Get your Skype at Wal-Mart… Gen-X, Gen-Y, Gen-hype… Is brand dead?… Eco-gender product packaging

Get your Skype at Wal-Mart

One way to reach people who are not aware of the benefits of the internet is to market yourself offline.

Wal-Mart is now offering Skype-certified hardware in the internet and voice communications sections of 1800 of its stores throughout the USA, giving shoppers immediate access to webcams and handsets designed to work with Skype, as well as the first prepaid cards for Skype available in the US, reports ITWire.

Shoppers can buy cards redeemable for international calls, calls to landlines and mobile phones in the US and Canada. And they can browse through the electronics department at Wal-Mart for Skype-approved headsets.

Generation gap myths busted

We’ve all heard the theories about how people from different generations work differently; baby boomers like structure and incentive, generation-X has no loyalty and puts lifestyle first, while generation-Y likes innovation, variety and constant feedback. But do the theories match reality?

According to a new study by the Centre for Creative Leadership in the US, reported in The Age, the gap between the baby boomers, gen-X and gen-Y is more hype than reality.

The study of 3200 people born between 1925 and 1986, found that people of all generations had similar values, with people from all generations most often nominating family as the most important thing in their life.

In the workplace, respect was a priority for people of all generations, while change was ranked as similarly threatening by people across different age levels.

There was also no clear pattern in terms of job loyalty, with 36-40 years olds more likely to change jobs than both the generations above and below them.

The study’s conclusion? People of all ages have the potential for bad and good behaviour. The study’s author says “most intergenerational conflict shares a common point of origin: the issue of clout – who has it, who wants it.”

New model Corolla arrives

Toyota has launched its new model Corolla in Australia. The 10th-generation car is bigger than its predecessor, and is the same size as the Camry, reports The Australian newspaper.

Corollas have done well in Australia because of their reliability, value, low running costs and high resale value. As smaller fuel efficient cars gain popularity, some industry observers are predicting that the Corolla will outsell the Holden Commodore to become the most popular car in Australia in 2007.

Brand marketing in web 2.0

Media agency Group M recently claimed that the emergence of user-generated content on websites and the internet in general is “placing brand marketing in mortal danger” because the mass audiences of TV and newspapers are fragmenting. Neil Shoebridge writing in BRW disagrees.

He says the mass audiences of TV and newspapers will remain, albeit smaller. Brand marketing will change. The days of reaching mass audiences through mass media are coming to an end. Companies will have to use every form of media to reach audiences: internet, mobiles, publicity stunts and direct mail. It will be harder to spread a consistent message, but not impossible.

Women more green

Women are more likely to be active eco-consumers than men according to the 2007 Eye on Australia report by Grey Worldwide. The most significant evident difference is the number who choose products without excess packaging – 49% female compared to 38% male.