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Digital Transformation: Painting the picture of the Future
There has been an enormous amount of talk and attention dedicated to Digital transformation as of late. But what does DX really mean for your company, industry and Canada? Simply explained, and according to i-Scoop - Digital transformation is the profound transformation of business and organizational activities, processes, competencies and models to fully leverage the changes and opportunities of a mix of digital technologies and their accelerating impact across society in a strategic and prioritized way, with present and future shifts in mind. To learn more, join Nigel Wallis - IDC’s VP of IoT & Industry Research - at Directions Canada 2018, where Wallis will share insightful research on the implications of Digital Transformation for Canada’s key sectors and workforce. Explore the opportunities and pitfalls of acting on the 3rd Platform technologies. Spaces remaining are limited. Click the image below to register for this year’s IDC Canada Directions conference or simply click on Nigel's icon to arrange an opportunity to chat directly with him. Source:
Who's the best gift-giver? Baylor marketing expert shares her research findings
Meredith David, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, studies marketing strategies with an emphasis on consumer behavior and well-being. Her newest study on gift-giving centers on "social projection" -- making choices on behalf of others based on your own preferences. The research reveals that people who are “secure” in interpersonal settings are the ones most likely to engage in social projection (making choices on behalf of others based on their own preferences). Conversely, those who are “anxious” in such settings are less likely to assume that others share their own preferences and less likely to make choices for others based on their personal attitudes. “You’d think that secure people with lots of friends and healthy personal relationships would have a better idea of what someone would like as a gift, but that’s not the case,” David said. “This research shows that individuals who are anxious in interpersonal situations and who have fewer close, personal relationships are better at predicting what a person may like.” Dr. David’s research focuses on marketing strategies with an emphasis on consumer behavior and well-being. Recently, her research has explored how new media technologies, including smartphones, impact personal and workplace relationships. Dr. David has also published research related to customized pricing tactics, interpersonal attachment styles, and the pursuit of health goals. Her research appears in numerous journals including the Journal of Business Research, Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, Journal of Advertising, European Journal of Marketing, and Psychology & Marketing, among others. Dr. David has been interviewed and quoted for her research in many national and international news outlets, including ABC News, Fox News, Oprah.com, Redbook Magazine, Consumer Reports and Health Magazine. Source:
Trade wars – is America’s economy collateral damage?
There’s been a lot of tough talk on trade coming from Washington as of late. With debates and even some delusions about trade surpluses and deficits,it’s feed for the political fodder, but are the politics behind the talk negatively impacting America’s economy? President Trump says he is standing up for American jobs, but by threatening to tear up NAFTA and imposing billions in tariffs on China, is starting a street fight with America’s traditional trading partners worth it? The common folk might think so. However, those who control the markets on Wall Street think not. The DOW is down. A lot. The NASDAQ is also falling. That means a lot of money is being lost and the ripples might be felt by middle America in the form of lost jobs. So, what exactly happens in a trade war? Is America truly getting the raw deal President Trump is claiming when it comes to doing business with China, Canada, Mexico and others? What will come of all the tough talk on trade? How will it impact the economy? There are many questions and issues to consider. That’s where the experts from Missouri State University can help. Dr. David Mitchell is a professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Economic Research at Missouri State. He is also an expert in economic forecasting and understanding market trends and direction. He can address what these trade wars will do for America's economy and what, if any, effects they will have on the American people. Click on his icon to connect with him. Source:
Is there any room left in the crowded home assistant market?
The tech world is abuzz with rumours that Spotify is potentially wading into the ‘home assistant’ marketplace. It’s a billion dollar business and could be the future for consumers wanting ‘smarter’ houses – but it is already a crowded market. The rumours are based on speculation as job postings for a project manager and analyst for a new hardware project to be developed and released. For Spotify to enter this space – it makes sense. However, is Spotify just a little too late to the party? As well, when you are last on the field and your opponents are Amazon, Google and Apple – the task ahead is daunting if not dangerous for the hundreds of millions of dollars in development and marketing that will be required. Is this just speculation for attention or will Spotify jump in and try to stand out? It’s not easy to decipher or decide. But that’s where the experts from IDC Canada can help. Jean Philippe (JP) Bouchard is Vice-President, Mobility and Consumer Research and is an expert in the areas of modeling and market forecasting, mobile device and platforms, go to market strategies, strategic marketing and product management. Simply click on JP’s icon to arrange an interview. Source:
The effects of Native American mascots
The Cleveland Indians announced today they will drop "Chief Wahoo" from uniforms in 2019. This is not the first news about Native American mascots of late. Goizueta Business School's Mike Lewis has extensive research on team value and mascots -- including the effects of live mascots in college sports and the controversial use of Native American mascots across collegiate and professional athletics. Source:
The Dow Jones is booming! But who is really cashing in?
