The marketing assignments helped me gain more insight and understanding of marketing in general and it’s to amazement how important it is in business.  Getting information on a real company and analysing its marketing strategies  enabled me to link what I learn in the marketing class and how they fit in the real world and how this knowledge is applied by big corporations in their various activities.

The assignments gave me the opportunity to do more research and learn more particularly in the world of marketing. As a result, the assignment also pushed me to develop researching skills.

However, assignment 3 was different from the rest because we had to do a video presentation. The content to present wasn’t much different from what our team did in the writing assignments but different skills were required.

From learning the content in class, applying it to a real company, the video required us to present about the marketing strategies of the subject company.  Dressing up and looking presentable and communicating clearly to the audience were more skills to prove or acquire as a result of assignment 3.

Working as a group means we had to share and discuss ideas and this was beneficial to every group member. Attending meetings and getting the work done as a team meant collaborating positively with every member of the team and supporting each other.

In general, the assignments were helpful in linking what we learn in class and the application of the knowledge itself. In addition to that,  the assignments allowed every member to develop team building skills such as communicating skills and other business skills.

In response to Alex Meisner blog about sex in advertising, I don’t really understand the issue or why some companies should be considered unethical for using ads campaigns which they may find helpful in their marketing strategy. The whole issue about sex ads does not make much sense to me. There are basically no laws that prevent ads that depict half naked or completely naked people.

It is true that some posters display sexual content that may be sensitive to parts of the population but personally I think this can be only judged in terms ethics if the host country has laws that prohibit such activities and the country’s culture is overall against explicit display of such contents. This could be true in nations such Saudi Arabia. One may interpret it as showing more respect to women but personally I would like consider it solely based on traditions, rules and regulations established by the country’s institutions.

I say so because for example, in markets were the movie industry can use sexual content in whatever ways including sex and rape in movies, in porn businesses and Hollywood stars that show off their naked body parts in music video and concerts; I would see no reason whatever to criticize a company that chooses to use sex to sell its products.

If sex sells as they say so, and the company in question finds it profitable, it’s up to the government to set laws and regulations that can be used to control what it wishes the population should be exposed to, otherwise it would be unfair to allow other industries such as the movie industry to use it and make large profits when others are restricted to do what seems to be even less psychologically impacting.

https://blogs.ubc.ca/alexmeisner/

Coming from Africa, I have obviously realized a lot of changes in my environment. However, one key thing that has attracted my attention is the way most of shopping centers and various businesses uses  tools to collect vast amount of data about their customers without  their awareness.

Reading through the net, I landed on an a news video that shows how a San Francisco retail store uses sophisticated cameras to collect very detailed information about its customers; everything they do inside the store and even more their facial expressions and age of each customer.

Gathering as much information as possible about customers do improve business results by designing more appealing products and improving customer services  but I believe that this should be done in way that satisfy both parties; the business and the consumers. Mostly, government seem to have the power of gathering information on a large scale about its population but the later understands to a considerable degree that it is for security reasons and also good governance.

Since the power of technology has increased, I think it would be preferable if these technologies are not used to invade the privacy of its customers without them knowing. It makes sense for retailers to use security tools or tools that improve customer service but using sophisticated technologies to collect all types of information that could be sold to other parties or used in malicious activities and worryingly without customers awareness; If feel this could be considered as a stretch by businesses involved which I judge to be questionable since ones privacy has to be respected. The fact is these practices would expand as businesses grow around the world; it is up to the local government to keep in check of the increasing power of big businesses over its citizens.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=9131638

The development of marketing has reached its peak to a point where some marketers have gone too far in their techniques to promote products.

It is very important to recognize the value, promotion has added to the value creation of a product. Consumers are now more aware at the value of the products they buy mostly due to greater communication by advertisers.

However, some have gone far to abuse this useful way by communicating to their customers in ways that raise sensitive discussions in our society.

The Volkswagen Terrorist commercial may be considered one of the most racist commercial in recent history.

From the commercial video below, an Arab terrorist is seen in a new Polo automobile. In front of a busy restaurant, the terrorist inside the Polo car attempts to commit suicide bombing at the scene but he fails due to the strength exhibited by the new Polo car which resists completely the explosion.

It makes sense this would be an eye catching video that consumers who search to buy stronger cars would immediately remember before they go by their purchases.

However, times have changed and one has to be conscious of the external environment surrounding the organization.

The issue of racism is a very sensitive one from the past still lingers into minds of many. The organization cannot afford to take its employer brand name and the brand name of the organization against a whole group of people who could be potential buyers. Again, there are serious ethical considerations based on human rights that could make the company lose millions of dollars in law suits.

Hence, though there are multiple opportunities to attract new customers, marketers should constantly be careful in their ad campaigns not violate any law especially one based on a sensitive issue like racism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnL-7x4n4d8

Recently, I read a blog by Peter Prevos who talks about probable Nestlé’s false commercials of bottled water. Basically, the company portrays its Ice Mountain Water in adds to be spring water when in reality research shows that it’s merely municipal water which through further processes by Nestlé’s treatment plants, is branded as a unique form of water. It is associated with pristine glacial lakes and mountains probably to draw more customers who would find it more attractive, but in reality, it is water which I held to have no superior nutritional value as compared to tap water, especially in more developed countries which possess well managed water utilities.

I do agree with some of Peter’s points but again given the existing benefits of bottled water introduction into the market, it is interesting to wonder why the company would prefer to false advertise a product which would genuinely add value to people’s lives.

Bottled water provides easy access to water where people would otherwise not get it. For example, in modern cities where businesses and consumer demand keep increasing; the markets have been populated but public water sources are lacking; hence it would be very convenient for people to have alternative water sources to meet the ever existing high demand of water in busy cities.

I believe the company is aware of the real role the bottle water plays in society but since the company may be more focused on making as much profit as possible, it would make sense to create a unique prestige image for bottle water clearly distinct from that of tap water, to justify it’s very higher price in comparison to that of tap water. Also, the company may want bottled water to act as a complete substitute for tap water in cities as well as in homes.

http://water.prevos.net/bottled-water-marketing/

Tobacco is a product which is used worldwide by hundreds millions of people but unfortunately it kills around 5 million per year. Smoking tobacco is an activity that causes heart disease, cancer, stroke, lung diseases and death. Not only does the product affect the user, but also it affects second hand smokers who are affected by tobacco smoke without a choice.

To make it worse, tobacco companies spend billions of dollars in marketing and advertising such a lethal product. One would ask; are the producers aware of the dangers of such a product? Absolutely they know but unfortunately a big fraction of tobacco consumers worldwide are not well informed or educated about all the harmful effects of smoking. Can marketing tobacco be ethical?

First of all, one would say that there is no need to consider ethical issues surrounding marketing of product which can clearly be considered inherently unethical provided the evident harms it does to society in general. However, since tobacco is legal and there is a clear demand for it, the least is to avoid advertising such a lethal product to vulnerable market targets.

It would be impossible to ethically market a product which is clearly known to be harmful. Hence, the means used to market such a product could only be described unethical. For instance, tobacco companies hire actors, young attractive models and other influential celebrities in films and different advertisements to portray the perception that smoking tobacco is cool. As a result, many people are deceived which result in the deaths of many.

Ethical climate would be considered impossible when marketers target vulnerable consumer segments and sell a product which is lethal to consumers like children, uneducated adolescents, pregnant woman and other uneducated adults. I recommend the world governments should revise ethics surrounding the tobacco industry if business ethics is to be given more importance.