Principles Of Marketing

PART 1 Multiple Choice Questions

 

1) According to management guru Peter Drucker, “The aim of marketing is to ________.”

A) maximize profits of the company

B) emphasize customer wants and not customer needs

C) make selling unnecessary

D) fulfill unrealistic customer expectations

E) sell products

 

2) When marketers set low expectations for a market offering, they run the risk of ________.

A) disappointing loyal customers

B) having to use an outside-in rather than an inside-out perspective

C) failing to attract enough customers

D) failing to understand their customers’ needs

E) incorrectly identifying a target market

 

3) Selecting which segments of a population to serve is called ________.

A) market segmentation

B) positioning

C) customization

D) target marketing

E) differentiation

 

4) Railroads were once operated based on the thinking that users wanted trains offering the most in quality, performance, and innovative features. The railroad managing companies overlooked the fact that there could be other modes of transportation. This reflects the ________ concept.

A) product

B) production

C) selling

D) marketing

E) societal marketing

 

5) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of customer-driven marketing?

A) Companies understand customer needs even better than customers themselves do.

B) Customers are unaware of their needs.

C) Products are created that meet both existing and latent needs, now and in the future.

D) Customers know what they want.

E) Customers don’t know what is possible.

 

6) Which of the following statements is true about creating customer loyalty and retention?

A) Losing a customer means losing the entire stream of purchases the customer would make over a lifetime of patronage.

B) Customer delight creates a rational preference and not an emotional relationship with the brand.

C) The aim of customer relationship management is to focus solely on customer delight.

D) Losing a customer hardly makes a difference to a company’s sales.

E) The aim of customer relationship management is to focus solely on customer satisfaction.

 

7) Which of the following is true with regard to strategic planning?

A) At the corporate level, the company starts the strategic planning process by determining what portfolio of businesses and products is best for the company.

B) A strategic plan deals with a company’s short-term goals.

C) The focus of strategic planning is to define a game plan for long-run survival and growth.

D) The strategic plan is a statement of an organization’s purpose.

E) Strategic planning involves identifying segments of consumers with identical preferences.

 

8) Which of the following is a market-oriented mission statement?

A) “We empower customers to achieve their dreams.”

B) “We sell jumbo burgers.”

C) “We are an online library.”

D) “We are a low-cost airline.”

E) “We make porcelain figurines.”

 

9) Which of the following is true with regard to cash cows?

A) They are high-growth, high-share businesses or products.

B) They can be used to help finance the company’s question marks and stars.

C) They require significant cash to maintain market share.

D) They are low-share businesses and products.

E) They do not promise to be large sources of cash.

 

10) Fun-Spot Fun Park represents a high-growth, high-share business. According to the BCG matrix, it can be classified as a ________.

A) star

B) question mark

C) bear

D) cat

E) dog

 

11) RedFin manufactures diving equipment that is highly regarded by customers worldwide. Each department in RedFin contributes to its success and can be thought of as a(n) ________.

A) link in the company’s internal value chain

B) separate organization

C) independent subsidiary of the company

D) separate market segment

E) SBU

12) Rob has been asked by his manager to identify a group of potential customers who would respond in a similar way to a given set of marketing efforts. In this instance, Rob has been asked to identify a ________.

A) new product

B) market segment

C) marketing intermediary

D) brand

E) product line

 

13) ________ analysis is an overall evaluation of the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

A) Porter’s five forces

B) A breakeven

C) A regression

D) A SWOT

E) A cluster

 

14) Which of the following terms is used to describe the actors and forces outside marketing affecting marketing management’s ability to build and maintain successful relationships with target customers?

A) marketing environment

B) marketing orientation

C) strategic planning

D) target markets

E) marketing mix

 

15) Which of the following is true with regard to media publics?

A) The primary function of this group is to protect the interests of minority groups.

B) This group carries news, features, and editorial opinion.

C) The primary function of this group is to critique the marketing decisions of companies.

D) This group includes neighborhood residents and community organizations.

E) This group directly influences the company’s ability to obtain funds.

 

16) The single most important demographic trend in the United States is the ________.

A) changing age structure of the population

B) mobility of families

C) changing family structure of the population

D) increasing number of professional jobs

E) increasing birth rate

 

17) Which of the following has lost population in the past two decades?

A) California

B) Florida

C) the Western states

D) the Northeast states

E) the Southern states

 

18) Soon-Yi Park’s chain of travel agencies has identified the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community as a growing market that spends an increasing percentage of its income on travel. Which of the following would be the LEAST effective component of a marketing plan for Soon-Yi to take advantage of this opportunity?

A) develop a presence on LGBT-oriented social networking sites

B) position his agency as focused on specialized experiences

C) implement a mass marketing campaign

D) place specially-targeted ads in gay-themed publications

E) advertise on LOGO, the cable television network aimed at gays and lesbians and their friends and family

 

19) Which of the following generational groups is most likely to represent the present owners of cottages surrounding Witmer Lake?

A) Baby Boomers

B) Echo Boomers

C) Gen Xers

D) Lost Generation

E) Millennials

 

20) Brad works with a reputed retailer and leads a team that collects market information from a wide variety of sources ranging from marketing research studies to monitoring online conversations where consumers discuss Brad’s firm or its products. Brad’s team uses this information to arrive at a better understanding of consumer behavior and their buying motives. This, in turn, allows Brad’s firm to successfully generate more value for consumers. Brad leads the ________ team.

A) product development

B) strategy implementation

C) human resource

D) customer relationship management

E) customer insights

 

21) The marketing department of a reputed firm wants to improve strategic decision making, track the actions of other players in the market, and provide early warning of opportunities and threats. Which of the following would help the firm achieve its objectives?

A) ethnographic research

B) strategic planning

C) data warehousing

D) competitive marketing intelligence

E) customer relationship management

 

22) Which of the following is the final step of the marketing research process?

A) developing the research plan

B) implementing the research plan

C) interpreting and reporting the findings

D) selecting a research agency

E) defining the research objectives

 

23) While looking for ideas on how to craft a user-friendly dishwasher, the designers of a dishwasher-manufacturing company spent 10 days observing people as they used their dishwashers in their homes. In this instance, the designers were conducting a(n) ________.

A) survey research

B) experimental research

C) quantitative marketing research

D) ethnographic research

E) causal research

 

24) Which of the following is most likely a disadvantage of focus group interviewing?

A) Focus group interviewing does not connect secondary data with primary data.

B) Focus group interviewing is less flexible compared to mail questionnaires.

C) Consumers in focus groups are always open and honest about their real feelings, behaviors, and intentions in front of other people.

D) Focus group interviewing involves small samples to keep time and costs down, which makes it hard to generalize from the results.

E) The moderator in a focus group interview has poor control over the group of respondents.

 

25) ________ refers to the measurement of brain activity to learn how consumers feel and respond.

A) Biometrics

B) Demographics

C) Sampling

D) Neuromarketing

E) Psychographics

 

PART 2

1) Marketing stimuli include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) economic stimuli

B) price stimuli

C) technological stimuli

D) social stimuli

E) cultural stimuli

 

2) ________ consumers are one of the fastest-growing U.S. population subsegments and are expected to surge to nearly one third of the total U.S. population by 2060.

A) African American

B) Hispanic American

C) Asian American

D) Baby Boomer

E) Millennial

 

3) ________ are groups to which an individual wishes to belong, as when a young basketball player hopes to play someday for the Los Angeles Lakers.

A) Membership groups

B) Aspirational groups

C) Leading adopters

D) Subcultures

E) Reference groups

 

4) A ________ consists of the activities an individual is expected to perform according to the people around him/her.

A) motive

B) role

C) lifestyle

D) life cycle

E) perception

 

5) Harley-Davidson promotes its motorcycles with images of independence, freedom, and power. Harley-Davidson has created a ________.

A) motive

B) life-cycle stage

C) self-concept

D) brand personality

E) self-actualization need

 

6) ________ is the process by which people select, organize, and interpret information to form a meaningful picture of the world.

A) Motivation

B) Perception

C) Dissonance

D) Learning

E) Self-actualization

 

7) George is buying his first house. He has spent a month looking at houses and comparing attributes such as price and location. He has contacted several real estate agents to look at different types of houses. George is most likely exhibiting ________.

A) variety-seeking buying behavior

B) complex buying behavior

C) consumer capitalism

D) dissonance-reducing buying behavior

E) marketing myopia

 

8) Business buyer behavior refers to the ________.

A) buying behavior of consumers who buy goods and services for personal consumption

B) buying behavior of the organizations buying goods and services for use in the production of other products and services that are sold, rented, or supplied to others

C) buying behavior of consumers who rely on small retailers for the regular supply of provisions

D) decision process by which business buyers determine which products and services their organizations need to purchase

E) strong affinity of businesses for value-for-money deals

 

9) Jeremy’s, a handbag manufacturer in Lower Manhattan, procures a large stock of leather in anticipation of brisk sales of handbags during December. This is an example of a(n) ________ demand.

A) composite

B) derived

C) primary

D) latent

E) inelastic

 

10) A marketer wanting to determine business buyer behavior is most likely to ask which of the following questions?

A) Are buyers sensitive toward price changes in consumer markets?

