Assignment 1: Analysis and Research
In this module, you have been introduced to the field of consumer behaviour and the impact of the digital revolution on consumer behaviour. You have also explored the basic research tools used for studying consumer behaviour and discussed the basic elements of marketing strategy. You will now apply your knowledge to practical marketing situations.
Assignment 1 is organized into four sections; this contributes 10% towards your final grade. Each of the four sections carries the marks as stated, for a total of 100 marks. While this assignment is only worth 10% of your final grade, the effort you put into it will pay off to a much greater extent in the final project.
Note
Assignments 2 and 3 have more comprehensive activities, which are worth more marks than assignments 1 and 4.
Instructions
In this assignment, you will investigate your chosen product in the context of consumer behaviour and the implications of developing successful marketing strategies. Keep in mind that your Integrative Report is a report that will summarize your research analysis, conclusions, and recommendations. Follow the specific instructions for each part of the assignment and complete all sections appropriately.
Prepare a 10-12-page, doubled-spaced report in 12pt font containing the following sections:
Section 1: Choosing a Product or Product Category (10 marks)
Pick a product to research throughout the course. You should look ahead through all the modules to see whether your choice is suitable to complete later assignments. You need to check with your Open Learning Faculty Member to determine if the product is suitable, and get your choice approved. Only continue with Assignment 1 once the Open Learning Faculty Member approves your selection. You should select an existing product that is widely available and well-known consumer good.
Please note that you cannot select any smartphone, computer, laptop, smartwatch, tablet or GoPro camera.
Create a 1-page summary (approximately 250 words) about your proposed product or service (after you have received approval for your product). Include in the summary the product name, product category, sources for finding relevant information (beyond the company’s website), and why you want to study this particular product or brand. Provide brief background information about your chosen product.
Note
Stuck for ideas? One suggestion is to scan the popular business press. One excellent article that you may find helpful is “Luxury for the Masses,” appearing in Harvard Business Review, 81(4) (April 2003) (accessible through the article databases at TRU library).
Section 2: Consumer Research and Trends (50 marks)
Segmentation and targeting is an important aspect of consumer behaviour. In this section, you will analyze the trends in demand for your product and define market segments, targeting, and positioning, which will provide some insights into what would motivate potential customers to choose your product offering.

Conduct secondary research by summarizing two or three relevant articles/resources discussing trends in demand for your product. You may research TRU electronic library resources, consumer reports, trade journals, and/or demographic information about your chosen product (do not use websites, magazine or newspaper articles). You may also refer to Figures 2-2 and Figure 2-3 of your textbook. Remember to provide the references for the articles/resources to which you refer.
Using your own experiences and secondary research, profile the primary market segment(s) for your product. Referring to the segmentation bases on page 55 of the textbook, develop a segmentation approach for the market of your product and provide rationale for why this approach is a good one (use suitable references). You may refer to the Rich Market Profile Questions. Concentrate on the first 2 questions: (a) What do they want to buy, and (b) Who are they?
Provide insights into targeting and positioning of the product.
Make an estimate of the size of the target market for your product. Identify the market size, growth, and trends within the given market. Use business data published by Statistics Canada (www.statcan.gc.ca), Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant statistical data. Explain how you arrived at your answer and state any assumptions you have made and why.

Section 3: Use of Internet (20 marks)

The Internet can “inform” a consumer when making purchase decisions. What might a typical consumer do online when considering making a purchase of your chosen product?
Identify the marketing opportunities that the digital revolution offers marketers of your product.

Section 4: Comparative Analysis (20 marks)
In this section, you will carry out a comparative analysis. Choose a competitive brand of your chosen product. For example, if your chosen product is a digital camera made by Sony you may choose one competitor such as Kodak, Canon, or Nikon.
Assess the two companies’ marketing approaches by comparing and contrasting the two brands’ target markets and corresponding strategies (not the products).
Completion Guidelines
Submit your assignment by uploading it in the Assignments area in Blackboard. Be sure to save your assignment as a PDF document and name it: MKTG3471_Lastname_Assign1.
Reminders before submitting assignment:

Did you put your name and student number on the front page of the document?
Did you complete all of the required elements?
Did you use information and terminology learned in this course?
Did you support your statements with specific examples?
Did you cite references, using correct APA referencing format?
Did you ensure that there are no spelling mistakes?
Is your report grammatically correct, clear, and well organized?

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