Peoples Bank

As mentioned earlier, Peoples Bank, based in Connecticut, uses its web site as a key channel for reaching individuals, business customers, and prospects. Not only can customers e-mail the bank with questions, they can click on a link to have a bank representative call them with further information or choose another link if they want to chat online. In addition, prospects can open new accounts online, print out and fax account applications, and even order printed checks with a few keystrokes. Now the company has expanded its financial services offerings by adding insurance products for consumers and businesses. Visit the Peoples Web site (www.peoples.com). After looking at the home page, f... click for more

Marketing is more than a four-step approach

Marketing is more than a four-step approach to increase sales. It excites people, and keeps them interested over long periods of time. Such is the case with the movie trilogies Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Let's look at the Harry Potter phenomenon. The four-book series has sold enormous amounts in more than 200 countries. Each Harry Potter movie premiere has broken box office records world wide. During the production of each movie, marketers keep interest high and the Harry Potter frenzy awhirl with well-timed video releases, and companies like Mattel and Mars Incorporated selling and estimated 50 million dollars worth of licensed Harry Potter toys and candy. You can visit the off... click for more

The use of television to advertise

Your company is considering the use of television to advertise its product. The CEO has asked you and the other members of the marketing department (your classmates) to evaluate this option. In particular you are to debate the following issue: Has TV advertising lost power? Long deemed the most successful advertising medium, television advertising has received increased criticism as being too expensive and, even worse, no longer as effective as it once was. Critics maintain that consumers tune out too many ads by zipping and zapping and that it is difficult to make a strong impression. The future, claim some, is with online advertising. Supporters of TV disagree, contending that the multi... click for more

Microsoft - marketing success?

Could Microsoft be considered one of the best and worst examples of marketing success in America during the 1980s and 1990s? Discuss. The Marketing Spotlight notes some of the effective competitive marketing strategies that Microsoft has exhibited in a short but very successful history. Could a similar firm entering the market today operate in the same manner? Do any of the Microsoft strategies contradict future issues that Microsoft and other technology-oriented firms should prepare to deal with in coming years?

Ricketts Heating and Air

Ricketts Heating and Air installs natural gas-fired central heating systems with timers. In the wintertime, if the owner of a system wants to have the house cooler when no one is there, but have it heated back up before anyone arrives home, he or she can use this timing system. How could Ricketts use service to differentiate its heating systems?