Start by reading 'Product Mapping' on pgs 191 - 193 in your textbook.

1. Define Product mapping in your own words.

2. Look at Figure 5.26 on page 193. This is an example of a product mapping chart. You are to create your own chart (ON THE COMPUTER) using the following Information:

The TOPIC is Snack Foods

Use the same category rating scales:

messy ---------------------------- easy to eat

unhealthy/fattening -------------- healthy/low fat

boring/traditional ---------------- fun/interesting flavours

expensive ----------------------- inexpensive

The snack foods that you are to put on the chart are:

pudding (chocolate, vanilla, etc)

cut up veggies

fruit (apples, bananas, etc)b

granola bars (and similar products)

cheese snacks (handi snacks, cheese strings etc)

crackers (saltine, ritz, etc)

chips (tortilla and potato)

3. When you are done, share your results with someone else. Explain how similar or different your chart was.

April 29

Please use the textbook sec 4.3 for these questions.

1. What is primary data?
2. What is qualitative research?
3. What is quantitative research?
4. What is a test market?

Section 4.2

5. What is secondary data?
6. For each type of secondary source in the textbook, list 3 specific examples of where you could get information from.

Section 4.4

7. What is consumer research?
8. What is product research?
9. What is media research?
10. What is a consumer tracking device?

Tuesday April 28

Notes on Market research

(powerpoint available here:)

http://www.tutor2u.net/business/presentations/marketing/marketresearchmethods/default.html )

Question.  You are to find some specific examples (at least 4) of market research being conducted.  It can be on websites, apps or examples you read about.  

April 27

Watch show on product placement in hip hop music

Question.  Give 3 examples of product placement in music lyrics or videos.

Earth Day

Today we will be looking at CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) which is the biggest in the world.



1. Next, take a look at some new products at this LINK.  Briefly explain 3 of them.

REMEMBER YOUR PRESENTATIONS TOMORROW.

Tuesday April 21

Good afternoon,

Sorry that I am away today.

For today, you are to work on your commercial presentations and the project from yesterday.  The commercial presentations will be moved to Thursday and Friday and the project will be DUE THURSDAY.

Mon/Tue April 20/21

NEW PROJECT

New Products /

Igniting the Buzz

We have been looking at Product Development.  Some products are Fads, some are Niches, and some are here for the long haul.  In this assignment, you are to take your knowledge as a marketing professional and predict some of the newest ‘hot’ products in on the market.  In other words, you are to find one product that is less than a year old (or has only been available to the general public for less than a year) that is not currently popular, but you think it will become popular and successful. 

Your assignment should include:

• Name and description of the product/service (what it does, a picture, price etc)
• EXPLAIN the stage of product development that the product is in. (Remember to see ‘Stages of Product Development’ in your notebook or on pgs 176-177)
• Next you must describe the Products Utility.  (Form Utility: material, scent, flavour, colour, design, packaging, Information Utility, Place Utility, Time Utility, Possession Utility)  Some of these may not apply to all products
• You must then write a paragraph, using the information that you have presented above, to explain why you think the product will be successful.  Remember to take into account how the product is being marketed.  Sometimes good products do not sell well if they are marketed poorly and poor products can sell well if they are marketed well. 

Here are some links to help get you started finding New Products (You are welcome and encouraged to find products on your own as well)

Great new product site of products that are just hitting the market

http://www.inventionconnection.com/whatsnew.html

New Gadgets from ‘Wired’ Magazine

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/

Slim cream, slim patch etc

http://www.cracompany.com/

GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD

Please  answer this question in paragraph form. How does product placement and branding affect the movie industry and society as a whole?  Is it a good thing?  Bad thing? Does it have an impact?  Are people aware?

April 15th

Marketing advertisement presentations:

Each student is to choose on advertisement and present it to the class. Your presentation must include:

* the ad itself

* the target market

* advertising strategies that are used

* strengths of the ad

* weaknesses of the ad

* at least one question for the class and then you are to guide the class in a discussion.

OUT OF 30 MARKS!!!!

We will present NEXT Wednesday and FRIDAY

April 14

Today we are going to watch a video on 'lousy labels'.

Questions.

1. Why do companies use the words 'Natural' and 'Organic'?
2. According to Derek Krasnik, the lobbyist for cosmetic companies, who's responsibility is it to buy 'natural' products? 
3. Why does 7th Generation die their diapers beige?
4.  Now it is your turn.  I want you to think of a product, shampoo, snack food etc and then go on-line and research the ingredients and its impact on you, your health, and the environment.  What did you fined?  Was it better that you though?  Worse?  How?

April 13

Today, we are going to carry on with the ideas of creating 'buzz' and the idea of creating new products.  

Video Questions:
1. Do you think that Mukluk boots would have 'taken off' if Kate Moss (supermodel) hadn't been seen wearing one of the first pairs? Why?
2. What are 'knock offs"
3. What is 'word of mouth marketing' (Idea viruses)?
4. Why are 18-24 year olds a good demographic to market to?

april 10

Failed Products Assignment!
Go to the following links or you can search for your own and find 3 products and answer the following questions for each product. Answer in SENTENCES and YOUR OWN WORDS please. http://www.dailyfinance.com/photos/top-25-biggest-product-flops-of-all-time

1. What company did you choose? Is the failure a product or service?
2. Can you find a picture of the product on the internet? If so, paste it into your work. (google images might help)
3. Describe why the product/service failed?
4. Do you think that this product/service could have been successful if it was marketed differently? WHY/WHY NOT?
5. What can other companies and marketers learn from this failure?

Remember you must choose 3 products.

April 9

Talk on inventions and innovations.  

Today we are going to move onto inventions and innovations.

Use this LINK for the following questions.

1. Pick 5 different products from the list. For each one, say if it is an invention or an innovation and explain why.

2. Pick one product that you think will be a success and explain why?

3. Pick on product that you think will not be (very) successful and explain why?

4. Go to the following link listing some Canadian Inventions and pick THREE (3) 'inventions' and answer questions a,b, and c

http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/Canadian.htm


a) Who is the 'inventor'?
b) What is the invention?
c) Is this actually an invention or an innovation? Why?

April 8

NOTES on Store layout and design

Next, you are to create a store layout 'blueprint'.  You can either draw it on paper or on the computer.  You can use any type of store you wish.  The goals of the design are:

- to increase customer flow to maximize the time customers spend in the store.
 - merchandise and display products to maximize profit
- have several steps to decrease shrinkage.

Can use www.smartdraw.com but you will need to download it. 

Find and describe a story or product that is currently getting 'Buzz' in the media.  How is it getting talked about?  What makes it attention worthy?

April 1

APRIL FOOLS Adversing