Week 10 EOC: Les Paul

Today is the birthday of Les Paul, one of the biggest figures in history when it comes to not only the electric guitar, but he was the pioneer for many famous recording techniques that are still used today. Not only was he an inventor, but a songwriter and musician as well. He was the founder of the solid-body electric guitar, which made the sound of "rock and roll" possible. His model, the Les Paul, has been one of the more popular types of guitars since it has been released, and they are still flying off the shelves. Not only is he credited for the invention of the solid-body electric guitar, but he was one of the pioneers to start using overdubbing on tracks (sound on sound.) Paul had hosted a fifteen-minute radio program, The Les Paul Show, on NBC Radio in 1950, featuring his trio (himself, Ford and rhythm player Eddie Stapleton) and his electronics, recorded from their home and with gentle humor between Paul and Ford bridging musical selections, some of which had already been successful on records, some of which anticipated the couple's recordings, and many of which presented re-interpretations of such jazz and pop selections as "In the Mood", "Little Rock Getaway", "Brazil" and "Tiger Rag." Over ten of these shows survive among old-time radio collectors today.A bad automobile accident in 1948 put Les out of work for about a year and half; however, he had an alternative. His right arm had to be set at a permanent right angle for him to be suitable to play the guitar. Now that is amazing! He was also one of the first to innovate other recording techniques such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multi-tracking. Without his experiments and innovation in the recording industry, who knows where we would be at today because he did so much for the recording industry.

http://goo.gl/doodle/P4gB

EOC - Week 9 - Creative Content

For the creative content aspect for my vodka product, I will most likely be doing a 15-30 second commercial. I want to have a commercial that will accentuate the fact that we use waters from the Andes mountains and real Riesling white grapes from Chile. I don't want this to be your ordinary radio commercial. I want to have something that  will make this one stand out; however, I am still in the creative process and still currently thinking on what exactly I will need to make this commercial special.

EOC - Week 9 - Three Great Mission Statements

As the book says “Mission statements should be meaningful and specific yet motivating.”

One of the first mission statements that stuck out to me was Danielle’s mission statement -  "Cheap Ass vodka strives to maintain the absolute lowest cost vodka in every market to provide our customers with the ultimate inebriated experience." It was very short and straight forward with the pitch, which I liked a lot. Being a blunt person, I like that kind of style.

I like Keri’s mission statement "It is our responsibility to make, distribute and sell the finest quality all natural, hand selected Vodka and with a continued commitment to incorporate wholesome, all natural ingredients and promote business practices that respect the Earth and the Environment. Which in turn, will give you the most natural experience On the Rocks." After reading this, I was very impressed with everything in aspect. I am definitely an advocate for green living and being environmentally friendly so I was very excited to read that.

I was also a fan of Grover's mission statement as well. "The mission of Verb Vodka is to give a quality beverage to accent a good time, as well as promoting responsibility when consuming alcoholic beverages and participating in sexual activities." I think incorporating the packs of condoms with every bottle purchase is an excellent idea and I think it will definitely have an affect with the marketing aspect. It might be more applied to the younger generation.

EOC - Week 8 - What Makes My Vodka Special

There are all kinds of vodka brands out there. Whether it's the flavor, the quality, or just the brand name that sets them apart-there is always something that makes that particular vodka bran unique.What sets us apart (Andes Vodka) is that our vodka is distilled through the waters of the Andes mountains so they can taste the clarity and smoothness of our product. Also, our product is refined through white Riesling-grapes from Chile- and with their light, luscious, fruity flavors, we can assure that the consumer will not only have a smooth, great tasting experience, but an incomparable one as well.We wanted our product to be a full bodied, strong drink, but also a smooth, drinkable one as well. Andes Vodka is 40% alcohol and is 80 proof, which has somewhat become a standard for most vodka drinks. Our distillation process is a little bit different as well. The ethyl alcohol is injected to a column or pot still (most modern vodka producers use column stills). The stainless column still is comprised of vaporization chambers stacked on top of each other. The alcohol is continuously heated up with steam while it cycles up and down. This cycle continues until the vapors created from the heat are released and condensed. The alcohol vapors rise to the top vaporization chambers where they accumulate. The by products and extracted materials drain into the lower chambers where they can be discarded.

