Case Study

Starbucks Third Place Positioning – Still Relevant?

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Environment, Marketing Mix, Member Activities, Services/CRM, Strategy and Plans

This Starbucks case study focuses on their longstanding “third place” concept, which has been a key component of their success and differentiation. However, your students will need to assess whether this “third place” offering remains a viable strategy in today’s marketing environment, considering trends like remote work, increased competition, cost of living concerns, and shifting consumer expectations.

Starbucks Third Place Positioning – Still Relevant? Review the Teaching Activity

Crocodile Dundee Tourism Case Study

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, International, Member Activities, Promotion, video

In this activity, students review an Australian tourism campaign that included a fake news story about an upcoming Crocodile Dundee movie. Featuring Hollywood celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Margot Robbie, and employing humor, film references, PR stunts, and a Super Bowl TV spot, the campaign captured global attention. This exercise crosses into international marketing, leveraging consumer insight, creative storytelling, media strategy, and campaign effectiveness.

Crocodile Dundee Tourism Case Study Review the Teaching Activity

Addressing the Challenges Facing Starbucks

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Environment, Member Activities, Services/CRM, Strategy and Plans, video

In this mini case study, students explore the strategic challenges facing Starbucks, including its drift away from its core brand identity and its “third place” experience. Due to its expansion and diverse product offerings, Starbucks strengths have transformed into potential weaknesses. Students will review how operational inefficiencies, market pressures, and changing consumer behaviors have impacted the brand, and assess whether the proposed strategic changes will be effective. NOTE: This activity can also be run as a video case study, with an optional detailed video to show students.

Addressing the Challenges Facing Starbucks Review the Teaching Activity

Classic Case Study: McDonalds Happy Meals

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Ethics, Member Activities, New Product Process, Products and Brands, Promotion, Segmentation and Positioning

This McDonald’s case study reviews their iconic and enduring Happy Meal offering. The case explores a variety of marketing concepts with a particular focus on family decision making, product bundling, brand associations, ethical considerations, and the ability to offer multiple benefits to deliver consumer value. Although it is a relatively simple product, its continued and significant market success is undeniable, making it a classic and important case study for your students.

Classic Case Study: McDonalds Happy Meals Review the Teaching Activity

Classic Case Study: Snickers You’re Not You When You’re Hungry

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Member Activities, Products and Brands, Promotion, Segmentation and Positioning

This activity focuses on the Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign as a mini case study. Students will explore the campaign’s creative use of humor and the role of classical conditioning in creating brand associations through the integration of cohesive IMC strategy.

Classic Case Study: Snickers You’re Not You When You’re Hungry Review the Teaching Activity

Classic Case Study: The KFC FCK Campaign

Case Study, Member Activities, Places and Channels, Products and Brands, Promotion, video

This video-based activity explores KFC’s innovative response to a 2018 supply chain crisis in the UK, which led to widespread restaurant closures due to a lack of chicken. Instead of opting for a defensive approach, KFC launched the bold “FCK” campaign, a humorous and self-deprecating apology that turned a potential PR disaster into a masterclass in brand recovery. Students will analyze the campaign’s elements, its impact on KFC’s brand image, and lessons in crisis communication.

Classic Case Study: The KFC FCK Campaign Review the Teaching Activity

Jaguar Rebranding Mini Case Study

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Member Activities, News item, Segmentation and Positioning, Social, Strategy and Plans

This is a mini case study of brand repositioning using Jaguar’s 2024 strategy. It is a shorter version of the full case study also on this website, Students will analyze their promotional video and their overall rebranding and repositioning strategy. Therefore, this mini case is more suitable for an in-class discussion task, especially around brand and positioning topics.

Jaguar Rebranding Mini Case Study Review the Teaching Activity

Jaguar Rebranding and Repositioning Case Study

Case Study, Consumer Behavior, Free Activities, Marketing Environment, New Product Process, Products and Brands, Segmentation and Positioning, Strategy and Plans

This case study examines the challenges of brand repositioning using Jaguar’s 2024 strategy. Students will analyze key marketing decisions, including the promotional video and their concept car launch. The case encourages critical thinking about creative messaging, brand management, strategy, DEI issues, and the risks of targeting new consumers while potentially alienating loyal customers.

Jaguar Rebranding and Repositioning Case Study Review the Teaching Activity

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