More than Just Magazines

It has come to my attention as I´ve been walking on the streets of Madrid that magazines sold here are so much more worth buying than those sold in America. Aside from the small language barrier that obviously gets in the way of thoroughly enjoying a magazine, purchasing magazines in Spain makes the consumer feel much better about splurging. Whereas in America where one can purchase a magazine that may be almost as expensive as six dollars, some specialized magazines even being up to twenty-five or thirty dollars, here in Spain, magazines c0me with additional gifts, fun packaging, or other magazines. These extra items may be another magazine or a gift ranging from perfume, shampoo, lipstick, a toy, etc. Usually the magazine will play off its main story or magazine´s theme to match their gift to the consumer with some sort of relativity. For instance, a newlyborn magazine for moms would include a baby toy or thermometer for the baby, whereas a fashion magazine will sample a designer´s new shampoo line or a type of lipstick. What makes the act of buying magazines more fun in Spain than in the U.S.A is that the consumer can see that the magazine is trying to give you something more than just the magazine; it wants you to go the extra mile and make you happy with the freebies included. It also creates a relationship with the consumer, developing a trust with the consumer in hopes for the consumer to come back and buy their brand again.
Considering the decline of media publication in the U.S. such as in the magazine industry and newspaper industry, it is a good idea for companies to find ways to promote their publication, such as the magazines here in Spain do. It is a great marketing technique and has definitely convinced me to buy magazines in Spanish that I won´t be able to comprehend fully. Rather than raise its costs and shorten magazine lengths and their quality like some of the U.S. magazines have done, media publications should figure out ways to work with other companies to do promotions and make their product more than just about its one issue of the month; they should make consumers feel much better about spending money for the magazine and feel like they got their money´s worth.

The Strike was not so Striking

The strike this past Wednesday was really uneventful. I admit, I expected something epic. I expected traffic jams, jammed-packed subways, over-crowded buses, and most of all, I expected school to closed down because all the teachers made it sound like the world was ending. On the contrary, it was another normal day going to school. Unfortunately for us students, we did not really get to experience something epic like it seemed like it could have been. I haven´t seen a real strike in the U.S.A and I hoped media would cover the strike greatly and not only cover the stories, but help spread the news for workers to go on strike. According to the Reuters website, ¨Zapatero cut civil servants' wages by 5 percent as part of an austerity package after investors drove up Spanish borrowing costs earlier this year over fears the country could be heading for a debt crisis that would trigger a Greek-style bailout.¨ For a wage cut as much as five percent, I would think that more of the Spanish population would have been outraged.

According to Reuters Website, “Trade unions said 10 million people, or more than half the workforce, walked off their jobs, but the government said less than 10 percent of public administration workers and 20 percent of Madrid transportation workers were on strike.” I did not think numbers were this high because I did not see any remote of trouble when I walked to the metro in the morning nor did I have a problem going home after school. But most of all I thought the strike was not a big deal and really did not prove a point to Americans such as myself. According to Western Europe analyst at ControlRisks, ¨The Spanish protest doesn't seem to be large enough to really change anyone's view, either in the market or amongst the Spanish people." I too felt as though the strike did not make much of an impact and was weak. Perhaps the next strike will make more of a difference.