Question Details

MKTG 610 Week 2 Discussion
 
Topic 1 - USA Today

Case Analysis “ USA Today”.

You have been hired by the company to develop the strategy that will turn this situation around.
Using your SWOT analysis as the foundation for detailed analysis, prepare the following portions of your recommendation to the firm.
•	Identify the key/root problem. While there may be several problems and a multitude of symptoms, identify the problem you feel is central to this case. Be sure to describe this in marketing terms and support it with specific data from the case.
•	Alternative Solutions. Develop two alternative solutions to the defined problem. This should not be a laundry list of actions one could take to address every symptom, but alternative actions that could correct the problem at hand.
•	Identify the pros and cons of implementing each alternative. Clearly articulate the advantages and disadvantage to each of your proposed solutions.
•	Proposed Solution to the Problem: Select one of the alternatives and explain why it would be best. Include data from your research (beyond the data in the text) that supports your choice of solutions.
•	Recommendations for Implementation: Identify how you propose to implement the selected solution. Include the key factors of marketing, target market, environment, or marketing mix elements (product, price, promotion, or distribution) and what the expected results (positive and negative) might be.
Keep your responses complete and concise.
3 References required. Be sure to cite your sources within the text and include your APA Reference list.



Topic 2 - Happiness and Spaghetti Sauce 

As a marketing concept, segmentation has become so common place that we hardly realize when it is being used. However not that long ago, all cars came in only black.
View the video posted titled Happiness & Spaghetti Sauce.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/malcolm_gladwell_on_spaghetti_sauce.html 
Research what is being written about segmentation principles today in academic articles and journals. (The DU Library has many databases to support this search.) Bring to the discussion, what you have learned as it relates to one of the segmentation topics discussed in the text- such as Common Segmentation Variables, Individualized Segmentation Approaches, Selection of Target Markets or VALS Consumer Profiles. Apply this knowledge by providing examples of the principles in today- marketplace.
At least 3 Academic references are required, cited and sourced in APA format.