B) What are the major influences on buyers?

C) Are niche markets more profitable than mass markets?

D) How do interpersonal factors affect organizational performance?

E) Is the role of gatekeepers relevant in the international business environment?

 

11) Peter Adams, an entrepreneur, decided to start a new technology venture. As he needed servers and computers for his company, he decided to order these from a local vendor who was offering attractive discounts. In this instance, Peter ________.

A) faces a new task situation

B) faces a modified rebuy situation

C) is most likely to benefit the most from reverse auction

D) faces the need for product differentiation

E) plans to attract customers by offering products at below-market prices

 

12) Jason Perkins has the informal power to approve the final suppliers in his organization. In other words, Jason plays the role of a(n) ________ in his organization’s buying center.

A) gatekeeper

B) decider

C) buyer

D) influencer

E) user

 

13) Alpha Stampings Inc. produces 14 metal stampings for the automotive industry. Due to industry design changes and consumer demands, for the next financial year six of those stampings will require a slight change: two will have an extra hole punched through the side, two will require an extra plating process, and two will require an additional weld operation. In the meantime, purchasing agent Richard Koehl has been asked to reduce the number of Alpha’s steel suppliers in an effort to cut costs. After obtaining updated price quotations and steel samples from his current suppliers, Richard faced a dilemma. Until now, he had selected his suppliers based on quality and price, but the major consideration had been the type of steel required and the specialized production processes of his respective suppliers. Not all of Alpha’s suppliers could produce the exact grades of steel needed; some suppliers were better at producing certain types of steel than others. Richard contacted several employees at Alpha who had worked with the various types of steel in the past. The quality control manager and line inspector, for example, could help to determine which suppliers had the capabilities of producing specific types of steel. The production control manager could provide input regarding which types of steel worked best in which presses. The warehouse foreman gave inputs regarding how long various types of steel could be held in inventory before rust spots began to form on their surfaces. Each person contributed the necessary information to help Richard in making his decision. In this scenario, which of the following had the greatest influence on the business buying behavior at Alpha Stampings?

A) individual preferences

B) organizational structure

C) interpersonal influences

D) technological changes

E) cultures and customs

 

14) ________ involves dividing a market into smaller segments of buyers with distinct needs, characteristics, or behaviors that might require separate marketing strategies or mixes.

A) Mass customization

B) Market targeting

C) Market segmentation

D) Differentiation

E) Positioning

 

15) A company selling child-care products ran a television ad depicting women as being primarily responsible for childcare. Many women viewers considered this regressive, alleging that the ad failed to recognize the much more diversified role of women in today’s world. This is an example of ________.

A) cause marketing

B) stereotyping

C) niche marketing

D) scapegoating

E) positioning

 

16) Consumers who show their allegiance to brands, stores, or companies help marketers to segment consumers by their ________.

A) user status

B) degree of loyalty

C) income

D) geographic location

E) benefit-seeking attitudes

 

17) Orion Inc. markets luxury watches. It targets the wealthy global elite segment, regardless of their geographic location. Orion most likely uses ________ segmentation.

A) income

B) age-group

C) occasion

D) benefit

E) cross-market

 

18) Ruben Delgado was making wooden pens and pencils, which had unique engravings, as a hobby until Simon Yoder recognized Ruben’s talent. Simon immediately ordered 250 pens and pencils of various styles to be displayed in his shop’s showcase. Within three months, the wooden pencils were a hit with all students! Ruben Delgado had never thought of marketing his talent, but Simon’s enthusiasm and the recent sales were enough to change his mind. With limited resources, Ruben contacted three additional specialty shops within 100 miles that were situated near schools. He explained his manufacturing processes and engraving options to each. All three shop owners placed a trial order. Within two months, just prior to the holiday season, each shop owner placed an additional order. Ruben was ecstatic! “I figured business would slow down after that,” Ruben stated, “but in February I was contacted by Elmore Distributors. At that point, I had to make a huge decision about how far I wanted to go with this business.” Elmore Distributors provides products for school fundraisers in a seven-state area. Ruben was offered a two-year contract and immediate inclusion in Elmore’s promotional flyer. Ruben Delgado accepted the offer and, along with it, the responsibility to produce thousands of wooden pens and pencils. “I had to get a grip on the magnitude of this project,” Ruben added. He decided to place his major focus on the large contract with Elmore. However, to avoid placing his total emphasis with one customer, Ruben continued nurturing his four previously established accounts without targeting any additional customers. “At this point, I had set up an assembly line in a rented building,” Ruben explained. “I had to hire three full-time employees to work the line while I managed the customer orders and purchased materials.” Ruben paused, “But I can’t take the Elmore project for granted. It might not always be there. I’ll have to have a good alternate plan if that day comes.” In the scenario, Ruben has segmented his market based on ________.

A) geography

B) benefits sought

C) occasion

D) degree of loyalty

E) demographics

 

19) Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a differentiated marketing strategy?

A) generates far lower sales compared to an undifferentiated marketing strategy

B) customer loyalty is negatively impacted and difficult to obtain

C) the costs of doing business increase

D) quality control problems increase

E) product safety decreases

 

20) ________ are a form of product that consists of activities, benefits, or satisfactions offered for sale that are essentially intangible and do not result in the ownership of anything.

A) Liabilities

B) Services

C) Brands

D) Consumer products

E) Specialty products

 

21) A hickory rocking chair, handmade by an Amish woodcarver in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from locally grown wood, is an example of a ________.

A) convenience product

B) capital item

C) specialty product

D) service

E) product attribute

 

22) A company that uses well-known celebrities to help sell its products is using ________ marketing.

A) interactive

B) internal

C) social

D) person

E) organization

 

23) Ruben Delgado built his enterprise on the faithful patronage of four specialty shops and a large contract from Elmore Distributors. But after two years, the maker of novelty pens and pencils had to rethink his strategy when his contract with Elmore ended. Ruben built a company reputation on the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of wooden writing utensils with customized engravings. Specialty shops loved to display the products in their fancy, lighted showcases, but such specialty shops alone were not profitable. Ruben Delgado established a brand name, known merely as Delgado, and decided to expand on it. Ruben extended his writing utensil lines to include quills, felt-tip pens, and multiple- cartridge pens that write in different colors. He even added a line of various grades of personalized stationery and business cards. Perhaps Ruben’s biggest added touch, however, was the addition of two salespeople who would work to explain the diverse array of products offered by Delgado, as well as nurture existing accounts. “We make an excellent product,” Ruben Delgado stated, “and we honor a good guarantee on everything we sell. But let’s face it—we face hundreds of competitors! We need Delgado representatives out there to help prospects understand what they should demand in something as simple as a writing tool.” The Delgado brand was fast-becoming synonymous with top- notch customer service. Part of the purchase package brought personal visits from the Delgado representative, before the purchase and long after. Which type of product does Delgado manufacture?

A) industrial

B) convenience

C) specialty

D) shopping

E) unsought

 

24) What are the two dimensions of product quality?

A) consistency and level

B) performance and conformance

C) design and innovation

D) conformance and style

E) feature and design

 

25) Titan Inc., an automobile manufacturer based in Utah, recently added two new models to its existing line of sedans in order to increase profits and satisfy dealers. This is an example of ________.

A) line filling

B) social marketing

C) market diversification

D) negative brand equity

E) person marketing

 

PART 3

1) Acquisition refers to ________.

A) the buying of a whole company, a patent, or a license to produce someone else’s product

B) an agreement between two or more commercial companies to produce a common product

C) a partnership between two companies to produce a product in different countries by sharing risks

D) investments made in a country’s businesses by foreign citizens, often in the form of stocks

E) the development of original products, product improvements, product modifications, and new brands through the firm’s own product development strategies

 

2) Which of the following is the most likely reason that employees regularly attend trade shows and seminars?

A) to analyze the product life cycle

B) to test new product concepts

C) to get new product ideas

D) to imitate competitors’ products and strategies

E) to implement a team-based new product development approach

 

3) JoAnn Fabrics Inc. has created a new combination of colors and fabric types. The firm wants to know how consumers will perceive the new product. The firm is concerned with the product ________.

A) idea

B) displacement

C) image

D) activation

E) placement

 

4) Once managers of The Grecian Urn have decided on their product concept and marketing strategy, they can evaluate the business attractiveness of the proposal in the ________ stage of the new product development process.

A) business transformation

B) test marketing

C) business analysis

D) business process reengineering

E) concept testing

 

5) Which of the following involves costs that most likely occur during the commercialization stage of new product development?

A) building or renting a manufacturing facility

B) paying target customers for product feedback

C) determining the product’s planned distribution

D) developing a prototype of the product

E) identifying target markets

 

6) Evelyn’s ________ is the practical use of solar power in a vacuum cleaner that is designed to effortlessly vacuum clean the floors of on-the-go and elderly consumers.

A) product placement

B) product concept

C) product image

D) product idea

E) virtual product

 

7) A style is best defined as a ________.

A) currently popular trend in retail goods

B) popular consumer taste at a given time

C) temporary period of unusually high sales

D) short-term component of the marketing mix

E) basic and distinctive mode of expression

 

8) ________ is the only element in the marketing mix that produces revenue.

