Black Friday 2011
The Retail world is preparing for Black Friday predictions. The economy is moving in a positive direction and there is talk that more money will be spent this holiday season.
It’s always expected to have the best and earliest sales between competing stores, and now with the popularity of online shopping there is more pressure on companies to keep the public interested and involved in the shopping experience.The National Retail Federation say companies will be using new tactics to stay strong in the holiday battle.
Black Friday is the starting line of the holiday shopping race and many people do the majority of their shopping on this one day so there is a lot expected from retail stores and malls.”No one is ever prepared for how black friday will turn out, each year is different” said Patricia Wangenheim,who has been a Macy’s employee for years. It is difficult to put an exact dollar figure on how the public plans on spending this year, but the NFR believes the retail industry is in a better position compared to 2008-2010 and sales should increase by 2.8%. Compared to last year’s 0.3% increase, resulting in $10.69 billion in sales, 2011 looks promising.The NFR recommends strong promotions to make impact in the success of black friday. Other websites, like Blackfriday2011.com, say opening in the wee hours for “early birds” and starting sales in the beginning of November have helped companies increase numbers.
“Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier each year” said Stacey De Felicas, an early bird shopper veteran.It seems each year companies are trying to top what they’ve done the year before. According to TVPredicitons.com, companies are starting as early as October to build up to Black Friday as a way to stay current and competitive. The Oaks Mall of Thousand Oaks CA will be opening their doors at midnight for the first time.The Oaks has seen the tremendous traffic increases and feedback that competing stores have received in the past as a result of midnight openings and want to give the same service to their customers. According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, the number of people who began their Black Friday shopping at midnight tripled from 3.3 percent in 2009 to 9.5 percent in 2010. It also showed one-fourth of Black Friday shoppers were already at the stores by 4 a.m. The Oaks plans to make it a party atmosphere with a live dj, prizes for the first 400 guests and amazing deals. Though it should attract many, some customers believe it is too chaotic when the doors first open. Stacey says she prefers the hours around 7 or 8am, she believes those people are crazy to start shopping at midnight.
There is also the growing concern of consumers choosing to shop online rather then in person.Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day and just three days after black friday, is becoming a holiday itself. Some feel there is less hassle in shopping online and they can shop more privately.The online sites want customers to think of buying online first. It seems to be working, according to TVpredictions.com, online holiday revenue has increased every year over the last 10 years and Cyber Monday is becoming more popular. There is something special about the holiday atmosphere and racing around trying to find the perfect gifts. But in these tough times, will the average consumer resort to shopping in a faster and easier way, the internet? This year’s black friday will give us an idea of what to expect for the future of retail.
Kayla Baity 11/2011
Hooters coming to Thousand Oaks CA
Matt Pino stands in front of the empty building, he’s curious to find out more information about this new business that is shaking up the town of Thousand Oaks. He is always trying to find a new way to entertain and starts to think of fun guy’s nights that he can plan here. As he stands there laughing to himself with a sense of excitement, other people walk by shaking their heads with disgust. Many of them in groups with their children look at the building and start to whisper and gossip, opposing to the idea of opening a Hooters in their quiet, sheltered town.
Hooters plans to open their 19th franchise location in the Janss Marketplace, they are best known for their fun atmosphere, tasty bar food and good-looking waitresses to serve it. But the public is speaking their minds on whether they feel it is too risqué for their conservative town while others are all for the new restaurant to spice things up a bit.There have been numerous emails,letters,petitions, phone calls sent to the city and several City Council meetings have been held over the past few months to decide if Hooters will be opening or how the business will be operated.
The Thousand Oaks city website describes the city to be a family oriented community and the economic engine of Ventura County in the areas of job creation, property tax generation, sales tax generation, and economic diversity. The website also explains that they have an involved community, and the City of Thousand Oaks takes communicating with residents seriously.Everything from press releases to the City website to ads to town hall meetings are used to communicate to the community. So it is not a surprise that the residents are making their opinions heard.
