Marketing Plan
The company that you choose to submit a marketing plan for is a fictional start-up company. Submissions will be completed in units II, IV, VI, and VIII which together will comprise a full marketing plan. The general overview is as follows:
Unit II: Company Overview and Market Research
Overview of Company
Market Research Strategies
Analyzing Macro-environment-PEST Analysis
In this section of the Marketing Plan, you will introduction the fictional company you have selected/created, allowing the reader to understand the company, product/service, and any other pertinent details. Marketing plans are compiled by companies that have incorporated a solid marketing research strategy in order to better understand the industry, competition, and customer. Explain the research strategies that will be used by your company. Finally, analyze the macro environment using a PEST analysis. This will lead to a better understanding of how changes in the political/legal, economic, socio-cultural, and technological environment will affect your company.
Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of three (3) pages in length (not including the title and references pages). Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old.
Unit IV: Situation Analysis
Segmentation & Target Market Analysis
Competitive Analysis
SWOT Analysis
This section will begin with an application of segmentation of the market of your fictional company. Think about behavioral, psychographic, demographic, and geographic criteria that might help you in segmenting the market. Once you have completed the segmentation, identify the target market that your company will focus on including your rationale. It’s important for the marketing manager to understand the competitive environment within the industry in which they operate. Compile a detailed competitive analysis looking at the top three or four competitors and differentiating each against your company. Finally, assemble and thoroughly explain a SWOT Analysis with a minimum of three elements under each area.
Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of three (3) pages in length (not including the title and references pages). Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old.
Unit VI: Marketing Strategy
Product Strategies
Place Strategies
Pricing Strategies
Promotional Strategies
This section of the Marketing Plan will assess the marketing strategies or the controllables to include the entire marketing mix (4 P’s). Think about the most effective strategies to use with an eye on the target market. Include your rationale and research to support your position. Additionally, you will include a discussion of whether the fictional company has a competitive advantage (or is better than its competitors) with respect to each area. Note: You will discuss competitive advantage four times and should be discussing each area separately.
Product Strategies
Explain the product characteristics including the product and/or service qualities, warranties, service contracts, packaging, and branding opportunities. Include rationale.
Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to product.
Place Strategies
Explain the entire channel of distribution from the manufacturer to the consumer. Think about how the channel aligns with the overall logistics and the location of the physical facility. Include rationale.
Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to place.
Pricing Strategies
Explain the pricing strategies and tactics to be used by your company. Research the various combinations of strategies that could be used by the company at different times. Include rationale.
Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to pricing.
Promotional Strategies
Explain the promotional mix to be used, thinking about personal selling, advertising, sales promotion, internet marketing, and publicity. Think about promotional mediums as well. Include rationale.
Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to promotion.
Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of four (4) pages in length (not including the title and references pages), allowing for you to adequately discuss all four areas of the marketing mix. Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit VIII Scholarly Activity
Marketing Plan: Marketing Metrics
Marketing Metrics Overview
Application to Fictional Company
This section of the marketing plan will review the concept of marketing metrics with the application of five metrics to the company marketing plan. Using the Marketing Metrics chart-Table 22.9 located on page 642 of the textbook, select one metric in each of the five marketing metric categories (5 total). For each metric identified, provide a description of the metric, demonstration of how it will be calculated and finally, how it will be used in your company. Include specific, measurable goals within your metric. Include research beyond the textbook to fulfill these requirements.
Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of three (3) pages in length (not including the title and references pages). Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old.