EOC - Week 7 Vodka Pitch

So I’m thinking of a new kind of grain alcohol (vodka) that is distilled 5-6 times and is made from real mountain waters coming from the Andes Mountains (in between Chile and Argentina), infused with the bittersweet taste of real Chilean orchard grapes. The Andes consist of a vast series of extremely high plateaus surmounted by even higher peaks that form an unbroken rampart over a distance of some 5,500 miles from the southern tip of South America to the continent's northernmost coast on the Caribbean. They separate a narrow western coastal area from the rest of the continent, affecting deeply the conditions of life within the ranges themselves and in surrounding areas. The Andes contain the highest peaks in the Western Hemisphere. The highest of them is Mount Aconcagua, on the border of Argentina and Chile. Chile is also mainly known for their vast lands dedicated to grape orchards. In this case I will be using the white Riesling- grape for its light, luscious, fruity flavors. Being one of the most important primary grape varieties worldwide, the white Riesling-grape coming from Germany achieves the best results in cooler areas. In Chile, Riesling is cultivated predominantly in cooler regions in the valleys south of Santiago: Rapel, Curicó, and Maule. Innovative wine-growers who are looking for ways to differentiate their wines, committed themselves to Riesling in the past few years; however, in this case it will be an excellent option for cultivating it for vodka. In terms of quantity, it plays a minor role in Chile as being a warm and sunny country. Lush green to golden yellow in color, Riesling has a light and fresh taste, from time to time a mineral one. Various citrus flavors are evident (grapefruit, lemon, apple, passion fruit), underlining the distinctive features of its location.

EOC - Week 6

Everyone is different and has their own specific needs whether it comes to hygiene, food, clothes, etc. When it comes to certain products and why people rely on that specific item, it’s a little different for everybody. If there were three products I could name that I absolutely need, it would be my deodorant, lotion, and maybe my face wash. When it comes to my deodorant, I have tried multiple brands, scents, models, etc.  It wasn’t until I found the specific one I currently use, that I have remained loyal for years now. The deodorant brand I always stick with is Old Spice. I think the main reason I have used it for so long is because my dad has been using it since I was a young child. When I grew to be a teenager, I messed around with other brands but I still managed to stick with Old Spice – Pure Sport (or Fiji). Another product I am always using on the daily is my Curel (Fragrance Free) lotion. Since I was a little child, I was always using lotion because my skin would tend to dry up fast and I would use it mainly for my elbows and knees; however, since I got my first tattoo (years ago), I have been using fragrance free lotion for years. I like it because I can also use it on my face, so I get out of the shower, put it on my body and face, and I’m good to go. The final product I use all the time is my Clearasil face wash. I have used it for years and it seems like it’s the only face wash that has been getting the job done and being affective. I experimented with all kinds of different brands and models, but this one has been the best with results so far, and I’ve been using it for years