A) Price

B) Product

C) Place

D) Fixed costs

E) Variable costs

 

9) A pharmaceutical company in Utah recently released a new and expensive anti-ulcer drug in the market. The company justifies the high price of the drug by claiming that it is highly effective for treating all kinds of ulcers. The company also claims that the new drug will help bring down the need for invasive surgeries, an additional benefit for patients. Which of the following pricing strategies is the pharmaceutical company most likely using in this instance?

A) target pricing

B) markup pricing

C) cost-based pricing

D) value-based pricing

E) break-even pricing

 

10) ________ involves setting prices based on the costs for producing, distributing, and selling the product plus a fair rate of return for effort and risk.

A) Value-based pricing

B) Competition-based pricing

C) Cost-based pricing

D) Penetration pricing

E) Break-even pricing

 

11) As production moves up, the average cost per unit decreases because ________.

A) variable costs decrease

B) of increasing diseconomies of scale

C) fixed costs are spread over more units

D) overhead costs decrease

E) revenue increases

 

12) The simplest pricing method is ________ pricing.

A) value-based

B) fixed cost

C) cost-plus

D) target return

E) competition-based

 

13) As a manufacturer increases the price, ________.

A) efficiency drops

B) the break-even volume drops

C) competition is minimized

D) the total costs increase

E) the profit margin shrinks

 

14) Companies facing the challenge of setting prices for the first time can choose between two broad strategies: market-penetration pricing and ________ pricing.

A) comparative

B) competitive

C) market-skimming

D) market-segmentation

E) cost-plus

 

15) Which of the following product mix pricing strategies involves setting prices across an entire product range based on cost differences between the products, customer evaluations of different features, and competitors’ prices?

A) by-product pricing

B) product bundle pricing

C) optional product pricing

D) captive product pricing

E) product line pricing

 

16) Cellpoint uses two-part pricing for its long-distance call charges. Because this is a service, the price is broken into a fixed fee plus a(n) ________ usage rate.

A) fixed

B) variable

C) standard

D) market

E) optional

 

17) A(n) ________ is a straight reduction in price on purchases during a stated period of time or of larger quantities.

A) allowance

B) free sample

C) discount

D) tax credit

E) quota

 

18) In return for participating in Honda advertising and sales support programs, Honda dealerships are rewarded with payments or price reductions, which are known as ________.

A) seasonal discounts

B) functional allowances

C) cash discounts

D) promotional allowances

E) trade-in allowances

 

19) La Belle released a cut glass bottle of perfume at $299 per item, even though its major competitor prices its signature scent at $99 per item. La Belle reasons that customers in search of luxury goods will prefer its product because they are more likely to believe high price indicates superior quality. What price adjustment strategy is evident in its reasoning?

A) seasonal pricing

B) time-based pricing

C) captive product pricing

D) psychological pricing

E) location-based pricing

 

20) Which of the following terms refers to the wholesalers and retailers that form a vital link between the firm and its customers?

A) factory-supply networks

B) downstream partners

C) resource banks

D) upstream partners

E) supply channels

 

21) The greater the number of channel levels in a marketing channel, the ________.

A) less distance between producer and end-consumer

B) greater the channel complexity

C) less time it takes for products to reach end-consumers

D) greater the control producers have over the distribution of their products

E) greater the control producers have over the demand of their products

 

22) ________ are complex behavioral systems in which people and companies interact to accomplish individual, company, and channel goals.

A) Customer relationship management systems

B) Distribution channels

C) Partner relationship systems

D) Consumer bases

E) Buying centers

 

23) Which of the following is a major type of vertical marketing system?

A) corporate

B) conventional

C) multilevel

D) intrinsic

E) extrinsic

 

24) A(n) ________ system involves a single firm setting up two or more marketing channels to reach one or more customer segments.

A) conventional distribution

B) corporate vertical marketing

C) horizontal marketing

D) administered vertical marketing

E) multichannel distribution

 

25) ________ distribution is a strategy in which producers of convenience products and raw materials stock their products in as many outlets as possible.

A) Direct

B) Intensive

C) Inclusive

D) Exclusive

E) Selective

 

PART 4

1) ________ includes all the activities involved in selling products or services directly to final consumers for their personal, nonbusiness use.

A) Franchising

B) Retailing

C) Brokering

D) Wholesaling

E) Disintermediation

 

2) A ________ is a small store, located near a residential area that is open long hours, seven days a week, and carries a limited line of high-turnover goods.

A) convenience store

B) chain store

C) department store

D) supermarket

E) specialty store

 

3) ________ are manufacturer-owned and operated stores that offer prices as low as 50 percent below retail on a wide range of mostly surplus, discounted, or irregular items.

A) Category killers

B) Factory outlets

C) Specialty stores

D) Superstores

E) Power centers

 

4) Stop-N-Go, 7-Eleven, and Circle K are examples of ________.

A) department stores

B) convenience stores

C) category killers

D) specialty stores

E) supermarkets

 

5) Daizy’s is a shop that carries only plus-size clothing. According to this information, Daizy’s differentiates itself from its competitors based on ________.

A) service mix

B) pricing

C) product assortment

D) store atmosphere

E) distribution strategy

 

6) A ________ generally contains between 5 and 15 stores. It is close and convenient for consumers, usually contains a supermarket, perhaps a discount store, and several service stores such as a dry cleaner, a drugstore, and a hardware store.

A) regional shopping center

B) community shopping center

C) neighborhood shopping center

D) warehouse club

E) factory outlet

 

7) Which of the following is most likely true about shoppers who prefer to shop at “lifestyle centers?”

A) They use coupons.

B) They prefer upscale stores.

C) They prefer indoor shopping locations.

D) They rarely dine out in expensive restaurants.

E) They are motivated by deals on last year’s merchandise.

 

8) A company’s total marketing communications mix consists of a special blend of advertising, sales promotion, public relations, personal selling, and direct-marketing tools the company uses to communicate customer value and build customer relationships. Which of the following terms best describes this set of communications tools?

A) the product mix

B) product line filling

C) the promotion mix

D) the price mix

E) horizontal diversification

 

9) Which of the following statements is true regarding today’s marketing communications?

A) More marketers are shifting away from narrowly defined micromarkets and moving toward mass marketing.

B) More customers have started relying on marketer-supplied information rather than finding out information on their own.

C) Network television, magazines, newspapers, and other traditional mass media continue to increase their dominance.

D) Focused marketing programs, which are designed to build closer relationships with customers in more narrowly defined micromarkets, are no longer used by marketers.

E) Today’s consumers are better informed about products and services.

 

10) Excel Enterprises uses a Web site, online social networks, and print advertisements to promote its products. Since Excel Enterprises practices integrated marketing communications, all these different brand contacts maintain _________ in design and tone.

A) variety

B) simplicity

C) creativity

D) consistency

E) flexibility

 

11) While using integrated marketing communications, the communications process should start with a(n) ________.

A) advertising strategy

B) competitive-parity analysis

C) long-term public relations plan

D) audit of all potential customer touch points

E) strategy for implementing a social media presence

 

12) An ad for Maybelline age-minimizing makeup in Ladies’ Home Journal magazine featured actress Melina Kanakaredes and offered readers a $1-off coupon when they tried the new makeup. In terms of the communication model, the sender of this message is ________.

A) Melina Kanakaredes

B) Ladies’ Home Journal

C) readers who redeem the $1-off coupon

D) Maybelline

E) the target market to which Melina Kanakaredes appeals

 

13) A message showing a product’s quality, economy, value, or performance is an example of a(n) ________ appeal.

A) structural

B) rational

C) emotional

D) moral

E) standard

 

14) All of the following are benefits of online direct marketing for buyers EXCEPT ________.

A) access to numerous products

B) access to product reviews

C) live product demonstrations

D) convenience

E) privacy

 

15) Companies such as Amazon.com and Expedia.com that sell products and services directly to final buyers exclusively over the Internet are known as ________.

A) transaction sites

B) content sites

C) search engines and portals

D) e-tailers

E) online social media

 

16) Which of the following best describes permission-based e-mail marketing?

A) sending unsolicited, unwanted commercial e-mail messages

B) sending requests to users to join online social networking communities

C) sending e-mail pitches only to customers who “opt-in”

D) offering free promotional materials to new customers

E) gathering demographic details for customer databases

 

17) Which of the following is a benefit of using blogs as marketing tools for companies?

A) Blogs provide companies with a platform to help portray wider merchandise.

B) Blogs are online selling platforms for people located in hard-to-reach places.

C) Blogs help reach a wider audience compared to other online direct marketing tools.

D) Demographic information about customers can be easily discovered.

E) Blogs can offer a fresh, original, personal, and cheap way to enter into consumer conversations.

 

18) Runners can compare performances, set up profiles, meet new people, and share information on Nike’s Nike+ Web site. Nike+ is an example of a(n) ________.

A) podcast

B) blog

C) online community

D) content sponsorship program

E) kiosk

 

19) Which of the following types of marketing involves sending out letters, brochures, samples, and DVDs to consumers’ addresses?

