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Apple and Disney Case Studies

In: Business and Management

Submitted By pooky123
Words 465
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Case One: Japan to Apple’s iPhone: “No Thanks!”
The new version of Apple’s iPhone has generally been a strong seller worldwide, except in Japan. While some analysts had estimated that Apple would sell a million units of its latest iPhone in Japan, revised estimates put the number at more like 500,000 phones. So what’s the problem? The phone uses the faster 3G network and offers a touch screen. And Apple iPods and computers are popular in Japan.
Well, it turns out that Apple iPhone’s use of the 3G network is not a big deal in Japan, because 3G access has been a standard feature on Japanese cell phones for several years. And as far as the touch screen is concerned, some Japanese consumers feel that they would have problems getting used to it. Perhaps the biggest hurdle facing Apple, however, is what the iPhone doesn’t have. Remember, Japanese consumers enjoy some of the world’s most technologically advanced cell phone features, such as “a high-end color display, digital TV-viewing capability, satellite navigation service, music player and digital camera.” Another “must have” feature in Japan, lacking in the iPhone, is “emoji,” which is clip art that can be inserted into sentences to make e-mails more attractive. In addition, many mobile phones in Japan allow their users to use their phones as debit cards or train passes.
Source: Yukari Iwatani Kane, “Apple’s Latest iPhone Sees Slow Japan Sales,” Wall Street Journal, September 15, 2008, B3.

Case Two: Would Mickey Mouse Eat Shark’s Fin Soup?
Controversy started brewing at Hong Kong Disneyland even before the park opened in fall 2005. At Disney theme parks around the world, weddings and wedding receptions are a profitable business. Disney is planning to offer shark’s fin soup as an option on wedding reception menus at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Clearly, Disney wants to show its appreciation for Chinese

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