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Behind Nike's catchy slogans and flashy TV commercials is the vision of founder, chairman, and CEO Phil Knight. Knight has taken Nike from a small-time distributor of Japanese track shoes to the top of the athletic shoe and apparel market. He has transformed his technology company into a marketing company whose product is its most important marketing tool. Knight learned how to build brands and understand consumers, and then how to split those brands into sub-brands to help keep the company growing. That approach brought Nike to a broader range of consumers while preserving the customer base. To create an emotional tie with the consumer, Nike started advertising on TV. "Sports is at the heart of American culture," Knight says. "You can't explain much in 60 seconds, but when you show Michael Jordan, you don't have to. It's that simple."

Concerns the selection and scheduling of orders by a small industrial titanium fabricator that in recent months has been plagued by poor deliveries and a lack of capacity. Four orders are offered, from which the student must select one. Each order represents different order-mix/customer situation issues. The case forces the student to choose among the four orders, given conflicting estimates of capacity available, other business likely to come along, and the requirements of each order. A rewritten version of an earlier case.

Presents an urgent order for repair service from an important customer who had purchased an item from a competitor. The item, which TiFab had bid on, went out at a price that TiFab predicted was below the amount necessary to ensure quality manufacture. Now the customer needs to have the unit, part of a much larger production system, repaired and is willing to pay a very high price. The student must choose a price for this order, and decide whether to take it. Should be handed out in class after discussion of the (A) case. A rewritten version of an earlier supplement.

Describes the evolution of radio technology and business from the initial days of wireless telegraphy to the advent, growth, and establishment of amplitude-modulated (AM) radio manufacturing and broadcasting. Begins and ends with a description of a decision the Radio Corp. of America (RCA) has to make with respect to the introduction of a new, incompatible frequency-modulation (FM) technology. Illustrates the full spectrum of interests and obstacles a new and incompatible technology and/or product concept has to overcome before it can be accepted. Also useful for discussing how product concepts get established, how patent law works, how industries develop, and the role played by individuals with differing visions, tenacity, and ambitions.

Illustrates organizational and industry-wide inertia to a change that threatens the status quo. Also reinforces the message that those most willing to encourage change are either the proponents of change or those who are locked out from the existing system.

Describes the concluding and bitter fight between Armstrong and the established radio manufacturing and broadcasting industry over the new, incompatible, and yet irrepressible FM technology. Illustrates the struggle between a corporation and an established system and individual champions of change. In addition, underscores the tensions that can arise in the context of personal ambitions, uncompromising attitudes, personal relationships, and corporate interests.

Describes computer model and output from conjoint analysis and perceptual mapping for product line planning.

Describes the major research techniques for consumer goods new product development, i.e. pre-test markets and electronic purchase monitoring. Provides students with information on availability and utility of these services.

Concerns issues involved in coordinating sales efforts with product management and customer service activities. First, discusses environmental factors that increase integration requirements among these groups, and why these factors make the field sales force a crucial crossroad in organizing and implementing marketing efforts. Second, outlines some common roles, responsibilities, and interdependencies among product, sales, and service groups in the marketing organization.

The cases describe the development, worldwide launch, and subsequent marketing of a new pharmaceutical product which, although it represented only a slight improvement over the category pioneer, not only became the leading product in its category, but the largest prescription pharmaceutical product overall worldwide. Its success propelled Glaxo, the company which developed and marketed the product, from the minor leagues to the top ranks in the pharmaceutical industry.

The vice president of marketing is reviewing the 1991 marketing plan and budget for Maison Bouygues, the leading builder of new single family homes in France. Due to recession, the company's sales are forecast to be flat and adjustments may need to be made in the marketing and selling mix.

On Thursday, November 7, 1991, Los Angeles Lakers star Earvin "Magic" Johnson announced his retirement from basketball in the wake of having tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Magic Johnson was one of the most popular figures in sports, both nationally and internationally. Among the many affected by Johnson's sudden retirement were his commercial sponsors, a group of companies comprising both sporting goods and other consumer products. The case looks at the situation through the lens of the sponsors. Should they retain their association with Johnson? If so, for how long and in what ways? Provides students with the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of a marketing director, faced with the sudden reversal of fortune of one of the company's key endorsers. Allows for role playing from various perspectives: that of the MD of a sporting goods company compared to the MD of some other consumer product for example.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case. Designed as an in-class handout.

Provides details on the results of the campaign for British Airways (BA) in terms of expenditure by BA, press coverage, effect on bookings, and effect on overall market share.

Spreadsheet supplement for case 592-035.

Describes a new entry into the $8 billion flower industry in the United States. Combining the use of overnight air freight (Federal Express), information technology, an 800 number, and a catalog, Calyx & Corolla was changing the way flowers had traditionally been distributed, bypassing three layers of distribution, and providing very fresh flowers directly from the growers to consumers. Frames the question of how this start-up venture should grow.

Describes the major classes of market research. Provides students with an overview of methods available enabling them to select the proper set for their purposes.

Becton Dickinson, a phenomenally successful company with an 80% market share in the blood collection needles and syringes market faces a change in the customer buying environment (cost containment pressures at hospitals). This forces a reevaluation of the company's highly successful product policy and channel strategy. One of the company's largest customers threatens to leave them for refusing their "low-price" request. It is obvious to students that giving in to this customer's threat would compromise the company's "value-added" thrust, yet the potential business at stake makes it difficult to be inflexible.

This is an MIT Sloan Management Review article. It's a marketer's dream--the ability to develop interactive relationships with individual customers. Technology, in the form of the database, is making this dream a reality. Now companies can keep track of customer preferences and tailor advertising and promotions to those needs. For instance, a grocery store system could note that you recently purchased a sample size of dishwashing detergent and could offer you a coupon to buy the large size. Explores the impact of this development on marketing practices and gives practical advice on designing a marketing database and staffing an interactive marketing department. Also addresses customer fears and the public debate over marketing and privacy.