This course introduces modern marketing management techniques. Specific course goals include: 1) To introduce you to the fundamentals of modern marketing practice. Specifically, we will look at the four tactical P’s — price, promotion, product, and place (distribution) — through the structural lens of the three C’s — customer, competition, and company. 2) To provide a theoretical basis and data-driven techniques for analyzing the success or failure of marketing actions. 3) To familiarize you with practices that marketing consulting firms typically employee. This class aims to help you sort through jargon, allowing you to make well-informed decisions based on knowing which techniques are applicable given the situation.
This course differentiates itself from other marketing strategy sections by viewing marketing from the perspective of economics. While students are not required to have taken a course in microeconomics (33001 or a course from undergrad), it is highly recommended. We will use demand curves and profit maximization as a jumping off point to understand where and how marketing decisions influence economic calculations.
The course employs a balanced mix of case discussions and lectures/class discussions. Class lectures and discussions provide an exposition of key concepts, and wherever possible are supported by research on current marketing practices. The case studies provide an opportunity to apply the theories, concepts, and analytical devices developed in the lectures.
