...Marketing Strategy 8050 Marvel Enterprises, Inc. Case Writing by Xiaodan Dong February, 2008 Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (b) Why was Marvel’s turnaround so successful? Would you characterize that success as a fluke? Or do you view it as sustainable? Why? How? Marvel’s success is not a fluke because its business model is sustainable. Marvel’s new strategy monetized the content library by licensing characters for use with media products. During an era in which mass media is very important in people’s life, only one media tool, publishing, is not strong enough to expand Marvel’s influence to consumers. Comic books can target a very limited market, mostly composed of male teenagers and young adults from 13 to 23 years old. It is very difficult to expand this traditional market. After many years of development, this market has matured and is very stable. Meanwhile, people have been more exposed to movies, televisions, and video games, which more effectively influence people’s consumption behavior than do comic books. All these media modes are able to reach more consumer segments than traditional comic-book publishing. Marvel’s potential to develop increased dramatically when its market expanded to broadcast media. Other consumer products, such as toys, worked in conjunction with media products, these two kinds of products reinforced each other. Marvel’s market expansion developed in both a comprehensive and intensive manner. Marvel emphasized long-term value in its...
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...Bankruptcy and Restructuring at Marvel Entertainment Group Bankruptcy and Restructuring at Marvel Entertainment Group 1. Why did Marvel file for Chapter 11? Were the problems created by bad luck, bad strategy or bad execution? Before addressing its bankruptcy, it is necessary to have a general understanding of the company being analyzed. Marvel Entertainment Group began in 1939 as Timely Publications, a comic book publishing company that gained fame around the time of the Second World War. One of its most successful characters from this period was Captain America, who was often depicted fighting against the Germans. Other new characters came in the decades that followed, some of which still maintain popularity to this day, including The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, The X-Men, and Spider-Man. Attempting to reflect the general “psychological spirit” of the era (WWII, Cold War, etc.), many of Marvel’s creations in the mid-20th century fought against Communist foes. Editor-in-Chief Stan Lee helped usher in the ‘Marvel Age of Comics’ of the 1960’s, writing most of the superhero titles himself, and restoring many of the aspects from the late 1930’s superhero genre. Skipping forward a few decades, Marvel Entertainment Group was bought in January 1989 by Ron Perelman for $82.5 million, financed using only $10.5 million of equity. The remaining portion was borrowed from a syndicate of banks led by Chase Manhattan, seeing this as a relatively insignificant amount for Perelman...
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...Case Distressed M&A and corporate strategy: lessons from Marvel Entertainment Group’s bankruptcy Joseph Calandro Jr Joseph Calandro Jr is the Enterprise Risk Manager of a global financial services firm and a Finance Department faculty member of the University of Connecticut (joseph.calandro@ business.uconn.edu). s the current recession unfolds, indications are that corporate executives and strategists will be making decisions in an economically distressed environment for some time to come.[1] Historically, investment and M&A activity tend to decline during periods of economic distress. However, a specialty form of acquisition, known pejoratively as ‘‘vulture investing’’ has flourished during such times. Perhaps because it has been practiced as a specialty by financiers accustomed to balancing high risks for quick rewards, acquiring distressed companies has not been widely viewed as a corporate strategic opportunity. Recently, however, distressed M&A has become more common: A B as of April of 2009, there were 60 distressed M&A deals for the year including Valero Energy Corporation’s purchase of VeraSun Energy Corporation’s assets in bankruptcy; in 2008, there were 220 distressed deals; and in 2007, there were 134.[2] B B When assessing distressed M&A opportunities, corporate strategists should leverage their industry knowledge and expertise to search for hidden value, and also to select qualified industry experts to validate strategic and valuation assumptions...
