Rock On, Comatose Flamingo

A few weeks ago we were introduced to the "Rock On" project - a project in which we were to take everything we have learned this year in Sports and Entertainment Marketing and use those tools to create and market a band. We had 13 assignments to complete, and each one was more challenging than the next. Throughout the project we really got a feel of what the marketing world is like.

Our first assignment was to create a band name and logo. My group (Nick, Noah, & I)created an alternative group named Comatose Flamingo, and our logo was a neon pink flamingo. We used a random band name generator to create our band name; the alternatives were Chilled Butter, Dropkick Advisory, Save Avacado, and Yuppie Bliss. This assignment was fairly easy, and we were all in agreement on it.

The second assignment is where we started to disagree. Assignment #2 was to create a band biography, including band name, music style, members in our group and instruments played, discography, and a brief history of our band. I gave Nick the task of writing our biography while I came up with our Discography and brainstormed what we could put in our bio. Nick wrote out some of what I told him, but the bulk of it was not what I wanted. I'm OCD and an English nerd, so I re-wrote our biography at home, putting in key events and trying to tie in our target market - young alternative music fans. Our market was alot of the same people who listen to bands like The All-American Rejects and Fall Out Boy.

Our third assignment was to come up with a tour name and sponsor. This is where we really had to know our target market. Originally we were going to go with an energy drink like Monster, but we decided Vans would be the best. People who listen to alternative music tend to like Vans, especially younger people. We decided "The No Fear Tour" was an appropriate alternative band name, and also went along with our most recent album - "Saving Presence."

Assignment 4 was our research assignment. Before creating our 20-city tour, we had to research a band in our genre and create a map of their tour. We researched The All-American Rejects, and learned about the flow of a tour - how long between concerts, where a major band like them played, etc. Researching them really helped us decide what to do on our tour.

We used Assignment 4 as a model for Assignment 5. We picked 20 cities, put them in a reasonable order, found places to play in each city that went along with how popular we were, and found local opening acts for each city. It was a little tricky completing this assignment, but we eventually got it all together.

Assignment 6 was where pricing came in. We researched ticket prices for other bands in our genre, and decided that $30.00 for general admission was about right. We didn't want to charge too much, but we were an excellent, multi-platinum selling band, so $30.00 seemed reasonable to us. We also offered VIP seating and Suites at specified locations, for $45 and $400.

Assignment 7 was where we went hog wild. We were supposed to design a tour bus for our band. We figured that because we were so incredibly successful, and because we couldn't find a single bus we all really liked, that we needed three buses - one for each of us. Nick decked his out with his picture all over the outside and a nice countryish inside. Noah went for flashy. He had a nice, rich-looking interior and a compartment underneath to hold his Mustang. I went with a country motor coach. Mine was nice as well, and all three of us were extremely pleased with our finished products.

In Assignment 8 we created our most recent CD. The challenge was to make it easy on the eyes as well as marketable. I tried to get the CD to go with the name of our album. I think we accomplished that.

Assignment 9 was our promotion assignment. We were told to create a poster that gave information about an upcoming show. Noah took care of our poster.

Rock Swag Design was Assignment #10. Together we decided what kind of merchandise we wanted to promote and sell. We decided on a t-shirt, hoodie, and a collectible guitar with "Comatose Flamingo" on it.

Noah also took care of Assignment 11 - Stage Design. He researched stages famous bands in our genre had played on and that would be big enough to fit our stuff. He decided on a large stage that would allow us to move around alot and be able to put on a really cool show.

12 was Nick's baby. He designed our backstage pass using bighugelabs.com. He incorporated everything he thought should be on the pass.

This project was not only fun, but educational. It made us think for ourselves and use the information we were given before we started the project. Honestly, I'm a little sad it's over, but I am proud I was able to successfully complete the assignment and learn things that will help me immensely when I go to business school and once I'm in the business world.

Spring Break!

This Spring Break was more eventful than the Spring Breaks of my past. In past years, I never did anything for Spring Break. My family stayed home while all of my friends left town and did exciting things. This year I was determined to do something exciting.
I told my parents I was going to leave town for at least part of the break. I didn't care where I went as long as I wasn't in Houston. I ended up in Galveston on the beach Monday and Tuesday of Spring Break.
Monday was nice and sunny, but Tuesday was cold and wet from it raining. Just as we started to leave the beach Tuesday to go to the Strand, the sun came out. Go figure.
Wednesday and Thursday I went to the rodeo with my friends. I love the rodeo. It's like a taste of summer for me, because the best part of my summers are spent in the country. Not to mention all the cute cowboys and good food.
The rest of the break I just hung out with my friends. I saw I Love You, Man, Friday, and Saturday I went to a birthday dinner and then to Agora. Sunday was completely uneventful.
So overall, my Spring Break really wasn't that different from every other Spring Break. I just had a little more freedom this year. And now I'm back, for my last 9 weeks of high school. I'm counting down the days until graduation.

