Archive for October 16th, 2009

A ban on big screen TVs … only in California.

October 16, 2009

Ken’s Take: I really like this idea.  Why?  Frees up $$$ so folks can buy healthcare insurance … instead of me buying it for them.

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From the San Francisco Business Times: California looks to limit big screen TVs, October 14, 2009

California may ban some types of big screen televisions because they use too much power.

The state’s energy commission has proposed limits on big screen plasma and liquid crystal TV sets. The move is supported by power utilities and opposed by electronics industry groups.

A vote by the commission could happen as early as Nov. 4. If the rules pass, they’ll take effect in two phases, the first in 2011 and the second, tougher level, in 2013, and would reduce energy consumption by 49 percent, the commission said.

These types of televisions use lots of power, as much as a refrigerator in some cases.

“The standards would improve the energy efficiency of televisions without affecting the quality of the television, ” said the commission. It also said the technology needed to improve the energy efficiency of sets already exists.

About 1,000 types of televisions already meet the stringent standards, the commission said.

http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/10/12/daily42.html?ana=e_bjtt

Only in California, but maybe it’ll spread …

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Posted in Health Care / Medical Insurance, Taxes | 1 Comment »

When Hillary Clinton is more popular than you are …

October 16, 2009

According to Gallup …

Hillary Clinton lost the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination to Barack Obama, but in one respect she now ranks ahead of Obama.

The president’s current favorable rating of 56% is down 22 percentage points since January.

Over the same time span, Clinton’s favorable rating has changed little, and now, at 62%.

Advantage: Mrs. Clinton.

image

Source: Gallup, Hillary Clinton Now More Popular Than Barack Obama October 15, 2009
http://www.gallup.com/poll/123665/Hillary-Clinton-More-Popular-Barack-Obama.aspx

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Posted in Obama Administration | 1 Comment »

Boys will be boys … and that can be very profitable

October 16, 2009

TakeAway: Can anybody keep the attention of young males today? Maybe not, but that won’t stop us from trying.

Disney’s acquisition of Marvel is just the latest case of a company going after this fickle and easily-distracted segment.

You can’t blame Disney, however, as this segment has the potential to contribute greatly to overall profitability.

That is, as long as they finish their chores.

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Excerpted from BusinessWeek, “Disney’s Marvel Deal and the Pursuit of Boys” By Tom Lowry and Ronald Grover, September 10, 2009

The U.S. has 30 million males aged 5 to 19, and capturing their attention with a TV show, movie, or magazine article is a boon to advertisers. Boys (or their parental proxies) are ravenous consumers who spend billions each year on apparel, toys, and video games.

Big Media, faced with the loss of auto and financial advertising, is charging hard at this elusive demographic.

Exhibit A: Walt Disney’s $4 billion acquisition of Marvel Entertainment and all its superheroes.

Besides attracting more boys and balancing out Disney’s big following among girls, the Mouse House believes the Marvel acquisition will bolster Disney XD, a channel it is now using to target boys.

Edit by JMZ

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Full Article
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_38/b4147066139865.htm?chan=innovation_branding_top+stories

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Posted in Mktg - Positioning, Mktg - Segmentation | Leave a Comment »

Ty Cobb goes down to defeat … no, not "that" Ty Cobb

October 16, 2009

TakeAway: Dems have lost a string of  special elections because of national issues that have eroded independent and seniors’ support, and lackluster turnout — especially among minorities, young people, and far-lefters.

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Excerpted from WSJ:  Health Care’s Coattails, Oct. 15, 2009

Last week, Republicans captured Albuquerque mayor’s office for the first time in 28 years.

On Tuesday, the GOP won a pair of special elections in Tennessee and Oklahoma, picking up seats held by Democrats for decades.

The reason: Republican intensity and lackluster Democratic turnout.

In Tennessee, Republican businessman Pat Marsh won 56% of the vote to defeat Democrat Ty Cobb. It wasn’t as if Mr. Cobb had a name unknown to voters. His brother Curt had held the seat before resigning to take another government office (and it probably didn’t hurt having the same name as a baseball legend).

But Mr. Cobb attributed his defeat to “national issues . . . the health care issue was the main one.”

A couple of states over, national issues may also have played a role in the GOP capture of an Oklahoma House seat held by Democrats since 1965. Republican Todd Russ won 56% of the vote even though registered Democrats have a two-to-one edge in the district.

The twin victories mean Republicans have captured a total of six state legislative seats from Democrats in special elections this year. The other wins came in Delaware, Texas, New Hampshire and Virginia.

Next up: the VA and NJ governor races in November.

Full article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574475292426931168.html?mod=djemEditorialPage#printMode

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Posted in Politics - General | Leave a Comment »