Article 1 -Sugarpova
Article 2 - Facebook vs. Business Blogging
Maria Sharapova is a global tennis star and the world’s highest paid female
athlete. Maria Sharapova always had a sweet tooth and invested in a premium
gummy candy business in August 2012. Jeff Rubin, is the co-founder of Dylan’s
Candy Bar and is a consultant for Maria Sharapova’s candy business. Jeff Rubin
created a corporate business name for Maria’s premium candy called Sugarpova,
LLC. Jeff Rubin earns a certain percentage of sales when profit targets are
met.
Maria Sharapova invested $500,000 of her own money and opened a candy factory
in Murcia, Spain. There were 250,000 candy bags sold in the first three months.
In January 2013, Sugarpova went international to the following countries:
Australia, UK, Canada, Russia, India and China. The CEO of Sugarpova, Max
Eisenbud, has forecasted selling 1 million bags globally for the 2013 year. The
premium gummy bags sell for approximately $5.99 with a $1.10 net profit for
each bag. The bags are six times the cost of other gummy candy bags but provide
a premium quality of gummy candies. There is no brand recognition in premium
gummy candy and Sugarpova doesn’t have any major competition. There is a
potential for Sugarpova to earn $1.1 million net profit for the 2013 year. The
US, Europe and China gummy candy industry is $28 billion profit a year.
There is little investment in marketing as there isn’t a big budget in
marketing and advertisement. Sugarpova
is using social media, such as Facebook, as a free marketing campaign. “Every week,
everywhere she goes, people are talking to her about it,” the agent said. “It’s
also the power of social media, the power of her almost 9 million fans on
Facebook".[1] “We don’t really have a big budget at all for marketing and
advertisement,” says the four-time Grand Slam tournament winner, who
owns 100 percent of the company".[2] I commend Maria
Sharapova desire to invest in a premium gummy candy business. Maria Sharapova
has taken her corporate skill set from other companies that she has worked with
(Nike, Cole Haan and Tag) and applied them to Sugarpova. Maria Sharapova has
taken her candy business internationally in a short period of time. The
Sugarpova premium candy business investment is a great opportunity for Maria
Sharapova to eventually expand her investments in fashion, cosmetics and other
products.
References:
[1]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-10/sharapova-serves-sweet-ace-with-120-return-on-sugarpova.html
[2]http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-17/sugarpova-candy-sharapovas-sweet-taste-of-success
[2]http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-17/sugarpova-candy-sharapovas-sweet-taste-of-success
Facebook is a website where you can connect with your
friends and family. Facebook was founded in February 4, 2004 which is exactly
10 years ago by a Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg. As of September 2013, the popular website
Facebook has over 1.2 billion users. The social media website is a place to
have informal discussions with friends and family. You can post your photos,
chats, and videos to your friends and family. This is a great opportunity to
reconnect with old college buddies and even family members that you may have
not known. "One such reunion was between John Watson and the daughter he
had been seeking for 20 years".[1] "They met after Watson found her Facebook profile".[2]
Businesses are
starting to use Facebook as a free marketing scheme as Maria Sharapova, a
global tennis star, is utilizing Facebook. Facebook is the main marketing
strategy for Maria Sharapova’s candy product to attract new customers. In my
opinion, Facebook will become a more reliable marketing strategy further down
the road for businesses due to its: free, popular, good networking model, and it’s
colorful.
Business blogs gives companies a free
marketing outlet to attract new and existing customers. “There’s one
easy way to take your blogging efforts to the next level. By attending the
web’s largest online blogging conference, Blogging Success Summit 2011, you’ll
become empowered to use blogs to gain more exposure, better engage customers
and grow your business".[3] The customer trusts and feels comfortable with the company. Companies that blog provide their thoughts,
ideas and has the ability to communicate with customers effectively. Blogging
is unique and a different way companies interact with the customers. Blogging is a great resource to showcase your
product as it gives you the competitive advantage over other companies. In my
opinion, blogging has the one-on-one experience that a customer looks for with
a company. Blogging has the advantage over Facebook as Facebook may be too
informal for customers. Blogging gives you an opportunity to grow your business
by marketing your products to a customer in a rapid, efficient, and effective
way.
References:
Article
3 – Miami Dolphins Football
The Miami Dolphins football team hired
Dennis Hickey on January 26th, 2014 as the new general manager. “Hickey
brings 18 years of scouting and personnel experience to his new role with the
Dolphins. He will oversee all aspects of football operations, reporting
directly to Mr. Ross. Head Coach Joe Philbin will continue to oversee his
coaching staff and report directly to Mr. Ross as well”.[1]
References:
The Miami Dolphins football team hired
Dennis Hickey on January 26th, 2014 as the new general manager. “Hickey
brings 18 years of scouting and personnel experience to his new role with the
Dolphins. He will oversee all aspects of football operations, reporting
directly to Mr. Ross. Head Coach Joe Philbin will continue to oversee his
coaching staff and report directly to Mr. Ross as well”.[1]
Jeff Ireland was terminated after 6
years of being the Miami Dolphins general manager. Jeff Ireland was terminated as
the Miami Dolphins failed to reach the playoffs after 5 years. The last time
the Miami Dolphins made the playoffs was the 2008 year with a 11 win record
during the year. “However, Ireland was firmly in the hot seat after five
consecutive non-winning seasons. Ireland committed more than $200 million in
free agency, only to see the team finish 8-8 this season”.[2]
I have been a Miami Dolphins fan since
I was 8 years old– 1984. I had a great opportunity to see the Miami Dolphins play
in Miami every year when I was a young kid. My uncle had Miami Dolphins season tickets
and I was invited once a year to see them play. My family has continued the
tradition to see the Miami Dolphins play once a year in South Florida. A new
general manager is a positive change to rebuild the football program. Good Luck Dennis Hickey!
References:
[1] http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Stephen-Ross-Names-Dennis-Hickey-As-Miami-Dolphins-General-Manager/75b84000-f4bc-4b65-8e62-ab9b544b7dd7
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