The marketing director of Harmonie Mineral Water-the second-best selling bottled water in the world-is using findings from two project studies to assess how to establish a global brand identity for Harmonie via television advertising. He must decide what product attributes are sufficiently important across countries that they can be used for global brand communications. He also must determine the extent of local customization he should allow and the roles of headquarters and country managers in these communications. The case can be used in both introductory marketing classes and elective courses in Brand Management, Global Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications, in a module on marketing communications in an Advertising class, or the global module of a Marketing Management class.
A major sports sponsor must decide on new, renewal, or withdrawal from significant relations with teams/leagues/events, using a distinctive approach to assessment.
Examines sports sponsorship at John Hancock through 1998 and prospectively beyond. From its early sponsorship of the legendary Boston Marathon, the company had expanded its activities substantially. It was one of the worldwide "Top Sponsor" companies of the Olympics, a very significant expenditure. The company also sponsors the U.S. Tour of World Gymnastics Champions and Figure Skating Champions. Students must analyze the company's activities in the context of benefits to John Hancock and its constituencies. Considerable description is included of ways the company tries to "leverage" its sponsorships. The company's principles of sports sponsorships are included.
Senior marketing executives of a major international airline are deciding on a strategy to address a crisis situation precipitated by a series of terrorist acts. The company is experiencing the worst downturn ever in its U.S.-U.K. travel business due to media reports and resulting consumer perceptions that Europe is under a "reign of terror." Alternative strategies range from doing nothing to staging an ambitious sales promotion. Major issues include: the role of sales promotion in addressing consumer perceptions of a life-and-death issue (i.e., terrorism), and the implementation and integration of advertising, sales promotion, and public relations efforts within a compressed time frame.
Senior corporate communications executives of a major financial services firm are reviewing the company's sports sponsorship program and are considering expanding it. Hancock already is the corporate sponsor of the Boston Marathon and has the opportunity to sponsor the Sun Bowl (football game). Major questions include the role and evaluation of sports sponsorship as part of Hancock's image enhancement initiatives.
Yoplait's director of new product development is evaluating alternative line extensions including custard-style Yoplait. He must determine what additional research to recommend. Options include a mini-market test, a simulated test market and a fully-fledged test market.
Yoplait's director of new product development is finalizing plans for the national introduction of custard-style Yoplait. Based on the results of a mini-market test and a BASES laboratory test market.
The Heinz Ketchup product manager discovers she does not have sufficient finished inventory and production capacity to meet trade demand for a new plastic bottle ketchup. Alternatives include cancelling promotion events and putting the trade on allocation.
The Heinz Ketchup product manager must decide whether or not to launch a new plastic bottle and, if so, what marketing program and support to place behind it.