acura you can get 20 mpg in the city than the Cadillac which only get 18 mpg. 31 mpg for highway compared to 28 mpg. Acura also comes on top for fuel economy. Acura RLX has 51% residual after 36 months and 37% after 60 months. Meanwhile the Cadillac XTS has residual value of 49% after 36 months and 32% after 60 months. With a standard rear seat heating/air conditioning controls, power moon-roof, rearview camera, speed sensing interval wipers, and accident avoidance system you can’t go wrong with the Acura RLX. Don’t even let me get started in dimensions and capacities because of course Acura RLX take the lead.

I’m giving you all the information that I have gathered between the two cars.

“In this phase, you examine, assess, discover, and plan; you are not conceptualizing or designing.” (Advertising by Design by Robin Landa, Chapter 2 pg. 17) Once you have examined all the materials, it is time to allow all you have learned to simmer in your mind. Taking a break from working on an assignment turns the concept generation over to your subconscious mind. Even when disengaged from concept generation, the brain is highly active. (Advertising by Design by Robin Landa, Chapter 5 pg. 74)

http://www.acura.com/tools/CompetitiveComparison/CompareResults.aspx?model=RLX&modelYear=2014&v0=35895&v1=36439

2014 Acura RLX: The Jewel of Luxury

The Acura RLX is came out with a new redesign look from the previous RL line. Every new product needs a slogan to sell it to the consumer. A statement with a nice ring to it or at least right to the point. “The product (or branded utility) should provide a useful and pleasant experience for the consumer.” (Advertising by Design pg. 3, Robin Landa)

Looking at and reviewing the Acura RLX my slogan is “The Jewel of Luxury. Acura RLX." I chose this slogan because I truly believe the Acura RLX is a beautiful luxury car.The word jewel because of the Jewel-Eyed headlights one of my favorite features. I believe the word will add and  enhancement to  the word luxury. The slogan is simple and right on the point of the product. It is short enough to remember without causing confusion. You don't want to overwhelm the consumer with a long or confusing slogan. "Finding a relevant insight into how people think, what they need or desire, and how they act, termed a consumer insight, is paramount for idea generation." (Advertising By Design by Robin Landa, Chapter 5 pg. 68)

It’s always important when you go out into the world that you know: “All students, novices, and professionals should be aware of criticisms so that advertising can be made more ethical. It is far better to be overly concerned about respecting one's audience and aware of how veiled stereotyped thinking can be than to be unconscious of such matters.” (Advertising By Design pg. 13, Robin Landa)

Week 7 EOC: The Pitch Final Project

2014 Acura RLX

The 2014 Acura RLX sedan made its first appearance in Los Angeles. Redesign from the previous Acura RL’s line. The new Acura RLX comes with high interior, spacious rear-seat legroom, and with the latest technology, including an optional and surprisingly capable lane departure prevention feature. The luxuries RLX also come with features like precision all wheel steering and brake hold which holds the RLX in place automatically in place. All RLX models are equipped with Jewel-Eyed LED headlights which will provide a whiter, brighter beam than HID or halogen highlights, with less energy and lasting longer. The headlight even when off will give off a jewel-like appearance.

How does the drive feel?

“Further enhancing the dynamic experience is a standard all-wheel steering system and firm but communicative brakes. Acceleration from the 3.5-liter V6 is strong and smooth, aided by the well-spaced gears and silky shifts from the 6-speed automatic transmission. Amid the free-flowing praise we should also point out that the RLX is really quiet, thanks to a vibration-reducing active engine mount, an active noise reducing sound system, and on the Tech models and above, noise-reducing 19-inch wheels along with acoustic glass that further minimizes wind and engine noise.”

Of course safety is important. With anti-lock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. Comes with a standard rear view camera. Rear parking sensors in the Advance package. It’s time to grow and get in a mature luxuriouss car like the 2014 Acura RLX. With a starting price at $48,450 and option of an advance package. This car come in 7 colors.

Resources:

http://www.edmunds.com/acura/rlx/2014/

http://www.acura.com/Features.aspx?model=RLX&modelYear=2014

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1304_2014_acura_rlx_first_drive/

http://www.kbb.com/acura/rlx/2014-acura-rlx/

Week 6 EOC: Duck Dynasty Trends

Duck Dynasty A&E

Duck Dynasty premiered with a breaking record rating of 11.8 million views. With 6.3 million viewers in the age range of 25-54 year old.  Adding to that, A&E attracts in 6.3 million viewers in the age range of 18-49 year olds. 18-49 year old is a very difficult age group to attract. Among these statistics it includes woman. Which is interesting since this is a show about rednecks. With a cameo fashion sense and long raggedy beards. If you missed the episode you can catch on A&E.

Duck Dynasty A&E

Overpassing Syfy’s "Sharknado" launched Twitter frenzy and managed to make its way to theaters all over the country, but ratings-wise? "Ducky Dynasty" brought in a whopping 10.4 million more.  Even surpassing, “Duck Dynasty" outdid in the ratings, from "Mad Men's" anticipated return to the finale of one of NBC's biggest comedies. Executive Vice President of the network explains the show’s success in the following; “The Robertsons represent a lot things we as Americans cherish,” said David McKillop, the general manager and executive vice president of the network: “self-made wealth, independence, three generations living together.”