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...COURSE DESCRIPTION FORM School/Faculty/Institute Sabancı University, Faculty of Management Program B.A. in Management Semester Summer 2014 Course Code MKTG405 Course Title in English Marketing Strategy Course Title in Turkish Pazarlama Stratejisi Language of Instruction English Type of Course Lecture/Seminar/Practical/Fieldwork Level of Course Senior, Junior Intermediate Semester Summer Hours per Week 3 Number of Credits 5 ECTS Grading Mode Letter Grades (A: 100-93, A-: 92-86, B+: 85-78, B: 77-70, B-: 69-63, C+: 62-50, F:49-0) Pre-requisites Principles of Marketing or Introduction to Marketing Course Description MKTG405 will deepen students’ knowledge of marketing strategy. Students will not only be provided with a capstone class that enables integration of their learning in marketing (“pull it all together”), but they will be equipped with thinking strategically when making and implementing marketing decisions (“strategic decision making”). Extensive application of specific analytical approaches and tools for understanding customers, competition, and markets (“applications of marketing data and information”) will help students in developing an appreciation for the relationship between marketing and the other functional areas of business. Course Description in Turkish MKTG405, öğrencilerin pazarlama stratejisi bilgisini derinleştirmeyi hedefler. Öğrencilere pazarlama bilgilerini entegre edebilme kabiliyeti kazandırmanın yanı sıra, pazarlama kararlarına...
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...Harvard Business Case Study: Apple Inc. Dennis Stovall Kaplan University GB 520 Strategic Human Resources Management March 25, 2014 Abstract This business analysis focuses on the commercial enterprising activities of a world leading consumer electronics company, i.e. Apple Inc. and how, through its technologically advanced creativity and electronics expertise, it succeeded in introduced the world to a radically new era of multimedia innovation. Apple Inc. opened up an entirely new method in which microchip technology was to be developed and used for industrial, institutional and commercial use. It is due in large part through the amazing talent of Steve Jobs that this esoteric technology managed to achieve stellar proportions with regards to the open market. The purpose of this case study is to shed some light on Apple Inc.’s adopted business plan, the one that led to the advent of a revolutionary new market, i.e. microcomputers and later iPods and iPhones. It serves to address why this business plan, if in fact there was a creditable one to begin with, did not achieve’-in terms of business management’- an unprecedented if not historic record of business design and implementation; at least one that could be looked upon as a shining example of how to introduce an amazing new product technology and sell it to the worlds consumers so as to obtain record profits while helping to stabilize the market and influence world wide business conduct...
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...[pic] Movie Company Business Structure Case Study Analysis [pic] Leopoldo Vendramin ADVANCED BUSINESS STRUCTURES Special thanks to Mr. Peter Butters Academic Year 2010/2011- Term I The movie company considered for this analysis, has recently acquired one of the major comic company of the world, the “Comedy Factory”. Is therefore being developed a business strategy, that serves to clarify the organizational structure at global level. The investment made, then as purpose, growth and expansion throughout the world, trying to revive the comic book characters (hidden for too long) and trying to exploit the licensing of the former company, implementing a new strategic plan of marketing and distribution of merchandise. As in the past, when Disney acquired Marvel, the CEO of Disney, Robert Iger said: “This treasure find of over 5,000 characters offers Disney the ability to do what we do best." (Robert Iger, 2009). The organizational structure of a multinational company, requires a detailed treatment of the management and executive system. Therefore be able to build within a specific operating system, which limits the costs of each department to avoid the risk of confusing the various tasks. The acquisition of Comedy Factory, leader in the field of comics, will help the movie company to implement and develop new projects in the film industry, entertainment and merchandise. “What I love about DC is that we're not a one-note business...
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...MARKETING COURSE Articles Books & Chapters Cases Course Modules Online Courses Simulations 2012 MATERIALS Harvard Business Publishing serves the finest learning institutions worldwide with a comprehensive catalog of case studies, journal articles, books, and eLearning programs, including online courses and simulations. In addition to material from Harvard Business School and Harvard Business Review, we also offer course material from these renowned institutions and publications: Babson College Business Enterprise Trust Business Expert Press Business Horizons Magazine California Management Review Darden School of Business Design Management Institute HEC Montréal Centre for Case Studies Ivey School of Business International Institute for Management Development (IMD) IESE Business School INSEAD John F. Kennedy School of Government Kellogg School of Management Perseus Books Princeton University Press Rotman Magazine Stanford Graduate School of Business Sloan Management Review Social Enterprise Knowledge Network Thunderbird School of Global Management Tsinghua University University of Hong Kong Customer service is available 8 am to 6 pm ET, Monday through Friday. Phone: 1-800-545-7685 (1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada) Tech support is available 8 am to 8 pm ET, Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 7 pm ET Friday. Phone: 1-800-810-8858 (1-617-783-7700 outside the U.S...
