Keep looking at this page for more - I will toss more ideas into the hat as they come to mind.

1. (M 22 JUL) We discussed some differences between the way that a consumer psychology researcher views marketing and the way that a modeler views marketing.  How are these views different?  What kinds of situations lend themselves better to a consumer psychology perspective on modeling consumer behavior?  What kinds of situations lend themselves better to a quantitative modeling perspective on consumer behavior?

2. (M 22 JUL) One of our guests mentioned that there are seventeen different Hispanic sub-cultures.  How are these the same?  How are these different?  What are some guidelines that marketers should follow in designing marketing communications for Hispanic markets?

3. (M 22 JUL) Marketing principles textbook chapters on personal selling always suggest a series of steps that are followed in successful selling: lead generation, approach, needs analysis, and such.  Is this approach always necessary?  Be sure to support you answer.

4. (T 23 JUL) Two automobile repair places provide service that is, technically, of identical quality. . One, however, makes coffee and donuts available to customers who are waiting, while the other does not.  Using the kind of theory that was discussed with respect to the Isen "dime studies," explain why customers in the first shop are likely to provide higher ratings for the quality of servicing on their cars.

5. (T 23 JUL) One could argue that no marketing is necessary for a mom and pop gas station that serves a local market.  The price is dictated by costs and competition, and advertising in the local newspaper will not generate additional business.  Argue that there is indeed an active state of marketing strategy and activity associated with such a gas station.

6. (T 23 JUL) One of the problems with publicity is that it is often not under the control of the marketer.  Marketers are often concerned about bad publicity and "damage" control.  Should a marketer always attempt to counter or minimize the effects of bad publicity?

7. (T 23 JUL) Conventional wisdom tells us to consider such factors as frequency, reach, and CPM in in choosing advertising media.  Using theory from consumer psychology, explain how a focus on these factors could lead a marketer to make decisions that fail.

8. (T 23 JUL) If a marketer behaves unethically, what are the possible outcomes with respect to the interests of the marketer? 

9. (W 24 JUL) One of our guests gave us a lecture on military psychological operations.  What does any of this have to do with marketing?

10. (W 24 JUL) We calculated the apparent cost of a full page ad in the local newspaper.  If you needed permission to advertise your company's product in such an ad, how would you justify this cost?

11. (R 25 JUL) Beverly is thinking of selling hats on an island that has more tourists than residents.  Is she using a market segmentation strategy?  Why or why not?

12. (R 25 JUL) If you are attempting to obtain a small business loan from a banker, which is more important: financial ratios and other such quantitative calculations that illustrate the financial feasibility of a proposed plan of action, or a marketing plan that merely outlines a need and a proposed solution?

13. (R 25 JUL) Professor Owen used the term "modeling" to describe the effects that were the focus of our discussion over the video in Shanta's presentation.  What is modeling, and how can marketers effectively use this concept?

14. (MTWR) The Tripartite Model posits that there are three basic types of response to our marketing efforts: cognitive, affective, and behavioral.  How does a marketing researcher use this idea?

15. (M 29 JUL) Do boundary spanning employees have skills that cannot be taught?  Is internal marketing always important with regard to boundary spanning employees?

16. (M 29 JUL) In what ways is an understanding of culture important to someone who is only doing domestic marketing in the US?

17. (M 29 JUL) Discuss issues of channel power that could affect the distribution of the Barbie doll.

18. (M 29 JUL) One guest showed us a cartoon saying, "You need to narrow down your target market to something more specific than anyone older than a newborn."  Is this statement universally true?

19. (T 30 JUL) EHP makes chain saws that are sold under different brand names at different prices, yet the basic internal components of these products are identical.  Is this unethical?

20. (T 30 JUL) One of our guests compared the actual launch of a new paper cup to the formalized "product launch process" that is listed in most marketing textbooks,  finding that the formal model of textbooks is apparently a valid model.  Another guest, however, looked at a new product launch by a small start-up company and noted that luck was apparently an important part of the process in addition to research.  Who is right?  If you believe that luck is involved, then is it worth investing a lot of effort in marketing research?