A SAY NO petition was setup online for those opposing the restaurant and it had over 1200 signatures according to Lori Young, Senior Planner of Community Development Department and creator of the petition. Many of them saying Hooters would put a negative impact on the community’s reputation, that the restaurant does not represent the towns” family values”, some asking why put a restaurant that bring out the kind of people who drink irresponsibly and exploit women. Lynda Jones, a resident of Thousand Oaks for 15 years said “It’s their uniforms or COSTUMES that I don’t agree with, I could not see it being a family restaurant”. Her family including her grandchildren live in the area and they will not be having dinners at Hooters. Then there are people like Emily Wells, a mother of two who is on the fence.Emily said “If someone could show me proof that opening the chain in an area has dropped the city’s property values or causes more crime, then I would definitely be more against it.I would rather them open a more kid friendly establishment of course but right now I don’t care if it opens or not “.
Though many people speaking up seem to look at Hooters in a negative way, there are Thousand Oaks residents that believe its just what the town needs. Matt Pino, a 24-year-old resident said he’s always had a great experience with his friends at Hooters. “There are a couple of different bars around here where the younger crowd like to go on weekends. Hooters would just be another pit stop to go get a couple of drinks and have a little fun. People should experience it first before judging” said Pino. Barry Cohen,an entrepeneur with business interest in the Thousand Oaks area argues that it could increase tax revenue and promote jobs which is always a positive.”The town needs money, maybe then they could keep the city hall open five days a week.They should start promoting business and say yes every once in a while.Saying no all the time is a bad policy, then nothing innovative will happen” said Cohen. He believes every business should be given a chance to show what they have to offer. Cohen who first thought is was a topless bar also states,”If people don’t like what it promotes then they shouldn’t go.But it sounds like you see more at the beach then what the uniforms expose at Hooters”.
Hooters website describes the restaurant as a neighborhood place, not typically a family restaurant. But ten percent of the parties they serve have children in them. Hooters is in the hospitality business and provides the best possible service to anyone coming through the door. For this reason, the chain offers a children’s menu. The chain says any kind of business uses sex to promote and boost sales.Hooters marketing, emphasizing the Hooters Girl and her sex appeal, along with its commitment to quality operations continues to build and contributes to the chain’s success. Hooters’ business motto sums it up, “You can sell the sizzle, but you have to deliver the steak.” Since Hooters values are conflicting with the values of the public in T.O. the company has agreed to compromise. Representatives from Hootwinc West Coast Hooters say they plan to make this location more family orientated. Even though Hooters has won the approval to operate a full bar, they have withdrawn the application to show the town they intend to open as a restaurant not a bar. Now the town will have to decide whether to support Hooters or add it to the long list of businesses that fail to integrate and complete the Janns Marketplace.
Kayla Baity 09/2011
Does an education define success? Prezi
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My work with PTSD
PTSD: an american tragedy is a film my fellow friends/classmates are making. Recently the writer/director and my friend Carlos Lopez asked me to do some behind the scene work for the film. Below are some of the pictures I shot for them that are also posted on the PTSD facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/PTSD-An-American-Tragedy/132439140202348
Digital Storytelling project
This is my first edit of this interview, it was done with Imovie.
Sara Jeong Project
Pitches for profile story
My first pitch is a profile on my friend Direk Cartwright,he served in Iraq and after experiencing things in the war hes decided that hes not going to be scared to follow his dreams anymore.I think its an inspiring story,and its cool because he is a student here at Moorpark.He wants to be an actor/director. Last semester he wrote a one act that have everyone talking about his talent.It was chosen to be one of the 5 favorites of that semester and show again at the High street Theater in Moorpark.I plan to do this multimedia story using stills/audio/video from his rehersals,shows,and everyday life.I would also like to see how much he will open up about what exactly he experienced in the war to make him so fearless and strong enough to live life to the fullest.
My second pitch is a profile on my neighbor. She is a talented artist and single mother.She has a very popular art class at the Simi Valley senior home where she inspires the ederly to use their life stories and interests in their artwork.I plan to use audio/stills and a little video to capture her artwork, hopefully her class in session and interview her about what inspired her to become an artist and how teaching her class,making a difference in the people’s lives, makes her feel. I was really inspired by the Manuel de los santos video on vimeo.His story is amazing and I love the way he says “Willie Smith” 
But as far as the way it was made, I like how they shot from all different angles on the golfcourse,I like how they went from the interview to just video of his everyday life,he has such a interesting accent I thought using the audio whole time worked,I really liked how they ended it with him making one last swing in slow motion. I think the best elements that will work for me are still shots with angles and using different lenses,especially with the artwork with pitch 2.I think audio will also really help with my profiles,Direk’s words about war and following his dreams will be a key factor to make his story inspiring.
kmbaity 