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... Written by Carlos Carillo, Jeremy Crumley, Kendree Thieringer and Jeffrey S. Harrison at the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond. Copyright © Jeffrey S. Harrison. This case was written for the purpose of classroom discussion. It is not to be duplicated or cited in any form without the copyright holder’s express permission. For permission to reproduce or cite this case, contact Jeffrey S. Harrison (RCNcases@richmond.edu). In your message, state your name, affiliation and the intended use of the case. Permission for classroom use will be granted free of charge. Other cases are available at: http://robins.richmond.edu/centers/center-‐for-‐active-‐business-‐education/research/case-‐network.html November 2012 "Walt was never afraid to dream. That song from Pinocchio, 'When You Wish Upon a Star,' is the perfect summary of Walt's approach to life: dream big dreams, even hopelessly impossible dreams, because they really can come true. Sure, it takes work, focus and perseverance. But anything is possible...
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...Case study Topic: Disney’s FROZEN as a global pop culture phenomenon FROZEN has been a global sensation with great reception by audiences around the world with its original song “Let It Go”. Let It Go was translated into many languages which captivated people around the globe of all ages . This move by Disney can be seen as a form of “media globalization” via the means of YouTube and theatrical releases on Television in different countries with different cultures and languages. The reception of the film can be seen as a “cultural process” or Cultural globalization which is the intensification and expansion of cultural flows across the globe . Academic Sources 1) Mollet, T. 2013. “With a smile and a song …”: Walt Disney and the birth of the American fairy tale.” Marvels & Tales 27 (1): 109-24. In this journal article, Mollet reviews on how Walt Disney’s production is now being seen as crucial to the construction of the modern American society through his contribution to the formation of a new United States nationalism . The author approaches the topic using cultural studies and textual analysis ofn Disney fairy tales to exemplify how they reflect the dominant (?) culture of America. Her research focuses on analysing Disney films such as “Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs”, “Three Little Pigs”, “Wizard of Oz” and how these films and their characters portray the unstable society and culture of America during the great depression and other different time periodslines. The...
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...The Fluidity of Disney. Gender Norms & Racial Bias in the Study of the Modern “Disney” The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass media corporation headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. It is the world's second largest broadcasting and cable company in terms of revenue, after Comcast. Disney was founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, and established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and theme parks. The company also operated under the names The Walt Disney Studio, then Walt Disney Productions. Taking on its current name in 1986, it expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theater, radio, music, publishing, and online media. In addition, Disney has created new corporate divisions in order to market more mature content than is typically associated with its flagship family-oriented brands. The company is best known for the products of its film studio, the Walt Disney Studios, which is today one of the largest and best-known studios in Hollywood. Disney also owns and operates the ABC broadcast television network; cable television networks such as Disney Channel, ESPN, A+E Networks, and ABC Family; publishing, merchandising, and theatre divisions; and owns and licenses 14 theme parks around the world. It also has a...
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...Dunkin’ Donuts Joe Schmoe MGT 330: Management for Organizations Prof. Frances Marvel March 11, 2014 Dunkin Donuts As a district manager, many responsibilities come with the job. District management is responsible for virtually all the operations in the company with respect to the business goals that have been set out in the company plan. This is especially the case when the district assigned is a group of new area start-ups. District managers are responsible for the allocation of resources, hiring, training and managing teams. The roles of a district manager starting new Dunkin’ Donuts locations are no different yet they include the responsibility for a smooth start. These added responsibilities include job design, organizational design, staffing functions such as recruiting and selection, as well as the implementation of a training and performance appraisal processes. Job Design Job design aims to reduce job dissatisfaction and employee alienation by means of repetitive and mechanistic tasks. Organizations attempt to increase productivity levels, satisfaction and motivation to employees through job design. Job analysis, job description, and job specification are the three standard approaches to job design (Baack, Reilly, & Minnick, 2014). Job Analysis Job Analysis is a process, which is followed right after position identification and position building in an organization chart. It is the first step in the process of hiring a candidate as it outlines the particular...