A) direct-response marketing

B) direct-mail marketing

C) direct digital marketing

D) kiosk marketing

E) online marketing

 

20) ________ calls for meeting the present needs of consumers and businesses while also preserving or enhancing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

A) Sustainable marketing

B) Ambush marketing

C) Consumerism

D) Environmentalism

E) Strategic planning

 

21) Deceptive practices fall into three groups: pricing, promotion, and ________.

A) product

B) placement

C) packaging

D) publicity

E) service

 

22) The success of the Tom Dennis Ford dealership has been built largely on return customers and word-of-mouth recommendations. The majority of sales are made to customers who previously purchased a vehicle at the dealership or who know someone who had a positive experience of purchasing a vehicle there. The sales force at the Tom Dennis Ford dealership most likely knows that using high-pressure selling is ineffective if the dealership wants to ________.

A) achieve short-term gains

B) move last year’s models

C) obey local and federal law

D) build long-term customer relationships

E) maintain a database of local customers

 

23) It is most accurate to say that the recession of 2008/2009 has resulted in ________.

A) an overselling of private goods

B) a disbelief in the American dream

C) a decline in conspicuous spending

D) an increase in materialism

E) the elimination of false wants

 

24) How are acquisitions good for society?

A) Acquisitions eliminate barriers to entry.

B) Acquisitions require little government oversight.

C) An acquiring company may improve the efficiency of an acquired company.

D) An industry may become less competitive after an acquisition.

E) The acquisition may result in higher costs, leading to higher prices for consumers.

 

25) The two major citizen movements to keep businesses in line are environmentalism and ________.

A) consumerism

B) protectionism

C) liberalism

D) capitalism

E) materialism

 
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Consumer Behaviour Assignment

Choose ONE of the two case studies listed below from our Consumer Behaviour reference book and answer the following questions on this assignment.

Please see document “Buyer Behaviour” with all assignment instruction. You must choose one of the two case studies and answer the questions set out.

the instruction sheet, case study 1 and case study 2 are attached to this.

Any my question please do not hesitate to contact

BSc Buyer Behaviour Minor assessment

Academic Year 2018/2019, term 2 Percentage of Module Grade: 40%

 

Course: UG6005 Buyer Behaviour Module Leader: Julie Harpley Lecturer: Paper due: November 3rd 2019 Oral Presentation: Week 6 Word count: 2000 +/- 10% per student Group preferably 2 or 3 per group Percentage of final grade given: 40% of final grade Project Description Students are invited to choose ONE of the two case studies listed below from our Consumer Behaviour reference book (buying, having and being 12th Edition Michael R. Solomon) and they are requested to answer the following questions on this assignment. It is highly recommended to go to the store in order to conduct a professional research for the chosen case. It is also strongly advised to answer the questions with breadth and depth of relevant reading and observations, as well as understanding and application of theory and analytical models. Please, respond IN ESSAY form. Pay particular attention to the extensive use of referencing. Case p126-127: A lush treat for the senses a) Brief Introduction of the company and explain how consumers get currently involved with Lush products and their promotional message. b) Describe and explain the perceptual process at Lush stores and how Lush uses sensory marketing for its products and encourages its customers to process information. c) Are the decisions of Lush’s consumers driven by a rational consumption appeal or is it influenced by hedonic consumption? Explain and discuss. d) Critical: Are there any counter indications to the use of sensory marketing in the retail industry? Is there evidence of it occasionally backfiring and when? OR Case p196: Has the death of the watch been greatly exaggerated? Apple gets into the game a) Brief introduction of the company and explain how consumers get currently involved with the iWatch product and promotional message.

 

 

b) use the affect theory to explain how emotional responses impact iWatch consumer usage; c) research one or more communities of iWatch users and explain the 5 most common issues raised by community members in relation to the use of such product and some possible insights on the iWatch typical consumer profile as opposed to that of other similar products; d) Critical: identify some possible criticisms posed to the use of communities in sports that the iWatch producers should be aware of. Grading:

Deliverable Weighting Date due

Group component 10% Nov 3rd 2019

Group presentation 5% Week 6 @class time

Individual content of group report 25% Nov 3rd 2019 STRUCTURE AND FORMAT OF THE REPORT: This is a group assignment. Groups should be made up of 2 to 3 participants. Groups can be chosen at your convenience and should be submitted to the course lecturer with the subject of your project. In the event that groups cannot be amicably selected the course lecturer will select groups, even amongst those groups already decided. The course lecturer reserves the right to select groups without recourse or debate. Make sure your writing is precise and to the point. Your paper should not exceed 2000 +/-10% words per student, excluding appendices and references. Format of the report: 1. 1 The report should display a coherent structure: title page should include student name, module name, lecturer name, date and school name followed by contents page, introduction, executive summary, methodology, findings, analysis, recommendations, referencing and appendices. 2. The report should be prepared as a neatly typed Word document (Times New Roman 12 points), with double spacing and page numbering. 3. All report will be discussed in class in a power point presentation of no more than 20 minutes. The presentation should be a summary of your work. The powerpoint presentation should be printed 4 slides per page and submitted attached to your project, otherwise submission will be rejected. 4. Tables or work/data taken from other sources may be included in an appendix. 5. All sources must be referenced in the text and a full bibliography must be provided (including visited websites) in the Harvard style referencing system. Paraphrasing or direct quotes taken from other sources must be clearly indicated with citations. No footnoting!

 

 

6. Students are reminded that depth, relevance and variety are the crucial elements of quality research. (Wikipedia is not considered to be a relevant source of information; any students referencing Wikipedia will be deducted marks! Alternatively if you find information on Wikipedia use the original sources listed at the bottom of the article) 7. Students are reminded to use valid and peer-reviewed references to support their work. Websites should only be used if they represent an established source and only for facts and figures. Students should make the most of academic and practitioner books and articles. 8. Submission should be by the deadline below and should include a hard copy to the lecturer and an electronic copy to your academic coordinator 9. All work must conform to University regulations on Cheating, Collusion and Plagiarism’ as described in your program handbook. You are advised to use the Harvard referencing style and avoid plagiarism. Deadline: Midnight November 3rd 2019 Projects, must be delivered by email to the lecturer and the academic office, and be loaded on Turnitin by midnight on November 3rd 2019. Only when this has been done will the project be considered submitted. Coursework must be submitted for assessment by the due date. Coursework is deemed to have been submitted once it is lodged in accordance with the assessment requirements for the module or unit. Late submission: Coursework may be accepted after the deadline, but 5% will be deducted from the face value mark (5 marks) for work submitted before the end of the day after the due date, and 10 marks for course work submitted up to one week after the due date. (For example, if a piece of work deserves a mark of 48pc, 43pc will be recorded if the work is submitted before the end of the day, and 38pc – fail – if the work is submitted up to a week late). If the imposition of the penalty deduction results in a fail mark, the student will be deemed to have failed the assessment. Assessments which are marked with a literal grade, or which take the form of presentation, performance or exhibition may not be submitted late. Submission of coursework arising from reassessment may not be submitted late. If you fail to submit an electronic version of your work, your mark will normally be recorded as a non-submission. However, if on the due date for your assignment, Turnitin is unavailable due to technical difficulties, students must submit the electronic version of your work as soon as possible to the academic Office. Your tutor will be aware of the situation and may well have informed you of such problems, so you will not risk penalties. You should submit the hard copy of your work as normal by the deadline. A paper copy of the project must be delivered to the lecturer at the start of the next class after the deadline. Oral presentations will be held in week 6.

 

 

Students absent on the date of the oral presentation, without valid justification, will receive 0 as a mark for the oral component. Turnitin Details: Please see submission details on the ESE Student Portal

 

 

 

GENERAL MARKING CRITERIA (UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES)

Outstanding Quality 80-100%

Excellent work: 70%-79%

Above satisfactory work:

60% – 69%

Satisfactory: 50 – 59%

Below satisfactory work:

40% – 49%

Failure: Below 40%

Relevance Innovatively addresses objectives of the

assessment task, especially those components

requiring sophistication of critical analysis, synthesis

and evaluation.

Excellent knowledge and understanding of

material and an imaginative sense of its relevance across a range of issues, and context or

policy situation; excellent

use of course material and other relevant

information to support argument

Very good use of course material and other information;

well-chosen to support arguments relevant to question

Competent use of course materials

and other information to support most

arguments

Some use of appropriate course

materials and experience to support arguments; capacity to identify

relevance, but may be rather

narrowly focused and miss out important

areas

Little or no sign of relevance

Content A clear and consistent line of highly critical

and evaluative argument, displaying the ability to develop

one’s innovative ideas from the work of

others. Creative flair in theoretical and

conceptual analysis.

Independent and creative, and

demonstrates clear thinking; ability to

analyse and critically evaluate material

Good knowledge and understanding of the material, across a

broad spectrum, combined with an ability to evaluate,

analyse and reflect on key issues

Reasonable knowledge of the

material and ability to draw upon more

than one source for ideas; uses key

themes well.

Adequate understanding and use

of course and other relevant material;

mostly descriptive, but with some grasp of key

course themes and issues and a capacity to discuss these in context

Very limited knowledge and

understanding and the issues involved

Depth Wide range of recommended and

relevant sources used in an innovative and consistent way to

support arguments. In depth use of sources

beyond recommended texts, demonstrates

creative flair in independent research.