Week 4 EOC - There's an App for that

In a world like today, technology surrounds us everywhere we go. A perfect example is the rise of smart phones occurring today. The movement of smart phones has revolutionized the way we think and act. There's practically an app for everything in the smart phone world. There are new apps being developed on the daily, and it seems like there is something new, practically every minute. I think an excellent idea for a new app would be a "Happy Hour Locater" app. It would be awesome to have an app that shows you the nearest happy hour specials to you. It would also be a benefit to know what kind of different happy hours occur on certain days of the week. It would definitely come in handy for anyone who enjoys the nightlife (let's face it - in this town, who doesn't?). Another idea for a new app is a portable, digital recorder within your phone. They have a few apps that are similar but they only record a raw, microphone signal, with no access for manipulation. I think a digital vocal recorder would be an excellent idea for a new app; however, not just a basic recorder. I would also apply features such as flanger, delay, reverb, and maybe even a button that will allow you to access a song on your phone so you can even "sing" with it. It would be a cool and fun way to put some creative input on your favorite songs, or just a fun tool to have when you’re with your friends. I think another cool idea for an app is one that would be very convenient for those who like to bargain shop and compare prices. I think it’s a cool idea to have an app that will allow you to scan the barcode on a certain item in a grocery store, but will also tell you the comparing prices of any other grocery store around the area. It would make comparative shopping a lot easier and more convenient.

EOC Week 3 - My demographics

According to experts, the generation I grew up in would be considered in the "millenials" generation. There was a lot of truth in what they had to say about us. For the most part, we all grew up with the digital revolution so a lot of us are very "tech-savvy" with technology. It's safe to say that a lot of us grew up with computers and cell phones while growing up, giving us a bit of an advantage in the world. Members of this generation are called Echo Boomers, due to the significant increase in birth rates through the 1980s and into the 1990s, and because many of them are children of baby boomers. Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on social and economic conditions. However, it is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies. In most parts of the world its upbringing was marked by an increase in a neoliberal approach to politics and economics.

“One thing that all of the Millennials have in common is their utter fluency and comfort with digital technology. They don’t just embrace technology, it’s a way of life. The Millennials were the first generation to grow up in a world filled with computers, cellphones, satellite TV, iPods, and online social networks. A recent study found that 91 percent of Millennials are on the Web, making up 32 percent of all U.S. Internet users. According to another study, 77 percent of Millennials frequent social networking sites and 71 percent use instant messaging. “All generations are comfortable with technology, but this is the generation that’s been formed by technology,” says a Yahoo! executive. For them, “it’s not something separate. It’s just something they do.” (Kotler,2011)

I completely agree with that quote. I couldn't agree more with what he said when he stated, we don't just embrace our technology, its our way of life. If you go to any college campus, you will see that it's flooded with laptops, tablets, ipads, etc. Technology is a booming industry with our generation because we are one of the generations that is never content with what we currently have. We are always striving to have "the next big thing." We're always asking the question of, "How can we make this faster?" or "How can I make this more reliable." We are always pushing for the next big thing.

EOC Week 3 - Making Money for Good

While conducting my research, I found a lot of different companies that make money for good causes, something that isn't too common nowadays. TOMS shoes are a prime example of serving a good dead for the global communities. For every pair of shoes they sell, they give one away to someone in need, somewhere in the world. Another company that find its sole purpose is to help promote literacy across the world, is 'Better World Books.' They claim the title of "the online bookstore with a soul." "In addition to selling new titles, Better World Books supports book drives and collects used books and textbooks through a network of over 1,800 college campuses and partnerships with over 2,000 libraries nationwide. So far, the company has converted more than 53 million books into over $8.6 million in funding for literacy and education. In the process, also diverted more than 26,000 tons of books from landfills." (http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2011/04/10/can-doing-good-and-making-money-go-hand-in-hand/) Another company is Keeper Springs Waters. They are an independent water bottling company who donate 100% of their profits to help America's waterways be kept clean. Another company who donate all their profits is Humanitas Wine, which is a winery in Napa, California. They donate all their profits to Feeding American, and Habitat for Humanity. (http://newhope360.com/companies-donate-100-profits-charity)

EOC Week 2 - Boston Consulting Group

The video game industry is one that was booming for several years, but lately it seems as if it has starting to head down towards a slippery slope. Through the years, there has been stiff competition between Nintendo’s Wii, Sony’s Playstation 3, and Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

