Marketing Trends

Consider the broad changes occurring in marketing today and identify themes that you believe are emerging from these changes. Can these themes and changes be related to societal forces? How? Provide examples of societal changes and how these changes have impacted the way marketing activities are conducted. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

Customer Needs and Wants

Marketing has often been defined in terms of satisfying customers' needs and wants; however, marketing critics argue that marketing can be unethical by creating needs and wants that did not exist before. Marketing can encourage customers to spend money on goods and services they really do not need or want. Take a position on the following ethical dilemma: Do you think marketing merely reflects the needs and wants of consumers, or that marketing creates unnecessary customers' needs and wants? Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.