Commercials

I need to do this blog still.

Jobsintown Ad

This is an ad for jobsintown.de. It's funny and incorporates all the 4 P's of the marketing mix. The product is jobsintown.de, the price is not needed, the place is jobsintown.de, and the promotion is "Life's too short for the wrong job."

7 Key Marketing Functions

In the world of marketing there are 7 key functions
Without them there would be major malfunctions.
They work interdependently; they need each other
You can't have just one, you need another.

Product/service management is one of those needed
Used with distribution, businesses have succeeded.
Selling and marketing-info management are two more
Financing and pricing affect consumers at a store.

Promotion is the last, and ties them all together
It works tirelessly through all kinds of weather.
A few of the functions exist to meet our needs
Businesses use the others to plant some seeds.

All are needed to create a successful market
Every business uses them; even those who telemarket.
The 7 key functions are extremely vital
So should you use them? That's not hypothetical.

Superbowl XLIII

Basically the only reason I watch the Superbowl is for the commercials. I could care less about football; I have no idea what's going on. Though this year I was rooting for the Cardinals (so close!). My favorite commercial was the NBC LMAO one. I thought it was funny as well as a good advertisement for shows like 30 Rock & The Office (I LOVE the Office). It included the 4 P's: the product: NBC shows; the price: not mentioned, but not needed for this product; the place: NBC and nbc.com; & finally promotion: the comedy of the commercial made people want to watch funny shows that are on NBC.

Salt & Water

Today we did a project where we had to transport our "product" (a cup of water and a cup of salt) to a distribution center, using only a plastic spoon, a paper towel, and a straw. We hit some road blocks and didn't get our products there completely untainted. The activity helped illustrate the distribution process for us, giving us a firsthand look at what needs to be done to successfully transport a product from point A to point B.

Our Team!

Today we got our groups for Sports Marketing. I'm in a group with Nick & Noah. Nick actually suprised me & wrote a decent interview blog. I think the thing that really made his interview though was the 8 1/2 x 11 baby portrait of himself that he set up next to the computer. It was a nice touch. Noah... idk... idk what I learned about him. Just kidding. I think the boys will probably be the creative ones in the group, & I'll make everything happen & make our projects presentable. I'll also be in charge of writing the essays or reports because I'm good at English.

Mini Marketing Project: Chuys!

We did a mini project marketing Chuy's mexican food in class last week. We had to incorporate the 4P's of marketing: Product, Place, Price, & Promotion. Our product was Chuy's Mexican Food, & the place was Chuy's in River Oaks (we included a map). The price for our product was under $10 for all entrees - so relatively cheap. We promoted Chuy's by making a poster with pictures of some of the food on it, as well as advertising that all entrees were under $10 and that Chuy's accepted Visa, Mastercard, American Express, & Discover cards.

& now that I've talked about Chuy's, I'm hungry.

Mas Rachael

Our assignment today is to answer some interview questions, which is easy, but I feel really stupid writing 2 posts all about me. But whatever.

I guess I'll start with my favorites.
Food: Probably Mexican, but I'll eat pretty much anything.
Music: Country, hands down. I have very diverse taste in music though. Rock, rap, oldschool, musical theatre, instrumental. You name it, I probably like it.
Movie: Monty Python & The Holy Grail, Lion King, A Walk To Remember, Anchorman, P.S. I Love You, etc. Romantic comedies are the best.
TV Show: The Office. Bones. Fringe. Anything funny or mysterious.
Place: The country. Like out in the boondocks country. I would trade the city for the country anyday.
Book: Too many to count. I LOVE to read. The Twilight saga, the Uglies series, Harry Potter, To Kill A Mockingbird, 1984, & Slaughterhouse 5 are a few of my favorites.
Hobby: Reading, writing, hanging with friends, music. Normal teenage stuff.
Subject: English has always been my thing, but this year I'm in AP Stat & I really like it. English is still 1st in my book, mainly because I'm good at it. & I love to read & write.

& now for strengths & weaknesses.
Strengths
I'm a hard worker & I don't turn in crap. I'd like an A in this class.
I'm very good at writing & organization.
Weaknesses
I'm OCD & I hate having things I turn in be less than perfect.
I tend to want to do everything myself because I don't trust other people with my grade.

