RSM458H1S
CCM HOCKEY: THE RE-LAUNCH OF THE U+ PRO SKATE
BY
Since the first introduction of its automobile skate in 1905, Canada Cycle and Motor Company Limited (CCM) has been a dominant player in the hockey skate market. By introducing numerous hi-tech features into its products, CCM has been able to establish itself as a major competitor in the world of hockey skates, ranking 3rd in the global market share ranking of the Skates market for Hockey Equipment Companies (Exhibit 7). However, with recent changes in demand and technological advancements in the hockey skate market, CCM has been experiencing drop in market share and sales.
As the hockey skate market matures and becomes more concentrated with a few large competitors (Exhibit 6),
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Their tag line ‘Performance Within’ suggests the idea that CCM can help users bring out their inner hockey superstar and evolve into becoming something bigger. The incorporation of U-Foam technology in the skates which enhances the true fit customization (Exhibit 14) conveys CCM’s position in the market as hi-tech company with emphasis on product driven success.
With the aim of maintaining this position in the market, CCM went on to introduce their new line of U+ Pro Skates back in 2007. However, with too much focus on aggressively pushing the product through to the end users, certain marketing and prototype testing missteps were taken during the process of new product development. Initially, CCM’s strategy of bringing in several NHL players to try out their new line of skates before the season start seemed very effective. However, CCM did not think about the factor of time and how this will have wear and tear effect on the skates over prolonged usage. This is due to the fact that, the testing phase carried out by the players prior to the season is a short period of time compared to the life period of which these skates were aimed to last. Therefore, CCM should have carried out this testing phase during the actual season before actually launching the product for retail. This will not only serve as a promotional technique (as potential consumers will get to watch
Further to this, Sher-Wood’s brand image and reputation are diminishing. This was affected by the loss of NHL star Jason Spezza to rival Reebok in 2008 in objection to the company’s outsourcing to China (Zhang & Beamish, 2011, p. 23). Currently only 2.3% of NHL players use Sherwood sticks (Exhibit 1, Zhang & Beamish, 2011, p. 20). This is a concern for Sher-Wood, especially since “hockey sticks endorsed by professional hockey players enjoyed a strong position in the hocket stick market.” (Zhang & Beamish, 2011, p. 19) Related to this issue is the fact that the market is showing signs of maturity, and
As a result of the effect that it has on the Canadian economy, hockey should be named Canada’s true national sport. Accounting for roughly one-third of the National Hockey Leagues ticket sale revenue, the seven Canadian hockey teams have a much larger market than the 23 American teams. Not including the newly added Winnipeg Jets, the six Canadian teams account for 31% of the $1.2 billion (U.S) sales ticket revenue of the NHL. This means that $341,000,000.00 (U.S) is contributing to the Canadian economy annually. The Toronto Maple Leafs has the largest franchise revenue at an estimated $119,000,000.00. The ticket revenue of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the highest in the NHL at $1.5 million per game. This is an astonishing amount in comparison to the Dallas Stars at $660,000. The construction of sport facilities could cost upwards to over $1 billion (U.S). With this in mind, Canadian hockey facilities (e.g.: the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario) revenue millions of dollars annually and creates thousands of jobs. Costing $265 million to build, the Air Canada Centre generates revenue of nearly $23 million annually. Additionally, large Canadian sponsors such as Air Canada, Molson Canadian, and Tim Hortons
The buyer should be aware of the product that is stated, “new, technologically advanced skateboard”.
The bottom floor has all of the skates and sticks due to that being the most popular item sold. There is also a skate sharpening center where players of all skill level can bring their skates to be sharpened to their liking. The second sales floor, has every pad and helmet a hockey player could ever need. The sizes range all the way from youth small, to adult extra extra large.
Jan states, “Quantifiable indicators of performances are steadily, often suddenly, improving; safer equipment makes new skills and techniques possible, many aspects of training and conditioning can also be done more safely, and certainly, from and economic standpoint, there is an increasingly powerful sport technology industry”. I agree with her statement. New technologies are emerging often and are helping to improve the sport industry overall. With the introduction of a player tracking system in the NHL, I believe that this will help the league continue to grow throughout the United States, and around the
Bauer Performance Sports Ltd. is a company based out of Exeter, New Hampshire that produces ice hockey equipment, fitness and recreational skates, and apparel. They are best known for their skates but after acquiring multiple companies they have expanded into manufacturing wide range of equipment from skates to hockey sticks. The company has expanded to new levels and now has the face of many NHL stars to represent their brand.