A sensitive awareness of conflicting arguments

and ideas and of their

provenance. Clear grasp of implications.

Well organized use of most of the major points with an ability to draw upon them

creatively and critically; awareness

of conflicting arguments and

ideas and attempt to address them in

context

Capacity to grapple with conflicting

arguments and ideas; beginning to draw together and

synthesize ideas and perspectives from a

range of theory

Some attempt to address the conflicting arguments and ideas

from the course, some signs

of an attempt to take an evaluative,

analytical and critical stance; some

appropriate use of concepts, but with only

limited evidence of independent thinking

Lack of awareness of conflicting

arguments and ides

Structure Outstanding visual and written presentation.

Sophisticated yet clear and accessible style. Possibly innovative yet logical and

fluent organisation and development of materials. Articulate, coherent and succinct. Relationships between statements and sections are clear and

precise. Referencing is accurate and, appropriate.

Excellent organisation of

material; clear, logical flow of argument; good sign-posting throughout

Good, clear framework and

reasoned argument with evidence of careful thought

Sensible use of major points

integrated into the answer; logical flow of ideas is

apparent

Framework is apparent with an

introduction, argument and conclusion, but the logical flow and

coherence is not always consistent and may be

difficult to follow

Little or no evidence of

planned structure and organisation

 
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MKT 100 EXAM 1

Question 1

Potential strategic fit is a function of all of the following EXCEPT:

[removed] A. firm’s strengths
[removed] B. firm’s resources
[removed] C. brand personalities
[removed] D. product prices

Question 2

What are two perspectives a business can use in assessing each segment’s attractiveness in terms of its potential for targeting?

[removed] A. profitability and marketability
[removed] B. profitability and strategic fit
[removed] C. marketability and strategic fit
[removed] D. marketability and positioning

Question 3

A company tries to serve the segments whose needs match their _______, and in doing so hope to make very happy and loyal customers who will be very profitable.

[removed] A. abilities to deliver/delight
[removed] B. Opportunities
[removed] C. financial resources
[removed] D. Targets

Question 4

Fiat Chrysler is developing a marketing strategy for a new hybrid car and just discovered that their biggest competitor is launching a very similar product at almost exactly the same time.  In a SWOT analysis, the competitor’s product would be a (n) _____.

[removed] A. Strength
[removed] B. Weakness
[removed] C. Opportunity
[removed] D. Threat

Question 5

A form of comparative analysis where customers show their opinions of another firm’s strengths vis-à-vis their competitors is a ______.

[removed] A. perceptual map
[removed] B. SWOT analysis
[removed] C. conjoint analysis
[removed] D. target comparison

Question 6

Which branding approach provides stronger financial outcomes to the company?

[removed] A. umbrella approach
[removed] B. house of brands
[removed] C. community branding
[removed] D. marketing approach

Question 7

Companies build associations to their brands through _____.

[removed] A. classical conditioning
[removed] B. operant conditioning
[removed] C. Learning
[removed] D. behavioral studies

Question 8

A brand name whose image is waning is less of a liability in which approach?

[removed] A. umbrella approach
[removed] B. community approach
[removed] C. house of brands
[removed] D. marketing approach

Question 9

Which is an example of co-branding?

[removed] A. Krispy Kreme gets a new donut flavor
[removed] B. Nike offers golf balls as part of its golf line
[removed] C. QuickBooks has its basic software, a version for Macs, another for small business needs, and premier packets for professionals, nonprofits, retailers
[removed] D. Brembo brakes are in Aston Martins

Question 10

One way marketers get customers to relate to brands is by creating a brand _______, such as Apple’s classification as “exciting” or how Gillette is action oriented.

[removed] A. Spokesperson
[removed] B. Image
[removed] C. Personality
[removed] D. Awareness

Question 11

A __________ is the general term used to describe both goods and services.

[removed] A. Price
[removed] B. Product
[removed] C. Promotion
[removed] D. Place

Question 12

Marianne is shopping for a new Apple Watch. Which of the 4Ps is most central to her purchase?

[removed] A. Price
[removed] B. Promotion
[removed] C. Place
[removed] D. Product

Question 13

_______ attributes are those that require some trial or consumption before evaluation.

[removed] A. Search
[removed] B. Product
[removed] C. Credence
[removed] D. Experience

Question 14

A _____ is comprised of several product lines that can vary in breadth and depth.

[removed] A. product mix
[removed] B. marketing mix
[removed] C. Company
[removed] D. Service

Question 15

What does good variability consists of?

[removed] A. Errors in the system, logistics, human resources and marketers want to reduce this variability.
[removed] B. The customization and tailoring of the service delivery for the customer’s unique needs.
[removed] C. A service provider representing the company.
[removed] D. Advancing in many industries wherein a customer interacts with technology, banking, airport check-in, etc.

Question 16

Hannah and Ellen rely on consistent messages received via word of mouth, and are older and more conservative than other customers of Product X.  Hannah and Ellen most likely fall into which of the following categories?

[removed] A. late majority
[removed] B. early majority
[removed] C. laggards
[removed] D. innovators

Question 17

In which phase of the Product Life Cycle is customer awareness getting stronger, and there may be some buzz in the marketplace?

[removed] A. market introduction
[removed] B. Decline
[removed] C. market growth
[removed] D. Maturity

Question 18

What term refers to the group of people who are the most risk averse, skeptical of new products, and stereotypically lower in income?

[removed] A. early adopters
[removed] B. early majority
[removed] C. innovators
[removed] D. laggards

Question 19

If a company wants to be innovative, which strategy are they most likely to use?

[removed] A. market penetration
[removed] B. product development
[removed] C. market development
[removed] D. diversification

Question 20

At which stage in the new product development process does the company have a number of ideas that it thinks might work, and gets customers’ feedback as to which ideas sound most promising?

[removed] A. test marketing
[removed] B. concept testing
[removed] C. product development
[removed] D. product testing

Question 21

The different types of purchases are different because ______.

[removed] A. of the product itself
[removed] B. of differences in the mind of the customer
[removed] C. of customer attitudes
[removed] D. the price varies

Question 22

Which phase of the vehicle purchase process generates word of mouth?

[removed] A. customer evaluation
[removed] B. pre-purchase
[removed] C. Purchase
[removed] D. post-purchase

Question 23

A ____ item is something that is purchased without much thought before the purchase.

[removed] A. Quick
[removed] B. Specialty
[removed] C. Convenience
[removed] D. Shopping

Question 24

If a company wants a customer to have a higher motivation to learn more about their products, they should do what?

[removed] A. create customer involvement
[removed] B. advertise more
[removed] C. lower prices
[removed] D. increase brand awareness

Question 25

Customer involvement is ____ on a B2C specialty purchase.

[removed] A. Very low
[removed] B. Low
[removed] C. Medium
[removed] D. High

Question 26

Instead of trying to appeal to the entire marketplace, smart marketers and smart companies will try to find out ______.

[removed] A. what will appeal to high end customers
[removed] B. which customers might like their product, and how to get the product into their hands
[removed] C. which customers are price sensitive
[removed] D. which customers have brand loyalty and seek a brand image similar to other brands they like

Question 27

__________ means that each customer serves as his or her own segment. This approach sounds appealing from the customer point of view because the product would be tailored specially for each person’s idiosyncratic desires.

[removed] A. Geographic marketing
[removed] B. One-to-one marketing
[removed] C. Mass marketing
[removed] D. Psychological marketing

Question 28

Newlyweds are most likely to spend money on which of the following?

[removed] A. charitable giving
[removed] B. Furniture
[removed] C. Music
[removed] D. health care

Question 29

As segments increase in size, it becomes _______ to satisfy them with the same product.

[removed] A. more difficult
[removed] B. Easier
[removed] C. Cheaper
[removed] D. more fun

Question 30

_______ means that all customers are treated the same. This approach might sound attractive because it simplifies the marketing task, but it is usually unrealistic because customers differ.

[removed] A. One-to-one marketing
[removed] B. Gender marketing
[removed] C. Group marketing
[removed] D. Mass marketing

Question 31

The 4Ps include all of the following EXCEPT:

[removed] A. Positioning
[removed] B. Price
[removed] C. Product
[removed] D. Place

Question 32

Most firms advertising’s goal is to enhance _____.

[removed] A. Brand Image
[removed] B. Profit
[removed] C. Marketing
[removed] D. Purchases

Question 33

Fundamentally, the best marketers at any company put themselves in the place of their _____.

[removed] A. Company
[removed] B. Customers
[removed] C. Competitors
[removed] D. Friends

Question 34

Due to marketing’s success in business, what do management gurus think about marketing’s role in a company?

[removed] A. they think its role is to direct sales
[removed] B. it takes no special skill to be a good marketer anymore
[removed] C. that it’s not just a function anymore
[removed] D. it’s the most important aspect

Question 35

_____ and _____ are the central players in the marketing exchange.

[removed] A. Context, customer
[removed] B. Collaborator, competitor
[removed] C. Context, company
[removed] D. Customer, company

Question 36

Product leadership refers to companies that ______.