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...Chapter 1 Introduction Discussion Questions 1. In the domestic case, accounting is an information service that provides financial information about a domestic entity to domestic users of that information. International accounting is distinctive in that the entity being reported on is either a multinational company with operations and transactions that transcend national boundaries or involves an entity with reporting obligations to readers who are located outside the reporting entity’s country of domicile. 2. Advantage: Some might argue that measurement, disclosure, and external auditing are three distinct (although related) processes, involving different members of the company. For example, corporate attorneys often are involved in disclosure issues, but seldom intervene in measurement issues. The Board of Directors works with the external auditors but not necessarily with the comptroller s office. Thus, discussion of accounting requirements and voluntary accounting choices in different jurisdictions is simplified by focusing on the three components of accounting. Disadvantage: measurement, disclosure and auditing are interdependent, and should not be viewed in isolation of one another. A company choosing to disclose as little as possible, for example, may use accounting measurement approaches that reduce the information content of financial statements, and select an external auditor who will be relatively lenient in enforcing accounting requirements. One alternative...
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...Sara Odette Battikh Walt Disney Company Report COMM 387 – Spring 2011 Walt Disney Company Report Note that all information and graphs below are obtained from the websites sited on the reference sheet at the end of the paper. “Creativity continues to be the essence of Disney, even as our businesses expand across borders and media platforms, it is the foundation for almost everything we do, the source of our strength and our success, and the fuel that will power us into the future” - Robert Iger, President and CEO - When we hear the word Disney, what is the first think that comes up in our minds? Most people think about Disney and relate it to magical, exciting and large attractions parks and hotels, and the famous Mickey Mouse. However, they missed to see how big and influential this organization really is. Walt Disney Company is one of the World largest communications organizations. Everyone knows Disney! It is everywhere in our lives, from TV, radio and movies, to parks, clothing, accessories and toys. Owning diverse media markets, Disney has build a tradition of culture and niche by efficiently managing its markets and products, allocating them among different cultures, age groups and preferences. In this report I will be analyzing some of the major managerial decisions within the Company, its influences over the market and the way it has established across the years in our culture. We are now about to discover all the financial numbers, facts, operational...
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...1. Introduction a. Background of the company Apple Inc. is an American enterprise that design and makes computer software, hardware, and other gadgets. The organization is best known for their Macintosh PC line, Mac OS X, to a great degree faithful client base, iTunes media application and the iPod individual music player. The organization home office is in Cupertino, California, CEO and co-founder is Steve Jobs and the organization boasts 284 retail stores spreading over 10 distinct nations. Macintosh was set up on April first, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne to offer the Apple I PC unit. Steve Jobs was said to possess 45% of the organization, Steve Wozniak with 45% and Wayne with the staying 10%. While Jobs and Wozniak...
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...Management Control System TASK 6 REPORT CASE 8.2 “Hasbro Interactive” By : Group 1 Nadya Azahra Rangkuti (023100004) Hanna Dwina Putri (023100066) Fahrina Trinandasari (023100117) Felisitas Yola (023100184) Gabriella Rahajeng Putri (023100208) Trisakti University 2013 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of company In 1923, three brothers, Henry, Hilal, and Herman Hassenfeld, founded Hassenfeld Brothers, a company selling textile remnants, in Providence, Rhode Island. Over the next two decades, the company expanded to produce pencil cases and school supplies. In 1926, Hassenfeld Brothers was incorporated with Hilal leaving for another textile business while Henry took charge of the corporation. With cost of pencils rising and their pencil supplier making pencil cases, Hassenfelds began making their own pencils becoming a source of funding for future lines. In the 1940s, Hassenfeld Brothers produced doctor and nurse kits, its first toys and modeling clay becoming a primarily toy company by 1942. In 1960, Henry died and Merrill took over the parent company and his older brother, Harold, ran the pencil-making business, Empire Pencil. Hassenfeld Brothers expanded to Canada with Hassenfeld Brothers (Canada) Ltd. in 1961. Having previously sold toys under the Hasbro trade name, the company shortened its name to Hasbro Industries in 1968 and sold a minor stake in the corporation to the public. Between 1978 and 1981, Stephen reduced...
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