“Where the Kinect is one single unit and the Wii only has a couple of things to put in place, the PlayStation Move requires several components. You’ll need the PS3 system, the Move controller, the Navigational controller, the PS3 Eye, and the proper software to read whatever you’re doing. Based on what we’ve seen, it will take the longest to put into play”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37911691/ns/technology_and_science-games/

“The Xbox 360 generally appeals to more hardcore gamers, with games like Halo 3 and other first-person shooters. Xbox Live has been more successful than the Sony Playstation Network, despite the fact that Sony's network is free, where Xbox Live Gold service costs about $50 per year. All three  have seen the addition of Netflix movie streaming. Microsoft offers social networking features with Facebook and Twitter. Nintendo offers online connectivity for game play and downloads, but it generally offers fewer options than Sony or Xbox.”

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/060710-tech-argument-wii-xbox-ps3.html


Everyone’s watching to see how this battle plays out, because each company is pursuing a very different strategy. Sony and Microsoft are gunning for pure performance systems, while Nintendo is shooting at fun, playable games that rely more on its unique controllers than impressive graphics hardware.

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2006/11/22/playstation-3-vs-xbox-360-vs-nintendo-wii/

Based on the research I have done, I think it’s safe to say that the video game industry is quite the competitive market. Lately, it seems like every corporate company is sparking an idea off the competition’s ideas. I think, according to the BCG chart, that the SONY corporation is probably the “dog of the group.” The Playstation 3 is not only the most expensive of the four, but it is also the hardest to set up when it comes to the motion sensor gaming systems (The Playstation “Move”). I think that the Microsoft corporation is probably the “question mark” of the chart because they’re still quite successful from their online network services (Xbox Live.) Also, they have releases the newest of the motion sensor gaming hardware which is the Xbox Kinect. Sales are still rising since they are so new, so it’s hard to say where they stand at now, which is why I categorized them as the question mark. I think the Nintendo Wii is the cash cow. They also just recently came out with the Nintendo 3dS which has had booming success. Besides that, they have had immense success which the Wii itself. In my opinion, I think it is because the Wii appeals to more of a family audience, making it easier to sell, since it attracts not just the younger generation, but the older audiences as well.

Week One: EOC: Great Customer Service

I have had numerous encounters in various stores and had great customer service; however, there is one that sticks out the most. I was shopping at a Guitar Center and looking for another piece of equipment for my studio that is still in the works. At the time, I was searching for the perfect MIDI controller. When I reached the audio department, the specialist, named Mike, approached me and asked me just the right questions to help him get a picture of what exactly I was looking for. He listened to every thing I had to say and helped me find what I wanted, and made sure that with the spending money I had, that I would surely get good quality. He went out of his way to look up different brand product models for me and compared prices so I could get the best deal, and get the best quality for the price as well. In the end, I bought the M-Audio Axiom 49 and he even gave me a little discount. Since that day, I have been coming back to that shop ever since and I'm always asking for Mike because of how helpful he was. It's that kind of customer service that will keep consumers returning and purchase more products!

Week One: EOC: My Voice

Steven Jeria is an audio professional and specializes in all aspects of the audio industry and is a member of the AES (Audio Engineering Society).  He graduated in the summer of 2012 and started traveling around the world as soon as he finished school. After a few months of traveling, he returned to his home in Las Vegas and started working as sound technician/ audio engineer on various shows throughout the city. Whether it was a music festival, or a theatrical show, he has worked through it all.  He has also toured with numerous bands around the globe as their sound technician. Not only has he worked in live sound, he also produces/mixes music for artists of all kinds of genres in his home studio. When he’s not recording or mixing other artists, he is usually working on his own pieces of music. Aside from being an audio engineer/music producer, he is also a musician and plays various instruments such as the drums, guitar, bass, piano/synth, and also does some DJ’s on the side. He loves what he does and doesn’t consider his career as “work” at all. “If you’re going to be doing something for the rest of your life, make sure it’s something that not only can you enjoy, but something that will allow yourself to expand your horizons to their full potential.”