12-19. Discuss the major advertising objectives and describe an advertisement that is
attempting to achieve each objective. (AACSB: Written and Oral Communication;
Reflective Thinking)
GREAT IDEAS
Barriers to Effective Learning
1. Some students will need to have explained in detail the differences among the various
communication methods outlined in the chapter. Figure 12.1 will help in this regard.
Asking students for examples from each channel of communication will also help. Many
students will be able to give examples from their parents’ work.
2. There is a tremendous amount of information delivered in only a few pages in the
advertising section. The differences among informative, persuasive, and reminder
advertising may seem simple to students at first, but these concepts should be studied in
some detail to ensure understanding. Again, examples are a tremendous help here.
3. Message execution is also a key concept. Many students will have trouble with the
various execution styles and will particularly have difficulty with slice of life versus
lifestyle. There may also be difficulty in understanding the difference between fantasy
and mood or image. Again, use examples of your own and from the class, as well as those
shown in the text.
4. Sales promotions, particularly consumer promotions, will be familiar to students. It is
important that they understand the terminology, however. Trade promotion is also fairly
simple, although the difference between a discount and an allowance is crucial to
understand. Business promotions, as well, will go quickly. You can tie this section back
into the push strategy to show how a strategy gets turned into tactics.
5. Public relations is a mystery to almost everyone. There will be some questions regarding
the product publicity done by public relations versus that done by a marketing manager,
but these questions can be answered by the notion of free because the vast majority of
what PR does is to get the company in the press. One of the examples of masterful public
relations the book points out is Johnson & Johnson during the Tylenol product-tampering
scare. This example alone is often enough to explain the importance of this
communication channel.
Student Projects
1. Many supermarkets will give you coupons based on what you purchase. What type of
promotion is this and do you believe it to be effective?
2. Pick up a Sunday newspaper (they always have the most advertisement in them).
Remember the conversation on advertising objectives. Now find two examples of
advertisements that inform, persuade, and remind.
3. Review the five components of the promotion mix. Find a merchant that is utilizing all
five components and describe how they are using each.