The Marketing reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Marketing

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Marketing is the craft of linking the producers (or potential producers) of a product or service with customers, both existing and potential. It is an inevitable and necessary consequence of capitalism. However marketing is not limited to capitalist countries. Marketing techniques are applied in all political systems, and in many aspects of life. Marketing methods are informed by many of the social sciences, particularly psychology, sociology, and economics. Marketing research underpins these activities. Through advertising, it is also related to many of the creative arts. Successful marketers typically have a customer orientation or focus.

What marketing involves

Contrary to the popular conception, marketing is not just about promotion -- it can be divided into four sections, often called the "four Ps". They are:

These four elements are often referred to as the marketing mix. A marketer will use these variables to craft a marketing plan. For a marketing plan to be successful, the mix of the four "p's" must reflect the wants and desires of the consumers in the target market. Trying to convince a market segment to buy something they don't want is extremely expensive and seldom successful. Marketers depend on marketing research to determine what consumers want and what they are willing to pay for. Marketers hope that this process will give them a sustainable competitive advantage. Marketing management is the practical application of this process.

Finding marketing articles

What follows is a list of over 200 Wikipedia articles on marketing topics. If you create a marketing article, please add it to this list.

Marketing fundamentals

Marketing strategies

Marketing management

Product management

Pricing

Promotion

Distribution

Direct marketing

Consumer Behaviour

Marketing research

Services marketing

E-Marketing

Evolution of marketing

Criticisms

Related topics

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