[removed] A. are good at production and delivery, and price and convenience
[removed] B. are expensive but is expected to pay off in long-term loyalty and enhanced customer lifetime value
[removed] C. pride themselves on quality and innovation
[removed] D. are willing to tailor their products to particular customer needs

Question 37

A firm’s positioning statement should address their target segment.  Anything else they’ll say in the positioning statement will have _______ meaning to customers who are not in that segment.

[removed] A. a lot of
[removed] B. No
[removed] C. very significant
[removed] D. Confusing

Question 38

The positioning statement can serve as an internal memorandum keeping all managers aligned as a basic guiding principle in all their collective decisions, so as to enhance the likelihood of ______ in the results of those decisions.

[removed] A. Innovation
[removed] B. Consistencies
[removed] C. Boredom
[removed] D. Excitement

Question 39

Marketers and senior managers like to see graphical depictions of where their brands are, and where their competitors are in the minds of their customers.  What are these called?

[removed] A. Histograms
[removed] B. perceptual maps
[removed] C. Genograms
[removed] D. opinion charts

Question 40

Operational excellence refers to companies that ________.

[removed] A. are good at production, delivery, price, and convenience
[removed] B. pride themselves on quality and innovation
[removed] C. are willing to tailor their products to particular customer needs
[removed] D. are expensive but is expected to pay off in long-term loyalty and enhanced customer lifetime value

 

 

 
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MRKT 310 Principles of Marketing

MRKT 310

Principles of Marketing

University of Maryland University College

 

 

 

 

Rev. July 2013

1

Marketing Plan Template A Student Aid for Successfully completing the final project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

How to use this template

2

Use this template to navigate the marketing plan term project. You can either:

Print these slides and use them as tools to develop your own format

Keep the headings but remove all the directions and tips and use this template format

 

Check out the Effective Power Point Presentation Tips in your Marketing Toolbox. The examples are specific to this project.

 

Many topics will need more than one slide, don’t try to cram it all on one side even though the template has only one slide per topic. Add additional slides if you need more space to effectively present key information.

 

Be sure the numbering system used in the template begins each of your slides.

 

Feel free to change the presentation theme to one of your own, or design one specifically related to your product.

 

 

 

2

Marketing Plan Term Project Objectives

3

By completing this project you will be able to:

 

Demonstrate knowledge of basic marketing principles

 

Apply marketing principles to a product/market situation

 

Develop/improve Power Point presentation skills

 

Demonstrate critical thinking skills

 

Demonstrate information literacy skills

 

 

 

 

 

3

Suggested Initial Approach to the Marketing Plan Term Project

4

Select your company or product/service in Week 1 and get faculty approval

 

Determine external research needs by end of Week 1 and use the UMUC virtual library. Complete external research by Week 3.

 

Check out the product website and competitor websites; visit the store to see where your product/service is sold.

 

Buy your product (if possible) and keep it near you as you draft your marketing plan.

 

Check out the discussions on the marketing plan term project where your faculty member may be inserting additional tips and hints.

 

 

 

4

Tips for completing the Marketing Plan Term Project

5

Stay current with text readings and online discussions or classroom discussions

 

Draft sections as topics are covered in class while the material is still fresh in your mind.

 

Don’t wait until the day the project is due. It is impossible to do a good job in one weekend.

 

Refer to grading rubric frequently so ensure you have devoted enough emphasis to those items with higher point values.

 

Edit! Be sure your presentation looks professional and addresses all the issues.

 

Ask questions early and often!

 

 

 

5

Expectations for External Research

6

All your external information should be gathered within the first three weeks.

 

Finding perfect information is not realistic; budget time spent on research carefully

 

Look for sources that provides additional product and competitor information, industry trends and other readily available data. Refer to the Marketing Webliography in the Marketing Toolbox for ideas. Ask the librarian if you still need help.

 

Expect to make educated generalizations and include some rationale for your conclusions.

 

Expect to use endnotes to verify information and a bibliography, both in an acceptable citation style, e.g. MLA, APA

 

Expect 90 percent of sources to be academic sources, not Wikipedia and Google searches

 

 

 

6

You can delete these introductory slides when you submit your parts 1 and 2 and begin with your own title slide.

7

Your Marketing Plan Term Project will start with the next slide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Natisha N. Young

Marketing Principles/310, Section,

Summer 2014)

8

Home Depot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be specific, e.g. Ford Taurus, Apple iPad, Tide Detergent with Bleach, etc. It is important to know if you are preparing a marketing plan for a single product or an entire product line.

8

Executive Summary

9

Prepare this slide last and submit with your finished product at the end of the semester.

 

An executive summary should include:

Summary of key findings in the analysis of the current marketing situation

Briefly state your marketing mix recommendations for the coming year.

 

(See Appendix 1, pg 612 in the text 15th ed. or find the related appendix in the online version for example, but be sure to frame it as a Power Point, not prose)

 

 

 

 

9

Table of Contents

10

Prepare this slide twice:

When you are ready to submit Part 1, prepare your Table of Contents for Part 1

 

When you are ready to submit Part 2, prepare your final Table of Contents incorporating both Part 1 and Part 2

 

 

 

Prepare this slide twice: 1. When you are ready to submit Part 1, prepare your Table of Contents for Part 1

2. When you are ready to submit Part 2, prepare your final Table of Contents for both Part 1 and Part 2

10

Section A Current Marketing Situation

11

Section A — Title slide for Section A, no additional content needed but be sure to include a title slide so your reader can follow your presentation accurately.

 

Part 1 focuses on the current situation, in other words what ‘is’ not what you think it should be.

 

Hints

 

Do not include a history of the company

Do research and be sure to provide citations both as endnotes and in a bibliography, refer to UMUC virtual library for citation and bibliography styles.

Consider your reader to be members of the company’s management team.

Do not approach this as a term paper where you regurgitate information you may be finding. Follow the topic numbers precisely.

 

 

 

11

A.1.a. Market Description Description of market segments

12

Develop two to three distinctive market segments the product now reaches using the hints below. Then, select the primary target market. This primary target market will be the focus of your marketing plan term project for the remainder of Part 1. You might be recommended one of the other target markets to be the focus for Part 2.

 

Hints:

Use Chapter 7, Table 7.1 on page 193 in text 5th ed. for a list of potential characteristics of market segments and be specific. For example, if age is a characteristic, then mention the age ran range, e.g. 25-49 year olds.

If product is mass marketed, e.g., no segmentation, then do not provide a target market description, but do explain why it is a mass market. See Chapter 7, Requirements for Effective Segmentation 2

Most market segments have multiple characteristic in common.

Articles written about the product may have some expert analysis of the current target market.

This topic works well in chart format

 

Alternative: Use the PRISM system to find two to three possible market segments and their descriptions. Refer to the following websitehttp://www.claritas.com/MyBestSegments/Default.jsp?ID=30 for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

A.1.b. Market Description Current Marketing Targeting Strategy

13

Select and defend one of the four market targeting strategies currently used by the product and defend your choice.

 

Hints:

 

Undifferentiated – Also called mass marketing, ignores segment differences and goes after whole market

Differentiated – Also called segmented marketing, company markets to multiple segments with separate offerings

Concentrated – Also called niche marketing, company focuses on the one market segment they can serve better than competitors

Micromarketing – Variations include local marketing, individual marketing, used for marketing to local customer segments

 

See Chapter 7, Evaluating Market Segments and Selecting Market Segments for more details.

 

Note, to keep things simple, you will focus on only one target market for the remainder of your marketing plan, even if you decided the company uses a differentiation targeting strategy. Be sure to identify the primary target market and keep their characteristics in mind as you complete your marketing plan.

 

 

 

 

13

A.1.c. Market Description Value Proposition

14

What is the product/service’s current value proposition for the primary target market?

 

Hints:

 

Reference Chapter 1 for a general definition of value proposition and relationship to developing customer lifetime value.

 

Reference Chapter 7, specifically Figure 7.4, on page 215 of the text 15th ed. for the generic value proposition categories, pick one and defend your choice.

 

 

 

 

14

A.1.d. Market description Factors influencing consumer behavior

15

Based on the characteristics of your primary target market, what are the major factors influencing their buying behavior?

 

Hints:

 

Use Chapter 5, Figure 5.2 on page 137 of the text 15th ed. for a framework.

Do not need to address each factor, but those factors you believe are part of the consumer’s ‘black box’ for this purchase.

 

 

 

Based on the characteristics of your primary target market, what are the major factors influencing their buying behavior?

 

Hints:

 

Use Chapter 5, Figure 5.2 for a framework.

Do not need to address each factor, but those factors you believe are part of the consumer’s ‘black box’ for this purchase.

15

A.1.e. Market description Buyer decision process

16

Based on these factors influencing their buying behavior, discuss the type of buying decision they most likely will use when deciding on the purchase or non purchase of your product/service. Your choices are:

 

Complex buying behavior

Dissonance-reducing buying behavior

Habitual buying behavior

Variety-seeking buying behavior

 

Hints:

 

See Figure 5.5 in Chapter 5 on page 153 of the text 15th ed. for a framework for the types of buying decisions.

Be sure the logic for your choices are evidenced in your presentation.

 

 

 

 

16

A.2.a. Product Review Levels of product/service

17

This begins your description of your product/service as it currently exists.

To complete this topic, skip ahead to Chapter 8, specifically Figure 8.1, on page 228 in the text 15th ed. Three levels of product. Describe your product/service in terms of each of these levels.

