vt marketing professor

Is the Deal Between Apple and AT&T Anti-Competitive?

With all due respect, some of you people need to stop blogging and get out there and work in the real world of channels and logistics. "Exclusive" agreements happen all the time....One supplier will pick another and so on....Happens every day. If you're gonna strike down this deal as "anti-competitive" then, you better get busy on a whole slew of others....The list is enormous.

Is Steve Jobs Sick Again, or Just Thin?

Some of you need to lighten up...I think it's a very prudent comment about Jobs' health. Right, wrong, or indifferent, the CEO is the "face" and the persona of their company. The "demand" for the stock is based on future speculation of the company....And, if a CEO has major health problems and/or is rumored to be leaving/retiring or whatever, it significantly effects the direction of the company.... Particularly the short term stock price.

I would agree, however, that such comments/speculation about any other employee in the chain of command is probably out-of-bounds.

Is Steve Jobs Sick Again, or Just Thin?

Some of you need to lighten up...I think it's a very prudent comment about Jobs' health. Right, wrong, or indifferent, the CEO is the "face" and the persona of their company. The "demand" for the stock is based on future speculation of the company....And, if a CEO has major health problems and/or is rumored to be leaving/retiring or whatever, it significantly effects the direction of the company.... Particularly the short term stock price.

I would agree, however, that such comments/speculation about any other employee in the chain of command is probably out-of-bounds.

iPhones Head for Canada; Rumors on AT&T Subsidies in the U.S.

I seriously doubt that Fortune would report something that isn't true.

Apple's Branding Strategy Delivers Superior Results

Rick....You missed a major point.....Apple's products are simply BETTER. They look better, the work better, and the user has a much better EXPERIENCE all the way around.

My Take on Fortune's Best Stocks for 2008

GE hasn't moved in two years. It was $35 two years ago, and $35 in July 07.

13 Predictions for 2008

No doubt that our political system needs an overhaul, but an "independent" will never win the white house in our life time. Surprisingly, most of the young internet types don't even vote.

DTV Offers Tivo Users An Upgrade And A Headache

Great analysis. The bottom line is that DTV (& others) have ripped of TIVO and infringed on their technology. These so called providers think they don't need TIVO and can similar technology and cut them out of the mix. Well, DTV, I for one will follow TIVO, not DTV.

BTW, you left out another kicker.....IF you "upgrade", DTV wants your 10-250 which you paid for!! And, on the H20...It's only leased. What a laugher.

TiVo: Can It Survive?

A little research will point you to a vast array of message boards where it's very obvious that generic DVRs, especially Direct TV, don't work properly, whereby current TIVO customers will do about anything to stay with the product. Some are almost to the point of desperation. TIVO has a tremendous amt of brand loyality, and a very strong core base, much like APPLE. However, your point is well taken re: future alliances....Their deal with Comcast should help. Additionally, Direct TV and TIVO are rolling out "enhanced" features in early 08 to current customers. Finally, there is the pending lawsuit that TIVO has descended upon DISH. Depending on who you talk to, it's quite possible that TIVO may win large judgments re: the technology infringements against most generic DVRs. Time will tell of course. Clearly, TIVOs best course of action is more alliances. I do think they have a superior product, especially in reliability and ease of use. However, they have to figure out a solid channel approach.