Marketing Currents is a weekly current events news service that highlights unique and relevant business and marketing campaigns throughout the school year. The questions provided for student discussion will help to create a bridge between industry strategies/trends and the topics you are covering in class.
Summer isn’t over yet but pumpkin spice season is off to an earlier-than-ever start. The big picture: Despite this year’s record heat and the weeks left of summer, the arrival of pumpkin spice signals the unofficial start of fall for some. Click here to read the story at axios.com. Discussion Read more…
Google launched a campaign calling out Apple texting issues between iPhones and Android phones. For many iPhone users, there is a common annoyance when it comes to texting: A friend switches to Android and the message bubbles in the group chat turn green. Click here to read the story at Read more…
Amazon still makes most of its revenue from orders placed through its online stores, and most of its profit from its cloud computing arm. Both of those businesses were built almost entirely in house. Click here to read the story at cnbc.com. Discussion Questions: What is an acquisition? Why do companies Read more…
A California lawsuit says Mars didn’t warn consumers of the health problems associated with the use of titanium dioxide in Skittles. Click here to read the story at cnet.com. Discussion Questions: What is false advertising? Does this news story represent an example of false advertising? Why or why not? What Read more…
KFC is trying out a new type of chicken nugget in an effort to attract younger consumers. Click here to read the story at cnn.com. Discussion Topics: What is market segmentation? What are the various ways a business can segment a market? What is a target market? Who represents KFC’s target audience (based Read more…
One of America’s most iconic toy stores is returning to brick-and-mortar retail just in time for this year’s holiday season. Click here to read the story at nbcwashington.com. Discussion Questions: Why do you think Toys ‘R’ Us filed for bankruptcy? Why do you think the company has struggled in the Read more…
Sprite is saying goodbye to its green bottle. Starting August 1st, new packaging will appear on store shelves featuring a clear bottle. Click here to read the story at people.com. Discussion Questions: What is packaging? What does packaging have to do with marketing? What is branding? How might Sprite’s green Read more…
Taco Bell’s newest location ditches the dining room and has four drive-thru lanes instead. Click here to read the story at cnn.com. Discussion Questions: What is place as it relates to the marketing mix? How might this story demonstrate the concept of place? Based on information from this story, describe how Read more…
With more people preparing coffee at home because of the pandemic, the market for fun-flavored creamers and beans — Almond Joy! S’Mores! Strawberry cheesecake! — is exploding as we bring our Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks taste buds to the living room. Click here to read the story at axios.com. Discussion Read more…
Get ready to turn up the heat because 7-Eleven, Inc. is officially entering Brainfreeze Season – a time to hang loose, try new things, make unforgettable memories and take summer from a ten…to an ELEVEN. Click here to read the story at qsrmagazine.com. Discussion Questions: What is promotion? What is Brainfreeze Season? How might Read more…