In the twenty first century, mankind has made huge strides towards the future. The amount of money invested in scientific research and developing new technologies is overwhelming. Year after year, new materials are invented and introduced into the glorified and glamorized world of sports. Every day, we wake up to new ads of groundbreaking, game changing products and equipments that enhance performance. For example, Mark Parker - the CEO of NIKE, Inc. recently introduced the “Nike HyperAdapt 1.0” a shoe that is powered by an adaptive underfoot lacing mechanism; in simpler words, a shoe that ties itself.
The boots were made of leather and the blades were of metal. They would have to buy new skates every time the blades got damaged. It was only in the 1970’s that they developed a skate that let you take the blade out and replace it with another. The players and manufactures didn’t see it necessary for them to protect the blade until someone got nicked in the leg by the blade of a skate. The skates today are made with a memory foam that conforms to your foot over time, resulting in the "perfect" fit. This foam reforms into the shape of your foot when it has become heated and soft for a customized fit. Similar to breaking in a baseball glove, the "baking" process makes the skate pliable to give players a more comfortable fit quicker and without the discomfort of blisters and pressure points.
COMPANY- NHL has a great product, thrilled fans, and provide financial returns for their owners. The Stanley Cup was the most popular trophy awarded for a century to North America’s best hockey team. By the 1990’s there was a shift from pure hockey to a hockey experience with a variety of entertainment added to increase the appeal of the game. To create exposure, new recruitments were also made. NHL’s strength lied in its strong partnerships with firms like NIKE, Coca-Cola and Anheuser-Busch. NHLs’ achieved great success with little exposure so with the right support and exposure they can grow their fan base considerably.
How a sport marketer creates the image of superiority is the big question. How can you reinvent the same shoe year after year and continue to sell millions based off the new perceived differences? The right answer should be you can’t but when you know how to market a good you can. A key marketing strategy used in this field is the use of new features that enhance the quality of a product. These enhancements can range from a new sweat wicking material in a t-shirt or an added liner to a pair of shorts. The changes may be slim and not noticeable by the naked eye but when described using complex terms and graphics a minor change can become a monumental one to a consumer. An example can be found on any sports apparel site; here is an example from
Under Armour diving head first into the relatively new world of extreme sports will allow them to be one of the first large athletic apparel companies to get involved with such a new and ever growing industry. There is a significant need for Under Armours’ technology and experience. Under Armour is one of the top sellers in sports apparel and also has brand recognition outside of the extreme sports arena. Not only is Under Armour already a household name, but it will not have to compete with sports apparel companies similar to its own. Under Armour can collaborate with sponsors like, Red Bull, Go Pro, Volcom, Skull Candy and, one of the smaller apparel companies that have less market control. Under Armour will be able to join forces with these
If you’re just starting out in the world of skating, you may be a little skeptical about the difference a pair of shoes can make. After all, doesn’t skating encourage you to revolt against the status quo, embrace your weirdness, and wear what you want? Yes, of course it does, but all of that
into ice hockey with the purchase of Canstar Sports. In 1996, Nike golf landed a vastly talented but
Nike, Inc. has been the world’s leading innovator and provider in athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for 50 years. Their mission has been to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world; if you have a body, you are an athlete. Arguably one of the most innovative companies in the world, Nike has built its brand into an iconic world-class powerhouse that continues to dominate the market with no signs of slowing up. Nike’s marketing and advertising have been breakthrough, aspirational, and legendary over the years, featuring high-profile athletes and heroes.
Puma is one of the world’s leading athletic footwear, apparel and accessories companies. The history of the company began in 1948, when Rudolf Dassler, the founder of Puma, had separated from the existing business assets “Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik”. Throughout the years they were the first to introduce many new footwear innovations, including vulcanized soles on soccer shoes, uniquely shaped soles on running shoes to enhance natural motion, athletic shoes with a Velcro strap, and the Puma Disc system, which replaces laces with a series of wires. Thereby gaining a great success in football and athletic boots . In 1986 company went public under the leadership Armin Dassler. In 1993 a new CEO Jochen Zeitz manages to turn the company from the law price to premium company that is ranked as one of the three leading brand in the sporting goods industry .