Archive for September 29th, 2010

Ready to pull the lever for Mitch Who ?

September 29, 2010

A couple of tidbits from the Politico-GWU poll that’s been getting some play on the talk shows …

35% strongly approve of Pres Obama’s job performance; 45% strongly disapprove  … an 10 point gap.

But, 47% strongly approve of Mr. Obama “as a person”  … leading pundits to consistently conclude that he remains personally popular but his policies are unpopular.

That’s true … 46% personal approval is higher than 39% job approval.

But, my question: anybody notice that less than half of folks strongly approve of him as a person.

That doesn’t strike me as remarkably “still popular”.

* * * * *

75% of the people surveyed don’t know who Mitch Daniel’s — governor of Indiana —  is.

When asked: who would you vote for in the next Presidential election: Obama or Daniels … Obama wins 38% to 26%.

Since more people are willing to vote for Daniels than know who he is, it says that some (many ?) people will vote for anybody who isn’t Obama.

Hmmm …

* * * * *

Of MSNBC’s powerhouse prime time line-up:

  • 42% don’t know who Keith Olberman is.
  • 55% don’t know Rachel.Maddow
  • 70% don’t know Ed Shultze 

Source:
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM156_bg_41_questionnaire.html

Posted in Polls & Surveys | 1 Comment »

When a tree falls in the woods … update.

September 29, 2010

Today the President continues his campaign tour to rally his exhausted (Velma’ Hart’s word) and ignorant (Kerry’s word) base …  and get them to buck up (Biden’s words) and get out of their chairs (paraphrasing O’s words).

Interesting tactic.

Now, instead of insulting Bush & Boehner, top Dems are insulting voters.

Might work …

* * * * *

Have you noticed that crowds for Obama’s events are a lot thinner these days.

Here’s an example …

Six weeks before the mid-term elections, President Obama couldn’t fill the ballroom at the Roosevelt Hotel, despite cheap tickets on offer.

And then he was met by hecklers.

Event organizers had to reach down to the D list to fill a room to listen to him.

Most of the low rollers arrived early to see President Obama up close and personal.

Tickets for the general reception at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York were only $100.

Some bought tickets for $50 from their desperate Democratic committeeman.

Some bought the same day.

Source: The Daily Beast, Obama’s Fire Sale
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-09-23/obamas-fire-sale/?cid=bs:archive23

I guess some of the mojo is gone, huh ?

More important,  is anybody listening to these 2-a-day speeches the President is giving ?

They’re kind of a blur, aren’t they ?

Posted in Obama Administration | Leave a Comment »

Kenmore – Sear's jewel – gets modern.

September 29, 2010

TakeAway: By any measure Kenmore has been successful over a long period of time. 

Even in today’s intensely competitive home appliance market, it has managed to stay on top across all major appliance categories. 

Now, the brand is being  overhauled in an effort to modernize.

With customer-focused innovations geared toward a new generation, including appliances that transmit data over a phone line in order to troubleshoot, the brand seems likely to stay on top for the foreseeable future.

* * * * *

Excerpted from Brandchannel, “Kenmore – A classic appliance brand gets a makeover,” by Barry Silverstein, August 17, 2010

There was a time in the annals of American retailing when Sears ruled the universe in both mail order and store sales. While that era is long gone, the venerable Kenmore brand, originally associated with Sears, has maintained its independent leadership position in household appliances.

First introduced on a laundry appliance in 1927 … The brand’s awareness factor is legendary. Today, more people in the United States buy Kenmore than any other appliance brand, one in every three American homes contains a Kenmore appliance, and Kenmore ranks number one or number two in every major appliance category.

… Even its rivals know the unshakeable power of the brand — Frigidaire, LG and Whirlpool all manufacture products that are sold under the Kenmore name.

But Kenmore has not rested on its laurels …

The trick, of course, is to modernize the brand while retaining and enhancing its long-standing reputation. … that involves four primary areas:

1. “Premium customer touch points,” such as higher quality handles and knobs that are both elegant and ergonomic.
2. “Premium technology,” including user-friendly interfaces such as color-touch LCD displays that are advanced but intuitive and easy to use.
3. Streamlined modern design.
4. New logo and custom font, as well as a new sound palette on select products.

… Kenmore announced an additional innovation called Kenmore Connect, a technology designed to speed up appliance repairs. Kenmore machines with problems have the ability to transmit data over a toll-free phone line for review by company representatives. …

Product design isn’t the only area getting a … makeover. … Kenmore launched an interactive “Kenmore Live Studio” in Chicago. The studio is equipped with cameras that broadcast video via the Internet and includes demonstrations by chefs, presentations, and unveilings of new products that can be shared in real time on the brand’s Facebook page. …

Obviously, Kenmore is making a concerted effort to gain relevancy with a whole new generation of consumers.
Edit by DMG

* * * * *
Full Article
http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp

* * * * *

Posted in Mktg - Brands, Mktg - Brands - Private Label, Mktg - Product & Innovation, Mktg - Product Line Mgnt | Leave a Comment »

Kenmore – Sear’s jewel – gets modern.

September 29, 2010

TakeAway: By any measure Kenmore has been successful over a long period of time. 

Even in today’s intensely competitive home appliance market, it has managed to stay on top across all major appliance categories. 

Now, the brand is being  overhauled in an effort to modernize.

With customer-focused innovations geared toward a new generation, including appliances that transmit data over a phone line in order to troubleshoot, the brand seems likely to stay on top for the foreseeable future.

* * * * *

Excerpted from Brandchannel, “Kenmore – A classic appliance brand gets a makeover,” by Barry Silverstein, August 17, 2010

There was a time in the annals of American retailing when Sears ruled the universe in both mail order and store sales. While that era is long gone, the venerable Kenmore brand, originally associated with Sears, has maintained its independent leadership position in household appliances.

First introduced on a laundry appliance in 1927 … The brand’s awareness factor is legendary. Today, more people in the United States buy Kenmore than any other appliance brand, one in every three American homes contains a Kenmore appliance, and Kenmore ranks number one or number two in every major appliance category.

… Even its rivals know the unshakeable power of the brand — Frigidaire, LG and Whirlpool all manufacture products that are sold under the Kenmore name.

But Kenmore has not rested on its laurels …

The trick, of course, is to modernize the brand while retaining and enhancing its long-standing reputation. … that involves four primary areas:

1. “Premium customer touch points,” such as higher quality handles and knobs that are both elegant and ergonomic.
2. “Premium technology,” including user-friendly interfaces such as color-touch LCD displays that are advanced but intuitive and easy to use.
3. Streamlined modern design.
4. New logo and custom font, as well as a new sound palette on select products.

… Kenmore announced an additional innovation called Kenmore Connect, a technology designed to speed up appliance repairs. Kenmore machines with problems have the ability to transmit data over a toll-free phone line for review by company representatives. …

Product design isn’t the only area getting a … makeover. … Kenmore launched an interactive “Kenmore Live Studio” in Chicago. The studio is equipped with cameras that broadcast video via the Internet and includes demonstrations by chefs, presentations, and unveilings of new products that can be shared in real time on the brand’s Facebook page. …

Obviously, Kenmore is making a concerted effort to gain relevancy with a whole new generation of consumers.
Edit by DMG

* * * * *
Full Article
http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp

* * * * *

Posted in Mktg - Brands, Mktg - Brands - Private Label, Mktg - Product & Innovation, Mktg - Product Line Mgnt | Leave a Comment »