Chapter 09 - Learning, Memory, and Product Positioning
Part V 9-3
LO5: Understand the application of learning to brand positioning, equity, and leverage
Brand image, a market segment or individual consumer’s schematic memory of a brand, is a major focus
of marketing activity. Product positioning is a decision by a marketer to attempt to attain a defined and
differentiated brand image, generally in relation to specific competitors. A brand image that matches a
target market’s needs and desires will be valued by that market segment. Such a brand is said to have
brand equity because consumers respond favorably toward it in the market. In addition, these consumers
may be willing to assume that other products with the same brand name will have some of the same
features which relates to how consumers learn to generalize from one stimulus to another. Introducing
new products under the same name as an existing product is referred to as brand leverage or brand
extension.
LECTURE TIPS AND AIDS
1) A good way to illustrate semantic memory is to provide a handout to the class such that one-third of
the class receives a piece of paper with a brand name at the top, one-third receives a product category,
and one-third receives a “need” such as hungry or lonesome. Give students three or four minutes to
write down all the words and phrases that come to mind when they see the key word. Have several
students with each type of word write their lists on the blackboard. Discussion can center on the
similarities and differences between individuals and between types of key words.
2) A good way to underscore the importance of understanding the learning process for the student is to
describe advertisements as “learning situations encapsulated.” In effect, many ads try to show the
viewer an entire learning process: what the problem is, cues as to how brand purchase can solve the
problem, appropriate reinforcement, and satisfaction evaluation. In other words, how consumers
“learn” to be satisfied by the purchase of a brand.
3) Before class, ascertain the price of several items students would commonly purchase at a nearby store
such as the course textbook, pen, soft drink, quart of milk, or notebook. In class, ask the students how
much these items cost. This can lead to a discussion of why some students have learned the prices of
some items while others have not.
4) The concept of imagery, one of the general characteristics of learning brought out in the chapter,
provides an interesting and useful application of learning to direct marketing practice. Brand names,
logos, brand symbols, package design, and ad copy and layout all use the concept of imagery heavily.
Pick a product such as automobiles and ask students which brand names have high imagery potential
and which do not.
5) Extinction can be illustrated by asking for the names of recent defeated vice presidential candidates,
losers of recent super bowls or World Series, and the name of the author of the textbook used in the
basic marketing class.
6) Assign and/or prepare one or more of the CB PRESS HIGHLIGHTS articles for class discussion.
The searchable CB Press Highlights Database can be found on the Instructor Online Learning Center
at www.mhhe.com/hawkins12e.
7) Build a recent news story or commercial into your PowerPoints. The searchable Video and
Commercial Links Database can be found on the Instructor Online Learning Center at
www.mhhe.com/hawkins12e.