Discussion

Module 1

So far you have learned about several marketing elements. Some of these elements may share similar ideas, while others do not. Recall that the 4 Ps of marketing can be applied to most kinds of situations. In this activity, you will explore the marketing elements and identify specific situations in which they can be applied. For example, let’s look at the marketing mix for PepsiCo. In 2007, the company restructured to split itself into three units: one for food in the U.S., one for beverages in the U.S., and one for food and drinks overseas. The product for PepsiCo consists of beverages, savory food snacks (Fritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Lays), other food products (cereals, cakes), and baked snacks (the nutritious snacks and foods consumers are demanding).

Notice this last product (nutritious snacks and foods); why would PepsiCo create this? This opportunity was necessary in order for the company to survive. This will become a strength (if all goes well and the food tastes good), and help the company provide targeted marketing segmentation. Price can be tricky; if the company prices too high, then customers won’t purchase it, but if the company prices the product too low, then they run the risk of demand being higher than supply, which will create frustration for the consumer and “forces” them to purchase another product.

In your initial response, reflect on two marketing elements that have been presented in this module. Be sure to include a clear and specific explanation of the two marketing elements that you have chosen.

• Create and include in your post a grid of two examples in which each of the elements have been applied. See below for a sample grid.
• Respond to the following prompts in your initial post:
  • Which one of the marketing elements do you think is most important?
  • What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of the marketing element? Explain why. Justify your claims and include references as applicable.

Respond to others who chose different marketing elements from you.

• Discuss how the chosen marketing elements are similar or different to others that were not chosen.
• Will the applications also be similar or different? Why or why not? Explain and justify your claims. Include references.

Here is a sample grid that you can use.

Feel free to use this sample grid in your initial post, or you may use some other presentation tool such as YouTube, present.me, Picktochart, and so on. Here are some tutorials on how to use some of these tools:

• How does present.me work?
• How to use Picktochart
• Using GoAnimate on YouTube

Things to Remember!

• Your initial post should be two to four paragraphs (300 words minimum). Support your explanations by including in-text citations and references in APA format as applicable.
• Post your primary response on the discussion board. Be sure to review your writing for grammar and spelling before posting. Read any postings already provided by your instructor or fellow students.
• Read and respond to your classmates. Remember to read the feedback to your own major postings and reply to it throughout the module.

For information about writing your discussion posts, consult Discussion Tips. Compose your work using a word processor and save it, as a Plain Text or an .rtf, to your computer. When you're ready to make your initial posting, please click on the “Create Thread” button and copy/paste the text from your document into the message field. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it.

Use the EC Library resources to properly cite your work:

• APA Format Tip Sheet
• Citing Sources
• Plagiarism & Copyright

Review the SBT Discussion Rubric located in the "Start Here-Course Information" section of the course for more information on grading criteria.