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Samsung Case Study

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I. Summary of the Facts
This case study analysis is on Samsung Electronics Company (SEC) and how it has climbed up the ranks in the past decade via calculated marketing strategies, extensive market research and analysis, and a risky bet on how the market will evolve. Samsung’s principle outlook took time and education from within and thereafter the general market.
Samsung Electronics Company (SEC) began doing business in 1969 as a low-cost manufacturer of black and white televisions. In 1970, “Samsung acquired a semiconductor business” which would be a milestone that initiated the future for SEC. Entering the semiconductor industry would also be the beginning of the turnaround phase for SEC. In 1980, SEC showed the market its ability …show more content…

Since there were no campaigns related to brand knowledge, Samsung was not able to create a “unique brand association with customers” (Kotler & Keller, 2008).
Another problem was the manager’s ability to appreciate the value of marketing or in the current case branding. The root of this problem was that managers perceived marketing as being equal to selling. Again, Samsung’s top executives were on a mission to change from “cheap OEM” manufacturer to a top of the line product manufacturer (Quelch & Harrington, 2008). This change came after a decade (1980s to 1993) of being an OEM provider without much regard to their brand. SEC managers did not grasp the concept that SEC was trying to develop a global brand on high quality products that Samsung’s R&D centers were creating. The asset in the managers’ eyes was the strong product. This point of view is stated in the case study when Mr. Kim, the executive VP of global marketing, explained that managers:
“believed that good products sell themselves, that marketing was nothing more than selling, and that selling was only needed when you have a me-too or weak product” (Kotler & Keller, 2008)
IV. Possible Solutions
A solution to the weak brand is to outsource the development of the brand to an expert in the advertising field. The pros to outsourcing advertising are:
• Ability

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