On Wall Street, it has already been a great start to the year for the Dow Jones. Just yesterday, the Dow Jones industrial average had a closing record of over 26,000. It seems like reason to celebrate, but who’s really winning at the end of the day? Is this a matter of brokers, firms and big banks reaping the benefits? Or are those more familiar with Main Street able to cash in and win as easily as those on Wall Street? Also, what does the upward trend mean for everyday investors? And is this trend one that should have people getting on board or exercising some serious caution? Reading the economic and financial tea leaves is never easy, but that’s where Missouri State University (MSU) experts can help. Dr. James Philpot is a CFP and an associate professor of finance and general business at MSU. He's an expert in this area and is available to speak to media. Click on his icon to connect with him. Source:
Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of marketing in Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, studies consumer behavior, multicultural media, movies and entertainment. She is an expert on Hollywood and movies featuring actors of color. She said Tuesday's Oscar nominations reveal "positive strides" for recognition of minorities in the film industry, but she also noted missed opportunities for noteworthy films. “With today’s Oscar nominations, we see positive strides in the categories of Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director regarding the nominations of persons of color. Even for not-so-well publicized categories like Best Screenplay, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography, there are some wonderful artists of color and women that have been nominated. One that truly makes me happy is the nomination of ‘Coco’ for Best Animated Feature. It was an outstanding tribute to Mexican culture and was truly well done," Lindsey-Warren said. "However, I am saddened that Patty Jenkins, the director of ‘Wonder Woman’ did not get any acknowledgement from The Academy. She did an excellent job with ‘Wonder Woman,’ from both a cinematic perspective as well as from the worldwide box office revenues. I am also saddened that director Reginald Hudlin’s ‘Marshall’ is missing this awards season. The story of American hero Thurgood Marshall is one that should have been more celebrated.” Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., is a marketing scholar, business executive, artist and entrepreneur. As a consumer behavior scholar, her research is rooted in narrative transportation theory (i.e., storytelling) that exudes the emotion of empowerment and its impact on consumer attitudes, behaviors, purchase intention and message recall. She also studies health edutainment, multicultural media and advertising, as well as movies and entertainment. Lindsey-Warren is an expert in effective communications strategies for leaders, multicultural communications and marketing. For more information, or for an interview with Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, contact Baylor Media Communications. Source:
Professor Available to Comment on Cryptocurrency-Backed Securities
Professor Prabhudev Konana is available to discuss cryptocurrency-backed securities and coin offerings. Konana is a professor in the Information, Risk, and Operations Management department at the McCombs School of Business. Contact: Samantha Harris, Samantha.Harris@mccombs.utexas.edu or 512-471-6746 Related experts: Professor Andrew Whinston (Bitcoin and Cyber Security), Associate Professor Cesare Fracassi (FinTech). Source:
An honor or a Herculean-sized task to host the Olympic Games?
In less than a month – the world will be watching as South Korea plays host, once again to the Olympic Games. With the Games come international attention, media scrutiny and bragging rights. What also comes with is serious price-tag and left-over infrastructure. The Olympics, which begin Feb. 9, will cost the host country approximately 14 trillion won ($12.9 billion) – almost double the original estimates of the 8 to 9 trillion won ($7 to 8 billion) South Korea stated when Pyeongchang won the bid in 2011. That’s a lot of money. And is it worth it? Do the Olympics carry the lustre they once did? Has any country actually been able to make money or put to good use all the facilities that are requires hosting events like luge, bobsledding, biathlons and all those extra arenas? Is it time for a single destination for the world to converge on each year? As costs go up – the urge to host internationally seems to go down. There are a lot of questions about hosting the Games and if the task is worth the price tag -that’s where the experts from Cedarville can help. Andrew Wonders is an Assistant Professor of Sport Business Management and was on planning committees for the Sydney and Salt Lake City Olympic games. He can give a behind-the-scenes look at what is taking place now leading up to the Olympics. Andrew is available to speak with media – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source:
Movies like “Marshall” that are built around actors of color (Chadwick Boseman plays the iconic attorney) and have appeal to consumers of color historically see a significant surge in ticket sales in weeks five through eight – if producers are willing to keep them in theaters that long and allow for word-of-mouth advertising to build, said Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of marketing in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. She studies consumer behavior, multicultural media, movies and entertainment. “I believe that Hollywood often pulls movies starring women and actors of color out of the theaters way too soon and before word-of-mouth has time to fully spread,” Lindsey-Warren said. “In my opinion, and according to our studies, Hollywood is leaving a great deal of money on the table.” Movies built around actors of color typically make money – in many cases as much or more than five times the budget, she said. For example, the 2017 comedy “Girls Trip,” which was built around four African-American female leads, was made for $19 million and has grossed more than $100 million at the box office. A challenge, Lindsey-Warren said, is that Hollywood expects to make its money back in the opening weekend. That strategy often doesn’t translate well to consumers of color. She cited a Nielsen study that showed African-Americans make an average 6.3 trips every year to see movies, and they tend to strongly support movies where there are characters like themselves and to whom they can relate. But they don’t rush to theaters for premier weekends. “Historically, African-American consumers have not been such early adopters of seeing movies on opening weekend and have typically waited to hear from trusted sources, by way of word-of-mouth, if the movie is worth seeing,” she said. “I call this behavior giving word-of-mouth time to spread. These are insights that Hollywood has not fully embraced regarding consumers of color and for movies built around actors of color.” Source: