M.A.C. Cosmetics

M.A.C. Cosmetics

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Step by Step guide to the ultimate smoky eye - MAC makeup

Makeup Tips From the Experts at MAC Cosmetics

Corporate Irresponsibility - Toyota


Toyota, a reputed Japanese, world market, automaking company has a history of a longstanding reputation not only for business prowess but also for social responsibility. But, these days, Toyota is facing the unbearable heaviness of being exposed as just another bad automaker who is not socially responsible for their customers lives. The company knew that the defective gas pedals for years and had hidden the existence of tests that would be harmful to its legal position and claimed key material was difficult to get at its headquarters in Japan. It has withheld potentially damaging documents and refused to release data stored electronically in its vehicles. This resulted in a sharp drop in buyers confidence when purchasing Toyotas. Toyota now faces nearly 100 federal wrongful death and injury lawsuits by victims who blame their crashes on sudden acceleration. Toyota hid the existence of its roof strength tests in numerous cases. For example: In California, two women were left paralyzed by separate Toyota rollover crashes and they filed a lawsuit against Toyota, that recently uncovered company documents with sworn testimony by Toyota officials that the company had no written standard for how far vehicle roofs could be crushed. Toyota has behaved unethically and immorally affecting a huge impact on their brand image.

Week 4 - The Marketing Environment

M.A.C.'s target market would be Generation Y. Considering my demographic of Generation Y, who possess, all of these characteristics, such as impatient, family oriented, inquisitive, opinionated, diverse, good time managers, street smart, and connected, all fall into place. Generation Y were born between 1979 and 1994. They are about 60 million strong, one and a half times as large as Generation X. They are also known as "echo boomers." They range from college graduates to kids in their teenage years.  They already spend nearly $200 billion annually and over their lifetimes will likely spend about $10 trillion. Some have already started their careers and are making major purchasing decisions such as cars and homes. Most consumers who purchase M.A.C. products are Generation Y consumers. These consumers are not afraid to purchase two $18.50 products in comparison to the drugstore, where you could find a foundation for $7.00. These consumers know that their skin is important and they will get the best products possible for them and their skin. M.A.C. is the most popular and most demanded cosmetics available in the market today.M.A.C., a company that was originally geared toward the Caucasian market, now attracts a 50% ethnic customer base.

Week 2 - Strategic Planning 3

Disney And M.A.C. Cosmetics Team Up For Villains Collection:
M.A.C. Cosmetics has teamed up with Disney to create a devilish collection inspired by some of the most famous Disney villians. The Venomous Villains collection arrives at M.A.C. stores on September 30th. It highlights favorite animated antagonists. Cruella De Vil from "101 Dalmatians," Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty," "Snow White’s" Evil Queen and Doctor Facilier from the "Princess and the Frog," are represented in blush, beauty powder, eye shadows, lipstick and nail polish. There are the light and dreamy shades such as “Oh so fair”, a pale pink beauty powder in the Evil Queen’s collection and “Innocence Beware” a taupe shade of lipstick with Cruella de Vil’s mean old mug adorning the packaging. And for the more adventurous, there are plenty of wild and wicked colors to be had. A nail lacquer inspired by Maleficent called “Mean & Green” is a swirl of gun-metal and purple-green that would compliment fall’s gray color palette. And every villainess needs a blood-red lipstick. “Toxic Tale” matches Snow White’s fateful fruit. “I’m sure every woman in the world has a little villain in her somewhere, whether she wants to admit it or not!” says James Gager, senior vice president and creative director of M.A.C. Cosmetics, “It comes out from time to time in all of us. So I don’t think it will be too difficult to relate to at least one of these characters, if not all of them.” The Venomous Villains collection ranges from  $12 to $30. The colors for the 40 item collection, which feature uniquely designed and extremely collectible packaging, were created from Pantone reproductions of original Disney drawings. 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Week 3 - Ethics and Social Responsibility 2


A.C.'s and Rodarte apology on "Juarez" makeup line:

M.A.C. Cosmetics and high fashion designer Rodarte teamed up to release a new line of make up called “Juarez” for September 2010. However, upon release they were swarmed with criticism, not from human rights activists but first from fashion critics and bloggers. According, to M.A.C. and Rodarte cosmetic line creators, "Juarez" was inspired by the beauty and struggles of women living in Juarez. The inspiration of this line came from a road trip that several fashion designers took through Texas and the Southwest. The cosmetics product names included "Juárez," "Bordertown," "Sleepless", "Ghost Town," and "Factory." The names were to be paired with pale nail colors and bloodstained eye shadows. Sleepless was "inspired" by the thousands of women who trek to work early in the mornings in hopes to provide for their families. "Factory" was meant to catch the hardworking spirit of these women working unthinkable hours in the maquiladoras with a glamorized pail mint colored nail polish. These names, referenced the lives of the residents of Ciudad Juarez, the Mexican city on the Texas border that is consistently making headlines because of rampant violence and poverty and huge amounts of bloodshed that goes on in towns on the US-Mexico border. M.A.C. and Rodarte makeup collection apologized and said that they did not intend to represent the violence against women in Juarez. They said the company would change the product names and it is committed to donating $ 100,000 to a non-profit organization that has a proven, successful track-record of helping women in need and that can directly improve the lives of women in Juarez in a meaningful way. Therefore, this issue has raised the global awareness and they are going to move forward in a constructive way to do their part to make a positive difference in that community.

Country of Origin - My Clothes I wore today

Shirt - Made in Morocco
Denim Shorts - Made in Morocco
Undergarments - Made in China
Sandals - Made in India
Guess Watch - Made in Japan
Bag - Made in China

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Week 2 - Strategic Planning 2


In the future, M.A.C. plans on opening locations in Hong Kong, the Far East, and more in Europe. Now in a joint venture with the U.S.'s largest privately owned cosmetics firm Estee Lauder, M.A.C. will distribute products in overseas markets. With each and every goal M.A.C. is soon to be destined to hit the top. Mass market brand like L'Oreal or a premium brand like Clinique spend millions on advertising, a brand like MAC does it all by inspiring its stakeholders in non intrusive and subtle ways without spending a fortune on advertising.


M.A.C. Cosmetics follows a SWOT analysis. The name M.A.C. is actually the first letters taken from three words. "Makeup", "Art", & "Cosmetics". When M.A.C. began marketing to the professional community, their founders never wanted to exclude anyone in the public sector. It's just that there was no cosmetics line devoted exclusively to professionals and the goal of M.A.C. cosmetics was to dominate that market niche. It has undertaken many strategies which resulted in the successfulness of the company. M.A.C. Cosmetics has never tried to target a certain group. Toskan planned to create every shade possible in order to offer a wide variety of shades for each individual. Over the last 10 years, 160 shades of lipsticks in 7 different finishes, 150 eye shadows, 60 blushes and hair care have been created for the public. Sales for M.A.C. are growing rapidly. MAC is currently the only Estee Lauder brand that is not only meeting; but exceeding its annual sales goals. Last year MAC surpassed its sales plan by 121 million dollars! Which is unheard of in this industry. Everyday, this company comes one step closer to its ultimate goal of providing the utmost value for its customers. M.A.C. works from an inverted pyramid - where the customers are always at the top. It is the customers who inspire Toskan and the company. M.A.C. Cosmetics reasons for all its plans are derived from the fact that it is the 90's. There are many issues and many different needs required today. Everyone is an individual, and this company sees that, and deliberately tries not to exclude anyone. Some trends are also created by the media exposure. The media has so much to do with what's in and what's out. But, ultimately it is up to the consumer who decides. M.A.C. is and will always be a cash cow because this company makes more cash than it needs to maintain its market share.

Week 1 - History and Mission Statement 2



History

Makeup Art Cosmetics Inc., more commonly known as MAC Cosmetics, is a popular high-end personal care brand that markets to women. In fact, it is so popular and prestigious in the celebrity world that it has been mentioned in pop songs, such as "Unpretty" by TLC. The MAC brand is exclusively sold in department stores and on the Web. You will not find it at discount outlets or drug stores.

Beginnings:

Two Canadians, a hair salon chain owner and a makeup artist, named Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan, respectively, started MAC in Toronto in 1984. The first U.S MAC store opened in 1991, located at Greenwich Village, New York. They wanted to create cosmetic products that could better withstand the rigorous wear required to withstand photo shoots, such as the heat from bright lighting. Toskan was the idea man in the company. Before he partnered with Angelo, he spent hours experimenting with formulas with the help of chemist Victor Casale, who was also his brother-in-law. He formed a business relationship with Angelo since he was a skilled entrepreneur. M.A.C. has propelled to incredible heights since its founding in 1985. Even with a marketing strategy based solely on word-of-mouth, M.A.C. has managed to rise as a global giant in the $160 Billion beauty industry. From sponsoring international fashion weeks to hosting slick celebrity powered parties. M.A.C. has become synonymous with glamour and stardom. Every aspect of what makes MAC Cosmetics; "MAC" being its products, its location, its brand image, or its phenomenal price point is unique and goes against most typical marketing methods. As we all know product, price, promotion and place are the four fundamental variables that either make or break a company. There are currently 108 locations between Canada, the U.S., and Europe, with extreme success in London, England. MAC is present in 53 stores across UK, out of which 8 are MAC's flagship stores.One of the remarkable aspects of the success of M.A.C. Cosmetics is the way the company has grown without the conversational help of big advertising campaigns. Being true to the customer and serving their needs brings success. This company is a leader and never follows what other companies do. Success can be found in many different ways, keeping in mind innovation and constant creation of new ideas. M.A.C. is known to be an honest, caring and different company that strives to make the consumer happy and satisfied, while always remaining concerned with its social responsibility.

Mission Statement:

“All Races, All Sexes, All Ages” conceived to embrace all consumers. To be the worlds leading make-up authority among both professional make-up artists and consumers.To meet customers need for superior quality services and to provide secure & challenging work environment for all employees. To meet everyday needs for nutrition; hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good, and get more out of life. As an organization it commits itself to high standards and creative development with an enterprise concept that all pains have gains. M.A.CAIDSFUND.ORG was launched in 1994, supporting men, women, and children affected by AIDS/HIV globally. M.A.C. introduced the "Kid's helping Kids" which, with the sale of greeting cards, painted by the kids, will be donated to pediatric organizations.

Week 3 - Ethics and Social Responsibility


M.A.C cosmetics has a great position on corporate and social responsibility. The public image of this business is supported, due to many different surroundings. M.A.C. is "cruelty-free" and does not test its products on animals. They use simple black and white (recyclable) packaging and they encourage Recycling with the "Back-to-Mac" programme. Customers are given a free lipstick of their choice with the return of six empty containers. The company offers good prices compared to other 'big name' companies without any false promises such as miracle (age reducing) creams. M.A.C. is upfront in promoting its support of the fight against AIDS, with its popular lipstick -'Viva Glam,' 1992 (which also come with a condom) donated to various AIDS organizations. Nancy Mahon doesn't consider herself a glamour girl, but she believes in the power of lipstick -- Viva Glam shades 5 and 6 in particular. Mahon is a senior vice president of MAC Cosmetics and executive director of the MAC AIDS fund, which last year donated $20 million to programs in 57 countries, including South Africa, the Caribbean and the United States. The non-profit program makes MAC the third-largest corporate donor to AIDS-related causes, and is funded entirely by sales of MAC's Viva Glam lip products. Unlike other business philanthropy models, 100% of the $14 suggested retail price tag for each lipstick goes to the AIDS fund -- even retailers are expected to forgo their margin, Mahon noted at a recent Wharton Leadership Lecture. She told students that it is important for a company not only to be good at business,but also to treat employees well, conduct business responsibly and behave as a good global citizen. "It's one thing to sell lipstick," Mahon said one associate told her. "It's another to sell lipstick and make a difference."

The company chooses the Viva Glam celebrity faces based on their ties to the cause. So far, the biggest success in terms of sales has been former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, in part because the actress was so open and honest. "She got up and said, 'I have hepatitis. No one should be ashamed of getting an illness." Since the fund's inception, the company has given more than $128 million to various AIDS-related projects, including $4.5 million for a prevention and treatment initiative in the Caribbean, $100,000 for a needle exchange program in Washington, D.C., and almost $200,000 for a prevention and education project aimed at youth living along the Mexican border who are at increased risk of infection. The commitment to the cause keeps the company's customers coming back for more MAC products -- and employees from leaving, said Mahon. "The average [employee] retention rate in the industry is 30% and we have an 80% retention rate," Mahon noted. "When they're asked why they stay, one of the top reasons is the AIDS fund." Customers, too, pay attention to the beliefs behind the corporation, she said, citing a study that found that EBay purchasers were willing to pay up to 8% more for an item if they believed in the cause the money supported. "Customers care that you do good in the world." Recently, M.A.C. introduced the "Kid's helping Kids" which, with the sale of greeting cards, painted by the kids, will be donated to pediatric organizations.The M.A.C. PRO Program is provided to professionals in the industry. An annual fee must be paid for this service. Cosmetic professionals and students receive discounts on purchases.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Week 2 - Strategic Planning


Strategic Planning:

M.A.C. has propelled to incredible heights since it’s founding in 1985. Even with a marketing strategy based solely on word-of-mouth, MAC has managed to rise as a global giant in the $160 Billion beauty industry. From sponsoring international fashion weeks to hosting slick celebrity powered parties, MAC has become synonymous with glamour and stardom. Every aspect of what makes MAC Cosmetics; "MAC" being its products, its location, its brand image, or its phenomenal price point is unique and goes against most typical marketing methods. As we all know product, price, promotion and place are the four fundamental variables that either make or break a company. There are currently 108 locations between Canada, the U.S., and Europe, with extreme success in London, England. MAC is present in 53 stores across UK, out of which 8 are MAC's flagship stores. In the future, M.A.C. plan on opening locations in Hong Kong, the Far East, and more in Europe. Now in a joint venture with the U.S.'s largest privately owned cosmetics firm Estee Lauder, M.A.C. will distribute products in overseas markets. With each and every goal M.A.C. is soon to be destined to hit the top. Mass market brand like L'Oreal or a premium brand like Clinique spend millions on advertising, a brand like MAC does it all by inspiring its stakeholders in non intrusive and subtle ways without spending a fortune on advertising.

M.A.C. Cosmetics follows a SWOT analysis. It has undertaken many strategies which resulted in the successfulness of the company. M.A.C. Cosmetics has never tried to target a certain group. Toskan planned to create every shade possible in order to offer a wide variety of shades for each individual. Over the last 10 years, 160 shades of lipsticks in 7 different finishes, 150 eye shadows, 60 blushes and hair care have been created for the public. Sales for M.A.C. are growing rapidly. MAC is currently the only Estee Lauder brand that is not only meeting; but exceeding its annual sales goals. Last year MAC surpassed its sales plan by 121 million dollars! Which is unheard of in this industry. Everyday, this company comes one step closer to its ultimate goal of providing the utmost value for its customers. M.A.C. works from an inverted pyramid - where the customers are always at the top. It is the customers who inspire Toskan and the company. M.A.C. Cosmetics reasons for all its plans are derived from the fact that it is the 90's. There are many serious issues and many different needs required today. Everyone is an individual, and this company sees that, and deliberately tries not to exclude anyone. Some trends are also created by the media exposure. The media has so much to do with what's in and what's out. But, ultimately it is up to the consumer who decides.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Week 1-History and mission statement


History

Makeup Art Cosmetics Inc., more commonly known as MAC Cosmetics, is a popular high-end personal care brand that markets to women. In fact, it is so popular and prestigious in the celebrity world that it has been mentioned in pop songs, such as "Unpretty" by TLC. The MAC brand is exclusively sold in department stores and on the Web. You will not find it at discount outlets or drug stores.

Beginnings:

Two Canadians, a hair salon chain owner and a makeup artist, named Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan, respectively, started MAC in Toronto in 1984. The first U.S MAC store opened in 1991, located at Greenwich Village, New York. They wanted to create cosmetic products that could better withstand the rigorous wear required to withstand photo shoots, such as the heat from bright lighting. Toskan was the idea man in the company. Before he partnered with Angelo, he spent hours experimenting with formulas with the help of chemist Victor Casale, who was also his brother-in-law. He formed a business relationship with Angelo since he was a skilled entrepreneur.

Mission Statement:

“All Races, All Sexes, All Ages” conceived to embrace all consumers. To be the worlds leading make-up authority among both professional make-up artists and consumers.To meet customers need for superior quality services and to provide secure & challenging work environment for all employees. To meet everyday needs for nutrition; hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good, and get more out of life. As an organization it commits itself to high standards and creative development with an enterprise concept that all pains have gains. M.A.CAIDSFUND.ORG was launched in 1994, supporting men, women, and children affected by AIDS/HIV globally. M.A.C. introduced the "Kid's helping Kids" which, with the sale of greeting cards (painted by the kids) will be donated to pediatric organizations.