What does this new success mean for the future? Will man start walking around with long beards? Is cameo going to be in next season? Or is duck hunting going to become a problem? With Duck Dynasty popularity raising what can we expect? If you have step foot in Wal-Mart you might have noticed all the Duck Dynasty products on displayed.  From shirts to microfiber pillows. There’s even an app called the Duck Dynasty Beard Booth. In the future we could probably expect more movies or even TV shows with rednecks or even with men who look like they need a good shower. Duck Dynasty could be the new theme for upcoming entertainment.

 

Week 5 EOC: Fixing JC Penny

Bill Ackman

JC Penny? I can’t even recall the last time I shopped there. Few years back, I stopped at JC Penny’s looking for a shirt and walking out or maybe it just felt that way. I do remember walking around the whole store and not stopping for anything. It was like if I knew before-hand that I will come out disappointed. I do remember when I was 12-14 years old it was my number one store to buy the brands I liked. Eventually over time the junior section was either too over stocked or too vacant. I do recall this outrageous sales of buy one and get another for $1. Most people turned the offer down because they didn’t need two of the same thing.

Myron Ullman

If you haven’t read or even heard about JC Penny’s latest news. Leading shareholder Bill Ackman has been pursuing the board to fire CEO Myron Ullman. With JC Penny’s stock plummeting Ackman is looking to blame Ullman. Continues to insist to the board with this statement, "Directors must put personal relationships and issues aside that might color their decision-making process," Ackman said in the letter. "The board must be led by a Chairman who is unbiased, can make decisions without regard to personal relationships, and focused only on what is best for the corporation." Except Chairman Engibous came back with a public response saying Ackman’s actions are “disruptive and counter proactive.” It seems to some people that Ackman rather put the blame on poor Ullman instead of taking responsibility for his own actions. "The irony is that Ackman himself has every step of the way severely damaged this company," Schultz told The Wall Street Journal. JC Penny sales have been down by 31 percent. According to some sources Ullman has been working tirelessly to bring back customers to the store.

JC Penny

It seems that Ackman is freaking out about his loses. Most likely annoyed that sales are still low. Stepping away from the corporate drama JC Penny’s ads are more confusing than ever. They’re either too long or just not interesting enough to remember. They had a great opportunity to pull back their middle class customers by hiring Ellen as their spokesperson. A woman who represents family values like kindness, compassion, and love to everyone.  What did JC Penny do? They blew it. Yes, the ads were family friendly but not memorable. They need to go back to their target audience and pay attention to their needs.

Resources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/09/bill-ackman-jcpenney_n_3732586.html?utm_hp_ref=business

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323477604579000691399643208.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23821840/jcp-shares-up-cnbc-report-new-ceo-search

Week 4 EOC: Women in advertising

Van 

Ads back then would drive the modern female crazy. Women were constantly portrayed as nothing more than a housewife. Ladies were given somewhat of a list of things they need to accomplish before a certain age

• Find a man.
• Which meant find a man to want you.

• Get married.
• Marry someone who can support you.

• Have children.
• Usually in the first year of marriage.

• Take care of your husband and children.
• Your life revolves around them 24/7.

• Cook, clean, and maintain yourself.
• Image is everything and your reputation must never be tainted.

• Don’t ever question you husband.
• He’s smarter and he knows best.

On the first ad (right) a woman is seen kneeling next to her husband. She is serving him breakfast as he lays there comfortably. On the upper left in black bold font it says “Show her it’s a man’s world.” It just got to show how belittled the role of a woman was. What is more interesting is the ad for a tie brand called Van Heusen. What? A Tie! 

I bet you didn't even notice.

Nike

Now, the second which is a woman running in athletic clothing. This time around in big capitalize white words it says “LADIES FIRST. MEN SECOND.” Now that is the complete opposite of the first ad. It’s a Nike ad empowering woman. I don’t know if I am being biased but I do understand this ad. I know what they are trying to sell. They are selling the Nike brand but also telling woman “it’s about you” “you are first.” In the bottom of the ad it states “Join the men vs. women challenge at nikeplus.com” Giving woman a chance to show they are better than men. It's interesting how ads change over the years. Eventually woman were encourage to be independent. That they don't need a man. It's about her first. 

Week 4 BOC: Omnicom and Publicis

Omnicom and Publicis made news headlines. The two companies have decided to merge together. Creating the world’s largest advertising firm worth more than 35 billion dollars. With a new company name Publicis Omnicom Group.

“Founded in 1986, Omnicom generates just over half of its revenue from U.S. clients, and about one-quarter from European and British markets combined. The company's stock has risen 31 percent in the last 12 months, recently peaking at $67.43 on the New York Stock Exchange.” If the two companies do face a block in their plans. If Omnicom and Publicis merge the will own 40 percent of United States advertisement industry. “Twice as much as the nearest competitor, WPP, according to Brian Wieser, an analyst at Pivotal Research Group in New York.”

Both companies will be subject to a regulatory approval in the U.S. and Europe. Since will be controlling such high percentage of the market. This increase can be a bad factor because of the declined of competition. If they own a large percent of the market who are they really competing with? Maybe the benefits out way the negative.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/omnicom-publicis-merge-forming-biggest-ad-firm-19795168

The company plans to base in Netherland and will keep headquarters in both New York and Paris. “The merged group will have more than 130,000 employees globally and will be larger than WPP.” In hopes that the combination of talent will be tremendously exceptional creating better leverage in skills. The companies will be led by Omnicom CEO John Wren and Publicis CEO Maurice Levy. One of the many benefits of this combination is that the companies will advance in digital advertising and improve traditional advertising.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferrooney/2013/07/28/publicis-and-omnicom-merge-creating-worlds-biggest-advertising-company/