 

Hints:

 

Be sure you understand each of the three levels as this will be important in assessing and developing marketing strategy.

If your product is a service, be sure to refer to the service characteristics as discussed in Chapter 8 beginning on page 237 of the text, 15th ed.

 

 

 

This begins your description of your product/service as it currently exists.

To complete this topic, skip ahead to Chapter 8, specifically Figure 8.1, Three levels of product. Describe your product/service in terms of each of these levels.

 

Hints:

 

Be sure you understand each of the three levels as this will be important in assessing and developing marketing strategy.

17

A.2.b. Product Review Type of product/service

18

This topic also skips ahead to Chapter 8. Here you will pick the type of product/service most appropriate to your primary target market. Use Table 8.1 on page 229 of the text, 15th ed. to help you determine the type of product

 

The types of product are:

 

Convenience

Shopping

Specialty

Unsought

 

Hints:

Table 8.1 Table will be an invaluable aid in Part 2 when you determine future marketing strategy. It provides clues to marketing mix strategy based on the customer’s behaviors and the type of product.

Be sure you are considering only your primary target market

 

 

 

 

18

A.2.c. Product review Product/service lifecycle

19

Refer to the discussion of the product lifecycle in Chapter 9, page 279 in the text 15th ed. List the stage your product/service is currently in and your rationale for your decision.

 

Hints:

 

Table 9.2 gives a lot of clues as to what may be happening in each of the stages giving you the rationale you need to defend your choice

Table 9.2 will also give you ideas as to future marketing strategy recommendations in Part 2.

 

 

 

 

19

A.2.d. Product Review Benefits/features analysis

20

This topic should list the features of the product in one column and then correlate the feature with the customer benefit it provides. For example, a feature of an iPad might be a built-in camera. The benefit to the customer is the ability to take photos and share them without uploading from a separate camera.

 

Hints:

 

Check out Table A1.1 in Appendix 1 for a good example; but unlike the example, you only need to do it for one primary target market you identified earlier.

The feature is always something the company puts in the product, the benefit is the reason why this feature is important to the customer.

 

 

 

 

20

A.2.e. Product Review Differentiation

21

This begins your description of the marketing mix (product, price, place and promotion) that currently exists. You can find most of this information in your research and where needed, make educated and well-grounded guesses. Here you will discuss the points of differentiation as seen through the eyes of the primary target market. Your choices are:

 

Product differentiation

Services differentiation

Channel differentiation

People differentiation

Image differentiation

 

Hints:

 

Check out Chapter 7, Identifying Possible Value Differences, beginning on page 211 of the text, 15th ed.

 

 

 

21

A.2.f. Product Review Branding strategy

22

This covers the topic of how the company that produces the product/service brands the product/service. Discuss the following:

 

Is your product/service a national brand that already has brand equity, or is it a new brand with little or no brand equity?

Is your product/service part of a product line, and if so, what else is included in the product line?

Is the brand adequately represented in the packaging such that the primary target market can identify the positioning strategy?

 

Hints:

 

The manufacturer’s brand is not always the product brand. Refer to Chapter 8, Product and Service Decisions.

 

 

 

 

22

A.3.a. Competitive Review Competitive Analysis

23

Identify each of your product/services direct competitors. These are competitors who offer a similar value proposition to meet the same consumer need. Compare each competitor, including your product, on relevant criteria such as price, channel system, brand image, features, etc.

 

Hints:

 

Refer to Appendix 1, Table A1.2 for an idea of how to compare each of the direct competitors. You can add as many columns as you think relevant. In addition to features you might compare price, assortment, numbers of locations, competitive advantage and other variables relevant to your product.

Refer to Chapter 18 for more information on competitive analysis.

 

 

 

 

 

23

A.3.b. Competitive Review Market share

24

This is the list of who has the largest to smallest market share. If possible, find this information from an industry source. If you have to guess, be sure to include your rationale.

 

Hints:

 

Hoovers.com usually has comparable revenue numbers for public companies. Industry trade magazines frequently give comparative statistics. See the Marketing Webliography in the Marketing Toolbox for more ideas.

Be careful your number is only for your product, not the company’s entire portfolio of products

A quick and dirty measure is the amount of shelf space devoted to each competitor, if you have chosen a consumer product. But, true market share indicators based on volume sales or sales dollars, or units sold would be better.

 

 

 

 

24

A.3.c. Competitive Review Competitive positions and roles

25

This topic will draw your conclusions from your competitive analysis. Minimally, include the following:

 

Which product/service is the market leader, market challenger, market followers or market nichers?

What are the differences in the positioning strategies of each, if any?

What are the vulnerabilities in each of the competitors that can be ‘attacked’ in future marketing mix strategy?

 

Hints:

Check out Chapter 18 for a thorough discussion of competitive positions and roles, see Figure 18.2 and related narrative on page 536 in the text, 15th ed.

 

 

 

 

25

A.3.d. Competitive review Strategic Sweet Spot

26

The Strategic Sweet Spot is not covered in your text, but it means the convergence of market needs and company’s ability to meet those needs better than any of the competitors.

 

Your product/service may or may not have a strategic sweet spot. If so, identify it here. If not, discuss why this is a problem, which is generally the case for products where consumers do not really believe there are any product differences amongst the competitors.

 

Hints:

 

Sample of a strategic sweet spot: The Macbook Pro is the most light, most powerful full functioning laptop available to college students and comes with Apple’s industry leading service and guarantees easily accessible for free via phone or at the college’s IT support department.

 

The Strategic Sweet Spot is NOT the positioning statement, although they may look alike. The difference is that no other competitor owns your sweet spot. If they do, then both competitors are positioned similarly and that creates a major marketing challenge.

 

 

 

26

A.3.e. Competitive review Positioning

27

This topic covers the important question of how does the product/service position itself in the minds of the primary target market. What position does your product/service hold in the minds of your primary target market? Your discussion of the sweet spot should set the stage for this discussion.

 

Hints:

If possible, a good way to describe the product/service’s position is to develop a positioning map for the product/service category. See Figure 7.3 in Chapter 7, page 211 in the text 15th ed. for an example of a positioning map.

 

See also the sample positioning statements under Differentiation and Positioning on page 210 in the text, 15th ed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27

A.4.a. Distribution review Current supply chain members and roles

28

Who are the channel members that takes the product from producer to end user and what does each channel member do to to add value to the final customer

 

Hints:

 

You may want to draw one or more of the channel design illustrated in Figure 12.2., page 343 in the 15th ed. Be as specific as you can, e.g. for retailer, exactly what stores is the product sold.

 

Discuss the channels for the primary target market only

 

You may need to discuss more than one channel system. For example, may have a direct to customer channel, and one or more indirect channels to the final customer. For example, you can buy best selling books via a direct channel on the web. You can also buy a best selling book via a retail channel utilizing a publisher (manufacturer), wholesaler and retailer. You can also buy a best selling book via a discount channel such as Costco, which functions as both the wholesaler and retailer.

 

Be sure to discuss how each adds (or doesn’t add) value for the final consumer. You can find a basic list of channel functions in Chapter 12, page 342, 15th ed.

 

 

 

 

28

A.4.b. Distribution Review Value delivery network analysis

29

Refer to Chapter 12, discuss whether your product or service is distributed via a:

 

Conventional distribution channel

Vertical marketing system (VMS)

Corporate VMS

Contractual VMS

Administered VMS

Horizontal Marketing System

Multichannel Distribution System

 

End with your conclusion as to whether the current value delivery network is appropriate for your product/service to add value to the primary target market.

 

Hints:

 

This may be a topic for which you may not be able to find perfect information. Do your best and explain the rationale for your choices.

 

 

 

 

29

A.4.c. Distribution Review Current type of distribution strategy

30

Discuss which of the distribution strategies is currently used, e.g. selective, intensive or exclusive distribution.

 

Hints:

 

Refer to Chapter 12, beginning on page 351 in the text, 15th ed. identifying major distribution alternatives.

 

 

 

 

30

Title Slide – no need for additional content

31

Part B SWOT Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

B.1. SWOT microenvironments

32

Strengths and weakness come from a company’s microenvironments. Refer to Chapter 3 and list the strengths and weaknesses of the company producing your product/service here. You can include any or all of the actors as described in Chapter 3.

 

Hints:

Check out the SWOT worksheet provided in the Marketing Toolbox under How to Analyze a Case Study.

 

 

 

 

 

32

B.2. SWOT macroenvironments

33

Opportunities and Threats come from a company’s macroenvironments. Referring to Chapter 3 list the opportunities and threats that may exist from any or all of the actors in your product/service’s macroenvironments.

 

 

 

 

33

This concludes Part 1

34

Be sure to go back and develop your Table of Contents

 

Be sure to edit your work, follow the tips for effective Power Point Presentations

 

Be sure to include your endnotes and bibliography

 

Check your work against the grading rubric

 

Upload your Part 1 to your assignment folder by the due date listed in the course schedule.

 

Remember your analysis so that you can make recommendations in part 2 grounded in the current situation and how it can be improved.

 

 

 

34

Begin Part 2

35

 

Part 2 will be your ideas, suggestions and recommended marketing strategies going forward.

