The Wall Street Journal recently published an interesting article on companies that have tried to trademark aromas, some successfully and others not. In an increasingly cluttered and competitive environment, companies are doing whatever they can […]
Category: Chapter 8 – Build the Brand
Coca-Cola to Reintroduce Popular “Share a Coke” Campaign, This Time with More Names and Package Varieties
Coca-Cola is bringing back its successful “Share a Coke” initiative, first launched in Australia in 2011 and brought to the US in 2014. This time, the company will include over three times the names and expand its package varieties in an attempt to increase sales volume primarily from Millennials.
Companies Found Creative Marketing Opportunities this April Fool’s Day
April Fool’s Day is a small holiday that presents a big opportunity for companies to promote themselves in creative ways. This April Fool’s Day, many corporations announced mock products and/or made fake commercials in order to gain brand recognition and publicity.
Heinz-Kraft Merger To Create Giant Company With Lean Marketing
The Heinz-Kraft merger announced Wednesday will form the fifth biggest food and beverage company worldwide. While the marketing budget will not take a big hit, the combined firm will implement a lean marketing strategy based on zero-based budgeting: spending money on advertising that is proven to work and generate a strong return on investment.

Starbucks’ “Race Together” Campaign is Pulled Following Harsh Criticism
Starbucks is launching a new campaign that has generated much controversy. “Race Together” is meant to spur conversation about race relations in the US between baristas and consumers. Many worry that racial relations in the U.S. is too big of a topic for the company to embrace, yet CEO Howard Schultz stands firm behind his decision.

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” Receives 2015 Award for Most and Worst Product Placement, While “Lego Movie” Succeeds with Strongest Product Placement Impact
Featuring 55 brands, Transformers: Age of Extinction recently won both the 2014 Award for Achievement in Product Placement in a Single Film (that is, the most product placement) and Worst Product Placement by Brandcameo. It also tied for first in Unwanted Product Placement. The Lego Movie saw greater success, winning the 2014 Award for Product Placement Impact.

Kellogg’s Faces Marketing Challenges as Consumer Preferences for Breakfast Foods Evolve
Kellogg’s U.S. morning-foods net sales fell 8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014—the division’s seventh consecutive quarterly decline. While this is partially explained by changing consumer trends, what does it say about the company’s marketing abilities?

Google’s Launch of YouTube Kids has Important Implications for Advertisers and the YouTube Brand
Google is launching its YouTube Kids Android app on Monday, February 23rd. The easy-to-navigate app will show only approved content. While this may present good opportunities for advertisers to reach children, companies will have to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Bringing Old Products Back from the Dead
Nostalgia can be a very powerful force capable of driving different types of behavior. For marketers, being able to identify what products or elements consumers are nostalgic for (or in some cases consumers never really […]
Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Marketing Trends Related to the Kickoff of the Holiday Shopping Season
As a student of marketing, Black Friday is one of the most interesting times of the year to examine. Historically, it has signaled the kickoff point for the holiday shopping season. On Black Friday retailers […]