Healthcare companies have increasingly offered cash promotions and discounts to users who provide their Fitbit data. But could this be used by insurers rather than to improve customer health? Questions: 1. In what types of negative ways could this data be used, according to the article? 2. What issues in Congress could promote the negative… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Video Updates
Hatchanimals? What’s the damage?
Hatchimals was dubbed the hottest toy of 2016. So, what are they and why are they in the news? Questions: 1. What does the class action lawsuit allege? 2. Where was the lawsuit filed? 3. What do you think your damages would be for this type of suit? Please speculate and discuss. Source: Shen, L…. Read more »
Super Bowl Ads! Worth it?
The questions asked each year are whether Super Bowl advertising is worth it and what the network is charging. This year Fox charged $5 million for a 30-second spot, last year CBS charged about the same, and Comcast NBC charged about $4.5 million for a 30-second spot. Questions: 1. How much is the per second… Read more »
The Dizzying Student Loan Game
The Feds claim that the nation’s largest student loan servicer gave rushed and costly advice. Questions: 1. What is the amount or size of the U.S. government’s student loan program in dollars? 2. What is Navient? 3. How would you describe the structure of Student loan servicing? 4. What are some of the claims about… Read more »
Warren Buffet talks about Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo used to brag about its immense “cross-selling” skills, boasting of the many checking accounts, ATM cards and other “products” it pushed on Americans. Questions: 1. What disclosure did Wells Fargo recently include in its most recent quarterly earnings report? 2. What was the fine that was levied against Wells Fargo in September? 3…. Read more »
Venezuela’s Continuing Currency Crisis is Pushing the Country to the Brink of Collapse
As oil prices drop and hyperinflation encroaches, there have been wide-reaching consequences for the entire population of this country. Questions: 1. What are some of the limitations that citizens must live with? 2. In December, the Venezuelan president announced the withdrawal of the country’s largest banknote from circulation? Why did the government make this move?… Read more »
Sweet Dreams and Watch Out for those False Medical Claims!
If you have been up late watching TV, you might have seen the Infomercial for a Minnesota company that sells My Pillow, a patented open-cell, poly-foam design created by inventor Michael J. Lindell. This staple of late-night TV infomercials has sold about 18 million pillows since 2005. However, a recent lawsuit successfully argued My Pillow… Read more »
How can you fire Snoopy? Curse you Red Baron!
According to the New York Times, The “Peanuts” character, one of the most recognizable figures in American pop culture, is being retired after more than 30 years of appearing in print ads, TV commercials, marketing materials and on the sides of MetLife’s blimps at sports events. Questions: 1. What don”t brand consultants like about Snoopy?… Read more »
You mean, pay matters?
Remember when sales at Walmart stores open at least a year fell for five straight quarters and the company’s revenue fell for the first time in Walmart’s 45-year run as a public company in 2015? According to the New York Times, this is how they changed the dissatisfaction that customers felt. Questions: 1. What was… Read more »
Cell Phone Worries
According to the Washington Post, Samsung is suspending production of its Galaxy Note 7 replacement phones after more reports of fires in South Korea and the United States. Questions: 1. According to the article, what major U.S. carriers are suspending sales or exchanges of the troubled device? 2. How many fires have been reported so… Read more »