 

Do not repeat information from Part 1. That is historic, we now want recommendations and your critical thinking.

 

Little if any external research will be needed for Part 2 as we are looking for your thoughts and recommendations as you critically assess the part 1 information to design new marketing strategies.

 

Remember, you are students in an introduction to marketing class; your recommendations do not have to be at the level of actionable strategies as the company might pursue; but they should be a demonstration that you understood the current situation sufficiently to determine the product’s future marketing efforts.

 

 

 

35

Title slide – No need to add content

36

Part C Objectives and Issues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

C.1. Objectives and Issues First year marketing objectives

37

Develop new objectives for your product/service based on your analysis of the current situation.

 

Hints:

 

If your product/service was the market challenger, your objective might be to become the market leader. This would be an increase in market share objective. Or, you may have concluded that you need to find new customers for your existing product. This would be a market penetration from x to y strategy. You will probably have more than one objective going forward.

 

Refer to Chapter 2, Setting Company Objectives and Goals, for more discussion. Refer to Appendix 1, Objectives and Issues, on page 618 of the text 15th ed. for some idea on how to write marketing objectives. You do not need to cover year 1 or year 2, just some general marketing objectives that will signify growth going forward. The product/market grid illustrated in Chapter 2, Figure 2.3, on page 47 of the 15th edition is a good framework for developing marketing objectives.

 

 

 

 

 

37

C.2. Objectives and Issues Issues that may hinder objectives

38

Based on your analysis of the current situation throughout Part 1 and your new marketing objectives, what are the issues your company might encounter that would hinder their ability to reach these objectives?

 

Hints:

 

See Appendix 1, Objectives and Issues section on page 618 of the text 15th ed. for an examples of issues.

 

 

 

38

Title slide

 

No need for additional text

39

Section D Marketing Mix Recommendations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

D.1. Marketing Strategy Recommendations Positioning strategy

40

Refer back to A.2.e. Do you want to recommend a change to the positioning strategy to more adequately reflect the value proposition to the primary target market; or is the current positioning strategy sufficient? If so, be sure to justify why the current positioning strategy should continue.

Do you want to recommend a new target market because you conclude the primary target market is saturated and your objectives include developing a new market? If so, describe the target market characteristics for this new group of consumers.

 

 

 

 

40

D.2. Marketing Mix Strategy Recommendations Product and branding strategy

41

What recommendations would you suggest to change the product/service? Go back to the three levels of the product and make changes that you think would enhance the value proposition. Would you change the packaging? Would you change the branding? Would you suggest additions to the product line? Be sure to provide your rationale.

Be sure to read the text chapter on branding and product decisions to understand how they apply to your case.

 

 

 

41

D.3 Marketing Mix Strategy Recommendations Pricing Strategy

42

What changes to the current pricing strategy would you recommend and why?

 

Hints:

 

If the product currently uses cost plus or other non consumer focused strategy, a good recommendation might be to change to a consumer focused strategy such as value added or good value pricing.

 

You can rarely raise the price of a product/service unless you add additional value. If you recommend product changes to enhance the value proposition you can consider a price increase.

 

Highly competitive product categories are usually victims of the principles of supply and demand, and in that elastic situation may have to lower prices in hopes of increasing sales volume.

 

Be sure to check out all the pricing issues discussed in Chapter 10 to determine the best pricing approach for your product/service.

 

 

 

42

D.4 Marketing Mix Strategy Recommendations Distribution Strategy

43

What changes might you recommend to the current value chain and value delivery network and why?

Remember, every channel member needs to be performing some value added service in order to be included in the value chain.

 

Hints:

 

If delivery is an issue for your product/service, changes are good that some change will need to be made. This includes post purchase services.

May want to draw a recommended channel system design

 

 

 

 

43

D.5. Marketing Mix Strategy Recommendations Marketing Communications Strategy

44

What changes would you recommend to the marketing communications strategy to more adequately communicate the value proposition to your primary target market? How would the marketing communications integrate to provide synergy to reinforce the brand. Be sure to list which promotion mix tools would be used to reach each of the objectives. You should have at least three marketing communication objectives. Is your marketing communications strategy mostly push or pull and why.

 

Hints:

Use the buyer readiness stages, Figure 14.3 and related discussion in Chapter 14, page 414 in the text 15th ed. and the related discussion on communication objectives in Chapter 14 and develop several marketing communications objectives.

Warning, the example of Marketing Communications in the Appendix plan is NOT sufficient; you need to include a discussion of how the promotion tools integrate.

 

 

 

 

44

D.6 Marketing Research

45

How will marketing research be used to support development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies and action plans?

Although the marketing research chapter was not covered in class, it might provide you with some ideas on how marketing research can support your marketing objectives.

 

Hints

If you developed an objective to expand the product line, your market research needs might include some test marketing to ensure the new product meets the consumer needs you identified. Similarly, if you developed an objective to increase brand name awareness, you might need a pretest of the current brand name awareness so you have a base line on which to gauge any increase in brand name recognition as a result of the marketing recommendations.

 

 

Title Slide

No need for additional text

46

Part E Action Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

E.1. Action Programs – IMC

47

Provide some detail as to when the marketing communications would take place over a specific period of time, e.g. calendar year. Be sure to keep your primary target market in mind, for example, if you are selling holiday ornaments, there is no need to promote year round. Think of when the consumer is most like to be in the buyer decision making mode.

 

Hints:

 

See Appendix 1 under action programs for some ideas of how to approach this topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

E.2. Action Programs Message design, content and structure

48

Your marketing communications will be driven by the right message design. Review an existing marketing communications and make recommendations for changes as may be appropriate given your recommendations in Part 2. You can also create a marketing communication, e.g. an ad, a buzz campaign, billboard, TV or radio etc. creative strategy. Be sure your message is designed to effectively reach your primary target market.

 

Hints:

 

Check out Chapter 14, Designing a Message, beginning on page 415 of the text 15th ed. for more details.

 

 

 

 

48

E.3. Action Programs Media choices

49

Where will you place the communication message? Based on each of the promotion mix tools you identified, how would the message be used to communicate with the primary target market?

 

Hints:

You can base this on personal and nonpersonal communication channels discussed in Chapter 14.

Be specific, e.g. not just TV ads, but on what TV shows and why you think that show will reach your target market.

 

 

 

 

49

E.4. Action Programs Promotion Mix Tools

50

List each of the promotion mix tools you plan to use in your marketing communications strategy. Describe why you think each tool will contribute to achieving your communications objectives?

 

Hints:

A good marketing plan will have at least three different promotion tools and have clearly identified objectives for each that integrate with each other to create synergy and overall attainment of marketing communications objectives.

 

 

 

.

50

Title slide – No content needed

51

Part F Budgets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51

F.1. Budgets Objective/Task method

52

Chapter 14 discusses several budget methods, but the most useful is the Objective/Task method.

List each of your promotion tools and then assign a percent of a budget that should be allocated to each tool and why. For example, you may indicate you would spend 35% of the marketing communication budget on sales promotion because you have a marketing communication objective to induce product trial among 50% of the primary target market. This means a massive sampling campaign.

Or, you may have a large percent devoted to advertising because you want to increase awareness.

Hints:

Be sure your percentages total 100%.

 

What is most important is that you can differentiate between the tools and what they are being used to accomplish.

 

Knowing the costs of all these promotion action plans is impossible, but describing your rationale is doable.

 

 

 

 

52

Title slide – No content needed

53

Part G Controls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title slide – No content needed

53

G.1. Controls Metrics to monitor progress

54

Go back to your marketing objectives listed in C.2. How will you know if these objectives are being met? Sales within a certain timeframe is definitely one way, but develop at least three other metrics that would be useful to measure the effectiveness of your marketing plan.

 

Check out Appendix 2, Marketing by the Numbers, for some ideas.

 

Hints:

 

Increase in awareness can be a marketing communication objective to support a marketing objective. This can be measured with marketing research pre and post IMC campaign.

 

Remember social media metrics such as ‘hits’ or website visits.

 

These are only a few ideas, think through your particular product/market situation, your objectives and what will be the tangible evidence that the marketing plan is on the right track

 

 

 

54

Endnotes

55

Be sure to use a proper citation format or you will lose points.

 

Endnotes should be included for both Part 1 and Part 2 as appropriate.

 

 

 

 

55

Bibliography

56

Be sure to use a proper citation format or you will lose points.

 

Refer to the excellent reference tools found in the UMUC virtual library.

 

 

 

 

56

Exhibits

57

Exhibits are optional, but are a good place to put detailed charts and graphs and then reference them in your presentation. Be sure your exhibits are numbered and have a relationship to your marketing plan content, not just extra information.

 

Use this slide for an index of your exhibits and include as many additional slides as you may need to adequately convey your marketing plan topics.

 

 

 

 

57

End of Part 2

58

 

Make any changes recommended in your faculty’s feedback on Part 1. You may be granted extra credit.

 

Incorporate Parts 1 and 2 into a final, cohesive document.

 

Complete the Executive Summary.

 

Edit carefully! You are being assessed on your grammar, composition and Power Point skills.

 

Upload into your assignment folder by the due date.

 

 

 

58

 
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