Integrated Marketing Communications: Personal Selling and Direct Marketing

In today's multi-media world driven by computer and Internet technologies, communications has changed drastically. Today's communications landscape is a multitude of media and tools wherein messages can be communicated in real time, making message reception and sending occur almost simultaneously, within a period of seconds or even milliseconds. Thus, the communications landscape has become a dynamic realm wherein people from different parts of the world can communicate and share information instantaneously. It is in this context that integrated marketing communications thrives and flourishes in the fields of marketing studies and strategic planning today. Integrated marketing communications (IMC) is the synergistic combination of different media and communication tools, developing a marketing program that aims to reach target consumers most effectively and efficiently. It involves development of different marketing strategies such as advertising campaigns, public relations, and sales promotion, among many others.

1. As a marketing consultant for a chain of hair salons, you have been asked to evaluate the kids’ market as a potential segment for the chain to target. Evaluate the kids’ segment against the four criteria for successful market segmentation.

20. All members are required to attend at least 3 work days a year, failure to do so will require a 75 dollar fee.

Nordstrom is a sophisticated departmental store that offers a pleasant shopping experience to all who step on its floor. Nordstrom’s target markets comprise women, men, girls, and kids of the upper and higher-middle section of the society. Nordstrom gives a lot to their consumers in both goods and service. When asked, clientele say they expect goods that are fashionable, long lasting, and

3. The marketing tactics in the case include payments, gifts and other financial lures to doctors and government officials, off-label uses of drugs, overpricing of the drugs resulting in the higher costs of Medicaid and Medicare programs and false advertisement. All of these marketing tactics have resulted from the desire to increase revenue and profits for the firm. Although the main focus of a business is to maximize profits, these marketing methods have resulted in harm to the society and have resulted in unethical behavior. The direct-to-consumer advertisements can be justified to an extent. Through this the industry educates the public about various drugs and their benefits, it could help educate the general population, and in a world

From the Pharmaceutical industry perspective direct-to-consumer advertising builds a sense of trust between consumer and drug manufactures; as well as providing consumers with knowledge of illnesses and treatment options. The Pharmaceutical Companies feel that exposing viewers/readers to a high level of symptoms it will prompt the consumers will create and open dialog with their physicians about their health issues, due to the advertisement consumers are aware of side effects allowing them under the guidance of a licensed physician make the best suitable drug option (DeGeorge pg320).

According to our period to period Tradeoffs Plot, Allround remained the leader in symptoms relief but at the same time was under priced. Because Allround’s price

71 providers for 533 participants (Each counselor had anywhere from 1 to 36 patients, with an average of 7.5 participants per counselor).

Target has done well over the years due to its successful integrated marketing communications. Today, Target is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, with $65.4 billion in sales and rank number 28 on the fortune 500 list. The main focus to build an up-market cachet of its brand without losing its relevance for price conscious consumers, Target positioned itself as a high-fashion brand retailers. Target aims to fulfil its brand promise of delivering trendy styles and quality merchandise at affordable low price by sending Merchandisers to travel over the world to look for next hot items. Target adopted Europe popular concept of ‘fast fashion’, which keep the product selection fresh result in more frequent shopper visits. To further enhance the shopper experience, Target uses a variety of tactics to communicate its ‘ cheap chic’ positioning, beginning with its slogan, ‘Expect more, Pay less’. Target also pays attention to how they place the shelves, lighting, fixtures and even creating wider aisles to avoid visual clutter.

It is hard to turn on the television without seeing marketing advertisements. Some ads are good and helpful while others are unethical and annoying. An individual will see advertisements for food, sanitary products, prescription drugs, and lawyers, to name a few, but this list could go on and on. All of these companies are trying to get you to use their service or purchase their products. A marketing campaign tries to sway the consumer by trying to satisfy a want or a need that through research they have identified (Bethel University, 2011). Personally, there are numerous needs of mine that have been met, and my decision to go with a product has been based at times on their advertisements. In

30. If a person wants to complain, you can call any of the numbers given

It would only make sense that the company is paying attention to what their customers need, want, and think. If the company is up for it, they will create a loyal customer and a good sector in the marketplace in regards to their products.

“One of the most talked about ideas in marketing during the 1990s was the notion of integrated marketing communications (IMC). And while marketing managers still clearly feel that it is a valuable concept and one that will play an increasingly important role in their companies, there is unfortunately a great deal of evidence to suggest that truly integrated marketing communications is the exception rather than a rule”

Several facts are changing in today’s marketing communications. Owing to the growing numbers of alternative communication media and promotion, marketing communication does not just primarily focus on advertising and promotion. Organizations and entrepreneurs begin moving toward the process of integrated marketing communication (IMC), which has emerged as a new concept and the major communication development in marketing in the 21th century. More and more companies adopt IMC to convey a consistent message about their brand and products to derive competitive advantage and brand value. In addition, IMC has developed into a beneficial strategy for companies to reach more customers as well as build good customer relationships. Smith et al.

The traditional view of marketing is that the firm makes something and then sells it. A) Will not work in economies where people face abundant choice. B) New