I study for tests in certain classes. I know that's bad, but some classes I don't have to study for, so I don't. I blame Senioritis. I don't slack off though & I'm not stupid. I'm in the top 10% of my class, and you don't get there by doing absolutely nothing. In this class, I'd like to learn the ins and outs of marketing and what the business world is really like - what it takes to make it there. When we pick teams, I think the work should be divided equally and according to the team member's strengths. I'd make a good team member because I won't just sit back and watch everyone else work. I'll do my part & ensure that we get a good grade on the assignments given to us.

Wahoo's Fish Taco

We just watched a video for Sports Marketing on Wahoo's Fish Taco. The story's pretty cool. Three brothers in California wanted to create a business that they could make a living on while still being able to surf - and Wahoo's Fish Taco was born. It started off small, with only one restaraunt. People loved it & today Wahoo's has over 50 locations in four states. They market well; they market different than most companies do today. Instead of making a whole bunch of commercials and spending big bucks on normal marketing techniques, they market by giving free food away and helping other businesses. Marketing is "planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives. Or more simply put, marketing is "the creation and maintenance of satisfying exchange relationships. Wahoo's definately knows how to market. They have all 4P's of the marketing mix: Product, distribution, price, and promotion. Their product is tasty, the distribution plentiful, the price low, and the promotion excellent. Wahoo's is a great example of a small business and the success a small business can have if marketed the right way.

Me in a Nutshell

I guess you could say I've lived a pretty normal life. I was born in Houston, Texas & just recently celebrated my 18th birthday on December 26. My parents are parents. There's not really alot you can say about them other than that. Growing up I always thought I was more like my dad than my mom, in looks, mannerisms, & sense of humor. But now that I'm older I've realized I'm way more like my mom. We're very alike, in every sense. Adults often ask if I'm her sister, & though she's really happy about it, I never know if they mean she looks as young as I do, or I look as old as she does. Mom says to take it as a compliment, but I haven't decided yet. My little sister is, on most days, the bane of my existence. We're pretty much polar opposites - she's smart, & I'm social. Not to say I'm not smart - I've been in the top 10% of my class all four years of high school & am a member of the NHS - she's just smarter. Where I lack motivation, grades are her driving factor. She won't accept anything less than perfection, & I'd rather have a social life than kill myself over school. But Kelsey & I are alike, as much as I don't want to admit that. That's a whole other story, though.

I went to private school the first 10 (school) years of my life, at Clay Road Baptist School. Spring Woods was a bit of a shocker after being sheltered my entire life, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I probably would have killed myself if I would've had to stay in private school any longer. I was more than ready to get out & experience life by the time I hit high school. I had fun & made more memories than I can count at Clay, but it was time for a change. & Spring Woods definately delivered.

Church has always been a big part of my life. We went to Clay for church as well until a little before I hit high school, when we started attending Spring Branch Community Church - which is now Bridgepoint Bible Church. I have to admit, I hated it at first. But as time went on & I started to fit in, I realized what a blessing it really is. Bridgepoint has some of the most genuine, caring people you will ever meet. It's real & I love it.

Friends make up another huge part of my life. I have the best friends in the world. What I love about my friends is their genuine care for what's going on with my life and with me. They're always up for a good time & we have some crazy times, but if I need them, they're there. Our personalities all work very well together (most of the time). They're perfect examples of what a true friend looks like. Every one of them. & I wouldn't trade them for anything.

& now for some random tidbits about me. I'm miss social, so rarely does a day go by that I'm not doing something with my friends. I text 24/7, 7 days a week. I'm constantly uploading pictures onto Facebook & I'm always looking for the next fun thing to do. I love an adventure. The faster, more dangerous, more exciting, the better. I love the feeling I get when I'm doing something insane. I'm OCD & I love photography. I don't leave the house without my camera. My friends and family have stopped taking their cameras places because they know I'll get enough pictures for everyone. Milk is the best thing ever created. I love it with a deep, burning passion. If I could choose one thing to live off of for the rest of my life, hands down it would be milk. I'm complicated & overdramatic (I blame that on theatre). & I love to write, if that's not obvious.

So that's pretty much it. That's me in a nutshell. For now, at least.

Here's to New Beginnings

Ok, first blog. I'm supposed to write about what I hope to learn from Sports Marketing this year. So here goes.

Considering I'm going to college to major in Business Administration, this class should be pretty beneficial to me. Dad says marketing is good to know; it's helped him over the years in the business world. So here I am, trying to get a little knowledge under my belt before I start at Mays Business school at Texas A&M in College Station. I want to know pretty much anything Mrs.Cuellar can teach me. The more I know, the better off I am later. I want to know everything from advertising to the boring stuff. If marketing is anything like accounting, there's got to be some boring parts. Some grudge work that no one else wants to do. Bring it on. I plan on getting everything I can out of this class.