Metabical Positioning And Communications Strategy For a New Weight Loss Drug Harvard Business Essays and Term Papers

In 2008, a marketing and positioning strategy was needed for Cambridge Sciences Pharmaceutical’s (CSP) new weight loss drug called Metabical. Metabical was touted as being a revolutionary weight loss drug with fewer negative side effects than the usual medicinal weight loss remedies.

Barbara Printup must determine the packaging for Metabical that will best capture the accurately forecasted demand of the target market. With many substitutes for weight loss in a variety of packages and price points, it will be important to create a package that can be priced in a way to both drive sales and continued use of the 12-week drug.

Kerin, R. A., Hartley, S. W., & Rudelius, W. (2013). Marketing. (11th ed.). New York, New

The purpose of the “Systematic Review: An Evaluation of Major Commercial Weight Loss Programs in the United States” was to determine if what the individual companies offer the customers of their

Anyone who has stayed up late watching television, or has paged through a current magazine, has seen advertisements for medications. They often depict an individual, or couple, that is strolling along the beach, playing with their grandchildren, or enjoying a long forgotten hobby. Although the Food and Drug Administration has imposed stricter regulations on drug advertisements over the last several years, there remains an innate distraction and misleading by the drug companies in order to promote their product. “Evidence suggests that direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs increases pharmaceutical sales and both helps to avert underuse of medicines and leads to potential overuse” (Donohue, Cevasco, & Rosenthal, 2007, p. 673). This paper will critique both a prescription and over-the-counter medication advertisement, discuss the pathophysiology and mechanism of action for the gastrointestinal disorder it treats, as well as compare and contrast the two advertisements.

Her main focus was on the television (T.V.) advertising of medicine that is done in this country. She finds it highly unethical that pharmaceutical companies advertise drugs that are needed by patients. She further explained that it is also the way which marketing is conducted, “showing cheery people with fabulous hair on sunny days” (F. McClure, personal communication, October 14, 2013). The general public is naive to the possible side effects of these drugs and/or do not grasp the severity of many of them. Most people are looking at the pleasing visuals in these commercials, therefore they do not notice the side effects of the drugs, because the notices are in small print or run through so quickly they are incomprehensible. The viewers want what they see and ask their physicians for these drugs by name. In turn, doctors order the drugs; the companies grow bigger and market more drugs. It is a perpetual cycle, McClure expounds, and one that she and many of her cohorts wish would stop.

The Affordable Blended Smoothie, Inc. will be producing a healthy non-alcoholic product. As more families and the society continue struggle to maintain healthy lifestyles, the new beverage comes at the right time in remedying the situation. The new energy drink will be suitable to all classes of people regardless of their age, educational level, income, gender, or ethnic affiliation. However, we will be able to employ targeted marketing where the marketing strategies for the company will be directed to rising middle class in Virginia (Wit, 2010).

The product more or less receives a seal of approval without the consumer ever really knowing whether the “expert” is truly an expert at all. The professional’s actual doctorate may not even be in the medical field, but in a completely different field and unrelated all together. This is done because viewers ask fewer questions about a product or information when backed by a professional. This tactic is used to gain the trust of the viewers. Once they have the viewers’ trust in hand, Iovative Health Sciences, Inc., persuades these young female viewers to believe almost anything that they want them too. These women become inclined to believe that Hydroxycut will work for them; fast, easy, and with no hassles. This method of gaining the female consumers trust coupled with Hydroxycut ads’ other advertising fallacies for example, the airbrushed and digitally enhanced photos along with Hydroxycut’s over exaggerated or falsified statements; make their already vulnerable female audience more susceptible to their deceptions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an agency created to protect America’s consumers, drew up a report called, “Weight-Loss Advertising: An Analysis of Current Trends,” which investigated weight-loss advertising. In 2001, a content analysis found that over half of all advertising for weight-loss products used fabricated, unsupported claims. In an investigation of 300 ads from

The important issue here is to build awareness of Metabical for the consumer, and then make sure that the consumer knows enough information about it. The more the advantages of safety, FDA approval and long term results due to the support program are advertised the easier it becomes for the consumer to like Metabical, and prefer it over Alli, or others. Once it becomes in the consumers consideration set he/she might develop the conviction to buy it, and eventually purchase it at the end. This hierarchy of effects model helps in knowing where to fit advertising. Media and the TV ads would spread knowledge and awareness to consumers (Direct to consumer advertising). Also the print ads in medical journals would help raise awareness amongst medical practitioners. The promotions like the informational pamphlets and the two high profile medical education events would also help in contributing to health care provider preference. The viral marketing campaign: Metabical Challenge contest and the contestant blogs in the social networking sites would greatly enhance consumer knowledge and preference as well. To succeed; it’s important to understand this hierarchy of effects: THINK, FEEL, and DO that the consumer goes through.

