After last week's total disaster, both Magna and Net Worth were raring to go tonight. Since the teams failed so miserably at the advertising challenge, everyone had something to prove in the latest endeavor.
As usual, the task was revealed quickly and with little fanfare. Each team was to get a custom built Airstream trailer in which to create a mobile business of their choosing. The team with the highest revenue in a single day would win the challenge. This task was clearly a chance for the contestants to let their creativity shine. Up until this point in the season, they had been limited to marketing somebody else's products; from hamburgers to body lotion, they had no choice in what it was they were selling, so the only real creativity came in the execution and marketing. This time around, the success or failure of each team would hinge on their ability to choose a creative--yet saleable--good or service.
Magna had the excellent idea of a mobile massage parlor, which they smartly contracted out to a group of women who already provided just such a service. The plan was quickly expanded to include other spa services, such as manicures, which seemed sure to drive up revenue.
Despite a killer idea, Magna could not seem to get along, even with the seemingly competent Bren as project manager. Once again, Michael seemed fixated on arguing over minutiae, such as the name of the service, rather than focusing on the big picture. When the time came to do the legwork and bring in the customers, Michael once again proved that he's long on ideas and short on execution. Stephanie also did her part to drag down the team, exuding negativity from every pore.
Bren certainly didn't help matters by asking these two to bring dinner to the rest of the team at the warehouse in Queens where their trailer was being remodeled. But, other than that slight misstep, Bren seemed to pull the rest of the team together admirably.
Net Worth came up with the idea of a mobile casting agency. While there were some problems actually getting a casting agent to agree to the plan, they did manage to throw enough money at one woman to get her booked on short notice. Project manager Tana seemed to have things well under control, but was the team being a little too creative in their planning?
To be honest, I thought this was a loser idea from the beginning. The idea that people would pay $25 to speak to a casting agent for only the chance at some acting work seemed a little questionable. And, indeed, it seemed that Net Worth was quickly on the road to disaster. While their competition over at Magna has customers lining up for massages and manicures, the Casting Call was a virtual wasteland.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
From a delivery/business standpoint, Magna's idea was more likely to bring in the bucks: low-cost, valuable service, multiple service lines, able to handle multiple people simultaneously - not particularly location-dependent.
NetWorth, OTOH, had a service which acutely depended on finding enough wannabes in the vicinity of the chosen spot, but they charged a bit more, and could handle only one at a time. Interestingly, both teams, for once, outsourced the actual activity to experts.
Predictably, Magna handled about 90 people($917 @ $10/head), versus NetWorth's 38($971 @ $25/head). From a business standpoint, I would have given the prize to Magna. Revenue alone cannot be a determinant.
Anyone catch the George-boosting at the end? I guess Donald's giving the old guy a boost, for once.
2 - Rodney Welch
What was that pathetic thing Michael said on the way out? Something about Trump coming to see him in New Jersey?
3 - Scott Pepper
Revenue alone cannot be a determinant.
But it was the sole determinant, as outlined by The Donald in the introduction to the task. With 20/20 hindsight, Magna should be kicking themselves for not charging more. If they had gone to $15 a head, they could have done about 20% less business and still come out on top.
I think the conestants continuely undervalue the importantance of pricing, as they do not make any attempt to see what the market will bear and seem to just set arbitrary prices on things. We saw this same thing last season in the candy bar challenge, when one team chose to charge $5 a bar and the other $2 a bar.
4 - Rodney Welch
Yeah, but $5 was way too much; they sold it through sex appeal.
5 - Aaman
You found that appealing?:)
6 - Rodney Welch
The people who bought it sure did.
7 - frankiegoes
Check out Stephanie's photos!
http://www.stephaniemyers.net
8 - Eric Berlin
Great wrapup Scott -- I missed this week's episode.
I see what you mean about a potential upcoming switch because of unequal sides, but wouldn't that ruin the entire theme of the season (Street v. Book Smarts)?
9 - CJ
Yes, if they mix up the teams it'll ruin the theme of the season, but anything to liven up this season will be welcomed..
I just don't understand how this many episodes in, there are still people on either teams that have barely been focused on. The black guy with the afro actually said his first words on this episode! What's the deal with that?
10 - Eric Berlin
CJ - You bring up a good point, though I must admit that I have enjoyed this season thus far. I think the book-street scenario has livened up the formula, and that's why I'm concerned that things will get stale with team switching.
Wouldn't it be kinda cool if they mandated zero switches until, say, there were six or so people left? I'd love to see 12 street v. 3 book peeps.
11 - Eric Berlin
Wanted to quickly add: I think that John is playing out a great strategy. He put his neck on the line for the first task and became an instant star for his winning style and performance. Notice, though, that he's faded far into the background in recent weeks? I wouldn't be surprised if it was on purpose: there's no need for him to really stick it on the line until all of the dead weight / crazies have been tossed.
I wish I could learn more about the black dude as well. He seems smart and fairly savvy -- maybe he's trying to lurk until the time is right as well.