Assignment: Discussion-The Dark Side?

Marketing professionals promote products and services in order to educate and persuade consumers to purchase them. Many consumers believe that marketing satisfies their needs by developing and promoting products and services that they need. However, some consumers believe that marketing professionals create needs by promoting products that they do not actually need.

• Examine whether marketing creates or satisfies consumer needs.
• Describe the "dark side" of marketing.
• Cite examples of companies that have compromised their ethics or values for increased sales and profits.