MKT 421 Wk 5 Discussion – International Marketing Messages

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students.

Due Thursday

Respond to any one of the following in a minimum of 175 words by replying to one of the THREADS below …BE SURE TO RESPOND TO THE SPECIFIC THREAD THAT HAS BEEN SET UP FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL QUESTION:

So, Class, if you heard someone say this about someone else, what would you think?: 

“He is a born salesman!”

Due to the ever-increasing usage and importance of social media as a marketing tool, social media is now being touted as the impetus that has given rise to a possible “5th P of the “Marketing Mix”: “People”. In some textbooks it is called “Participation”, which has even more direct implication on the use of social media platforms. Whether it should be either “People” or “Participation”, is not really that important. Rather, what is important is that in marketing Social Media is so important that it is an ADDED DIMENSION to the marketing mix!: So, Class, do you think Social Media should be the 5th P of Marketing? Or, is it still just an important subset of Promotion?

The Internet technology has made ease of entry into many markets much easier and floral products and other gift items like candy and fruit are certainly easily accessible very simply by searching online. When I worked for FTD (Florists’ Transworld Delivery), we tried to talk the Board of Directors into getting an 800 number and launch a brand-new, incredible website. The Board of Directors dragged their feet, and, in the meantime, competitors took away most of the major market share that FTD once had… That is, what used to be approximately 70% of the market: Class, if you are going to send flowers to someone out-of-state… You would probably use the Internet to find a florist in that location, wouldn’t you? Or would you just call 1-800 Flowers?

The Internet technology has made ease of entry into many markets In which of the strategies of the 4P’s do you feel the Internet adds the greatest value? Why?

 Due Monday

Reply to at least two of your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your responses.