Publications

July 2003
Case

CARE USA

By: John A. Quelch

CARE USA is spearheading a rebranding process for the organization. Examines the process and components of the rebranding strategy and its impact on CARE USA's direct mail strategy. Includes color exhibits. View Details

Keywords: Nonprofit Organizations; Marketing Communications; Brands and Branding; United States

August 1994 (Revised May 1997)
Case

Sony Corporation: The Walkman Line

Explores how Sony manages its Walkman line in both the domestic (Japanese) and Western markets. Describes a simple target costing system, a simple Japanese cost accounting system, and the management of product proliferation. View Details

Keywords: Cost Accounting; Brands and Branding; Consumer Products Industry; Japan

01 Sep 2020
News

Giving Amazon the Boot

direct-to-consumer brands are bypassing Amazon from the get-go. “What I have learned from talking to hundreds of our merchants is that when they start a business, it’s really an expression of themselves. And... View Details

Keywords: Lisa Scanlon Mogolov; Miscellaneous Store Retailers; Retail Trade

August 1999 (Revised October 1999)
Case

RCA Records: The Digital Revolution

By: Jeffrey F. Rayport, Carin-Isabel Knoop and Cate Reavis

In 1995, Bertelsmann-owned RCA Records was considered a "tired and old" record label. By 1999, the company represented a number of the "hottest" acts in the music industry. Nevertheless, the company's position (as well as that of the entire music industry) was under... View Details

Keywords: Brands and Branding; Business Model; Competition; Corporate Strategy; Internet and the Web; Change Management; Marketing Strategy; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; United States

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20 Jan 2023
News

Free Spirits

Island, Golden Road Brewing, and Omission, also offer low or no-alcohol beers. But the company’s flagship is Bud Zero, which arrived on the scene in 2020, in a splashy partnership with the retired NBA player Dwayne Wade. “We saw that as... View Details

Keywords: Jen McFarland Flint; Food Services and Drinking Places; Food Services and Drinking Places

April 2013
Case

The Walt Disney Company: The Entertainment King (Abridged)

By: Michael G. Rukstad and David J. Collis

The first ten pages of this case are comprised of the company's history, from 1923 to 2001. The Walt years are described, as is the company's decline after his death and its resurgence under Eisner. The last five pages are devoted to Eisner's strategic challenges in... View Details

Keywords: Competitive Advantage; Vertical Integration; Corporate Strategy; Boundaries; Brands and Branding; Entertainment and Recreation Industry

01 Jun 2014
News

In My Humble Opinion: Jan Swartz (MBA 1996)

SWARTZ: Captaining a global brand through the high seas (photo by Susan J. Young) SWARTZ: Captaining a global brand through the high seas (photo by Susan J. Young) Growing up in Houston, Jan Swartz (MBA... View Details

Keywords: Julia Hanna; Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation; Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation; Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation

01 Mar 2014
News

Cutting Edge

Steve Silk (MBA 1978), shown here with his Smith Brothers actors, is a master at fashioning turnarounds. SILK & HIS BROS: "Iconic brands like Smith Brothers get instantaneous consumer and media respect."... View Details

Keywords: Food and Beverage Stores; Food and Beverage Stores; Food and Beverage Stores

Web

Courses by Faculty Unit - Course Catalog

2025 Q4 1.5 Creating Brand Value Michael Moynihan Fall 2024 Q2 1.5 Julian de Freitas Spring 2025 Q4 1.5 Digital Marketing Workshop Jacob Cook Fall 2024 Q1 1.5 Field Course: Business of the Arts (also listed under General Management View Details

October 2016 (Revised April 2018)
Case

JCPenney: Back in Business

By: Elie Ofek, K. Shelette Stewart and Christine Snively

In 2016, JCPenney was in the midst of a multi-year turnaround after coming dangerously close to bankruptcy. Under CEO Marvin Ellison, the company had identified three strategic objectives—a focus on omnichannel, private label goods, and increasing revenue per... View Details

Keywords: Retail; Customer Management; Omnichannel; Turnarounds; Private Label; Promotions; Marketing Strategy; Brands and Branding; Customer Relationship Management; Goals and Objectives; Competition; Retail Industry; United States

May 2002 (Revised October 2002)
Case

Dell--New Horizons

By: V. Kasturi Rangan and Marie Bell

Founded in 1984, Dell Corp. has achieved phenomenal growth, and by 2000 had topped $25 billion in sales and over $2 billion in net income. In the 4th quarter of 2000, however, the PC industry's average 30-year growth rate crashed to a negative 10%. Dell must make... View Details

Keywords: History; Decisions; Product Positioning; Marketing Strategy; Framework; Globalization; Brands and Branding; Computer Industry; Technology Industry; United States

May 1990 (Revised October 1991)
Case

Black & Decker Corp.: Spacemaker Plus Coffeemaker (B)

Describes the highly successful recall of the Black & Decker Spacemaker Plus Coffeemaker. Objectives include: 1) factors in product recall effectiveness and success, 2) the use of direct marketing in product recall, 3) the role of public relations in product recall,... View Details

Keywords: Safety; Brands and Branding; Product Marketing; Consumer Products Industry

14 Oct 2013
Research & Ideas

Blockbuster! Why Star Power Works

Q: Why is it so effective? A: A wide range of factors explains its success. For one, strong brands and high production values matter. Scale also brings marketing advantages: It is relatively cost-efficient... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Entertainment & Recreation

November 2003
Supplement

P&G Japan: The SK-II Globalization Project

By: Christopher A. Bartlett

Paolo de Cesare and A.G. Lafley review the strategic and organizational challenges they face in deciding whether to make the prestigious Japanese beauty product, SK-II, a global brand. In a three-part videotaped interview, they discuss the challenges, reveal the... View Details

Keywords: Globalization; Brands and Branding; Organizational Structure; Strategy; Decision Choices and Conditions; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; Japan

June 1993
Case

Case of Unidentified Countries

By: Bruce R. Scott and Monica Brand

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June 2016
Teaching Note

Filene's Basement: Inside a Fired Customer's Relationship

By: Jill Avery and Susan Fournier

How, in a business climate in which building relationships with customers has dominated both managerial thought and marketing budgets, could Filene's Basement have fired a loyal customer, one who was formally and informally recognized as a best customer? This case... View Details

Keywords: CRM; Customer Profitability Analysis; Customer Lifetime Value; Consumer Behavior; Marketing; Marketing Strategy; Customer Focus and Relationships; Brands and Branding; Customer Relationship Management; Retail Industry; United States

April 1994 (Revised March 1997)
Case

Planet Reebok (A)

By: John A. Quelch

Reebok International Ltd. is preparing to launch its first global advertising campaign for "Planet Reebok" in three European countries--France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Planet Reebok was recently launched in the United States during the 1993 Superbowl. The... View Details

Keywords: Globalization; Advertising Campaigns; Brands and Branding; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; France; Germany; United Kingdom