Marriot Says No To Adult Movies in New Hotels

Marriot Says No to Adult Movies in New Hotels

Summary:

One of the nation’s leading hotel groups, Marriot, has stated they will be removing access to in room adult movies in the next several years.  The decision that was made corresponds with the new in-room entertainment technology for their new hotels.

Marriot is replacing their old menu based selection videos, along with the adult content videos to an internet-based video-on-demand. Technology in the hospitality industry is rapidly changing the decision was based after years of many discussions. The two main topics that were discussed was whether the availability of profitable adult films in guest rooms is appropriate and whether safeguards exists to prevent children from seeing it.

Studies have shown in recent years that revenue from in-room pay-per-view movies has shrunk. The study also implied that the business traveler was chinking into the hotel with their own entertainment; netflix, ipad, laptop, or slingbox.

According to Colliers PKF Hospitality Research, “found that hotels collect 39% fewer pay-per-view movie rentals than they did a decade ago.”

In room movie rentals is becoming a declining source of income for hotels. Researchers think that by providing the family friendly image of the hotel will help create a positive image of the brand. Omni brand hotels have been adult film free since 1999 the ownership made a stance and stated, “That is not how we want to make our money.”

Reflection:

I really found this article intriguing. I thought that pay-per-view was a good source of additional revenue per room.  I know that with the rapid rate in technology becoming mobile, the in room technology is dying. I really recognized it after I read this article and the statistics from the Collier PKF Hospitality Research.

I think by implementing the new web based video on demand will be the new face of in-room entertainment. Even though we are able to bring these small devices to watch our own movies on I think that guest would spare a few bucks to watch it on a 32’ flat screen. 

The idea of going porn-free with Marriot is a great idea. I think that promoting a family friendly image would be quite more profitable. I also think it is another marketing approach that Marriot could take.  If you really think about it there are no hotels that market to their audience that they have in-room adult entertainment. I think you could really market the family friendly environment and play off that.

I think that Marriot is making a good decision to remove adult film in room pay-per-view. I think they could profit greatly just by remarketing the new on-demand video they will be providing.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2011-01-21-hotelporn21_ST_N.htm

Wow Bao Sets Path for Mobile Success

Wow Bao Sets Path for Mobile Success

         Summary:

Since Wow bao has introduced its mobile initiatives, at the 2010 National Restaurant Show, Wow bao have experienced positive responses form its mobile platform.  A market research firm Nielsen, “predicts that by 2014, 142.1 million consumers approximately 53.9 % of American mobile phone users will be accessing the Internet via mobile browsers.”  This is what called for the mobile platform initiative.

Wow Bao recognized this and thought it would be smart and proactive to add mobile engagement to their customer innovative technologies. They also have decided to go with online ordering and in-store kiosks.  They also partnered with Mocapay , “a mobile consumer engagement platform,” to enable its Asian fare restaurant.  What this platform provides is exclusive offers and secure-payment options for the menu items. The company that Wow Bao chose provided flexibility and scalability; it was also an inexpensive offer.

Wow Bao utilizes Mocapay to strengthen customer loyalty, engage customers; Mocapay has also enabled Wow Bao to directly issue comp cards in real time. This great mobile platform also creates, monitors and measures mobile marketing campaigns in real time. Which helps Wow Bao receive important feedback such as redemption rates and purchasing behavior, on top of finding their target customer.  They feel that adding this mobile platform has expanded their business and they are able to provide better customer support.

Reflection:

I think that this article was great because I learned about new technology that can be accessed right now to help current restaurants. The mobile platform is such an awesome idea. The numbers don’t lie; the rate that mobile phone users and Internet users from there phone is rapidly growing. I wish that more companies could read this article and get on it. I am in the tech savvy generation and I like the idea of ordering my food right from the app on my phone and even paying for it right there.

The only place that I have seen this particular platform was at Chipotle. I have the app I place my order what time I want to pick it up and my credit card info and I am ready to go. Besides the promotions and deals that the article was describing I think it gives leverage to those restrants that already have a mobile platform. I know for a fact I think about ordering Chipotle for take out 9 out of 10 over another restaurant just because the convenience. I don’t only think that it is convenient for the customer I also think it is convenient for the business to. You are avoiding major take out line when all the food is pre-ordered and pre-paid for. I think if more restaurants did this it could be extremely profitable to your company.

Alexander,Geoff, Managing Partner, Wow Bao. Wow Bao Sets Path for Mobile Success.Hospitality Technology. 1/18/2011. http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/Wow-Bao-Sets-Path-for-Mobile-Success66076