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Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Apple's Superior Brand Strategy Leads to Strong Results

April 24, 2008

Analysis of:Apple's 2Q Results Beat Wall Street Views | biz.yahoo.com

Apple once again delivered very strong results in the face of hesitant consumers under recessionary pressures.Total revenue growth for the latest quarter was +36% led by the Mac brand in personal computers at +51%.The MP3 segment led by the I Pod brand delivered growth of +1% while the I-Phone sold 1.7 mm units.   So how is Apple able to deliver consistent sales and profit growth in tough recessionary times with premium pricing while many of its competitors deliver poor results.In a phrase --it's their superior branding strategy.  

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Commodity Hedging-The Double Edged Sword

March 31, 2008

Analysis of:Against the Grain: Food Firms Hedge Costs | online.wsj.com

With ever rising commodity costs food companies that have hedged their key commodity purchases with forward buying have done quite well over the last year.Several key manufacturers have announced that they have hedged their raw materials by forward buying 60-70% of their 2008 needs.Lost in the discussion has been the potential for commodity prices to go down in the latter half of 2008.

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Kraft and Sara Lee turnaround ? Real or wishful thinking ?

March 14, 2008

Analysis of:Kraft, Sara Lee say turnaround efforts are succeeding | www.chicagotribune.com

Kraft and Sara Lee executives recently spoke at analyst conference concerning their recent improvements to drive sales growth and improve operating margins.Both suggested the progress is real and sustainable.   Kraft highlighted new products and headcount reduction as keys to their progress.New products are clearly needed and our key to drive future sales growth.The job cuts they mentioned are real and should help them provide a lower cost basis to expand marketing and potentially improve margins at the same time.  Sara Lee also touted new product innovation and organizational restructuring as means to improve their growth and enhance profitability.Pricing is also key at both companies as they face strong headwinds in the face of commodity inflation.  Do we believe both CEO's assertions and are better days ahead for both companies ?

Brad SaulPresidentPrime Access

Firing of Broadcast Analysts

February 27, 2008

Analysis of:October Radio Revenues Down 7% | publications.mediapost.com

With fewer analysts looking at commercial radio, the industry begins to fall off investors' radar screens.

Stephen MagrillAdjunct ProfessorUNLV, the University of Phoenix Inc; Regis University (Denver)

Wyndham – Hotel, Timeshare & Vacation Ownership Competitors Face Challenging 2008

January 16, 2008

Analysis of:Wyndham shares tumble on profit outlook | www.reuters.com

Despite this mid December 2007 change in guidance; Wyndham should continue its leadership as the largest vacation ownership (VO) operator in 2008. Its more bargain hotel brands are likely to be more stable than its pricier competitors during any possible downturn.   Many of the lodging stocks have already been slashed as Marriott and Starwood delivered reduced 3rd QTR 2007 earnings. Analysts discounted the impact of reduced business travel, the concern is how will the VO divisions of Wyndham, Marriott, Starwood, Bluegreen, perform in ‘08.   Historically, (VO) is highly resilient during major economic recessions, but this slowdown is deeper and could impact upscale timeshare developers like Marriott, Starwood, Hilton, etc.     The WYN Group and Bluegreen should be less vulnerable in ’08 as they offer better price/value and/or sell VO in more drive to and mid market locations. Overall, VO operators should be less impacted in ‘08 than the overall hotel sector.

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Who wins , who loses from rising food prices ? Part 2 --Retailers

January 11, 2008

Analysis of:Higher Food Prices Start to Pinch Consumers | online.wsj.com

As commodity prices increase, food manufacturers will be required to pass on higher raw material costs to their consumers.Over time these higher prices will put pressure on premium priced branded products and shift share to private label and value brands.Will this same pressure apply to retailers and hurt overall category sales ? Which retailers will benefit the most? Which retailers will be hurt on sales volume ?

Brad SaulPresidentPrime Access

What's wrong with radio and how to fix it

January 11, 2008

Analysis of:November Revenues Show 'Worse Drop Than Expected' | www.radioink.com

Radio revenues for the month of November took a gigantic drop. National advertising was off by 15% (and local revenues were off by 5%).

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Who wins , who loses with higher food prices ?

January 10, 2008

Analysis of:Higher Food prices Start to Pinch Consumers | online.wsj.com

Commodity prices continue to rise driving prices higher in the grocery aisle.Wheat ,corn,dairy and oil prices continue to climb creating a very challenging environment for food manufacturers and retailers.The rising prices begs the question of who will this benefit and who will this hurt over 2008 ? There are several distinct categories of companies that rising food costs will impact: --Branded Food Manufacturers (Kraft,General Mills,Kellogg's etc) --Value Food Manufacturers (Private Label producers,value priced branded companies) --Restaurants and Foodservice manufacturers --Grocery Retailers

Brad SaulPresidentPrime Access

A Wake Up Call for Radio

December 12, 2007

Analysis of:October Radio Revenues Down 7% | publications.mediapost.com

The failure of the radio industry to deploy electronic measurement casts doubt on radio's growth.

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Organic and Natural Foods Go Mainstream

December 5, 2007

Analysis of:Hot Cereal , Hey It's All Natural | www.nytimes.com

Large consumer packaged goods companies are finally waking up and embracing the volume opportunity in Organic and Natural Foods.For years ,most of the top selling products at Whole Foods and other Natural stores were made by small manufacturers.Large CPG companies were not quick to offer products because the volume was still small and there are greater difficulties in the manufacturing process to produce Natural and especially Organic products. Times are changing with many key retailers now starting to embrace Organic and Natural Foods.If their retail customers want these products its important that the large CPG companies offer them as part of their product portfolio.

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