Tech: Brand Matchup - iPads and Jetstar

Jetstar launches in-flight iPads

Jetstar has announced the roll-out of 3000 Apple Pad 1 and Pad 2s across its fleet, with more to be released once the tablets are installed throughout the Jetstar Asia network.  The devices will be available on flights longer than two hours for a fee of between SAU1O ($NZ13) and $AU1S ($NZ19.50).  The units will come pre-loaded with music, TV shows and music videos, games, ebooks and magazines, accessible through a custom-built Jetstar app, and will include locally produced content.

The Pads have been modified in several ways to make them suitable for the cabin environment. Each device will come in a custom case that prevents users from accessing the home button and the sync cable, ensuring that Jetstar settings are maintained and users are unable to upload their own content.  

Brands: Latest Shifts (Retail)

Some Brands are winning over consumers, but are they providing real value?

 Everyone agrees that Brand equity is something precious to hold on to and can sometimes help you ride out the rough times, but in times of crisis it is also true that our fickle consumers will become treacherous and turn their backs on their favourite product, in search of a cheaper or fresher looking.alternative.

In a recent Bigger Picture Market survey, some of the shifts in New Zealand's Brand Leaders and Losers have come as somewhat of a surprise in a country that relentlessly adores home brands and shuns outsiders, and does so in a consistent manner - year in, and year out.

Take, for example, The Warehouse - "Where everyone gets a bargain". Back in 2005, when I last visited these shores, The Warehouse was best known for selling "cheap and cheerful" goods (to be polite). Walk into any of their glistening red warehouses today and you'll be met with...yes, you guessed it: "cheap and cheerful" goods again. Surely a successful model that has stood the test of time? 

Well...yes and no. This latest survey actually ranks the country's largest listed retailer well behind many of its competitors when it comes to delivering value. Market Research firm Big Picture surveyed 300 New Zealand consumers last week, asking them to rate 44 well-known brands in terms of their value.

Online Time - What do you do in NZ ?

TNS’s (http://www.tnsglobal.com/) recently-released Digital Life study provides some useful insights into how Kiwis spend their time online:

• 39% of our time is spent on Entertainment (including multimedia, online gaming & shopping)
• 34% Communications (social networking and email)
• 22% Information (pre-purchase research, knowledge & education, news, sport and weather)
• 7% Management (personal admin, planning & organising)