It was merely a decade ago that the obesity epidemic was thought to only be a minor problem and had only alarmed a small number of endocrinologists interested by the size of the situation (James, 2008). However today, the problem of obesity is vast with more awareness of its presence by doctors and individuals alike. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese (CDC, 2014)”. These numbers are outrageous and eye opening, leaving millions looking for a solution to this troubling epidemic. Obesity is not simply a cosmetic flaw as some might think, but is actually a very dangerous state of being for any individual to sustain long-term. Mentioned further in

Cambridge Sciences Pharmaceuticals (CSP) is an international healthcare company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The firm focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing products that treat metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, immune deficiencies, as well as other chronic medical conditions. In 2008, CSP received its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its newest prescription drug, Metabical. Metabical is a drug that offers moderately overweight adults a medically proven, effective method to reach a desirable weight to improve their overall health by shedding ten to thirty pounds.

In this report, Printup will provide all recommendations for the successfull marketing communication strategy and to ensure the long-term steady demand for Metabical. 3.1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM OVERVIEW OF OVERWEIGHT ISSUES IN THE UNITED STATE Excess weight is considered a public health crisis in the U.S, with approximately 65% of the entire adult population categorized as overweight, obese, or severely obese. Being overweight is related to a number of serious health complications, and according to the American Obesity Association in 2005, ³the second leading cause of preventable death in U.S. In addition to health risks, overweight individuals endure a significant social stigma as well as outright discrimination. Laziness and self indulgence are common stereotypes associated with this group. Many overweight people feel like social outcasts. The professional life of an overweight individual could also be negatively affected, as excess weight has been found to adversely influence, hiring decisions, wages, and promotions. Researchers and health care professionals measure excess weight using the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale. The BMI scale, which calculates the relationship between weight and height associated with body fat and health risk, is appropriate for both men and women. It has three BMI categories of excess weight for adults:overweight (25 to 30); obese (30 to 40); and severely, or morbidly obese (over 40). According to CDC

There are only several other weight-loss options in the market competing with Metabical. The first is prescription drugs. These are prescribed for use only by obese and severely obese individuals. This meant that only individuals with BMI of over 30 who were prescribed weight-loss drugs were using appetite suppressants and fat-absorbing blockers. They had serious side effects associated as well, which meant only a doctor could approve them. But these prescription-drug options did not account for the overweight segment with

We need to communicate that a change in lifestyle is the biggest proponent of weight. In fact, studies have shown that “interventions that promote lifestyle changes…have shown better weight [loss and] maintenance than interventions that do not” (LeCheminant 348). Since ads will continue to showcase the opposite and provide examples, it falls to healthcare providers to amplify this message. Dieticians and nutritionists and even primary care physicians need to focus on explaining that putting in work is the only way for a person to lose weight in a healthy way. However, they cannot just preach this message and expect their patients to immediately comply. Doctors also need to have a background understanding of what a patient’s life includes, and meet them where they are. For example, a poor person who lives in a food desert and buys cheap, unhealthy food is going to have a harder time losing weight than a person who shops exclusively at whole foods. Miscommunication comes when there is no understanding of the everyday hardships a person faces that would prevent them for implementing healthy lifestyle changes a doctor

The health care provider is a vital component in patient decision making and in the success of Metabical. As patients begin to ask their doctors about the drug, CSP needs to ensure that physicians are properly educated about Metabical and its benefits. Additionally, doctors can have significant influence not only over their patients but also over insurance companies and the general public by supporting Metabical and substantiating it’s claims. I would position the drug as a supplement to doctors looking to advocate a healthier lifestyle for their patients. It’s important to use all the different advertising concepts so health care providers are able to understand the different elements of Metabical. It is a clinically proven and FDA approved weight-loss drug that is a safe alternative to dangerous OTC drugs. Doctors now have the ability to empower patients to change unhealthy eating habits and achieve long-term success. The simple once-a-day pill in combination with the comprehensive support program can