Exam 4: The Marketing Environment

Almost any product in India,from tap water to milk,has traces of toxins due to the overuse and misuse of insecticides by Indian farmers,but the government expects multinational corporations (MNCs)operating in India to produce food that is toxin-free.In this way both _____ factors influence the operating environment for foreign firms.

A cold medicine manufacturer offers a promotion allowance to retailers for setting up displays featuring its products. Retailers are also offered promotional allowances on purchases of the products. Which legislation requires the manufacturer to make these promotion allowances available to all retailers on a proportionately equal basis?

Generation Y is the most ethnically diverse generation the nation has ever seen.

Which of the following is NOT a demographic characteristic of a population?

The external environment is a strong influence on a target market and can provide _____ for the marketing manager.

Abetta,Royal King,Kincade,EquiRoyal,and Amadeus are all manufacturers and marketers of Western-style saddles for horses.Thus,the manufacturers are _____ factors in each other's external environments.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)has many regulatory powers that govern the action of persons and corporations.Name and briefly describe four of the powers of the FTC.

What is environmental scanning? Give an example of an opportunity and a threat that environmental scanning might identify for a suntan lotion company.

Quaker Oats and other cereal manufacturers have developed what they call "breakfast-with-one-hand" products-no-mess breakfast bars and drinks that can be consumed while commuting.The popularity of on-the-go food is largely the result of changes in _____ factors.

While managers can control the marketing mix,they cannot control the elements in the external environment that continually mold and reshape the target market.List six variables of the external environment that are not directly under the control of marketing managers.

An economic recession increases demand for products and services.

All of the following are powers of the Federal Trade Commission EXCEPT:

Lance is a 30-year old,single professional who enjoys hiking,college sports,and poetry. He lives with his girlfriend but does not have plans to get married in the near future. He leads a life much different from his father who married right after high school,had children,and worked for the same company his entire career. More and more in the U.S.,consumers like Lance are enjoying _____,piecing together a variety of interests,products,and services instead of conforming to traditional stereotypes.

A marketing researcher is conducting a focus group interview with a group of working mothers to learn how Kraft can better meet their needs for convenience foods. What type of research does this represent?

Alex purchased a battery-operated drill,and the first time he used the drill,the battery pack overheated and exploded.After Alex's trip to the emergency room,it was determined that the explosion was due to a problem with how the drill was manufactured.Alex would like to lodge a complaint about the poor quality of the drill's construction.To which federal agency should he complain?

Interest rates,inflation,and consumer income that influence the marketing environment are called _____ factors.

Which of the following is the most difficult for marketing managers to forecast,influence,or integrate into marketing plans?

E-cigarettes Smoking inflames non-smokers and claims the lives of more than 400,000 smokers each year, so the electronic cigarette is a welcomed alternative. Electronic cigarettes, called e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that emit a vapor from nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. It looks like a cigarette and allows smokers to inhale the nicotine vapor in places where smoking is not allowed. The product has been touted as a means to quit smoking as well. However, critics, especially the Food and Drug Administration, claim that "vaping" poses risks. In fact, the FDA claims its tests revealed a toxic chemical that is found in anti-freeze as well as other carcinogens. The FDA blocked a shipment of the product from China and banned the sale of this product in the United States. In addition to the safety issue, the FDA is concerned that children might be attracted to this product because they come in flavors other than traditional menthol, such as bubble gum, chocolate, and strawberry. The FDA wants this product to go through the same rigorous testing that drugs must go through before being marketed. However, the FDA's authority over this product is questioned. While Congress has recently given the FDA authority over tobacco products, this is not a tobacco product and the Electronic Cigarette Association is fighting the ban. -Refer to E-cigarettes. In 1964,42% of Americans smoked,but now that rate has dropped below 20%. Which environmental factor has had the greatest impact on this trend?

The clothing style worn by tweens reflects that of their parents.

The Hispanic population is driving minority growth in the United States.